Fast Train to Barcelona

Monday, 3^rd January 2011 and we are on the fast train to Barcelona. We are in preferential although there is also first class. The train is clean with individual seat, smells normal (not like other trains) and has good windows and blinds to see or reduce the direct sun. There is lighting for reading and the seats recline. The Madrid station is worth seeing also. Very big with very large plants and a large water area (The Atocha Atrium) give an overall sense of space and freshness. 

There are escalators for moving to different levels. Outside there is a large memorial to those who died as a result of the terrorist bombing which I think was in 2004. On arrival your baggage and ticket is checked and then you enter another area for those intending to travel. Visitors do not enter this area. Once through to this area it is large and spacious with a number of shops and eating areas. Seating is available but most seem to stand. You need to watch the monitors as the train is not allocated a platform until about 15 minutes before departure. The train itself has assistants to help you board and store luggage in the front compartment then you go through to your allocated seating. All seats are booked so the train is not over full. Our carriage, in fact, was fairly empty.

After sitting the attendants come around and offer refresher towels, papers (all European including English speaking papers - SMH is not included), magazines and ear pieces. This latter is to tune into any of 8 channels. One of these is for the film that is showing. One this occasion it was the film that won Sandra Bullock the Academy Award. I did not watch it.

And that is not all. Then they come around with a drinks tray, including wine - I had Coca Cola light. Digressing for a minute I have been able to get Coke everywhere but the items are smaller than our Australian product. Tastes the same though.

Then they come around with a tray and on this occasion they provided a light snack of cheese, ham and bacaloa (a Basque dish of salted cod). You are provided with real cutlery, some small Biscuits called Picos. Overall the train experience has been excellent.

The view was also interesting. Despite travelling through a number of tunnels the area seemed relatively flat leaving Madrid. This continued most of the journey this some small villages and low level shrub together with what appeared like some rather isolated industrial areas. There were also a number of wind farms.

After nearly three hours and on time we arrived at Barcelona. Again the station was spacious and easy to move around. Taxi's were plentiful and located near the exit. We then travelled directly to our hotel. The driver though was somewhat confused and we were deposited about six blocks up the road. Walking though was not difficult with clear streets and easy signage. We booked into the Granados83 granados83@derbyhotels.com