El Transcantabrico Grand Luxe San Sebastian

Your 8-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 seriously pampered, as befits this category of luxury travel : a full-sized double-bed, lounge area, shower and WC, television and radio, Personal Computer with Internet access and a private minibar are all standard equipment for each of the two Suites which make up each carriage in the train.

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Departure point: San Sebastian, Spain
End point: Santiago di Compostela, Spain
Departure dates: 2011
21st May; 4th, 18th June; 2nd,16th,30th July; 13th, 27th August; 3rd, 10th, 24th September; 8th, 8th, 22nd October

2012
5th, 19th May; 2nd,16th,30th June;14th,28th July; 11th, 25th August; 8th, 22nd September; 6th,20th October; 1st December

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

Day 1
Individual arrivals in San Sebastian. Welcome by the staff of the "El Transcantabrico" and guided tour of the town followed by lunch. During the afternoon transfer to the special luxury train and departure for Guipuzcoan, Zarautz and Gueteria. Dinner on board and first night on board in your wood-panelled sleeping berth comprising double-bed, minibar, wardrobe and ensuite shower and WC.
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Day 2
After a buffet breakfast served on board, the train leaves for Bilbao, reached during the morning. Here you have a a guided tour through the Old Town and a visit to the Guggenheim Museum and the Swinging Bridge of Portugalete followed by lunch. During the afternoon the train leaves Bilbao and heads towards the Mena Valley and the little town of Mercadillo. The train stays in Mercadillo overnight whilst dinner is served and whilst you sleep comfortably on board.

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Day 3
This morning the train will arrive in Cantabria and a full day of visits awaits; in the little town of Gama, transfer by luxury motor-coach to visit the El Moreno de Mareas (tidal mills) in Argoño, Santoña and Laredo. Lunch follows in Limpias, famous for its "Crucifix of Limpias". Once back on board the train continues on to Santander, the aristocratic and pleasant city on the Cantabrian coast. Dinner and overnight on board the train in Santander.
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Day 4
For this fourth day of the railcruise, the train leaves the Cantabrian coast and heads westwards with a stop in Cabézon de la Sal, followed by a guided visit to the Neo Cave of the Altimara Museum, where cave paintings dating from over 14,000 years ago have been reproduced. The excursion continues to Santillana de Mar, a delightful medieval town to the east. After lunch in Santillana, the train heads for Llanes where it stays overnight. Dinner on board.
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Day5
Whilst breakfast is being served, "El Transcantabrico" heads towards the Asturias and the town of Arrondias, departure point for the excursion to the Picos de Europa National Park. During the excursion guests discover the beautiful Lake Enol, the Covadonga Sanctuary (battleplace of the "Reconquista" in 722 a.d.) and the medieval town of Cangas de Onis. Towards days end, the train leaves for Gijon, the second most important city of the Asturias. Dinner and night on board the train in Gijon.
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Day 6
Leaving the coast behind, the train today winds its way into the hinterland of the Asturias heading for the town of Oviedo, capital of the Principality. After a guided tour of the city and its monuments, followed by lunch, the train then continues westwards to Luarca, the "White Town" of the Green Coast.
Dinner and night on board the train in Luarca.
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Day 7
Soon after breakfast the train heads for Galicia, following the northern coast of the Asturias. The first stop in Galicia is the seaside town of Ribadeo where the river Eo flows into the sea. A guided tour of the town is followed by lunch before the train leaves for Viveiro. In Viveiro a guided tour of the town and its ramparts precedes dinner and a night on board the train.
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Day 8
For this final day of the railcruise, the train heads along the last stretch of the narrow-gauge line as far as Ferrol. A luxury motor coach ensures a comfortable transfer to the journey's ultimate destination : Santiago de Compostela. After visiting the city and its highlights - the Cathedral, Obraidoro Square, Platerias... the journey ends with individual transfers for the return journey home.
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3550 € per person, based on two persons sharing a double room and for a booking more than 6 months in advance. Our booking system will always show the standard "less than 4 months" tariff ; you booking confirmation will confirm the appropriate advance booking tariff.

	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 Deluxe Double	3 750,00 €	3 825,00 €	3 900,00 €
Price per person Deluxe for single use	7 500,00 €	7 650,00 €	7 800,00 €
Supplement Triple Deluxe Suite	1 650,00 €	1 700,00 €	1 800,00 €

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 :

• 7 nights on board the "El Transcantabrico" in a De Luxe Suite with double-bed, ensuite shower and WC, computer,air-conditioning, minibar and private lounge area.
• 7 buffet breakfasts served on board
• 7 lunches in the towns mentioned in the programme
• 7 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 San Sebastian, and return from Santiago di Compostela.
• Meals not mentioned in the tour description.
• Personal expenditure.

Options available :

 

a) Outward journey on Friday by high-speed train, 1st/2nd. Class : Paris (London, Brussels, Amsterdam) to Hendaye and local train Hendaye-San Sebastian. One night in a 4**** hôtel in San Sebastian on Friday. Return : One extra night in Santiago on Saturday. Direct train (1st/2nd Class) RENFE Santiago de Compostela - Medina del Campo and connection to Burgos on Sunday. From Burgos direct overnight "Trenhotel" to Paris (London, Brussels, Amsterdam), arrival Monday morning. Tariffs and availability : please enquire.

b) Mini-cruise from Portsmouth or Caen to Santander and connections to/from San Sebastian/Santiago. Tariffs and availability : please enquire.