El Expreso de la Robla Bilbao

100 € off departures 1st, 8th and 15th December ! Your 4-day tour is fully inclusive and includes many varied visits and excursions to ensure you learn more about the history and nature of these fascinating regions. You'll be comfortably installed in a luxury two-berth sleeping compartment with en suite shower and WC, radio and air conditioning.

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Departure point: Bilbao, Spain
End point: Bilbao, Spain
Departure dates: 2011
3rd, 10th, 17th, 24th, 31st March ; 7th, 14th, 21st, 28th April ; 5th, 12th, 19th, 26th May ; 2nd, 9th June; 22nd, 29th September ; 6th, 13th October ; 24th November, 1st, 8th, 15th December
2012
29th March; 5th, 12th, 19th & 26th April; 3rd, 10th, 17th, 24th & 31st May; 7th, 14th, 21st & 28th June; 6th, 13th, 20th & 27th September; 4th, 11th & 25th October; 1st & 8th November

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Language spoken: English/Anglais,  Spanish/Espagnol,  
Journey type: Escorted / Accompagné,  Luxury / Luxe,  

Day 1
Individual arrivals in Bilbao. Welcome by the team of the "El Expreso de la Robla" between 13h30 and 15h45 followed by a guided visit of the train and its saloons. Departure of the luxury train at 16h for Espinosa de los Monteros. On arrival, excursion by motor-coach to Ojo Güareña followed by a guided tour of the karstic cave complex, one of the largest in the world. These grounds are home to unique forms of invertabraes and the caves have unique geological forms. The grounds also house numerous ceramic relics, utensils, paintings and gravings from different eras.

After the visit the train travels from nearby Sotoscueva to Vado Cervera; here dinner is served at the Parador de Fuentes Carrionas, followed by the first night on board the train in the wood-panelled sleeping compartments, each one equipped with two bunk beds, cupboard, air-conditioning, WC and shower.
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Day 2
Whilst breakfast is being served, the train starts of in the direction of Cistierna where an excursion by motor-coach awaits. This guided tour of the Mine and Steel Museum in Sabero is followed by a trip to nearby Boñar ; guided visit of the wildlife centre and bella vista over the Poma reservoir. Valdehuesa is the venue for lunch, before continuing the journey to León, slowly climbing the low mountain range.

León is of roman origin and there is ample opportunity to sample its art and culture : guided visits of the Cathedral, San Isidoro, the historic town centre and San Marcos. To round of a very full day dinner is served in the renowned Prieto Picudo wine cellars. Night on board the train in León.

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Day 3
The train leaves León first thing in the morning while breakfast is being served and follows the Torio river valley to Matallana. In Matallana the motor-coach awaits the group for a short journey to Valporquero - the largest and most spectacular caves in Northern Spain. A purpose-built promenade allows visitors to fully enjoy the magnificent stalactites and stalagmites which adorn the caves.

The train awaits in nearby Matallana for the ride to Vado-Cervera where a motor-coach provides the connection for the visit to Aguilar de Campoo, a delightful town of alleyways, stone walls and arcades, evoking the roman influence in Palencia. After lunch, served in a pictoresque local hostellry and a walking tour of the town, the motor-coach heads for Mataporquera where the train is waiting. The day ends with dinner in Espinosa de Los Monteros, the overnight stop.
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Day 4
After breakfast, guided tour of the town of Alcazar de los Condestables. After the visit the journey continues northwards towards Balmaseda for a typical lunch and visit of a no less typical beret-factory - this is after all the Basque Country. In the afternoon the journey continues with a visit to the Torre de Loizaga château in Galdames and its collection of Rolls Royces. In the early evening the train makes the final leg of the journey to Bilbao with an arrival at approximately 20h.
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750 € per person, based on two persons sharing a double room and for a booking more than 6 months in advance.

	Booking at least 6 months before departure	Booking between 6 and 4 months before departure	Booking less than 4 months before departure
Price per person Double	650 €	700 €	750 €
Supplement for single use	200 €	200 €	200 €

40% of the total cost is due on booking. Please note 15% of the total amount is retained in case of cancellation, but you may change the departure date once with a minimum of 30 days notice before the original departure date. If you change dates less than 30 days before, then there is a 15% surcharge. If you cancel subsequent to a change of date, 100% of the cost is due.

Standard cancellation charges :

Between 30 and 15 days before departure = 25%

Between 14 and 5 days = 50 %

Between 4 and 1 day = 80 %

Less than 24h = 100%

What's included :

• 3 nights on board the "El Expreso de la Robla" in a twin-berth sleeping compartmentwith en suite shower and WC, radio and air-conditioning. 
• 3 buffet breakfasts served on board
• 3 lunches in the towns mentioned in the programme
• 3 dinners on board including wine, coffee and liqueurs
• All the visits and excursions mentioned in the programme
• Transfers by luxury motor-coach
• Evening entertainment on board
• Security
• Spanish and English-speaking staff
• Daily newspapers

What's not included :

• Travel Insurance
• Travel to and from Bilbao.
• Meals not mentioned in the tour description.
• Personal expenditure.

Pre and post tour travel options :

 

a) Outward journey on the Wednesday in first or second class (London, Brussels, Amsterdam) to Irun by TGV high-speed train, then local trains Irun-Bilbao and overnight 4**** hôtel accommodation. Return journey : Extra night in Bilbao on the Sunday evening . On the Monday local trains Bilbao-Irun then TGV to Paris (London, Brussels, Amsterdam) .

b) Outward journey on the Wednesday from Paris (London, Brussels, Amsterdam) by overnight train, (1st Class Couchettes) to Hendaye. Local trains for Bilbao. Return journey : as a) above.

c) Outward, return or out and back by Brittany Ferries (Portsmouth or Caen) overnight cruise ship and onward connections from/to Santander and Bilbao. Possible to combine ship one way and train the other and additional nights' hôtel accommodation.

Tariffs for these options : please enquire