FOOD BY RAIL THROUGH GREEN SPAIN
Train travel splendour as you eat your way through Spain
Though , was probably only five years old when watching classic matinees with my mom made up most of our lazy afternoons, the imageries of the golden age of train travel, and the romance associated with it left a deep impression on me. 5ail travel represents a sepia-tinted period where life’s refinements could be enMoyed at a luxury pace while traversing through rolling landscapes and bucolic countryside. )or many, train travel is the ultimate in luxury travel. So when , had the opportunity to see a belt of northern Spain, known as Green Spain, on a luxury train, , Mumped on it.
The (l Transcantibrico lisico is run by 5(1)(, a state-owned train company. ,t runs through the mountain ranges of Asturias and the rolling hills of antabria in the northeast, and the waterways of Galicia in the northwest, either from Leon to Santiago de la ompostel, or from San Sebastian to Santiago. We will sleep on the train every night, and relish the Moy of not having to repack every day as we call on a new city every morning during our five-day trip.
At every city, we will dine at the best local establishments, some 0ichelin-starred and some owned by the same family for a few generations. While eating and drinking well is the main agenda, we will also visit famous landmarks. There is a private coach bus at every station to take us across the city to medieval churches and monasteries, and famous landmarks and sights.
2ur Mourney starts in Bilbao, the capital of Basque ounty. Besides food, art is also a draw here. Bilbao is home to )rank Gehry’s Bilbao Guggenheim guarded by a Jeff Koons’ topiary West Highland Terrier and Louise Bourgeoise’ s bronze arachnid. At the minimalist, all-white one-0ichelin starred 1erua nestled within the museum, plating is simple and artistic. So are the textures and tastes presented, allowing the freshness of local produce to shine through. We capped a day foggy with food coma with a visit and dinner at a 1 th century castle, the Torre Loizaga, which boasts an extensive antique car collection that includes every 5olls-5oyce model launched between 191 and 199 .
Breakfast is always taken on the train. By the second day, we have learnt from experience that we should resist the temptations on the buffet table groaning under the weight of savouries and sweets that include traditional Spanish breakfast fare, such as Spanish omelette, and the a la carte menu of cooked dishes. There is Must a limit to how quickly one can digest food – even with a lot of sightseeing.
At antabria, we visit the Botin enter, a modern art museum designed by