The Orient Express. Reading an Agatha Christie novel and recreating murder on a train crossing Europe. Sure, it’s iconic, it’s romantic. But did you know Europe has other multi-day luxury trains? The Orient Express connects Europe’s most famous, most visited and best connected cities. Yet the highlight of travelling by train is visiting places you wouldn’t otherwise visit. That’s great about these two luxury train journeys in Spain. The Transcantabrico spends eight days crossing northern Spain, from San Sebastian to Santiago de Compostela. Al Andaluz Train visits Jerez, Ronda, Granada, Cordoba and Ubeda on its Andalusia round trip from Seville. Like the Orient Express there’s the romance of travelling in vintage 1920s carriages, in glamorous suites befitting the glory days of rail travel. The Transcantabrico has four salons and just 14 suites, while the Al Andaluz measures 450 metres, comfortably the longest train on Spanish tracks.
Want the Very Best in Travel?
For the same price as just one or two nights rolling through Europe playing Cluedo, with these Spanish trains you have a full week on holiday.
It’s just as romantic. Beautiful food and wine, glorious views, and slow travel through two unique corners of the continent. Each day you stop and explore new destinations, like Cantabria’s charming and unknown capital, and the world-famous Alhambra and Mezquita.
Train travel is slow travel, so it’s best enjoyed when you can take your time and fully immerse yourself in the rhythm. And you’ve visited Paris and Venice before, so why not travel by train to places that don’t have busy international airports?
Al Andaluz runs weekly in June, September and October. The Transcantabrico has a longer season but 2022 departures are sold out except for late July and October.
Also ask us about the world’s other ultimate train journeys. Like crossing Peru and visiting Machu Picchu on a Belmond train, the new Excellence Class on Switzerland’s Glacier Express, or taking the Rovos Rail across Africa from Cape Town to Victoria Falls.
