Bordeaux to Bilbao
Holiday Highlights
- Travel by high speed TGV
- St Emilion, famous for red wine
- Sightseeing in Bordeaux
- Overnight stay at the 5* Hotel du Palais
- Standard, broad and narrow gauge trains
- Artxanda funicular
- Guggenheim museum
- 9 days from £1,360
Series 2, Episode 6 Great Continental Railway Journeys. In the final episode of BBC2's GCRJs Series 2 we follow Portillo's route to experience four very cultural and cosmopolitan cities in France and Northern Spain. A 9-day rail journey that allows plenty of time to sample the elegant and artistic atmosphere of Bordeaux, Biarritz, San Sebastián and Bilbao.
ITINERARY
Day 1
Morning departure by Eurostar from St Pancras to Lille, connecting with TGV service to Bordeaux. Stay 3 nights.
Day 2
Free day based in Bordeaux. The town is 100 km from the Atlantic and is the lowest bridging point of the river Garonne. During the last 200 years it has served as the French capital on 3 brief occasions. There is also a railway bridge designed by Eifel.
Day 3
Free time again, but wine lovers may wish to take a local train journey to St Emilion. This medieval village is about 40 minutes from Bordeaux and lies in the heart of the vineyards renowned for their red wine.
Day 4
Transfer by train to the elegant coastal resort of Biarritz for an overnight stay at the 5* Hotel du Palais.
Day 5
Leaving Biarritz it is a short journey to Irun on the border with Spain. Continue onwards on the broad gauge line to San Sebastián for an overnight stay. Free afternoon to explore this Basque city.
Day 6
Leaving San Sebastián on the privately run narrow gauge Eusko Tren known affectionately as "El Topo" (the Mole) travel westwards for just over 2 hours to Bilbao. Stay 2 nights.
Day 7
Free day based in Bilbao. Try the Artxanda funicular which affords wonderful views over the city and for art lovers of course the showpiece is the Guggenheim museum.
Day 8
Full day by train via San Sebastián and Hendaye to Paris for an overnight stay.
Day 9
Return by Eurostar from Paris to St Pancras.
Selected Hotels
Ibis Styles Gare St Jean, Bordeaux
Hotel du Palais, Biarritz
Astoria 7, San Sebastian
Barcelo Nervion, Bilbao
Mercure Paris Gare Montparnasse, Paris
Please note - hotels can be subject to change
Price Includes
- Standard class travel as shown (excluding the EuskoTren for which we are unable to issue tickets)
- 8 hotel nights B&B in 3* hotels with en suite facilities throughout apart from Biarritz which is 5*
Price per person
From £1,360 per person sharing
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