Palace Tours 12000 Biscayne Blvd. #107 Miami FL 33181 USA 800-724-5120 / 786-408-0610 Call Us 1-800-724-5120

Costa Verde Express Luxury Train : Bilbao to Santiago de Compostela

Special in 2020 for Costa Verde Express along Camino de Santiago from Bilbao to Santiago de Compostela without packing / unpacking every day onboard the luxury train in Bilbao.

Enjoy the 7 nights and 8 days Costa Verde Luxury Train Trip that includes 6 nights stay in the train via Costa Verde Express on an exclusive journey. Discover the cities and villages of northern Spain as the train winds its way by the Bay of Biscay, which lies between steep mountains and green meadows and past beaches and cliffs. These destinations are full of enchantment and history that over the centuries have become living works of art, like Santiago de Compostela, Vivero, Oviedo, Ribadesella, Llanes, Santillana del Mar, Santander, and Bilbao, the home of Guggenheim Museum.

Visiting Spain doesn't have to equal stress and anxiety. All those doubts, questions, and hectic schedule can get into your nerves and you don't want to spend your whole vacation just worrying if things might go wrong. Get the best tours of Spain you've always deserved. And the only way to do that is to avail for the best guided tours of Spain by booking with us, and letting us take care of all your needs and worries. We have anticipated everything for you and our aim is that you get the most out of your money by exceeding your expectations and managing all the nitty-gritty details of your travel, from the most trivial ones to the most important ones.

Experience an unforgettable luxury tour in Costa Verde from Bilbao to Santiago de Compostela in the green coast of Northern Spain.

Itinerary Day 1 - Friday: Welcome to Bilbao Your trip begins with arrival in Bilbao at the designated hotel where your hotel is reserved for the night. Enjoy the beautiful sights of this industrious city on your own before we meet for dinner. The group meets at the hotel for dinner at 8:00 PM.

Overnight at hotel.

Optional : Pre-Extension tour available in the Basque Country in San Sebastian and La Rioja. Ask us for details.

Day 2 - Saturday: Villasana de Mena - Bilbao - Santander We meet the guide at the hotel and go for a city tour of Bilbao City tour includes admission to the epitome of a new Bilbao, the famous Guggenheim Museum. We later come to the El Transcantabrico Clasico and board the train to continue our journey to Santander while having lunch onboard. City sightseeing tour of the elegant capital of Cantabria and free time. Those who wish may visit El Gran Casino after dinner (entrance included). Overnight in Santander.

Day 3 - Sunday: Santander - Potes - Cabezón de la Sal Train trip to Unquera station from where we will travel by coach through the gorge of La Hermida and reach the town of Potes. After visiting this charming village, enjoy a spa circuit at La Hermida Spa. Return to the train after lunch and trip to Cabezón de la Sal. In the afternoon there will be free time and you may choose to visit the mansion of El Capricho in the town of Comillas, the impressive and colourful 19th century house designed by Antonio Gaudí. Dinner and overnight in Cabezón de la Sal.

Day 4 - Monday: Travel back in time to Santillana del Mar The day begins with a visit to Santillana del Mar with its beautifully preserved medieval town. Next we will be taken on a tour of Altamira Neocave, the finest realistic example of Upper Palaeolithic cave art. After lunch we will return to the train and travel into Asturian territory, visiting the village of Ribadesella and its charming promenade and stunning

Costa Verde Express Luxury Train : Bilbao to Santiago de Compostela(© www.palacetours.com) 1/8 historic mansions.

Dinner and overnight in Arriondas.

Day 5 - Tuesday: Deep into the heart of Asturias Today our coach will drive us to the heart of the Principality of Asturias, to the Picos de Europa National Park. First enroute is Lake Enol, then visit the sacred place of Shrine of Covadonga to hear its legends. Back onboard for lunch and trip to the region’s capital, Oviedo, the highlight of Asturian Romanesque art, featuring gems such as the basilica of San Julian de los Prados. City tour and free time. Dinner onboard while we travel to Candás, where we will spend the night.

