As an experienced rail traveler in Europe, I thought I had the system down. But Spain is an exception to every other experience I’ve had. First a friend told us there are two train stations in Madrid and that we needed to go to Estacio Madrid d’Atocha to travel to other major cities. Saved us from going to the wrong place to start. Next, they have a great deal. It’s called the…
While in Madrid, we changed our itinerary at breakfast on our second day. Rather than spending most of the day at the Prado Museum, which most of our party had visited previously, we chose to take a day trip down to Toledo. It is only a 38 minute train ride (cost about 20) from the lower level of the Madrid Atocha station. (The upper level is the major cities, but apparently Toledo…
The main train station in Madrid, Estasio Puerto de la Atocha, is located near the historic center of the city. We checked into the Tryp Hotel Atocha, which is only a short distance from the train station on one of the streets that runs from the train station to the Plaza Mayor or Main Square. This location is within walking distance of the primary attractions we wanted to see in this city.…
We had last been in Barcelona fifteen years ago. Oh, what a difference time makes. In that short time one of the key attractions in the city has transformed. We decided to make our first full day a Gaudi day. Antonin Gaudi is the legendary architect who transformed this city a century ago, and whose disciples are finishing his master work: Sagrada Familia. This landmark basilica was first conceived in 1866, but…
Your Urban Explorers chose to fly into Madrid, take a cab to the main train station (there are two so you need to go to the right one if going on to the major cities), Estacion de Puerta de Atocha, (about 30 Euros). There are no trains or public transport from the airport to the train station. We bought a Spain Pass. It is good for a month for about $200 USD,…