East from Santiago de Compostela 8 days/7 nights

Nomad Story guests meet at noon at the Hotel Parador de los Reyes Católicos in Santiago de Compostela (meeting location is subject to change, in which case guests will be contacted before departure). After registration, they will set off to explore the city, which has been a pilgrimage destination for over a thousand years, and admire the historic old town, inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Santiago de Compostela is the final destination of the Way of Saint James, a Catholic pilgrimage route whose tradition dates back to the 9th century. After lunch, a luxury coach will take guests to Ferrol station, where the luxurious El Transcantábrico Gran Lujo train will be waiting for them. The crew greets them with a welcome drink as the train travels to the historic town of Viveiro. Guests have the opportunity to visit the beautiful old town, which has preserved fragments of defensive walls with three Romanesque gates, a medieval bridge and historic churches. Dinner will be served upon returning to the train.

In the morning, guests can enjoy a breakfast buffet as well as an à la carte menu. At this time, El Transcantábrico Gran Lujo travels to Ribadeo, a historic city located on the border of Galicia and Asturias, which received privileges from King Ferdinand II in the 30th century. The coach will then take guests on a drive along the coast to the amazing Praia das Catedrais beach, considered one of the most spectacular beaches in the world. The beach owes its name to the XNUMX-meter-high rock formations whose arches resemble medieval cathedrals. After returning from the cathedral beach, we will invite guests to explore the city in Ribadeo. There will also be free time. After the tour, for lunch, guests return to the El Transcantábrico Gran Lujo train, which sets off through Asturias to the town of Ḷḷuarca, known as the White City of the Green Coast. After the sightseeing tour, which includes a visit to the fishing port, guests return to the train, which now heads to Candás. Dinner will be served on the way.

After breakfast, guests will visit Avilés, a city whose documented history dates back to the early Middle Ages, when King Alfonso III founded two churches in 905. Throughout the Middle Ages, Avilés was one of the most important ports on the Bay of Biscay. In 1479, the city was granted the right to organize a market every Monday. The next destination is Gijón, a city located on the Cantabrian Sea, in the oldest part of which the remains of a Roman settlement have been preserved. Currently, there are many museums and art galleries in the city. After lunch, guests will go on a trip to the capital of the region - Oviedo. The city boasts many monuments documenting the history of architecture. Many of the buildings date back to the early Middle Ages, from the times of the Asturian kings Alfonso II (791-842) and Ramiro I (842-850). During the reign of Alfonso II, the Basilica of San Julian de los Prados was built, which is one of the best-preserved monuments of the Kingdom of Asturias. Guests can take a guided tour of the city and then enjoy their free time before returning to the train. Dinner will be served on the train as it heads to Arriondas for the night.

On this day, guests can visit the heart of the Principality of Asturias. On the way to the beautiful Picos de Europa National Park, your first stop will be Lake Enol. Then, at the Covadonga Sanctuary, they will learn the stories and legends of this sacred place. After lunch, El Transcantábrico Gran Lujo will follow the Sella River as it flows down from the Picos de Europa Mountains. The Descenso Internacional del Sella canoeing competition is organized here every year. Guests will then arrive in Llanes, a charming fishing village east of Asturias, where they will be invited to explore the city and have some free time in the city.

While breakfast is served, the luxury train El Transcantábrico Gran Lujo enters the Cantabria region. From Unquera, guests will travel by coach through the La Hermida gorge to Potes. The Romans were the first to become aware of the strategic values ​​of the Potes location when they founded Pontes in this place. In the 8th century, Alfonso I, the ruler of Asturias, founded a village here, which first appears in documents in 847. In the XNUMXth century, thanks to the flourishing economy, Potes became the administrative center of Comarca Liébana, and in the XNUMXth century it received a royal city charter. The Old Town - a labyrinth of alleys and stairs with a medieval atmosphere, dominated by the Torre del Infantado, the undeniable symbol of Potes, built in the XNUMXth century - is recognized in its entirety as a historical monument. After visiting this charming village, visit La Hermida Spa. After lunch, guests return to the train for Cabezón de la Sal. There is free time in the afternoon. Guests can visit El Capricho in Comillas, a colorful XNUMXth-century house designed by Antoni Gaudí. Dinner on board the train.

The day begins with a visit to the city of Santillana del Mar, a beautifully preserved medieval town. Then, guests will have the opportunity to admire one of the greatest achievements of Upper Paleolithic art - the cave paintings of Altamira (due to the progressive destruction of the original paintings, since 2008, only scientists and conservators have been allowed to enter the cave, while tourists admire the replica of the paintings recreated in the museum right next door. Since 1985 the cave and the paintings are on the UNESCO World Heritage List). After lunch, guests return to the train, which continues to the port city of Santander. Guided tour of the elegant capital of Cantabria and then free time. Those guests who wish can visit El Gran Casino after dinner (entrance fee is included in the price of the trip).

In the morning, the luxury train El Transcantábrico Gran Lujo will take guests to the dynamic city of Bilbao, which was reborn after the collapse of heavy industry. City tour including admission to the Guggenheim Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, designed by Canadian-American architect Frank Gehry. The museum is one of the most admired works of contemporary architecture, hailed as a "turning moment in architecture" because it represents "one of those rare moments when critics, scientists and the general public were in complete agreement." After lunch, free time before returning to the train for dinner. The train stops at Villasana de Mena/Mercadillo for the night.

In the morning, a last breakfast will be served on board the train back to Bilbao, from where the coach will take guests to San Sebastian. Visit this elegant city where many important cultural events take place. The journey comes to an end with a farewell at the Barceló Costa Vasca Hotel in San Sebastián at 13:00 p.m.