PTG Tours · Escorted tour

Railways and Paradores of Galicia

Railways and Paradores of Galicia, a rail journey with PTG Tours

A luxury 10-night tour of Galicia, Spain's undiscovered north-western province, riding scenic mountain and coastal railway lines and staying in historic Paradores.

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Madrid

    Fly or travel overland to Madrid

    Flights from various UK airports to Madrid, or overland from St Pancras by Eurostar and TGV (an Interrail Pass is included for rail travellers, giving free travel from/to the home UK station, in first class). Overnight in a 4-star hotel in Madrid.

  2. Day 2railovernight: Santo Estevo (Ribeira Sacra)

    Madrid to Ourense

    Optional morning visit to the national railway museum at the old Madrid-Delicias station. 14:15 high-speed train from Madrid to Ourense (arr 17:17), then dinner at Parador de Santo Estevo, a converted 10th-century Benedictine monastery in the Ribeira Sacra region. Guests on the 7-night option spend tonight in Santiago de Compostela instead, meeting the main group the next day.

  3. Day 3railovernight: Santo Estevo (Ribeira Sacra)

    Santiago de Compostela

    Tour bus to Ourense to catch the new high-speed line to Santiago de Compostela. Guided walk of the city, including the Cathedral (built 11th-13th centuries) and the tomb of St James the Apostle. Free time for lunch and exploration, then train back to Ourense and bus transfer to Santo Estevo.

  4. Day 4railovernight: Santo Estevo (Ribeira Sacra)

    Vigo and the Isles of Cíes

    Bus to Ourense for a scenic train along the River Miño (the Spain-Portugal border) to the port of Vigo (Guixar station). Time to explore or take a boat to the Isles of Cíes. Fast train back to Ourense and bus transfer to Santo Estevo for a third and final night.

  5. Day 5railovernight: Vilalba

    Ourense to Lugo; on to Vilalba

    Morning to explore Ourense, an old Roman city with thermal springs. Train to Lugo (only four trains a day on this line), a UNESCO World Heritage walled Roman city, for a guided tour. Bus transfer to Parador de Vilalba, a converted medieval tower, for a two-night stay.

  6. Day 6railovernight: Vilalba

    A Coruña and Ferrol

    Early train (the only early start of the holiday) north from Lugo to A Coruña. Visit to the Tower of Hercules, the oldest working lighthouse in Europe, followed by a guided walk through the city. Afternoon branch-line train north along the coast to the port of Ferrol. Bus transfer back to Vilalba.

  7. Day 7railovernight: Cambados

    Pontevedra; on to Cambados

    Bus back to A Coruña for the rail journey south to Pontevedra, a historic Galician town at the head of the Ria de Pontevedra. Guided walk through the old town. Bus transfer to the Parador on the coast at Cambados for a two-night stay.

  8. Day 8railovernight: Cambados

    Free day at Cambados

    A free day to enjoy Cambados, known for its seafood and Albariño wine, with a wine tasting included. An optional early-start rail extension is available for enthusiasts wanting to complete the final section of the Galician line into Portugal via Valença.

  9. Day 9railovernight: Monforte de Lemos

    On to Monforte de Lemos

    Train back towards Ourense and on to the junction town of Monforte de Lemos, arriving late afternoon. Bus transfer to the Parador de Monforte, a converted 17th-century Benedictine monastery, for dinner and overnight. Guests finishing on the 7-night option transfer to Santiago de Compostela airport for a flight to London Gatwick.

  10. Day 10railovernight: León

    Monforte de Lemos to León

    Morning train from Monforte de Lemos to León, listed as one of the most scenic rail journeys in Spain and Europe (the only train of the day on this route). Overnight at the NH Collection hotel in central León, near the cathedral.

  11. Day 11rail

    León to Madrid; fly home

    Train to Madrid for transfer to the airport and return flights to the UK. An alternative overland return via Palencia, Irun and Hendaye, then TGV/Eurostar to Paris and London St Pancras, is also available (arriving the following day).

Included

  • All travel and excursions as outlined in the itinerary
  • Accommodation in luxury "Paradores"
  • Meals as shown in the itinerary (B = Breakfast, D = Dinner)
  • Services of the tour manager
  • Holiday is fully escorted from London

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