Asturias - Cantabria

A "Cruise on Rails"
From Altamira's prehistoric caves
to the avant-garde Guggenheim Museum

Hop on a 52-passenger luxury train (8 days - 7 nights) and discover rugged and scenic "Green Spain" along the shores of the Bay of Biscay. In this pastoral corner of northern Spain, four provinces - Galicia, Cantabria, Asturias and the Basque Country - unroll gracefully among high mountains, green meadows, stony cliffs and sandy beaches. The region abounds with out-of -the-way places brimming with history, charm and vibrant energy.

This distinctive train tour takes you to the heart of all these regions and lets you enjoy their beauty as well as discover the uniqueness of their local cultures. The beauty of the countryside, the monuments and the pleasures of unrivalled cuisine await you, along with the exquisite accommodations of this incredible "hotel on rails."

ITINERARIES

Two itineraries are available (click on names for details):

1. Leon to Santiago de Compostela (or reverse)
2. Santiago de Compostela to San Sebastian (or reverse)

What's it like on a train "cruise"?

The compartments. Surrounded by idyllic "Green Spain," you'll enjoy touring on an elegant train with compartments designed for complete rest and privacy. The train stops overnight every day, so your sleep is not disturbed by the jolting of cars or the clatter of wheels. This also allows you to go out and savor the unique atmosphere of the local town in the evening.

• Each standard sleeping car has four compartments with a double bed (47" x 72"), carpeted floor, minibar, safe, wardrobe, writing desk and a telephone with an external line.
• Each compartment has a private bathroom with hydro-sauna, turbo-massage, steam bath and hair dryer.
• Three compartments also have an overhead bunk bed. In two of the compartments, the bunk bed measures 35" x 72"; in the third compartment, the bunk bed measures 31" x 72".
• There is one deluxe suite with a large bed (59" x 79"), computer with Internet access, videogames, sofa, two television sets, desk, minibar, safe, etc., plus a large bathroom with sauna, jacuzzi, and Turkish bath.
• Air conditioning and heating can be regulated individually.
• Both the bedroom and the bathroom have large picture windows with curtains.
• All coaches are internally connected so you can move freely on the train.

The lounges. The train has four lounge carriages decorated in luxurious "Belle Epoque" style:

• The "pub carriage" with a bar and a dance floor, which is decorated and lit like a small night club, with entertainment every night.
• Another bar suitable for having a quiet drink with your new friends.
• A common "living room" with television/video and tables for games, etc.
• The library, where you can sit back and relax with the daily newspaper, a magazine or one of the books in the library's collection.

Waiters serve the tables in all lounges so that you can enjoy the scenery, chat, read or play games as you wish.

The food. As one travels through Castilla y Léon and along the Cantabrian coast, it quickly becomes apparent that cuisine is going to play a major role on this train ride. Galicia, Asturias and the Basque Country are, in the opinion of many great chefs (as well as that of many demanding gourmets) the regions where the finest cuisine in Spain is to be found.

Each menu during the tour offers the opportunity to savor some of the most famous dishes from each region's gastronomy: stuffed meats, lamb, fresh fish from the Bay of Biscay, Asturian bean stew, octopus, cod, shellfish, Frixuelos (Asturian-style crepes), Casadielles (fried tarts filled with walnut paste typical of Asturias), fried milk and, not to forget, the wonderful local wines: La Rioja, Albariño, Mencía, Rueda, Ribera de Duero and Bierzo. Coffee and liqueurs are also included.

A complete buffet-style breakfast ranging from pastries to the famous Jamon Iberico, or savory cured ham, is served on board the train in the lounge cars every morning.

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2010 Departures

Itinerary 1: Leon to Santiago de Compostela
Itinerary 1R: Santiago de Compostela to Leon
Itinerary 2: Santiago de Compostela to San Sebastian
Itinerary 2R: San Sebastian to Santiago de Compostela

Date (Saturday)	Itinerary
	1	1R	2	2R
Mar 27	X
May 1, 15 & 29	X		X
May 8 & 22		X		X
Jun 5 & 19		X		X
Jun 12 & 26	X		X
Jul 3, 17 & 31		X		X
Jul 10 & 24	X		X
Aug 7 & 21	X		X
Aug 14 & 28		X		X
Sep 4 & 18	X		X
Sep 11 & 25		X		X
Oct 2 & 16			X
Oct 9 & 23				X

2010 Prices (in US dollars)

Prices are calculated at $1.35 per euro. They will be adjusted at time of final payment to reflect any fluctuation in the exchange rate.

• Deluxe suite for one or two people: $8,100
• Standard compartment: $3,510 per person, double occupancy
• Single supplement for standard compartment: $1,215
• Child: $1,755

Note: The child rate applies for a child who is 2 to 12 years old and will use a bunk bed in a compartment with two adults. (Only 3 such compartments are available per train.)

Specials

Aug 14 and 28 (San Sebastian to Santiago de Compostela)
Aug 14 and 28 (Santiago de Compostela to Leon)

• Standard compartment: $2,395 per person, double occupancy
• Single supplement for standard compartment: $540
• Child: $1,015

Included

• Accommodations with private bath (shower)
• All meals from dinner on day 1 to breakfast on day 8 (generally buffet breakfasts on the train; lunches and dinners in local restaurants)
• Wine with lunch and dinner
• Pub Car entertainment every night
• Sightseeing tours and entrance fees as specified
• Luxury motor coach for visits and excursions
• English-speaking tour escort

Not Included

• Travel to/from cruise start/end points
• Health and travel insurance
• Bar drinks
• Crew gratuities
• Personal expenses
• Laundry service
• Phone calls made from the train
• Other items not specifically listed under "Included" above
  

  

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