Inspiration for your own tailor-made trip
Spain – Santiago de Compostela – Ourense – Leon – Burgos – Bilbao
100% customisable for you
Your epic rail adventure through northwestern Spain starts today. Head to the airport, whizz through security and enjoy a premium pitstop in the lounge while you wait for departure. Flights to Santiago de Compostela take around two hours – just long enough to brush up on your Spanish before touching down on the idyllic Iberian Peninsula.
When you land, a private driver will be waiting to whisk you away to your first hotel, where you’ll spend three nights tucked away in the heart of the city.
The rest of today is yours to spend settling into your new surroundings, so why not head out for a scenic stroll? Along the way, you can nip into a few of the eateries found in your Dossier (no rumbling tummies here). But, if your travels have zapped your energy, spend the afternoon like a true local: enjoying a siesta in your suave new digs.
Keen for an immersion into local life? We’ve arranged a private tour of the city with a clued-up local guide. Full of religious symbolism, Santiago de Compostela was a pillar of Christian resistance against the Moorish invasion of the Iberian Peninsula in the Middle Ages. More recently, the tomb of Jesus’ apostle, St. James, was also believed to have been discovered beneath the city’s cathedral.
After a visit to this famed pilgrimage site this morning, continue your exploration by wandering between the Baroque and Neo-Classical buildings which line the streets. Afterwards, stick to the historical theme and duck into the Hostal des Rois Catholiques – the world’s oldest hotel.
This afternoon, keep tickets at the ready as you head to the Cathedral Museum and the Portico de la Gloria. Built between the 11th and 12th centuries, this granite cathedral is the point of arrival for all pilgrims to Santiago, boasting an ornate Baroque facade – known as the ‘Obradoiro’ – and towers that soar 262ft high. At the entrance, crane your neck and check out the biblical scenes depicted in the Romanesque carvings overhead.
Rise and shine: it’s your final day in Santiago de Compostela, and there’s not a moment to waste. The list of Medieval delights found here is both impressive and extensive, so we recommend dedicating a fair slice of today to touring the monasteries, temples, palaces and squares sprinkled throughout this UNESCO-listed city.
Come lunchtime, stop by one of the quaint bars and restaurants that line the cobbled streets of the old town – a reminder that Santiago de Compostela is not just a spiritual stronghold, but a key destination for Galician gastronomy, too. Some of our favourite specialities include pulpo a feira (Galician-style octopus), caldeirada (fish and seafood broth), caldo gallego (Galician stew) and the emblematic tarta de Santiago (almond cake or pie). Time to tuck in...
It’s time to hit the rails this morning with a scenic 40-minute train ride to the riverside city of Ourense. Here, no less than eight bridges cross the Mino River, including the pretty Ponte Vella, built by the Romans almost two millennia ago when they settled here for the thermal waters (who could blame them?).
You’ll be staying in Ourense for one night, but instead of unpacking, drop your bags and head out to soak in one (or several) of the nearby springs. In the heart of the old town, at Chavasquiera and As Burgas, many of these springs are accessible to the public – so don’t waste any time wading in.
After some downtime in the spas of Ourense, it’s time to explore more of northwestern Spain. Your next destination is Leon, an essential stop along the Camino Frances (a spiritual route connecting Leon to Santiago de Compostela). This next train ride takes four hours, so as you chug along, be sure to look out the window – the scenery is stunning.
You’ll arrive in the early afternoon, giving you plenty of time to explore the city. Start with a visit to the Cathedral of Santa Maria, affectionately nicknamed ‘Pulchra Leonina,’ meaning ‘the beautiful Leonese.’ Next, hop over to the Casa Botines, an architectural jewel designed by none other than Gaudi himself. It’s hard to follow such a legacy, but the Basilica of San Isidoro and the Convento de San Marcos certainly hold their own.
For dinner this evening, you’re in luck, because Leon is another foodie hotspot. While you’re here, be sure to sample botillo del Bierzo (pork sausage), cecina (cured beef), chorizo, black pudding and roast lamb. Not sure where to find such delicacies? Just contact your trusty Concierge.
Head back to the station this morning and continue by train to Burgos, the cradle of the historic Old Castile region, which is just one-and-a-half hours away.
When you arrive, settle in for two nights at a hotel in the historic centre. After a busy stint of exploring these past few days, we’ve left the rest of today free for you to fill as you please.
Head out for a stroll to soak up the city, visiting the Paseo del Espolon walkway for a riverside wander under the shade of willows and poplars before rubbing shoulders with the locals in one of Burgos’ many gastro bars. Peckish? Tuck into the local pintxos (traditional bite-sized tapas).
Burgos is another important stopover on the ancient pilgrimage route, and it boasts an impressive Gothic cathedral to match. Famous as the birthplace of Rodrigo Diaz de Vivar – better known as El Cid – the city is a melting pot of Medieval and Renaissance architecture.
To properly delve into its storied streets, spend the rest of your time in Burgos exploring the old town, where you'll find monuments such as the iconic cathedral, the Arch of Santa Maria, the Church of San Lesmes and the Casa del Cordon (that’s the ‘House of the Constable of Castile’ to us Brits).
Wave goodbye to Burgos this morning as you set your sights on the cosmopolitan coast. The final stop of your rail adventure through northwestern Spain is the vibrant hub of Bilbao – talk about an epic ending.
After a pleasant three-hour train ride, head to your last hotel, a charming spot in the city centre where you’ll settle in for the next two nights. Outside, there’s an incredible choice of pintxo bars to explore and, of course, the world-famous Guggenheim, easily reached by a pleasant walk along the water.
It’s your final day in northwestern Spain, so wake up, tuck into a hearty breakfast and head out. On today’s agenda is a private walking tour with a local resident who knows Bilbao like the back of their hand. As you stroll along, venture beyond the traditional tourist circuit, exploring the corners of the city that only a true Bilbaino would know.
Safe to say, we’ve saved the best ‘til last, because this afternoon is dedicated to the Guggenheim. Frank Gehry’s magnificent museum is the postcard image of the city and a stunning example of 20th-century avant-garde architecture. Armed with entrance tickets – and buckets of curiosity – spend as many hours as you like here, discovering a wealth of modern and contemporary art. The permanent collection includes works by David Salle, Chillida, Jeff Koons, Louise Bourgeois and Robert Rauschenberg – to name just a few...
Sadly, the time has come to bid northwestern Spain a fond farewell (or should we say an adoring adios?). After a hearty breakfast this morning, you’ll be privately transferred to Bilbao Airport. When you arrive, whizz through security, browse some souvenirs and settle into the lounge before your two-hour flight back to the UK – time to regale friends and family with tales of your Spanish sojourn.
Everything in this itinerary is entirely customisable, down to the smallest details. Here are some more suggestions of what could be included
Each of our trips is entirely tailor-made with originality, quality and cultural immersion in mind. Our team of destination specialists will craft itineraries based on your tastes, using their first-hand knowledge and the help of our in-country team of Concierges and guides. All trips are accompanied by a wide range of additional services, including a 24-hour helpline, the Original Travel app, fast-track airport services and much more.
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