Planet Rail · Luxury rail holiday

Al-Andalus Luxury Train in southern Spain

Al-Andalus Luxury Train in southern Spain, a rail journey with Planet Rail

Journey through Andalusia’s Moorish palaces, discovering lamenco culture and sun-kissed landscapes aboard the luxurious Al Andalus train.

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Barcelona

    London to Barcelona

    Your holiday begins as you enter stunningly restored St. Pancras International station. Travel by Eurostar to Paris at speeds of up to 186mph, enjoying the light meal and drinks served on board in Standard Premier service. On arrival in Paris your private taxi transfer takes you across the city to the Gare de Lyon to continue your journey by direct high-speed TGV through France into Spain, arriving in the vibrant city of Barcelona in time for dinner or tapas. Your hotel for the night is the Barcelo Sants (4 star), or the totally refurbished Nobu Hotel (5 star, supplements apply), ideally located next to Barcelona Sants train station.

  2. Day 2railovernight: Seville

    Barcelona to Seville

    Today you leave Barcelona and take the train southwards to the fabulous city of Seville. Bathed in sunshine for much of the year, Seville is a lively, energetic city home to a myriad of historical layers and magnificent cultural landmarks. Your base for tonight is the welcoming, highly-rated Hotel Becquer (4 star) in the city centre.

  3. Day 3railovernight: On board Al Andalus (Córdoba)

    Seville and the Al-Andalus train

    Reception of passengers at 10:00 a.m. at a location to be determined in Sevilla and tour of the city, which boasts the largest historic centre in Spain. After lunch, enjoy a panoramic view of the city before boarding the Al Andalus Train. A welcome toast is given on the train, the crew are introduced and you settle in. Dinner is served on board as the train heads to Córdoba. Overnight stay in Córdoba.

  4. Day 4overnight: On board Al Andalus (Jerez)

    Córdoba, Cádiz, Jerez

    After breakfast on board, visit the Mosque-Cathedral and continue touring what was once the capital of the medieval Emirate and Caliphate of Al-Andalus, when it was the largest, most cultured and most opulent city in Western Europe. Lunch is served on board en route to Jerez. From Jerez, in the afternoon, visit Cádiz, popularly known as the Silver Cup and considered the oldest city in the Western World. Dinner in Cádiz and overnight stay in Jerez.

  5. Day 5railovernight: On board Al Andalus (Zafra)

    Jerez to Zafra

    After breakfast, enjoy the city of Jerez and the show How the Andalusian Horses Dance, a famous equestrian ballet with Spanish music. Lunch is served at a local restaurant before visiting a winery in the afternoon. Dinner is served on board while the train heads to Zafra. Overnight stay in Zafra.

  6. Day 6railovernight: On board Al Andalus (Mérida)

    Zafra, Cáceres, Mérida

    While you have breakfast the train arrives in Cáceres, a World Heritage Site where the streets, squares and palaces are magnificently preserved thanks to the cultural mix that makes Cáceres a unique experience. Lunch is served on board as you arrive in Mérida, where you relive the ancient Roman Empire: also a World Heritage Site, founded in 25 BC, you visit its remains and history. Dinner and overnight stay in Mérida.

  7. Day 7railovernight: On board Al Andalus (Alcázar de San Juan)

    Mérida to Alcázar de San Juan

    While you have breakfast the train arrives in Alcázar de San Juan, in the region of Castilla-La Mancha, internationally known for its cheeses and wines. Visit an artisanal cheese factory and a winery, with lunch served in the area. In the afternoon, visit Campo de Criptana, with its characteristic landscape of windmills, a source of inspiration for Cervantes in his novel Don Quixote. Return to Alcázar de San Juan, have dinner on board, and spend the night in this town.

  8. Day 8railovernight: On board Al Andalus (Alcázar de San Juan)

    Alcázar de San Juan, Toledo, Aranjuez

    While you have breakfast the train arrives in Alcázar de San Juan, in the region of Castilla-La Mancha, internationally known for its cheeses and wines. Visit an artisanal cheese factory and a winery, with lunch served in the area. In the afternoon, visit Campo de Criptana, with its characteristic landscape of windmills, a source of inspiration for Cervantes in his novel Don Quixote. Return to Alcázar de San Juan, have dinner on board, and spend the night in this town.

  9. Day 9railovernight: Madrid

    Aranjuez to Madrid

    After enjoying your last breakfast on board, bid farewell to the train and its crew and end the train journey in Madrid around 1:30 p.m.

  10. Day 10overnight: Girona

    Madrid to Girona

    After breakfast this morning make your way back to the station for your onward journey to Girona, arriving in just under 4 hours. Make your own way to your hotel for tonight, the comfortable and welcoming Hotel Nord 1901 (4 star). This afternoon discover more of this wonderful city: northern Catalonia's largest city is a jewellery box of museums, galleries and Gothic churches strung around a web of cobbled lanes. The walled medieval quarter, the Barri Vell, is perched on a hill above the city, and the long row of picturesque pastel-hued houses, the Cases de l'Onyar, cling to the banks of the Ríu Onyar. The city's medieval Jewish quarter remains one of the best preserved in Spain.

  11. Day 11rail

    Girona to London, homeward bound

    This morning after breakfast make your way back to the station and board your high-speed TGV to Paris. On arrival at the Gare de Lyon you are transferred by private taxi to the Gare du Nord ahead of your Eurostar journey back to London. Reflect on the magnificent sights, sounds and tastes of your holiday as you relax with a light meal and drinks before arrival into London St. Pancras International for the final leg of your journey home.

Included

  • First Class rail travel from / to London (Eurostar Plus with a light meal and drinks on Eurostar journeys)
  • 6 nights’ accommodation in a Gran Class cabin aboard the Al Andalus luxury train with all meals and excursions, and wine and soft drinks with lunch and dinner
  • 4 nights’ hotel accommodation with breakfast each day, including overnight stays in Barcelona, Seville, Madrid and Girona
  • Private taxi transfers between the stations in Paris

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