Spain and Portugal Essentials by Rail

DAY 1 – BARCELONA

Your vacation begins in Barcelona. Upon arrival, check-in at your hotel for a two-night stay. Once settled into your hotel, spend the afternoon exploring. Perhaps wander down the tree-lined Las Ramblas, the most famous street in the city that overflows with buskers, dancers, living statues and mime artists. (Overnight in Barcelona)

DAY 2 – BARCELONA

Today spend some time spotting Gaudi’s iconic architectural masterpieces throughout the city, then avoid the queues at his masterpiece the Sagrada Familia with a guided tour. Art lovers also won’t want to miss a visit to the Picasso Museum to view a huge collection of the famous artist’s work. After a busy day sightseeing, treat yourself to a glass of locally made Sangria and delicious tapas. (Overnight in Barcelona)

Meals Included: Breakfast

DAY 3 – BARCELONA TO MADRID

Travel from Barcelona to Madrid on the high-speed AVE train and upon arrival, check in at your hotel for a two-night stay. Spend two days sightseeing in this energetic capital. Madrid has three world-renowned art galleries, all within close walking distance of each other in the city’s ‘Golden Triangle of Art’. the most famous of these is the Prado Museum offering one of the world’s finest collections of European works. (Overnight in Madrid)

Meals Included: Breakfast

DAY 4 – MADRID

After breakfast explore the city to its fullest with your Hop-on-Hop-off Pass. Why not head to the contemporary Museo Reina Sofia with its fascinating installations and impressive collection of works by Picasso and Dali? Alternatively, take a break in the Parque del Retiro or enjoy some retail therapy along the Gran Via. (Overnight in Madrid)

Meals Included: Breakfast

DAY 5 – SEVILLE

Make your way to Atocha station and take the train to Seville for a 2-night stay. Once settled in take a stroll along the riverside perhaps, or head to the top of the Metropol Parasol for a unique view of this great city. (Overnight Seville)

Meals Included: Breakfast

DAY 6 – SEVILLE

This morning join a small group tour of the absolute highlights of Seville, including the impressive Plaza de Espana, San Telmo Palace, Royal Alco¡zar, and huge Cathedral, and see the tomb of Christopher Columbus. Enjoy a siesta in the afternoon, before an evening of tapas and Flamenco perhaps! (Overnight Seville)

Meals Included: Breakfast

DAY 7 – LISBON

Take the scenic coach ride from Seville to Lisbon and here check-in at your hotel for a two-night stay. Visit the city’s most iconic sights such as the impressive medieval castle of Sao Jorge, the National Museum of Contemporary Art, and the Estrela Basilica, one of Lisbon’s most fascinating churches and the first to be dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. (Overnight in Lisbon)

Meals Included: Breakfast

DAY 8 – LISBON

Portugal’s historic capital city is draped over seven hills overlooking the mouth of the River Tagus. As one of the oldest cities in the world, it has a huge amount to explore from the narrow streets of the Barrio Alto to the majestic Praça do Comercio, the central square overlooking the wide river. Your guided walking tour included is the best way to enjoy these and more, including a stop for one of Lisbon’s delicious Pasteis de Nata. (Overnight in Lisbon)

Meals Included: Breakfast

DAY 9 – LISBON TO PORTO

After breakfast, travel from Lisbon to Porto by train. On arrival, check-in at your hotel for a two-night stay. Once settled at the hotel, why not take a cruise along the River Duoro and marvel at the beautiful scenery from the water? (Overnight in Porto)

Meals Included: Breakfast

DAY 10 – PORTO

Enjoy a full day at leisure in Porto. Wander through the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Old Town, enjoy your 1hr river cruise included at a time of your choosing, and don’t miss a tour of the Fundacao de Serralves, a contemporary art gallery housed in a beautiful Art Deco building with lovely gardens. No visit to Porto would be complete without a tour of the Port Wine cellars. These are situated in Vila Nova de Gaia, across the river by bridge from Ribeira. You can make your own way around or pick up a guided tour. (Overnight in Porto)

Meals Included: Breakfast

DAY 11 – DEPART PORTO

After breakfast this morning, check out of your hotel and continue with your travels. If you wish to extend your vacation, perhaps with an additional day in a different city, one of our Rail Experts would be happy to help you with the details.

Meals Included: Breakfast

CP

Amenities

• There are no luggage restrictions.
• Alfa Pendular trains offer a cafeteria and mini bar service.
• Most trains offer Standard and First Class.
• The MiraDouro train runs along the banks of the Douro river.

Renfe

Renfe is the national rail operator for Spain, oftenoperating cross-border services with the French and Portuguese Railways.

• You can carry up to 3 pieces of hand luggage onto the train, provided that the sum of the three does not exceed 25 kg or 290 cm. There are also dimension restrictions but most pieces of luggage qualify.
• There are no minimum check in times. However, please note that some stations have security scanners for which there may be a queue.
• On most long-distance trains there’s a cafe-bar serving tea, coffee, drinks and snacks. Of course, you’re also free to take your own food and drink and there are numerous shops, restaurants and cafes in and around most stations.
• An airline-style hot tray meal with wine is included in Preferente class on AVE & EuroMed trains on Mondays-Fridays & Sundays, but not Saturdays. It’s a full meal at meal times, but only a snack on late-morning & mid-afternoon trains. Turista Plus does not include any foods. International trains have different facilities.
• There are two classes of service, but it depends on the train type:
  • Standard class is also known as Turista. Seats are four across, with options for tables as well.
  • First class is known as Preferente. Seats are three across, with the option for a table for two and solo seats. On weekdays on AVE and EuroMed high-speed trains, Preferente usually includes a hot airline-style meal and wine during certain times, or may include breakfast or a snack. Prefernete ticket holders can get access to lounges at some stations.
  • A third class is Turista Plus. This is, in effect, first class seating but without the food and drink, or access to any lounges. International trains have different classes of travel.