Train Journey in Spain | Transcantábrico: San Sebastián – Santiago de Compostela

The Picos de Europa National Park is located in northern Spain, in the Picos de Europa mountain range. It stretches across the provinces of Asturias, Cantabria and León. The park is home to majestic mountains, lush forests with brown bears and an Atlantic ecosystem. It also provides excellent habitat for the Iberian wolf and is rich in impressive rock formations. It is one of the least known and most underrated areas of Spain. Don't miss the chance to explore some of Spain's most beautiful hiking trails, spot various wildlife and discover this unique UNESCO-recognised biosphere reserve. While hiking along the spectacular routes is the most popular activity, visitors can also look forward to canyoning, caving, rock climbing and kayaking.

Oviedo is located in northwest Spain, between the sparkling waters of the Bay of Biscay and the majestic Cantabrian Mountains. It is the capital of Asturias. This Unesco-listed city has a charming medieval old town with streets lined with picturesque buildings. Highlights include: The Cathedral of San Salvador, a Romanesque monument with a magnificent bell tower; the Campo de San Francisco, Oviedo's lush central park; and the majestic Cathedral of Oviedo, and the church of Santa Maria del Naranco. Don't miss the chance to climb Monte Naranco and enjoy the spectacular views.

Avilés, located in Asturias (Spain), is a port city at the mouth of a river in the central part of Asturias' coastal strip. The city is rich in charming buildings, historical treasures and a rich cultural heritage. Visitors can look forward to strolling through the elegant colonnaded streets of the historic district, strolling around the central Plaza de España and sampling authentic Asturian cuisine in one of the many restaurants. Don't miss the chance to attend a local music or theatre performance, stroll through the pedestrian Galiana and Rivero streets and admire the architecture of the Valdecarzana and Camposagrado palaces and the impressive Palacio Valdés. Other highlights include the 13th-century church of Sabugo, the Oscar Niemeyer International Cultural Centre, Salinas beach, Ferrera Park and the church of Santo Tomas de Canterbury.

The bustling city of Gijón is located in the northern Spanish region of Asturias, on the country's northern coast. The city is surrounded by rolling green hills, rugged cliffs and breathtaking beaches. Visitors can look forward to exploring the lush, green natural landscape on coastal walks such as the Cervigon trail, and relaxing on the many natural beaches, such as San Lorenzo, Gijón's main city beach, with a promenade full of restaurants and shops. This city is known for its restaurants with fresh fish and cider bars, its collection of museums and archaeological sites, and its picturesque streets lined with historic buildings. Don't miss the Museum of the Asturian People, the impressive aquarium, the botanical garden, the ancient Roman baths and Santa Catalina Hill, which offers stunning views of the city and the sea.

The city of Luarca is located on the coast in the Asturias region. This thriving fishing port has a sprawling harbour with a collection of colourful fishing boats. It serves as an excellent base from which to explore the picturesque surroundings and provides a gateway to Galicia to the west. It has a rich seafaring history, impressive Asturian architecture and a picturesque port. Visitors can look forward to strolling through quiet streets lined with charming traditional white houses, exploring the historic old quarter and enjoying the stunning views from the promenade. Other highlights include the chapel of Atalaya overlooking the sea and traditional chigres, old Asturian taverns where visitors can sample a range of locally made cider.

Located in the Spanish province of Lugo in Galicia, the lively port town on the Ría de Ribadeo is a popular summer destination. Visitors can look forward to exploring the old town, visiting the central Praza de España and strolling along the picturesque port with its collection of stone houses with galleries. Other highlights include: Praia As Catedrais, 10 kilometres west; the mouth of the Ribadeo River; and Monte Santa Cruz, a popular pilgrimage site. Visitors can enjoy its rich cultural heritage and traditional local cuisine and music. Also, don't miss a visit to the modernist Galician mansion of the famous Moreno brothers.

The town of Viveiro is located at the mouth of the Rio Landro. It is home to a well-preserved historic district with stone buildings along cobbled streets and a 500-metre-long bridge, the 15th-century Puente de la Misericordia. The town of Viveiro is an excellent base for exploring the surrounding countryside, including surrounding hilltop villages and the series of pristine beaches along the spectacular coastline. Other highlights include the collection of Romanesque historic buildings and the historic Viveiro Carnival, the oldest carnival in Galicia, celebrated during the four days before Lent until Lent.

The sophisticated, modern city of Santander stretches some of the beautiful sandy beaches of the Bay of Biscay. The streets of this elegant port city wind up through the lush, hilly landscape, offering stunning panoramic views of the surrounding countryside and mountains overlooking the Cantabrian Sea. The town was initially developed as a luxury resort for Spanish royalty, politicians and aristocrats, which enabled the development of the opulent Palacio de Magdalena, the beautiful Jardines de Piquio and the promenade in front of the Jardines de Pereda. Today, the city is a vibrant tourist and student centre with a thriving historic city centre, bustling market squares and a dynamic and boisterous nightlife.

Located in northern Spain, Llanes borders the coast in the province of Asturias. This ancient city was once a thriving mining and whaling port, today, however, Llanes is considered one of the most beautiful cities in Spain, surrounded by the beautiful Picos de Europa and an attractive stretch of rugged coast with cliffs, coves and beaches. Highlights include the long limestone ridge Sierra del Cuera, the medieval castle El Torreon and the picturesque Paseo San Pedro, a cliff promenade crowned by the crescent-shaped Sablon beach on the eastern side. Don't miss a visit to Cuevas del Mar beach, one of Spain's best beaches with beautifully sculpted rock faces.