Day 6 - Wednesday: Journey to the charming city of Gijon We begin the day discovering Avilés, an ancient city with a precious old town, and Gijón, a city that opens up to the Cantabrian Sea and is alive with cultural events. After visiting both towns, return to El Transcantábrico to continue our coastal journey to Luarca, visiting this charming seaside town embedded in a stunning landscape.

Dinner and overnight in Luarca.

Day 7 - Thursday: Travel along the "Rias Altas" to Ribadeo and Viveiro Train trip to the historic town of Ribadeo, in Galician lands, bordering Asturias. Our coach will take us to Las Catedrales Beach, one of the most spectacular beaches in the world. City sightseeing in Ribadeo and free time. Back on the train for lunch and trip to Viveiro, with city tour and free time. Dinner and overnight in Viveiro.

Day 8 - Friday: Your journey ends in Santiago de Compostela

While enjoying our last breakfast onboard, we will arrive in Ferrol, followed by a comfortable coach trip to Santiago de Compostela. Enjoy a city tour in this historical town, goal of devotees for over a thousand years, and admire its countless artistic jewels such as the Cathedral. End of trip after the tour.

Destination Information Bilbao Bilbao is the largest city in the Basque Country and the capital of the province of Biscay. The city has recently undergone major urban renewal, in order to move away from the region's industrial history and instead focus on tourism and services. The developments are centered around the new metro system by Sir Norman Foster and, most of all, the Guggenheim Bilbao Museum by Frank Gehry. Other new landmarks include the Santiago Calatrava- designed Zubizuri Bridge and the Euskalduna Palace, a cultural center, further downstream. The city also acts as home for the Fine Arts Museum recognized as one of Spain's finest art museums and recently refurbished and the Maritime Museum on the Nervión's banks, which recently hosted the RMS Titanic exhibition.

Candas Candás is a municipality within the province of Asturias. Situated on a cliff overlooking the sea, this town is defined by its superb hotels, shopping, restaurants, and the winding streets connecting them.

Costa Verde Express Luxury Train : Bilbao to Santiago de Compostela(© www.palacetours.com) 2/8 Ferrol Ferrol is a city in the province of A Coruña in Galicia. Located on the Atlantic coast in north-western Spain, the city has been a major naval shipbuilding center for most of its history, being the capital of the Spanish Navy's Maritime Department of the North since the time of the early Bourbons. Before that, in the 17th century, Ferrol was the most important arsenal in Europe. Today, the city is also known as the home of the shipbuilding yards of Navantia.

Gijón Gijón is a coastal industrial city and a municipality in Asturias. Gijón keeps its Roman past alive through the actions taken in the Campa de Torres Archaeological Site, one of the main fortified settlements of the north of Spain (before 490 B.C.), and especially in the restored baths complex at Campo Valdés, a public building which dates from the end of the 1st century A.D. Gijón was occupied continuously during the Middle Ages, evident by the Romanesque churches which date from the 12th and 13th centuries. The process of industrialization begun in the mid-19th century changed the city into the industrial center of Asturias, with its leading El Musel Port, shipyards and many manufacturing installations.

Luarca Luarca is a truly stunning fishing village on the north western coast of Asturias. It is easily reached from Lugo (Galicia) and has one of the most attractive harbors in all of Spain. The best way to view Luarca is from the hills above the town, or on the slopes above from which you can also look out to the open sea. Nearly every harbor-facing building in this quaint town has a white facade and a grey pan tiled roof, which gives Luarca a tidy appearance while still retaining its old world charm.

Oviedo Oviedo is the capital city of the Principality of Asturias in northern Spain. It has an interesting old town with various monuments listed on the UNESCO World Heritage List, such as the 9th century Cámara Santa de Oviedo. Oviedo's old town, or "Casco Antiguo," is home to many beautifully restored buildings and squares. Some of the most outstanding are the Velarde Palace which hosts part of the Art Museum, the Town Hall, the Plaza del Fontan, the Palace of Torero and the Palace of Camposagrado.

Potes Potes is one of the most attractive villages in the northern Spanish region of Cantabria. The village is in the center of the Liébana region, an area that is surrounded by spectacular mountains, with running streams and rivers. It streets have many bridges, as well as buildings and monuments with centuries of history, such as the Infantado Tower and the Orejón de Lima Tower (15th century). The old part of the village is full of narrow streets and stately houses, witnesses to its former splendor.

