Day 1: Barcelona
Fly London Heathrow to Barcelona (or fly directly to Barcelona from your departure city). In the afternoon, visit the Vilanova Railway Museum’s huge collection of steam locomotives where, hopefully, you will be able see the famous Mataro locomotive in steam. Those who choose not to visit the railway museum may stay in Barcelona for a sightseeing tour. Dinner and overnight accommodations are in a four-star hotel in Barcelona. (L,D) Day 2: Steam Train to Montserrat
After breakfast, depart by meter-gauge train from Barcelona Placa D’España station to Matorel, where you visit the Ferrocarrils de la Generalitat de Catalunya (FGC) store of steam locomotives for a private viewing, including a meter-gauge Garratt. Mid-morning, depart Monistrol on board a vintage train of wood-bodied coaches with open platforms, hauled by 2-6-2 tank locomotive No. 209. This delightful ride skirts Montserrat. Join the newly reopened rack railway at Monistrol for Montserrat. The famous monastery here is the home of the “black Madonna,” allegedly brought here by St. Peter. Enjoy lunch in a Montserrat restaurant, then transfer to the hotel in Lleida for dinner and an overnight stay. (B,L,D) Day 3: Broad-Gauge Garratt to Reus
Join a special steam-hauled train at Lleida station after breakfast (the locomotive is a British classic designed by Beyer Garratt). Heading southeast, climb up to Vinaixa before passing through Vimbodi and Montblanc. Leave the Barcelona line at La Plana and head due south to Reus, where you enjoy a typical Catalan lunch. After lunch, there’s a very steep climb out of Reus, to the summit and Vinaixa, arriving in Lleida late afternoon. Alternatively, you may leave the train at Montblanc — a delightful medieval walled town — and visit the Poblet monastery, home to the tombs of the Kings of Catalonia. After a leisurely lunch in Montblanc, rejoin the train and return to Lleida. (B,L,D) Day 4: Vintage Diesel to La Pobla Segur
Enjoy breakfast then return to Lleida station to board a special diesel-hauled train from Lleida to La Pobla Segur and back — a truly spectacular line. Stop for lunch at a nice restaurant in La Pobla, returning to the hotel for dinner and an overnight stay. (B,L,D) Day 5: Scenic Journey to Bilbao
Join a train on the new high-speed line to Zaragoza for a sightseeing tour, followed by lunch in a local restaurant. After lunch, join a Talgo train with reserved first-class seats for the breathtakingly scenic journey to Bilbao. Arrive in Bilbao around 9:00pm and transfer to the hotel for dinner and overnight accommodations. (B,L,D) Day 6: Basque Railway Museum
Traveling by coach from Bilbao, visit the fascinating Azpetia Museum, the Basque Railway Museum. The museum enjoys three miles (5km) of beautiful meter-gauge branch line. IRT has requested three exciting locomotives to steam-haul trains: a Portuguese Mallet, a Sharp Stewart tank locomotive and an Engerth tender locomotive. After the excitement, you’ll be ready for a tasty lunch in the Cider House Restaurant. Your have the option of returning to Bilbao either by Euskoten meter-gauge Emu, or by coach with free time in Bilbao, perhaps for a visit to the Guggenheim Museum. Dinner is at your leisure this evening to explore Bilbao’s many restaurants. (B,L) Day 7: La Robla Railway
After breakfast, transfer by coach to Bilbao Concordia station to pick up a special chartered loco-hauled train on the meter-gauge FEVE system. Today’s journey is spectacular, taking you over the La Robla railway to Leon. IRT has arranged a bar and restaurant car on the train, and lunch will be served during the journey. Dinner and overnight in Leon. (B,L,D) Day 8: Steam Over the Brañuelas Pass
Transfer to Leon Station after breakfast, taking an electric train to Ponferrada to visit the Ponferrada Railway Museum’s large collection from the erstwhile Ponferrada and Villablino Railway. Leave Ponferrada after lunch, hauled by a magnificent broad-gauge 141F locomotive. The gradient up from Ponferrada is extremely steep, and a steam locomotive will be working hard as you climb up to the Brañuelas Pass with its famous spiral tunnel. Dinner and overnight in Leon. (B,L,D) Day 9: Madrid
After breakfast, transfer to Leon station where you board the 9:37am Alvia train to Madrid, arriving just before noon, having traversed the new AVE high-speed line. Check into the city center Madrid hotel for two nights and enjoy lunch at the hotel. Then visit the Madrid Railway Museum, followed by a fascinating city tour with a knowledgeable local guide. (B,L) Day 10: “Tren de la Fresa”
Join the “Tren de la Fresa” (Strawberry Train) after breakfast for a journey to the Royal Palace at Aranjuez (known for its strawberries) and back, steam-hauled by a 0-8-0 tender locomotive built by Tubize in 1891. After visiting the palace and gardens, take lunch at the Terrace restaurant opposite the palace. Return to Madrid, steam-hauled again, for a lively farewell dinner at the hotel. (B,L,D) Day 11: Tour Ends
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for return flights. (B) |
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