Live the Belle Époque dream by travelling through Spain aboard this 1930s luxury train

Yahoo

2 days ago

Sitting on silk sofas, surrounded by mirrors and lacquered wood panelled walls, passengers on Spain's Al Ándalus train are abuzz as the carriages glide out of Aranjuez station.
The glamorous hotel on wheels was one of the country's first luxury trains when it began operating in 1985. The wagons were originally bought from the British royal family.
Now run by state-owned rail company Renfe, passengers can journey sedately around the Andalusia region in sumptuous Belle Époque style, sleeping and dining in the refurbished carriages from the 1920s and 30s.
And starting in 2026, the itinerary will include new stops, beginning and ending in the Spanish capital.
Travel from Madrid to Seville on a luxury historic train
For the 2026 season, the Al Ándalus train will run between April and October with trips of seven days and six nights.
You can choose to follow the itinerary in either direction, from Madrid to Seville or vice versa.
During the dreamy journey, passengers stop at some of Spain's most magnificent cities and storied attractions.
In the La Mancha region, there is a visit to an artisanal cheese factory and a wine cellar, while in Jerez de la Frontera, guests attend the show a famous equestrian ballet set to Spanish music.
In Aranjuez, there is a visit to the Royal Palace and its gardens, while in Córdoba, passengers take a tour of the extraordinary Mosque-Cathedral.
Throughout the trip, travellers stop at a total of 10 destinations, including five world heritage sites.
A luxury coach accompanies the train along the entire route to facilitate excursions, and a multilingual guide is present throughout the journey.
Sleep in 1930s carriages on board the Al Ándalus train
The experience on board is a fabulous time-warp. The suites and rooms are inside carriages that were built in France at the beginning of the last century to take the members of the British monarchy between Calais and the Côte d'Azur.
There are two accommodation categories to choose from - a Deluxe Suite or a Grand Class Room - both of which are clad in decorated veneer panels and feature en-suites.
There are also four lounge cars dating from 1928 and 1930, which dazzle with scarlet velvet upholstery and soft gilded lighting.
In the restaurant, dishes exalt Spanish ingredients like olive oil, sherry wine, and Jabugo Iberian ham.
Live music and a gala dinner
Of course, this kind of opulence doesn't come cheap. The cost per person for two sharing a Deluxe Suite is €7,900, while for a Grand Class room, it is €6,600.
While it's a hefty sum, it does include admission to all scheduled visits and all breakfasts, lunches and dinners, whether served onboard or in select local restaurants.
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It also covers on-board activities like live music and performances, parties in the bar, and the end-of-trip gala dinner.
Passengers receive a welcome drink and snack, unlimited water, and a toilet bag with toiletries and slippers.
Those staying in a Deluxe Suite can also enjoy all non-alcoholic beverages in the minibar free of charge, a crew service to pack and unpack bags and sort clothes, and the opening and closing of the bed upon request.
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