Ribadeo Ribadeo is the main town on the deep estuary formed by the river Eo, forming a natural link between Galician territory and the neighboring lands of Asturias on the opposite bank. One of the most beautiful beaches on the Galician coastline is As Catedrais, 'Beach of the Cathedrals.' Its rocks, which form natural arches resembling a cathedral, create a magical landscape which changes with the tides. Seafood taken straight from the estuary, such as cockles, clams and oysters, which, along with salmon, trout and eels from the Eo, are the star ingredients of the local cuisine.

Santander

Costa Verde Express Luxury Train : Bilbao to Santiago de Compostela(© www.palacetours.com) 3/8 Santander is the elegant capital city of Cantabria in northern Spain, extending over a wide bay with views of the Cantabrian Sea. Its historic quarter includes a group of majestic buildings which are situated against an incredible natural backdrop of sea and mountains. Its marine and commercial tradition is linked to the city's main attractions such as the famous El Sardinero beach, the promenade and La Magdalena peninsula. The cultural wealth of Santander is enhanced with the passage of the Pilgrim's Route to Santiago de Compostela and the neighboring Altamira Caves, both of which have been declared World Heritage Sites.

Santiago de Compostela Santiago de Compostela is the capital city of Galicia, Spain, and is the jewel in its historic and medieval crown. The city has world heritage status, and the 9th century Cathedral itself is the final destination for thousands of Christian pilgrims who traverse the "Way of St. James (Camino de Santiago)" pilgrimage across Galicia in order to reach this impressive city and visit the tomb of the saint himself. Santiago's old town is also full of dazzling examples of Gothic, Neo-classical, Romanesque and Baroque design and nearly all are on a grand or monumental scale.

Santillana del Mar Santillana del Mar is a historic, picturesque town situated in Cantabria, Spain, renowned for its medieval architecture. The area around Santillana del Mar has been populated for thousands of years and there are traces of some of the earliest inhabitants at the Altamira Caves about two kilometers from the town.

Viveiro Viveiro, at the mouth of the Viveiro estuary, is the most important city in the whole region of A Mariña, in Galicia. Viveiro has a very significant artistic heritage, beginning with the remains of its medieval wall, which withstood numerous pirate attacks in the 16th century, as well as fires and floods. Close to the traditional street of Rosalía de Castro, lays the church-convent of San Francisco, declared a Historic-Artistic Site. In addition to Viveiro's historic monuments, the town also charms visitors with the grand open spaces, beaches, and natural surroundings, such as Souto da Retorta, considered the oldest eucalyptus forests in Europe.

Price Chart All Rates in US$ per person including ALL taxes and surcharges Group Tour Rates Class Dates Single Rate Double Rate Jr. Suite Jr. Suite For departure August 7,2020 US$ 6,414 US$ 4,267

Departures

Aug 2020 7

Your tour price includes: Accommodation onboard in Grand Class Room. A la carte and buffet breakfast every day. All dinners and lunches, with the finest cuisine aboard the train or in top restaurants (including wine, water, soft drinks and coffee).

Costa Verde Express Luxury Train : Bilbao to Santiago de Compostela(© www.palacetours.com) 4/8 Welcome drink and snack. Farewell party. Traveling toiletries bag courtesy of Renfe Viajeros (with amenities and slippers). Free mineral water available in the cabin’s minibar. Activities onboard: music and live performances, parties in the pub car, show cooking and cocktails, dancing, etc. Tickets to museums, attractions and shows. Excursions and scheduled tours. Luxury coach accompanying the train along the trip. Two Renfe train tickets with a 50% discount: one to the starting point and the other back from the end of the tourist trip. Taxes and services. Newspapers and magazines onboard. Security service. Multilingual guide throughout the tour. Excellent crew available (Expedition Leader, guide, waiters, cooks, technicians, etc). Your tour price excludes: Domestic or international airfare Travel insurance or visa fees Items of a personal nature, such as laundry and souvenirs Any additional hotel accommodations pre- or post-tour Any items not specifically mentioned as "included"

Travel Tips & FAQ's The Train: What is the capacity of the train? There are 24 suites on the train.The number of passengers depends on the occupancies sold in that departure. The maximum capacity of the train is 48 passengers.

