Day 1

Travel by Eurostar from London St Pancras to Paris Gare du Nord. Transfer by Metro to Paris Montparnasse and continue by TGV via Dax to Hendaye. From there, take a taxi just across the border to the Parador de Hondarribia. This four-star Parador is housed in a medieval castle overlooking the Bay of Txingudi.

Day 2

Travel from Irún to Madrid by Alvia high-speed train, reaching speeds of up to 250 km/h. The journey takes you from the green foothills of the Pyrenees to the dry Spanish plateau. Midway through the journey, the train switches almost imperceptibly from Iberian broad gauge to standard gauge and continues on the high-speed network. Arrival at Chamartín station. Overnight stay in a four-star hotel near the station.

Day 3

Travel straight through north-western Spain to Vigo, close to the Portuguese border. This railway line has been upgraded in recent years, allowing high-speed trains to operate on this route too.
From Vigo, a local train runs to Portugal in the morning and evening. Stay in Viana do Castelo at Pousada Monte Santa Luzia, set high above the town with stunning views.

Day 4

Free day in Viana do Castelo. Enjoy a day at the beach, a walk in the hills or a train ride along the coast.

Day 5

Take a short train journey of around 1.5 hours to Porto. Stay at the Pousada do Porto or a four-star hotel in the city centre. In Portugal's hilly second city, enjoy a leisurely stroll through the beautiful old quarters before relaxing on one of the terraces along the Douro.

Day 6

Optional day trip by regional train through the Douro Valley to Régua or Pocinho, one of the most beautiful railway routes in Portugal. Overnight stay in Porto.

Day 7

Travel to Lisbon in around 3 hours on the Alfa Pendular. This high-speed train tilts slightly in curves, improving both comfort and speed. Overnight stay in a centrally located 4- or 5-star hotel in Lisbon, for example Hotel Real Palácio.

Day 8

Free day in Lisbon. Recommended: explore the city by historic tram and visit the old Alfama district.

Day 9

Work is progressing rapidly on the future high-speed line between Lisbon and Madrid. Within a few years, there is expected to be a direct rail connection between these two Iberian capitals again. Until then, the route runs via Entroncamento, Badajoz and Mérida. Overnight stay in a Parador or four-star hotel in Mérida. This lively capital of the Spanish region of Extremadura is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site thanks to its many remains from the Roman, Visigothic and Moorish periods.

Day 10

Travel by Alvia express train and AVE high-speed train through Spain's rugged interior, from Mérida via Madrid to Barcelona on the Mediterranean coast. Overnight stay in or near Barcelona Sants station.

Day 11

Depart in the morning by high-speed TGV to Paris Gare de Lyon. Transfer by Metro to Gare du Nord and continue by Eurostar to London St Pancras.