Day 1

Travel by Eurostar from London St Pancras to Paris Gare du Nord. Transfer to Paris Montparnasse and continue by TGV to Hendaye on the French-Spanish border. From there, take the Basque railway (EuskoTren) to San Sebastián. Overnight stay in a three-star hotel near the station, for example Hotel Casual de las Olas.

Day 2

Spend the morning exploring San Sebastián before travelling by EuskoTren to Bilbao in the afternoon. Overnight stay in a three-star hotel, for example Hotel Petit Palace Arana.

Day 3

Visit the famous Guggenheim Museum before boarding the FEVE narrow-gauge railway in the early afternoon. Travel via Santander to Torrelavega, then continue by bus or taxi (approximately 15 minutes) to Santillana del Mar, one of Spain's most beautiful villages. Overnight stay in a three-star hotel, for example Hotel Museo Los Infantes.

Day 4

Visit the remarkable Altamira Caves, home to some of Europe's oldest prehistoric cave paintings. In the afternoon, continue by train to Llanes in Asturias. Overnight stay at, for example, Hotel Sablón***, beautifully located above the sandy beach and beside the old town walls.

Day 5

Enjoy a walk along the spectacular coastal path or relax on the beach before taking the train to Oviedo in the evening. Overnight stay in a three-star hotel in the historic centre, for example NH Hotel Principado.

Day 6

Travel on the FEVE railway along Spain's dramatic northern coastline, crossing the many Galician rías before reaching Ferrol. Continue by mainline train to Santiago de Compostela. Overnight stay in a three-star hotel near both the station and the historic centre, for example Hotel Gelmírez.

Day 7

Free day to explore the remarkable city of Santiago de Compostela.

Day 8

Travel by Alvia high-speed train across the rugged interior of northern Spain to Burgos. The city's magnificent medieval cathedral is its main attraction. Overnight stay at, for example, Hotel Mesón El Cid.

Day 9

Continue by Alvia train to Irún on the French border. Cross into Hendaye by EuskoTren or taxi. Overnight stay at Hotel Le Santiago***.

Day 10

Travel by TGV from Hendaye to Paris. Transfer by Metro to Gare du Nord and continue by Eurostar to London St Pancras.

12-day rail tour

Compared with the 10-day rail tour, this itinerary includes:

• 1 additional night in San Sebastián to relax after the outward journey
• 1 additional night in Santillana del Mar, allowing more time to visit the Altamira Caves

15-day rail tour

Compared with the 10-day rail tour, this itinerary includes:

• 1 additional night in Bordeaux to break up the outward journey
• 1 additional night in San Sebastián
• 1 additional night in Bilbao
• 1 additional night in Santillana del Mar
• 1 additional night in Llanes