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Spain news A Capital Idea
Spain news A Capital Idea A Capital Idea
Until last year, anyone visiting southern Spain and considering a short visit to Madrid by train, would definitely have been a traveller of the most hardy (some might say foolhardy!) kind. But Spain’s fascinating capital is now an appealingly viable destination for those holidaying on the Mediterranean coast and craving an adventurous and memorable excursion.
Thanks to two recently opened high-speed rail lines, you can now reach Madrid from either Malaga or Barcelona in comfort in just 2 ½ hours! – an astonishingly short time to cover the 410 mile distance.
The Spanish government has been investing billions of Euros in high-speed rail technology in recent years, and the country is now a world leader. There are plans for over 4,000 miles of ‘super track’ to be operational within the next two years, linking most major Spanish cities.
The new AVE train that whisks passengers from coast to capital is the most advanced of its type anywhere. Affectionately dubbed ‘El Pato’ (The Duck), due to its distinctive bill-like front end, the train offers passengers the choice of standard ‘Tourist’ class, preferential ‘First’ class, or the deluxe ‘Club’ class - which boasts personal table service. However, even in the Tourist Class you are travelling in style, with clean compartments and comfortable seats, air-conditioning and buffet car among the many on-board facilities.
You can book your tickets up to 60 days in advance, and with as many as 13 departures per day, you can choose to travel at a time that fits in with your holiday plans.
Watch the Spanish landscape fly by at 185 miles per hour, take a nap, or use the time to catch up on that holiday reading. You’ll arrive sooner than you think; rested, relaxed and ready to discover a sensational city.
For timetables and prices, or to book, visit the RENFE website: http://horarios.renfe.es/hir/ingles.html
The Spanish government has been investing billions of Euros in high-speed rail technology in recent years, and the country is now a world leader. There are plans for over 4,000 miles of ‘super track’ to be operational within the next two years, linking most major Spanish cities.
The new AVE train that whisks passengers from coast to capital is the most advanced of its type anywhere. Affectionately dubbed ‘El Pato’ (The Duck), due to its distinctive bill-like front end, the train offers passengers the choice of standard ‘Tourist’ class, preferential ‘First’ class, or the deluxe ‘Club’ class - which boasts personal table service. However, even in the Tourist Class you are travelling in style, with clean compartments and comfortable seats, air-conditioning and buffet car among the many on-board facilities.
You can book your tickets up to 60 days in advance, and with as many as 13 departures per day, you can choose to travel at a time that fits in with your holiday plans.
Watch the Spanish landscape fly by at 185 miles per hour, take a nap, or use the time to catch up on that holiday reading. You’ll arrive sooner than you think; rested, relaxed and ready to discover a sensational city.
For timetables and prices, or to book, visit the RENFE website: http://horarios.renfe.es/hir/ingles.html