Is there a dress code onboard? There is no official dress code onboard, but we recommend comfortable shoes and clothes due to the nature of the visits and excursions.

What kind of food is served on the train? Galicia, Asturias, Cantabria, the Basque Country and Castilla y León are, in the opinion of the most fastidious chefs and gourmets, the regions where you can still find the best cuisine in Spain. The cheeses, sausages, meat, vegetables, fish and seafood are all universally renowned.

The restaurants on our route not only select the highest quality raw materials and have them prepared by the greatest professionals; they are also the ideal setting for tasting the local cuisine. All of our menus include a careful selection of wines that blend harmoniously with the ingredients of each lunch and dinner. Coffee and liqueurs are also included.

How are the meals served? Breakfasts are buffet-style and are served onboard the train in the four lounge carriages. Lunches and dinners are either taken at restaurants in the cities as mentioned in each day’s itinerary, or served in the Restaurant Cars.

Is there a laundry/dry cleaning service on the train? Yes, laundry service is available at an additional charge. Please see the crew for details.

Is there internet or telephone accessibility on the train? There is internet access onboard the train but also in cybercenters in several cities along the route. Your room onboard is equipped with a telephone, which you may use for long distance calls (guest’s own account). Phones will generally get reception, however sometimes this is a bit difficult due to the mountains and tunnels along the way.

Is the train accessible to wheelchairs / physical challenges?

Costa Verde Express Luxury Train : Bilbao to Santiago de Compostela(© www.palacetours.com) 5/8 Wheelchairs for sightseeing excursions are available upon request; kindly advise our office as soon as possible and at least 30 days prior to your departure of the necessity for a wheelchair. Please know there are no ramps for entering/exiting the train, and the train’s corridors are too narrow to accommodate wheelchairs. For those with other physical challenges, please contact our office.

Is smoking allowed onboard? No. Since January 2006, it is forbidden by Law to smoke onboard the train and in the train stations.

What facilities are available on the train? The four lounge carriages of El Transcantábrico are the most unusual and beautiful places on the train. They are veritable rail treasures that are much admired owing to their exquisite design, their finish and the interior decorations. The "pub carriage" has a bar and dance floor and is decorated and lit like a small night-club, where lively entertainment is provided every night until the early hours of the morning. Another lounge carriage also has a bar where you can sit back and have a quiet drink. The other two lounges are for other types of entertainment, such as reading, enjoying a board game with your fellow passengers, talking or watching the passing scenery through the big picture windows. And wherever you are, you will always be served by our attentive waiters.

Passengers are offered daily newspapers, magazines, a thoughtful collection of books from the library, television and videos; all that you need to make your journey a pleasure.

The Rooms:

Are there different types or sizes of rooms onboard the train? Suites onboard El Transcantabrico are specially designed for rest and privacy. You can sleep in comfort as the train will be parked at a station each night. This means that your sleep will not be disturbed by moving and jolting and also gives those who enjoy nightlife an opportunity to go out and savor the atmosphere of each town.

El Transcantábrico Clásico has 24 Classic Suites. They all have a double/matrimonial bed (120cm x 185cm or about 4ft x 6 ft) and some offer the chance to have an independent bunk bed. Due to the small size of the bunk, we recommend that the bunk is only used for children under the age of 12 or for extra storage. The suites measure 64.8 square feet, or 6 square meters.The private ensuite bathroom has a hydro sauna, turbo massage and steam bath and a hairdryer. The air-conditioning and heating, piped music and lights are all controlled individually. The electrical power is 220 volts. All suites are equipped with a luggage rack, minibar, safe deposit box, wardrobe, writing desk and a telephone with an outside line.

Are rooms pre-assigned or can you choose your own room? The rooms are assigned on-site. If you have any specific room requirements, please contact us at least one month prior to departure so that we can send your request to our Operations Team.

Is there a hairdryer in each bathroom? Are toiletries provided?

Yes, there is a hairdryer provided in every bathroom, along with a dental set, comb, eau de toilette, shaving set, shower cap, shoe polish and more.

