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Planet Rail · Tailor-made independent rail holiday

Charming Cities of Andalucia by First Class Rail

First-class rail loop from London through Andalucia's Moorish cities to Girona

Illustration of Charming Cities of Andalucia by First Class Rail

Planet Rail's Charming Cities of Andalucia by First Class Rail is a 13-day independent rail journey from London to Girona, winding through southern Spain's cultural heartland. You travel by Eurostar and high-speed rail, staying in four-star hotels in Marseille, Madrid, Seville, Granada, Cordoba, and Girona. Most daytime trains are first-class; regional services between some cities operate standard-class. This is a self-guided tour: you navigate between stations and hotels on your own, but the rail itinerary is fixed and coordinated by the operator. The rhythm favors lingering: three nights each in Seville, Granada, and Cordoba allow full days to climb the Giralda bell tower, wander the Jewish quarter Santa Cruz, visit the Alhambra Palace at sunrise, and explore the Mezquita's eight hundred striped columns. You also pass through Marseille and Madrid before returning to London via Paris. The trip suits repeat rail travellers who enjoy piecing together their own city exploration and couples seeking a blend of train travel and time in storied Moorish cities.

What to know before you look closer

  • The regional trains from Seville to Granada and Granada to Cordoba operate in Standard Class, not first-class, though most other segments are first-class.
  • This is a self-guided tour; you make your own way between stations and hotels. No escorted arrival assistance or group activities are included.
  • Single supplements and availability vary; confirm current prices and departure windows with Planet Rail before booking.

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Marseille

    London to Marseille

    Depart London St. Pancras International by Eurostar to Paris in Standard Premier with a light meal and drinks on board. Private taxi transfer to the Gare de Lyon, then high-speed TGV to Marseille. Overnight at the Grand Hotel Beauvau (4 star), just off the Vieux Port.

  2. Day 2railovernight: Madrid

    Marseille to Madrid

    Return to the station and take the train into Spain, bound for Madrid. On arrival make your own way to the Hotel Liabeny (4 star). The afternoon is yours to relax or explore.

  3. Day 3railovernight: Seville

    Madrid to Seville

    Take the train further into Spain to the fabulous city of Seville, a lively, energetic city home to a myriad of historical layers and magnificent cultural landmarks. Your base for the next three nights is the Hotel Becquer (4 star).

  4. Day 4overnight: Seville

    At leisure in Seville

    A full day to explore Seville: climb the Giralda bell tower, explore the Mudejár designs of the Royal Palace (Alcázar) and its gardens, visit the gothic cathedral where Christopher Columbus rests, or stroll the ancient Jewish quarter of Santa Cruz and finish the evening at a tapas bar.

  5. Day 5overnight: Seville

    At leisure in Seville

    A second full day in Seville to make the most of the city's many and varied options, from the barrios across the River Guadalquivir to the courtyards and narrow alleys of Santa Cruz.

  6. Day 6railovernight: Granada

    Eastwards across Andalucia to Granada

    After breakfast, from Seville's Santa Justa station join the regional train (Standard Class) eastwards to Moorish-influenced Granada, arriving in the afternoon. Make your own way to the Hotel Aurea Catedral (4 star) for three nights. This evening, sample Granada's tapas bars or stroll the Albaycin for sunset views of the illuminated Alhambra.

    Meals: breakfast

  7. Day 7overnight: Granada

    Exploring Granada

    Start early to see the sun come up over the Alhambra Palace, then visit the stunning Moorish palace and its luscious gardens, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most photographed sites in Andalucia.

  8. Day 8overnight: Granada

    Exploring Granada

    A second full day to explore Granada's interesting quarters, take a trip to the pueblos blancos (white villages) of the Alpujarras, or head into the Sierra Nevada mountains.

  9. Day 9overnight: Cordoba

    Granada to Cordoba

    Take the regional service (Standard Class) to Antequera, change trains and continue (Standard Class) to nearby Cordoba. Make your own way to Las Casas de la Juderia (4 star) for three nights. This afternoon, perhaps visit the Alcazar, palace of the Christian Kings, with its gardens of courtyards, fountains and water terraces.

