This morning, explore Santiago’s historic city center, a UNESCO World Heritage site. In the middle of the city sits the majestic cathedral, allegedly the burial place of St. James and the destination of many thousands of pilgrims for the past millennium. You may choose to stay and witness the weekly Pilgrims’ Mass at noon in the cathedral, a tradition that dates to the 11th century. After lunch, drive to Ferrol, where we board our train and continue on to Viveiro. Enjoy dinner, and settle in for the night.

EL TRANSCANTÁBRICO GRAN LUJO (B, L, D)

Our first stop this morning is the stately seaside town of Ribadeo. Wander beneath soaring rock formations at a magnificent beach aptly named Las Catedrales. Visit the ethnographic site of Os Teixois in Taramundi where we learn how, in ancient times, people of this region used the power of water to create tools and operate machinery. Enjoy lunch at the historic Parador de Ribadeo, a traditional Galician country home, and then board the train for the whitewashed fishing village of Luarca. After dinner, enjoy a live performance by a Spanish guitar player and a singer aboard the train. (B,L,D).

From the port city of Candás, travel to the picturesque fishing village of Cudillero. Marvel at the “hanging houses” and colorful balconies perched on steep cliffs around the port, explore the chapel of Humilladero, and venture into one of the many fishermen’s if you choose. After lunch, continue to Oviedo, a city known for its unique pre-Romanesque Asturian architecture. Visit the church of San Julián de los Prados, a stunning example of this style and a UNESCO World Heritage site. (B,D)

Continue east trough the Asturias region, tracing the coast as the Cantabrian Mountains rise along the southern horizon. Stop in Arriondas for an excursion into Picos de Europa National Park, where stony, snow-dusted peaks jut into the sky. Pay a visit to a mountainside cabin to sample traditional Asturian cider while taking in spectacular views. Venture into the village of Covadonga, site of the first victory of the Spanish Reconquest; and visit its basilica, an important pilgrimage site. After lunch in Cangas de Onís, continue by train to Llanes for the night. (B,L)

Journey to Potes, a beautiful village of medieval buildings and bridges nestled in the hills below the Picos de Europa mountains. See the Infantado Tower, a 15th-century bastion that dominates the village, and venture along the narrow cobbled lanes of the Old Quarter. Pay a visit to Santo Toribio de Liebana monastery, where monks have long venerated what is alleged to be the largest fragment of the Lignum Crucis—the Holy Cross discovered by St. Catherine in Jerusalem. Stop to taste a few vintages at a local winery before continuing to Comillas. Here, visit the Capricho de Gaudí, one of the first two buildings designed by the famous Catalan architect Antonio Gaudí. (B,L,D)

After breakfast, visit the Altamira Museum and learn about the prehistoric cave paintings found here. Continue to Santillana del Mar, one of Europe’s best preserved medieval villages. Have lunch at the Parador Gil Blas, a stunning ancestral home dating back to the eighth century, and then explore this enchanting village. Reboard the train for Santander, the seaside capital of Cantabria. Stretched out along narrow spits and scalloped beaches, Santander was a royal retreat in the early 20th century. This evening, sample Spanish tapas on a walk through town. (B, D)

Pull into Bilbao, a shipbuilding center and the largest city in the Basque region. Enjoy a city tour that includes the Guggenheim Museum, which houses works by Picasso and Warhol, but is better known for its cutting-edge design by Frank Gehry.Continue by train to Villasana de Mena. (B, D)

After breakfast, disembark the train and continue to San Sebastián, the lively culinary capital of Basque country, just 12 miles from the French border. Stroll along the narrow lanes of the picturesque old town this afternoon before checking into our hotel. Tonight, toast our Spanish rail adventure at a farewell dinner. HOTEL MARIA CRISTINA OR PARADOR DE HONDARRIBIA (B, D)

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your return flight. (B)