Spanish Metre Gauge
A unique journey by special metre-gauge trains. We are chartering the "Expreso de la Robla" (sleeping berths and saloon cars) and " Tren Historico" consists for a comfortable voyage over the FEVE narrow-gauge network of Northern Spain. We will also travel with the Euskotren services between Hendaye and San Sebastian ("El Topo") and between San Sebastian and Bilbao as well as the Bilbao tramway and the "Cercanias" local network.
Introduction
This 7 day trip, fully inclusive, is especially designed to offer as much to the railfan as to the less rail-orientated traveller ; whilst one sub-group has interesting insights into the operations and equipment of the rail network covered, the other sub group takes part in guided excursions and visits of general interest, ensuring an interesting time is had by all. And of course everybody benefits from the comfort of the chartered sleeper train, the delicious meals and the services of an English-speaking tour manager.
We are organising this tour in partnership with the French railfan association "FACS" - the "Fédération des Amis des Chemin de Fer Sécondaires" and are pleased to be able to offer this unique opportunity to a wider public. Your tour price includes a mandatory and modest 2011 membership of the association.
Departure point: Hendaye
End point: Hendaye
Departure dates: 2011
1st Group 28th March (Fully booked)
2nd Group 30th March
Language spoken: English/Anglais, French/Français,
Journey type: Railfan / Ferroviphile,
Details
Monday 28th March
Afternoon :
Individual arrivals in Hendaye, regrouping and travel by metre gauge train to San Sebastian; check-in at our city centre hôtel and evening dinner .
Tuesday 29th March
Morning :
RailfanGroup : Metre gauge train to Zumaia and visit to the Basque Railway Museum in Azpeitia. Special steam excursion. Lunch.
Tourist Group : Guided visit of San Sebastian followed by lunch.
Afternoon :
Tourist Group : Transfer to Zumai to rejoin the Railfan group, followed by a two-hour train journey for both groups to Bilbao, through the valleys of the Basque Country. Upon arrival in Bilbao, welcome and presentation of the "La Robla" cruise train. Dinner. Night on board. (2-berth compartments each with private WC and shower).
Wednesday 30th March
Morning :
Railfan Group : Round and about Bilbao by tram, funicular and local RENFE network.
Tourist Group : Guided tour of Bilbao. Lunch together for both groups.
Afternoon:
For both groups : First excursion with our charter train to Santander, on the Bay of Biscay. Dinner in Santander and night on board train.
Thursday 31st March
Morning:
Railfan Group : Visit of the FEVE installations in Santander. Free time for individual visits of the town.
Tourist Group : Guided visit of the town. Lunch together for both groups.
Afternoon:
For both groups, second excursion with our charter train, to Gijon. Arrival early evening, dinner in town and night on board.
Friday 1st April
Morning :
Our first journey on board "La Robla" ends after breakfast.
Railfan Group : Visit of the "Museo del Ferrocaril de Asturias".
Tourism Group : Guided tour of Gijón and the Botanical Gardens. Free time for lunch for both groups.
Afternoon :
Departure with FEVE local train to Oviedo. Free time to visit the town at leisure or to make a few short journeys along the FEVE network from Oviedo. At the end of the afternoon, for both groups transfer to Léon, check-in at our city-centre hôtel and dinner.
Saturday 2nd April
Morning :
Short coach transfer to San Feliz (15 km) to join our second chartered consist "El Tren Historico" (diésel) for our day-long journey to Bilbao through the Cantabrian mountains. We stop for lunch on the way.
Afternoon:
Our train stops in Balmaseda. The Railfan group visits the FEVE workshops in the town and the Tourist Group goes on a guided tour of this charming town. After the visits both groups rejoin our "La Robla" chartered train (which we left in Gijón) for the final stage of our journey to Bilbao. Arrival early evening, dinner in town and night on board.
Sunday 3rd April
Morning:
After our final breakfast on board, transfer to Hendaye with the FEVE direct Sundays only service. Arrival in Hendaye at 12h15 and end of group journey. For those who would like to spend more time in Bilbao in the morning, possibility of later connection onward to Hendaye.
Tariffs
Tariffs from Hendaye:
Double room and twin-berth cabin per person : 1130 €
Supplement single room and twin-berth for sole use : 380 €
Supplement twin-berth for sole use and double room : 285 €*
* This formula is designed for those travelling together but who would like the addtional comfort of a twin-berth compartment per person.
NB Single rooms and berths are limited in number.
Options
What's included :
Accommodation :
4 nights on board our charter train "La Robla" in twin-berth sleeping compartments comprising a wardrobe, shower and WC, radio.
2 nights in three star hôtels.
Meals :
Full-board (breakfast, lunch and dinner) except lunch on Friday 1st April.
Visits :
All the visits mentioned in the programme.
Miscellaneous :
English-speaking tour-manager during the whole trip.
Special trains Bilbao-Santander-Gijón et Léon-Bilbao.
Regular trains Hendaye-San Sebastian, San-Sebastian-Zumaia, Zumaia-Bilbao et Gijón-Oviedo.
Coach Oviedo-Léon et Léon-San Féliz.
What's not included :
Travel Insurance
Journey to/from Hendaye
Drinks
Personal expenditure