  10. Day 10overnight: Cordoba

    Exploring Cordoba

    A full day in compact Cordoba. Among many highlights is the world's third-largest mosque, the Mezquita, with stunning interiors including a 'forest' of more than eight hundred red and white striped columns and arches.

  11. Day 11overnight: Cordoba

    Exploring Cordoba

    A second full day to explore Cordoba's countless plazas and courtyards hidden along narrow streets.

  12. Day 12railovernight: Girona

    Cordoba to Girona

    Take the high-speed rail service north to Barcelona, change trains and continue by high-speed rail to charming Girona. Check in to the Hotel Nord 1901 (4 star). This afternoon explore northern Catalonia's largest city: the walled medieval Barri Vell, the pastel-hued Cases de l'Onyar along the river, and one of Spain's best preserved medieval Jewish quarters.

  13. Day 13rail

    Girona to London - Homeward bound

    After breakfast board the high-speed TGV to Paris. Private taxi transfer from the Gare de Lyon to the Gare du Nord, then Eurostar back to London St. Pancras International with a light meal and drinks on board.

    Meals: breakfast

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 1Depart London St. Pancras on Eurostar Standard Premier with light meal and drinks, then board the TGV to Marseille, arriving at the Grand Hotel Beauvau just off the Vieux Port.
  • Day 4Full day in Seville: climb the Giralda bell tower, explore the Mudejár gardens of the Alcázar, visit the gothic cathedral where Christopher Columbus rests, or wander the ancient Jewish quarter Santa Cruz.
  • Day 7Start early to see the sun rise over the Alhambra Palace, then explore the stunning Moorish palace and its gardens, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
  • Day 10A full day in Cordoba exploring the Mezquita, the world's third-largest mosque, with its forest of more than eight hundred red and white striped columns and arches.
  • Day 12Arrive in charming Girona by high-speed rail via Barcelona; explore the walled medieval Barri Vell, pastel-hued Cases de l'Onyar along the river, and one of Spain's best preserved medieval Jewish quarters.

Included

  • First Class rail travel on daytime trains (Eurostar Standard Premier between London and Paris)
  • 4 star accommodation throughout
  • Private taxi transfers between the Paris stations

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included?
Yes. The package includes first-class daytime rail on most segments: Eurostar Standard Premier (London to Paris and return), TGV (Paris to Marseille and Girona to Paris), and high-speed Spanish rail between major cities. Regional trains from Seville to Granada and Granada to Cordoba operate in Standard Class.
Is this tour escorted or independent?
Independent and self-guided. You make your own way between stations and hotels. Planet Rail provides the rail tickets, accommodations, and private taxi transfers between the Paris stations.
What is the accommodation standard?
Four-star hotels throughout: Grand Hotel Beauvau in Marseille, Hotel Liabeny in Madrid, Hotel Bécquer in Seville (3 nights), Hotel Aurea Catedral in Granada (3 nights), Las Casas de la Juderia in Cordoba (3 nights), and Hotel Nord 1901 in Girona.
How much free time is there to explore each city?
Two full days in Seville (days 4-5), two full days in Granada (days 7-8), and two full days in Cordoba (days 10-11). You also have an afternoon in Madrid (day 2) and an evening in Granada (day 6) and Girona (day 12).
What is included in the price?
First-class rail travel on daytime trains (Eurostar Standard Premier between London and Paris), four-star accommodation throughout, and private taxi transfers between the Paris stations. Meals, local transport, and attractions are not included.
How much walking is involved?
Moderate. Days in cities involve exploring on foot. In Seville you may climb the Giralda bell tower; in Granada you can trek to the Alhambra or into the Sierra Nevada mountains; in Cordoba you walk narrow streets and plazas. All transfers between stations and hotels are your responsibility.

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