Experience the culture and cuisine of northern Spain by rail, travelling coast-to-coast from Barcelona to San Sebastián

Your discovery of northern Spain begins as you meet the Tour Manager and fellow travellers at London St Pancras, before journeying in style on the Eurostar to Paris.

From here, we continue south by high-speed TGV to Barcelona. Arriving late evening, we settle into our central hotel for a two-night stay. 

We join a local guide this morning for a stroll along the flower stalls and musicians of Las Ramblas, winding through the cobbled labyrinth of the Gothic Quarter to grand Plaça de la Catedral.

Later, we can take in sweeping city panoramas from Montjuïc Hill before marvelling at the intricate towers of Gaudí's iconic Sagrada Família - due to be completed in 2026.

Tonight, we head to a 17th-century farmhouse, set amid the Catalan countryside, to enjoy a traditional dinner.

Boarding a high-speed train this morning, we cross the sun-drenched landscapes westwards to Zaragoza, the historic capital of Aragon.

On arrival, a guided tour reveals the Plaza of Our Lady of the Pillar and the cathedral. One of the most significant Catholic churches in Spain, it dates back to the 1st or 2nd century when Christianity was spreading across the Roman Empire. Exploring the evocative Old Town, we uncover significant Mudéjar architecture in this UNESCO World Heritage site.

Afterwards, we travel by coach to the medieval walled town of Laguardia - the gateway to Rioja wine country. 

Travelling back in time this morning, we uncover Laguardia's medieval streets on a guided tour. Dotted with Romanesque churches and bustling squares, the attractive cobblestone streets open up to provide views of the Ebro Valley.

In the afternoon, we travel by coach to nearby Eltziego and the world-famous Marqués de Riscal winery. Here, we discover the secrets behind its renowned vintages on a tour, before tasting some of its popular varieties.

Journeying north today, we reach the city of Pamplona, the capital of Navarre.

After tracing the route of the Running of the Bulls, part of the week-long San Fermín Festival, we uncover the city's historic and literary legacy. The festival was the focus of Ernest Hemingway's 1926 novel The Sun Also Rises, and visitors can now follow a Hemingway trail through the city.

This evening, we reach the Atlantic coast and check in to our hotel in San Sebastián, a city famed for its Belle Époque elegance and culinary delights. 

Embarking on a guided walking tour of this popular city this morning, we stroll along the golden sweep of La Concha Bay and through the narrow alleys of the Old Town.

At lunchtime, we immerse in Basque culture with a pintxos food tour, sampling a number of the region's small bites, usually served on skewers.

This afternoon is free for independent exploration or perhaps a relaxing stroll along the beach. 

Crossing into France today, we enjoy a memorable ride on the historic Petit Train de la Rhune to the summit of La Rhune, the symbolic mountain of the Basque Country. From our vintage carriages, we enjoy panoramic views across the Pyrenees and the Atlantic Ocean. At certain times of the year, we may spot the semi-feral ponies named 'pottok' who graze here.

Continuing to the charming fishing town of St-Jean-de-Luz, we enjoy a guided walk before there's time to grab lunch independently.

Returning to our hotel this evening, we savour a farewell dinner. 

From Barcelona to San Sebastián, we have explored northern Spain's beautiful destinations and sampled its renowned cuisine.

This morning, we travel by coach across the French border to Biarritz, where we board the high-speed TGV to Paris. In the French capital, we switch to the Eurostar and continue to London St Pancras, where your holiday concludes.

In the Basque Country of France, we travel up the beautiful La Rhune Mountain on the La Rhune Mountain Railway - 'Petit Train de La Rhune'. Enjoy the breathtaking sights of the surrounding French countryside, as you ascend 905 meters to the summit of La Rhune Mountain on this vintage rack railway train that has been transporting passengers in the same meticulously maintained carriages up the mountain since 1924. The mountain itself sits on the boarder of France and Spain, and on a clear day it is possible to see all the way to the town of Saint-Jean-de-Luz and the Atlantic Ocean beyond. At certain times of the year, you may also see the small horses - or 'Pottok' - that graze on the mountain.

Flight upgrades are available. For information regarding the types of upgrades offered by the various airlines we use, call our expert team for details.

Spending a night in London before your tour can make such a difference to the first day of your holiday - you can arrive in the capital in good time, relaxed and ready to join your Tour Manager the next morning. You may even want to take in a show on the West End or dine in one of London's famous restaurants. Perhaps on your return to London, you would like to break your journey with an overnight stay before continuing home.

We can book a wide range of hotels in central London or, for our holidays beginning with a flight, at Heathrow, Gatwick, or Manchester Airport for the night before or after your holiday. If you require a quote for single occupancy at any of the hotels, please contact us on 01904 734 805.

Buying tickets for UK train services can be a tricky business - there are so many fares to choose from, each with different rules and restrictions. As you are connecting with an international departure, we strongly recommend that you book a fully flexible ticket to ensure that should the departure times for your holiday change, your rail ticket can allow for these changes.

We can book fully-flexible UK rail tickets from your local station to join your holiday whether this be a European holiday from St Pancras or a UK holiday. The prices are competitive and tickets are not restricted to a particular train or time of day, and in most cases offer you a free choice of routes.

For an up to date quote from your local station, please ask one of our Tour Advisors.