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La Costa Verde Express, Bilbao to Santiago de Compostela

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You are viewing the 2024 itinerary. Select your departure year
20242025
8 days From £4,795 per person
Independent

2024 Tour code: CVI24

About the tour

Create everlasting memories on a journey of discovery through lush green landscapes, vibrant wine regions, and perfect beaches, as you travel on the historic and luxurious Costa Verde Express across Northen Spain. From busy Bilbao you'll travel through towns and villages enroute to Santiago de Compostela, visiting cathedrals and tasting tapas and Spanish wine. Adventure through a part of Spain not yet touched by mass tourism and explore the north in style.

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Unforgettable Experiences

La Costa Verde
La Costa Verde
Travel on the luxurious and nostalgic Costa Verde Express.
Northern Spain
Northern Spain
Discover the rugged, luscious green Northern Coast of Spain.
Bilbao
Bilbao
Explore Bilbao and the Guggenheim.
Picos de Europa Mountain Range
Picos de Europa Mountain Range
Cross the Picos de Europa Mountain Range.
Galician Coastline
Galician Coastline
Gaze at the stunning Galician Coastline.
Santiago de Compostella
Santiago de Compostella
Discover Santiago de Compostella at the end of the Pilgrim’s Trail.

What’s included

Personalise your holiday

Outbound Travel

Getting to Bilbao

Flight from London to Bilbao

Your journey begins today with your flight from London Gatwick to Bilbao airport.

Regional flights available

Bilbao

Day 1 - Bilbao

Bilbao

On arrival in Bilbao you'll be transferred to your hotel. Choose between our handpicked 3* and 4* star hotels on a B&B basis. If you choose to extend your tour and spend two nights in Bilbao, you may wish to book one of our optional excursions below.

Hotels

Optional Excursions

La Costa Verde Express

Day 2 – La Costa Verde Express

La Costa Verde Express

It's time to leave your hotel in Bilbao today, as you are transferred to Bilbao Concordia Station, where you'll board the Costa Verde Express.

From the moment you step onboard the Costa Verde Express you'll feel the golden age of rail travel perfectly brought to life once again. Get comfortable in your luxury cabin and familiarise yourself with your new home on rails.

After you'll made yourself comfortable onboard, it's time for a panoramic tour of Bilbao, when you can get to know the Guggenheim Museum. You'll then return to the train to enjoy a delightful meal onboard while you head towards Santander.

In the afternoon you'll reach the city of Santander, where you'll have some free time to wander around the city. In the evening you'll enjoy dinner in a restaurant in Santander as you get to know the city better. Then you'll head back to the train later to spend your first night in Santander.

Santillana del Mar

Day 3 - Santillana del Mar

Santillana del Mar

On the second morning of your Costa Verde Express tour, you'll start your day with breakfast in the restaurant car of this luxury train, gazing out of the window as the scenery drifts by on your way to Cabezón de la Sal. On arrival in the town, the coach will take you to the medieval village of Santillana del Mar, where you'll visit the neo-cave of Altamira.

You'll enjoy lunch in Santillana del Mar, and then return to the train to travel into the Asturias region, stopping again in Llanes, where you can take a walk through town. Dinner will be served onboard the train and you'll spend your second night onboard in Llanes.

Picos de Europa

Day 4 - The Picos de Europa and Oviedo

Picos de Europa

After a leisurely breakfast onboard, you'll take a coach trip, the first stop of the day being Cangas de Onís. You'll then cross the Picos de Europa to arrive at the Sanctuary of Covadonga, which houses the Virgin of Covadonga, popularly named the "Santina" by Asturians. Next, you'll visit Lake Enol, before continuing onto the other lakes that make up the Lakes of Covadonga.

You'll return to the train after these first stops and your journey will continue onto Oviedo. Following a delicate lunch served onboard, you'll visit Oviedo, the capital of the Principality of Asturias. This city is famous for its pre-Romanesque monuments, and it also hosted the prestigious Princess of Asturias Awards.

Dinner is served back on the train, and you have the option to join an exciting nightlife show in the entertainment car. The train will stay overnight at Oviedo station.

Gijón

Day 5 - Gijón

Gijón

Breakfast is served in one of the retro restaurant cars onboard this morning, after which you'll have free time to explore the city of Gijón. This coastal city has charming sea views and an interesting Roman history that's evident as you wander around. Stroll along the pretty harbour and through the town and enjoy lunch in one of its traditional restaurants. After lunch you'll board the train to continue onto your final destination of the day, Luarca near the Galician border. It will be evening when you arrive in Luarca when you'll enjoy a fabulous dinner on board and a well-deserved rest.

Galicia

Day 6 - Galicia

Galicia

Enjoy your morning onboard, with a satisfying breakfast while the scenery passes by your window, as you travel onto Galicia. Your first stop is Ribadeo, a beautiful coastal town that boasts one of the most scenic beaches in Spain. Stroll through the old streets and take some time in one of the town squares, and enjoy an authentic lunch in one of the town's restaurants.

After lunch, the train will travel onto the town of Viveiro, in the lush area of A Mariña Lucense. You'll enjoy dinner back onboard the train where you'll spend the night in Viveiro.

Santiago de Compostela

Day 7 - Santiago de Compostela

Santiago de Compostela

On your last day aboard the Costa Verde Express, you can enjoy breakfast while admiring the picturesque landscapes that pass your window on the way to Ferrol. Here, you'll leave the train and transfer to the coach that will take you to Santiago de Compostela, the Galician capital. You'll spend some time in this city of pilgrims and get to know the famous Cathedral. Enjoy dinner at Parador Reyes Católicos, and transfer to your hotel for the night. If you choose to extend your stay, you can spend two nights in Santiago de Compostela, and enjoy our optional excursions.

Hotels

Optional Excursions

Inbound Travel

Day 8 – Santiago de Compostela to the UK

Flight from Santiago de Compostela to London

Enjoy some free time in Santiago de Compostela, until it's time for your flight home. Walk the old streets and pick up any last-minute souvenirs. Visit the cathedral, an art gallery, a museum, or simply sit outside a pavement café and watch the locals go by. When the hour arrives, you'll be transferred from your hotel to Santiago airport, where you'll take your flight back to London.

Additional information

Mobility information

Due to the nature of our tours they are generally unsuitable for those with restricted mobility. If you’d like to discuss any particular holiday with us in this respect, then please don’t hesitate to call us.

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Costa Verde Express

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