Spain

Have a grand adventure in one of the continent’s
most diverse landscapes

Riding the rails in Spain is a grand adventure that offers travelers an ideal way to see one of the most diverse landscapes in Europe—from the snowcapped peaks surrounding Granada and the rivers enveloping Toledo to the Moorish-flavored Andalusia to the modern artistry of Catalonia. Traveling through Spain by rail is the cheapest way to see the country—especially if you opt for a railpass—and a relatively inexpensive venture when compared to train travel in other Western European countries.

Since the mid-1990s, there has been an almost Herculean improvement in the Spanish state railway system. Spain now offers more options for the rail traveler than ever before. Its high-speed Talgo trains and the speedy and luxurious AVE trains, running between Madrid and Seville/Barcelona, have almost buried the country’s reputation for sluggish rail service.

The network of trains is now so vast that all the major sections of Spain are linked to Madrid with efficient high-speed trains. To reach some of the more remote provinces or areas, you still must rely on slow-moving trains, but if you stick to the main cities, you can be anywhere in Spain within a matter of hours.

© 2008, Wiley Publishing, Inc.