Welcome to Madrid! You will be met on arrival at the airport and driven to your hotel for a two-night stay, then why not stretch your legs with a stroll around the beautiful Retiro park, then in the evening enjoy a drink and some tapas in the Puerta del Sol? (Overnight in Madrid)

Make use of your great sightseeing pass today, which gives you a choice of great activities and attractions to visit. Discover masterpieces by Valazquez, Goya and Bosch in the Prado perhaps, or maybe visit Las Ventras – the most important bullring in the world, or in the evening enjoy a traditional Flamenco show in Torres Bermejas. (Overnight in Madrid)

Head up to Madrid Chamartín station today for your train to the capital of Galicia. The city of Santiago de Compostela is a UNESCO World Heritage site and once you have checked in at your hotel head out to explore its narrow street maze with a great selection of tapas taverns and delicate squares. (Overnight in Santiago de Compostela)

Make your way to the Parador Hotel for a gala reception and to meet your travelling companions for the next 7 days. Follow in the footsteps of countless Pilgrims with a tour of the famous cathedral and resting place of St James before lunch then take a luxury coach to Ferrol where your train awaits! Settle into your private cabin then celebrate your departure with your travelling companions as the train heads for the pretty town of Viveiro for dinner. (Overnight onboard El Transcantabrico from Santiago de Compostela to Viveiro)

Start the day as you will every day onboard with a delicious a la carte breakfast then enjoy a visit to historic Ribadeo and the beach of Las Catedrales, one of the world’s most spectacular. Following lunch, it’s back on the train as it crosses into Asturia and arrives in Luarca for a tour and visit to the beautiful Villa Blanca de la Costa Verde. Finally, it’s back on board for the short ride to Candás and dinner. (Overnight onboard El Transcantabrico from Viveiro to Candás)

First, today is a tour of the ancient seafaring town of Avilés, then it is on to Gijón to explore Roman archaeological sites, Romanesque churches, and 19th-century shipyards. After lunch you travel to the capital of the region Oviedo where you have some free time to discover its treasures such as San Julian de los Prados, then hop back onboard the train for dinner and your final destination of the day, Arriondas. (Overnight onboard El Transcantabrico from Candás to Arriondas)

After breakfast, it’s a coach ride deep into the Picos de Europa National Park, the heart of the Asturias region. Enjoy visiting mountain-framed lakes and spectacular Cantabrian views, then visit the spectacular Sanctuary of Covadonga, a sacred shrine tucked away in a cave high in the mountains. Then, visit Cangas de Onis for lunch, and admire its impressive Roman Bridge. Once back onboard follow the Sella River for a while before arriving in the wonderful fishing village of Llanes for a visit, some free time and dinner. (Overnight onboard El Transcantabrico from Arriondas to Llanes)

The train crosses into Cantabria this morning, and from Unquera it’s a coach journey via the impressive Gorge of La Hermida to the charming village of Potes for some indulgence at the famous springs of the Hermida Spa. After lunch, you have the chance to visit the amazing El Capricho in Comillas, a wonderful 19th-century palace by Antonio Gaudi. Dinner is served once you have arrived in Cabezón de la Sal. (Overnight onboard El Transcantabrico from Llanes to Cabezón de la Sal)

Your first visit today is to the well-preserved medieval town of Santillana del Mar, then to Altamira and its breathtaking cave art, arguably the finest example of late Stone Age art known. After lunch, it’s a train ride to Santander for a guided tour and some free time. Following dinner, you can visit El Gran Casino de Santander. (Overnight onboard El Transcantabrico from Cabezón de la Sal to Santander)

El Transcantabrico heads for Bilbao today and your visit will include a tour of this wonderfully dynamic city, but also entrance to the famous Guggenheim Museum. Enjoy lunch and some free time to explore the old town before getting back onboard the train for dinner, bound for Carranza. (Overnight onboard El Transcantabrico from Santander to Carranza)

Your final morning onboard as the train returns to Bilbao where you disembark and ride the coach to San Sebastian. Bid farewell to your fellow passengers and check in at your hotel for a final night, then embark on a brilliant private tour of the very best bustling pintxos bars, where you can sample some of the best food and wine in the whole region. (Overnight in San Sebastian)

Make your way to the station for your train to the Spanish capital for your final night in Spain. Once checked in why not take a stroll to the enormous Royal Palace, then toast your holiday with a dink on Plaza Mayor? (Overnight Madrid)