Is there bottled water available? Yes, bottled spring water is provided free of charge throughout the tour.

The Tour:

What is the weather like? Northern Spain experiences a mild oceanic climate, with not too many extreme temperatures. Please bring along a jacket or coat for chilly evenings, and sun protection for warm afternoons.

Do I have to stay onboard all seven nights? You are not required to stay onboard the train for seven nights. However, as the train follows a fixed itinerary, you will be responsible for your own transportation to/from your points of embarkation/disembarkation, for any hotels you use during the journey, for meals taken while separated from the group, etc. There are no refunds for unused portions of the tour. Therefore, should you choose to shorten the journey in any way, you are still required to pay for

Costa Verde Express Luxury Train : Bilbao to Santiago de Compostela(© www.palacetours.com) 6/8 the full seven-night tour.

Are doctors available at all times? The train carries a first aid kit, and El Transcantábrico has contacts with various health centers along the train route.

Expenses:

What expenses will I have during the trip? El Transcantabrico is a very inclusive experience, so you will not need to pay for any meals, beverages during lunch/dinner, sightseeing, monument entrances or accommodations. You will incur additional cost if you choose to purchase any additional beverages onboard; laundry services; camera fees at monuments; transfers, additional sightseeing or other services in Leon or Santiago de Compostela; gratuities; and/or souvenirs.

How can I settle my expenses on the train? You may settle your onboard expenses by paying in Euros or by major credit card.

How much should I expect to tip? Tipping is not mandatory, and is left to the sole discretion of the traveler. This is a decision that should be made based on your enjoyment of the journey and the service. What are the passport/visa requirements for travel to Spain? Please ensure that your passport has at least three blank pages and that it is valid for at least six months beyond your departure date from Spain. Please check with your local embassy regarding visa requirements. 1 . Will I have internet connection on the train?

The El Transcantabrico train does have wifi in the lounge of the train, although the signal is not strong and may not reach outside of the lounge car. (The signal is also best when the train is stationed.) You may use the computer in the lounge provided for guests' convenience, or you may connect to the train's wifi using your personal laptop, tablet or device. Additionally, you have a computer in your private room with free internet access.

Terms & Conditions PAYMENT TERMS: 40% of total tour cost due at the time of booking 60% or balance no later than 35 days prior to tour departure date CANCELLATION FEES: Up to 30 days before departure: refund less 15% of official price. Between 30 and 15 days : refund less 25% of the total. Between 14 and 5 days: refund less 50% of the total. Between 4 and 1 day(s): refund less 80% of the total. Less than 24 hours or failure to turn up: No refund, 100% of the total is payable. Considering these are international terms an additional 5 days will be added for refunds to be processed An additional 15% Administrative fee will be charged from Palace Tours against refunds. All cancellation fees and administrative fees is applicable for FULL Tour price before coupons. Cancellations should be intimated by FAX to the corporate office in Miami FL. The above times are based on Spain time. In order to provide enough time for processing cancellation, guests need to add 3 business days to the above timeframes. We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance to cover the losses incurred in case of cancellation. For information on available plans or to purchase travel insurance, please visit www.palacetours.com/insurance.

Costa Verde Express Luxury Train : Bilbao to Santiago de Compostela(© www.palacetours.com) 7/8 Palace Tours Contact Information

Our Corporate Offices are located in Miami, FL. Click here to schedule a phone call or visit to our Miami Office You can contact us by Phone or live chat on the website or feel free to walk in to our office where our Luxury Travel Experts are available to assist you during business hours. Office: Palace Tours 12000 Biscayne Blvd. Suite #107 Miami, FL 33181 WEB: www.palacetours.com EMAIL: [email protected] PHONE: 1-800-724-5120 USA: Miami, FL: 786-408-0610 Princeton, NJ: 1-609-580-1372 New York, NY: 1-212-920-2543 Houston, TX: 1-832-446-2709 INTERNATIONAL: United Kingdom: 0330 808 4654 Australia: 1-800-156-671 New Zealand: 0800-442-510 FAX: 1-609-683-9772

Costa Verde Express Luxury Train : Bilbao to Santiago de Compostela(© www.palacetours.com) 8/8