South by Rail
We took a fast train to cover the distance between Madrid and southern Spain, where we would spend the next week.
The Atocha Station in Madrid is almost a tourist destination in its own right, with its vaulted ceiling, cafes and palm court. Yes, those are turtles.
The national rail (RENFE) trains are quiet, clean, and fast. They leave Madrid en punto. When they glide to a stop, the door snicks open and people don't waste any time getting off, because about two minutes later the train is once again sailing over the endless rolling olive orchards of La Mancha.
The trip from Madrid to Cordoba is 260 miles, and we made it on the TALGO, the slowest train, in 2:15. We stepped off, and the train slipped away, heading for Bobadilla. Wow.
Next: Cordoba