If you’re tired of hauling yourself from attraction to bar to restaurant at breakneck speed and are instead yearning for a trip covering all the same cultural hotspots but at a much more leisurely pace, then a Spanish train company has the answer for you.
Enter the Al Andalus train, the height of luxury (comprised of carriages used by the British Royal family, no less), which is introducing a new slow route from Seville to Madrid in spring 2025. Over seven days, passengers will explore the spectacular beauty of the Andalusian countryside and beyond, from awe-inspiring UNESCO World Heritage sites to charming villages.
Stops include Jerez de la Frontera, best known as the birthplace of Sherry, where passengers will be treated to an evening of equestrian ballet and Mérida, home to dozens of Roman ruins.
Among the other unmissable highlights are the ‘city of three cultures’, Toledo, an intoxicating blend of Christian, Muslim and Jewish architecture; the bustling coastal hub of Cádiz; and the staggering Great Mosque in Córdoba.
It will be hard to prise passengers from the Al Andalus, though, which has been modelled on the timeless elegance of the Belle Epoque. There’s a salon and games bar, glamorous suites with 24-hour room service and two restaurants serving traditional Spanish cuisine, to name but a few of the train’s luxury amenities.
So, when can you hop aboard? Trains depart Seville on just nine dates in 2026: April 5 and 19; May 3 and 17; June 7 and 21; September 6 and 20; and October 4. Fares for the 2026 season start at €6,600 (around £5,690) per person for double occupancy in a Grand Class room. Safe to say this isn’t massively affordable – but maybe you’ll win the lottery?
With world-class gastronomy, Andalusia’s most dazzling sights, and a rolling five-star hotel on rails, the Al Andalus isn’t just a train ride - it’s a once-in-a-lifetime journey through the heart of Spain.
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Spain isn't the only country introducing a new luxe train route. Thailand has also announced a new nine-day journey starting from Bangkok, which promises a slow and sumptuous meander through the country’s lush landscapes and historic treasures, while a new all-private-room sleeper train connecting 100 European cities is slated to launch in 2027.
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