TREN DE LA FRESA - Strawberry Train to Aranjuez

Departure: Atocha train station - AVE.
Tel: 902 24 02 02 / 902 22 88 22
Metro: Atocha Renfe
Hours:days 5, 6, 12 y 13 de july (further dates to be published in due course). departs from Atocha at 10:05am and returns at 7pm to the same station
Prices: adults, 25 euros. Children (de 4 a 12 años) 17 euros. Under 4 years old free
Ticket sales tel. 902 24 02 02
Recommended age: 0 a 99
Web: www.museodelferrocarril.es
Description: Special 19th century steam engine "Strawberry Train”/ “Tren de la Fresa”,
from Atocha on Saturday and Sunday. Runs from April to October, except for August when it’s far too
hot.
The ride includes strawberries served by costumed attendants on route, tour bus to and from the 18th
century Bourbon Royal Palace, a guided visit (Spanish only). Lunch is on your own.

TREN DE CERVANTES - Cervantes Train

Departure: Avenida Ciudad de Barcelona, s/n (Estación de Atocha. Plaza Roja)
Tel: 91 506 63 56
Metro: Atocha Renfe
Hours: every Saturday, Sunday from Atocha Station at 11am Returns from Alcalá de Henares at 7pm
Price: adults, 19 euros. children to 11 years of age 13 euros.
Recommended age: 0 a 99
Web: www.renfe.es/cercanias

In the Spring and Autumn the Spanish Tourist Board runs a special Cervantes train
(similar to the Strawberry train to Aranjuez) with costumed attendants who perform extracts from
Cervantes’s plays. Includes a guided tour of the city.

TREN MEDIEVAL - Medieval Train

A fascinating ride into the past
Until: 29/11/2008
Departure: Agustín de Foxá, s/n (Chamartín Train Station).
Tel: 949 34 70 07
Metro: Chamartín
Hours: Trains run on 5 de july, 13, 20 and 27 Sept., 4, 18 and 25 of Oct. and 8, 15, 22 and 29 of Nov. Departure is from Chamartín Station (Madrid) at 10am. Returns to Madrid at 9pm
Prices: adults, 25 euros; children 4 to 13 years old, 15 euros. (includes train,something to pick on on board, guides, entrances to monuments and insurance).
Recommended age: +4
Web: www.renfe.es/trenmedieval
Description: El Tren Medieval de Sigüenza is similar to the Strawberry Train to Aranjuez, offering typical Alcarrian sweet treats during the ride, entertainment by costumed troubadours and a guided tour of the city, ending at a medieval market, plus a 10% dining discount at local restaurants.

Chinchón is one of the most picturesque and best known towns within the Autonomous Community of Madrid and the fact that it lies very close to the capital city has not impinged on its conserving its own personality, with its dark gray and ochre colored landscapes, bunches of houses grouped upon hills surrounding its unique main Square and its winding streets that are a witness to the life and the history of the village

http://www.ciudad-chinchon.com

Chinchon has a curious town square which consists of a bullring. It's a charming village, slightly run down but with a character all of its own. Well worth a visit, it offers some great restaurants many of which circle the main square. The town's restaurants are nearly all Asadores specialising in roast pig and roast baby lamb. The restaurant "la balconada" is particularly good.
By car: Chinchón is 45 km (18 miles) to the south of Madrid. A little less than an hour by car from capital via highway A-3.
By bus: Buses running to Chinchón depart from the Conde de Casal Station (Metro Conde de Casal). The La Veloz Company runs the Madrid-Chinchón route. The 337 is the bus line. Buses run frequently and the price each way is 3.10€. For more information and to confirm prices and times call 914 097 602.
By train: There is no train transport available.

Located 11 kilometres from Segovia, at the foot of the Sierra de Guadarrama mountains and set in unique natural surroundings is the Royal Residence of La Granja de San Ildefonso, a grand and impressive palace begun in 1721 on the site of an old lodging house. King Felipe V retired here in 1724 and tried to create a residence in the style of court at Versailles. In order to do so, for the next 20 years he extended the gardens and the palace, which was used as a summer residence by all his successors until Alfonso XII. The collection of historic buildings is rounded off with the Royal Glass Factory of La Granja, an 18th-century structure with an ongoing collection and other temporary exhibitions devoted to the art of glass-making.

The former capital of Spain, Toledo has retained its medieval charm, with its city walls and winding streets.
It is the capital of the province of the same name, and is also the capital of the Autonomous Community called Castilla-La Mancha. The city is located at 529 metres above sea level, in the Castillian meseta (plateau), practically in the centre of the Iberian peninsula. and just 70 kilometers (43 miles) south of Madrid on the N-401 highway.
The historic city centre sits on a craggy rock, which is almost completely encircled by a wide meander of the Tagus river, called the Tajo in Spanish. The Roman historian Tito Livio mentioned the city of Toletum, a term whose origin would be Tollitum, meaning "raised aloft". The city's historic centre is one of the largest in Spain, and has more than 100 monuments.

By road: Toledo is approximately 70Km (43 miles) south of Madrid on the A-42 highway. From the centre of Madrid you should head towards Atocha and take the road running due south, called Santa María de la Cabeza. This road to Toledo is well sign-posted. The exit to Toledo is also well sign-posted from the M-30, Madrid's inner ring-road. The journey by car takes less than 1 hour.
By train: Railway station (RENFE). Paseo de la Rosa. Toledo. Tel: 925 22 3099Regular trains depart daily from Atocha railway station in Madrid (Glorieta de Atocha; Tel: 91 328 90 20) for Toledo about every two hours, starting at 7:05 a.m. until 8:25 p.m. The trip takes approximately one hour and a half.

The twin charms of Segovia's fairytale castle and Roman aqueduct make Segovia an essential day trip from Madrid.

The monumental complex of San Lorenzo del Escorial, declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1984, is located little over 40 minutes (50 km/30 miles) to the northeast of Madrid. It is one of the most emblematic municipalities of Madrid due to its history, cultural richness and amazing landmarks. El Escorial, considered the “Eighth Wonder of the World”, is undoubtedly one of the most recommended visits from the capital. The area’s gastronomy is also known not only for its cooked meats, but scenario in which they are served.
By Bus: Take the 661 bus from Moncloa Bus Station.
By Train: Take line 8 of the Cercanía (local train) from Atocha, Chamartin, Nuevos Ministerios or Recoletos (on Paseo Castellana, near Gran Via).
By Road: from the airport take the
M-11 west for 7km to exit 3M-40 north signposted M-40 Norte for 18km to exit 46A(P)-6 north signposted A(P)-6 "A Coruna" for 36km to exit 47M-600 west for 7km to San Lorenzo de El Escorial

Controversial burial ground for former dictator, General Franco, complete with magnificent stone cross and basilica, built by Franco's prisoners of war from the Spanish Civil War. Close to El Escorial to make a perfect combined day trip

Bus: line 660, Plaza de la Virgen de Gracia s/n (Autocares Herranz)
Carretera de Guadarrama/El Escorial Madrid Tel: 91 890 5611