Day 5: El Escorial

El Escorial rivals Toledo as the most popular day trip from Madrid. It is about an hour from Atocha station. The half monastery/half royal mausoleum of San Lorenzo de El Escorial was built here by Felipe II in the mid 1500’s The mammoth complex contains some of the world’s greatest art. You can spend a full day here wandering through its splendid library, art galleries and state apartments, including the throne room.

If time allows, you can make a side trip to El Valle de los Caídos. This memorial is a moving tribute to those who died in the Spanish Civil War of the late 1930s.

Day 6: Córdoba

Cordoba is a couple of hours to the south of Madrid leaving from the AVE or TALGO stations. It was once the capital city of Islam in the west. Here is where the Mezquita-Catedral de Córdoba, the greatest Palestinian landmark in the western world, still stands. Its stunning structure consisting of a labyrinth of columns and red-and-white-striped arches is a marvel to see. You can also visit Alcázar de los Reyes Cristianos, a fine example of military architecture where Ferdinand and Isabella once governed.

The trip from Cordoba to Seville is forty-five minutes to an hour, depending upon the train you take. The AVE is the fastest. There are very good over night accommodations in Seville. Get a good nights rest.