Bilbao to Lisbon
Holiday Highlights
- Scenic coastal rail routes
- Sightseeing in Santiago de Compostela
- Sightseeing in Porto
- Duoro Valley
- Sightseeing in Lisbon
- Optional excursions can be arranged
- 10 days from £1,925pp
Series 3, Episode 4 Great Continental Railway Journeys. Another rail journey mirroring Michael Portillo's travels as he heads to the west coast of the Iberian Peninsula from Galicia in the north to the Portuguese capital Lisbon in the south.
ITINERARY
Day 1
Flight UK to Bilbao. Stay overnight at the Hesperia Bilbao Hotel.
Day 2
Full day on the train from Bilbao to Santiago de Compostela. Stay 2 nights at the 3* Lux hotel.
Day 3
Free day based in Santiago. The town is at the end of the Camino (Pilgrims Way) which runs for 750 km across northern Spain and the cathedral houses the tomb of St James the Apostle.
Day 4
Continue south by train to Porto. Stay 3 nights at the 4* Mercure Porto Centro.
Day 5
Free day based in Porto. The river Duoro is spanned by six bridges and the medieval part of the town is a UNESCO site. The town is famous for its trade in fortified wine and you can viist the wine lodges along the banks of the river. The railway station of Sao Bento is decorated with ornate tiled murals , a tradition introduced by the Moors.
Day 6
A further free day in Porto, with the option of taking the Douro Historical Train along the Duoro Valley to Regua. The historical train usually runs on Saturdays, June to October.
Day 7
A short journey continuing south will take you to Coimbra, known as the Oxford of Portugal. The famous university was founded in 1290. Stay one night at the 3* Astoria Hotel.
Day 8
Travel by train from Coimbra to Lisbon, the Portuguese capital. Stay 2 nights in the 3* Hotel Lis - Baixa. Free afternoon in the city. One of the best views over the city can be seen from the top of the Elevador de Santa Justa which was constructed in 1902.
Day 9
Free day based in Lisbon. The city is built on seven hills beside the River Tagus (Tejo) and you can explore on foot or by taking one of the trams for which Lisbon is famous.
Day 10
Flight Lisbon to UK.
Price Includes
- Flights as specified
- Accommodation on a bed and breakfast basis
- All rail journeys as specified
Price per person
From £1,925 per person sharing
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