Page 20 - 2024 Anniversary Brochure

Europe Europe

GRAND TOURS

La Rhune (c) Bob Cable

The Green Hills of Spain & La Rhune

Thursday 13 June to Thursday 27 June 2024

We combine the northern “Green” coast of Spain with its spectacular coastline and vibrant cities with a short visit to south western France. Travel by
rail on several metre gauge lines, take the rack railway up to La Rhune and spend time exploring Bilbao, Gijon and A Coruña.

Day 1 - By Eurostar to France Day 4 - The Basque Railway Museum Day 6 - Santander to Gijón
Mid-morning departure from London St. Pancras to Excursion by coach to Azpeitia to visit the Basque Morning departure from Santander to Gijón. Change
Paris, then TGV to Poitiers for an overnight stay. Railway Museum. Discover the history of Basque trains at the busy junction of El Barron and arrive
railway companies, from steam trains to modern mid-afternoon. The afternoon is free to visit the
Day 2 - San Sebastian Metro Bilbao units. The museum houses an excellent Railway Museum of Asturias, which is a 10-minute
Our journey continues by rail to the Spanish border selection of rolling stock and there should also be walk from our hotel or take a stroll in one of the
at Hendaye. Here we change to the metre gauge
train for the short journey to San Sebastian, a thriving the opportunity to enjoy a 10km steam train ride nearby parks.
that runs through the green fields of the Urola valley.
coastal town. Our late afternoon arrival allows for a Day 7 - Free Day in Gijón
trip to the beach, a walk through the cobblestone Day 5 - West to Santander This city is the capital of the Green Coast and has
streets of the old town or a leisurely evening enjoying The FEVE metre gauge rail network performs all the developed from its industrial roots into a vibrant
tapas at one of the many ‘Pintxos’ bars. functions we normally expect of a busy standard and engaging metropolis, with plenty to offer the
gauge main line – suburban lines around the cities, leisure traveller. Alternatively, use your rail pass to visit
Day 3 - San Sebastian to Bilbao longer distance passenger routes and lots of freight. nearby Oviedo.
We take the scenic electrified metre gauge line
linking San Sebastian with Bilbao and arrive around Today we have a morning journey from the splendid Day 8 - More Coastal Scenery
Bilbao Concordia station to Santander with a free
lunchtime for a 2-night stay. The afternoon is free to We continue by local train to Pravia where we
relax and explore this famous city where an excellent afternoon to explore this busy resort or take an change trains for Ferrol. En route we enjoy more
optional trip inland into the mountains on the RENFE
metro system makes getting around easy. For art and superb coastal scenery and fishing villages. Ferrol is
architecture lovers, the Guggenheim is only a short main line towards Madrid. the western extremity of FEVE, so from here, a Renfe
walk away from our hotel. train takes us to A Coruña for a 2-night stay.

Eusko Tram 402 at Bilbao © Ray Smith Guggenheim, Bilbao

13 50 Years of Unforgettable Rail Journeys Gijon