Located on the Basque coast of Spain, just over an hour's drive east of Bilbao, San Sebastian combines stunning surroundings with beautiful architecture, a five-star culinary scene and a vibrant social and cultural calendar. Playa de la Concha is known as one of the best urban beaches in Europe and Playa de la Zurriola is the place to be for surfers. Visitors can also enjoy among the glorious ornamental plants, ducks and peacocks in the Parque de Cristina Enea. Deliciously fresh seafood and several Michelin-starred restaurants make the city a gourmet mecca, while venues such as the Kursaal and Tabakalera host excellent musical performances and art exhibitions.

Spain's Southern Basque Country includes the provinces of Vizcaya, Guipuzcoa and San Sebastian. This uniquely cultured area is home to wonderful traditions, spectacular natural landscapes, fantastic beaches, and rich history. Experience extraordinary contemporary and avante-garde architecture, incredible art and an impressive culinary scene in Bilbao. Swim, surf, sunbathe and mingle along the sparkling beaches and waterfront strips of cosmopolitan San Sebastian, and linger in the evening for its phenomenal festivals and cultural events. Explore the historic old town of Lekeito with its glorious late-Gothic Basilica de Santa Maria de la Asucion, or visit the house of renowned poet Victor Hugo in the pretty fishing village of Pasaia. Other highlights include the Cristobal Balenciaga Museum in Getaria, and the striking, sacred San Juan de Gazelugatxe island in Bermeo.

Spain usually conjures up images of matadors, sangria, flamenco dancers and paella. While Spain offers all these traditional facets in abundance, its real appeal is found in its passionate, laid-back people and unbeatable natural beauty. Even along well-preserved tourist routes, there are authentic Spanish experiences to be found, traditional local dishes to sample and idyllic villages of timeless charm to discover. Like the country's famous tapas, Spain itself is a wonderful mix of thriving cities, festivals, panoramic views and breathtaking beaches, making it a beautiful and enchanting country.

Santiago de Compostela is a sprawling urban centre that has been a holy site of Christianity for thousands of years. The main cultural attraction here is the spectacular stone cathedral with its elaborate facade, tall spires and opulent interior. Santiago de Compostela's old town extends outwards from the cathedral and houses an array of shops, restaurants and terraces where you can mingle with Camino pilgrims or just watch city life go by.

Encompassing Galicia, Asturias, Cantabria, and the Basque Country (Pais Vasco) provinces, the northern region of Spain offers all who visit a phenomenal world of variety that includes magnificent nature, exciting modern cities, fascinating history, and much more. Laze on the soft, glamorous and idyllic beaches or go surfing in San Sebastian; enjoy world-class gastronomy, art, culture and architecture in Bilbao; or delve deep into the region's past by visiting the famous Santiago de Compostela, at the end of the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage. Experience the ultimate wine journey in La Rioja, home to a diversity of 'bodegas', culinary highlights, skiing opportunities and the UNESCO-listed monasteries of San Milan. Nature lovers have a world to explore in the Picos de Europa Mountains, decorated with magnificent lakes, sacred caves and the renowned Cares River Route.

This laid-back region in northern Spain has a breathtaking coastline and one of Spain's most sacred cities. Galicia is best known for its capital, Santiago de Compostela, the terminus of the Camino de Santiago route, which has been one of Christianity's most important pilgrimages since the Middle Ages. The magnificent cathedral, with its elaborate façade and beautiful stone sculptures, is a sight not to be missed. Head to the seaside resort of Ponte Vedra to explore the atmospheric old quarter, to Cabo de Udra to see the cobble-strewn coast and glistening bays, and to the metropolis of Vigo for great shopping, nightlife and sea views.

The Asturias region is a wonderland of jagged peaks, beautiful beaches and ancient forests dotted with waterfalls in northern Spain. The picturesque coast offers great surfing and opportunities to relax, while the picturesque mountainous interior is a wonderful setting for hiking, cycling and rock climbing. The area has a rich heritage and there are many traditional events and rituals every year. The region's architecture is no less impressive - ranging from beautifully preserved medieval churches to the futuristic curves, domes and circles of the Centro Niemayer.

Cantabria, a beautiful province in northern Spain just west of Bilbao, is known for its diversity of breathtaking natural landscapes, its abundance of heritage sites, gorgeous beaches, and charming fishing villages. Top natural attractions include stunning mountain ranges, a wild coastline dotted with photogenic bays, and numerous reserves. Playa de Berria, Playa de Chichia and Playa Los Locos, among others, offer wonderful stretches of golden sands and clean, swimmable waters. The province is famously the richest on earth in terms of archaeological sites from the Upper Paleolithic period, with the UNESCO-listed Cantabrian caves a particularly special highlight. The capital, Santander, is filled with cultural and culinary offerings, as well as fascinating sites such as the former summer palace of King Alfonso XIII and exquisite Grand Casino of El Sardinero.

Located on the A Costa do Marisco in Galicia, Spain, Rías Altas is known for its natural beauty. It boasts a dramatic landscape with wild beaches, dramatic cliffs and rolling waves. This off-the-beaten-path destination is rich in culture, ancient traditions and a collection of buzzing fishing ports, farmhouses dotting the countryside and picturesque medieval towns including Betanzos and Pontedeume. Discover the many estuaries, relax on the beautiful beaches of Morouzos or Vilarrube and view the World Heritage Hercules tower lighthouse in the city of A Coruña. Don't miss a visit to the monuments of Betanzos, the shrine of Santo André de Teixido and the mansion of Pazo de Marinan.