<commit_before>---
title: "South of Spain and Portugal by train"
date:   2019-12-23 11:52:01 -0200
published: true
mathjax: true
header:
  teaser: /assets/images/train_trip.jpg

---

**This post is still ongoing some changes!**

<img src="/assets/images/train_trip.png" alt="Train trip"> 

# Spanish journey

## From South of France to South of Spain
We started our journey from Toulouse with the idea to reach Barcelona by train (regional train), via Latour-de-Carol/Entveitg (in the mountains), which, despite tacking a bit longer, is much cheaper than high-speed trains to Barcelona. However, due to strikes in France that significantly affected trains, we went to Barcelona by car (car sharing). We were lucky enough to find a ride in the morning and could enjoy a sunny afternoon in Barcelona! 

Once in Barcelona, you have different options to reach Andalucía: Either you take a high-speed train (AVE trains) to Madrid and then a regional train (Talgo trains) to Almería, or you can go through Alcazár de San Juan instead of Madrid with Talgo trains (longer but cheaper). Unfortunately, we could not make it through Alcazár de San Juan as trains were all fully booked to go to the Don Quijote city: Carnival was happening at the same time, and we were not quick enough to book our tickets! 

*Barcelona Tip: If you are in the Sants district for a train connection and have a bit of time to go around, try the Pickwick Bar (Carrer de Sant Jordi, 3, near the Sants market and connected to the Carrer de Sants). The place is a local spot, held by a couple in their 50s and they serve delicious home-made tapas!*

We left Barcelona (Sants) in the early morning the next day to reach Madrid (Puerta de Atocha) in about 3 hours, giving us 5 to 6 hours before our connection to Almería. We spent the afternoon at the Parque del Retiro, a big green spot in Madrid where you can visit the Palacio de Cristal, a glasshouse hosting exhibitions, and closeby, the Palacio Velazquez, which also hosts contemporary art.

<img src="/assets/images/Madrid.jpg" alt="Madrid" align="center">

From Madrid, we took the Talgo train that passes by Alcazár de San Juan and lets you admire the majestuous windmills (Molines) to reach our first destination in Andalucía: Almería finally!

*Good to know:* 
- *In Spain museums are closed on Monday. If you're a student, don't forget your student card to get discount.*
- *The typical Spanish/Andalusian breakfast is made of tostadas con aceite (olive oil locally produced), tomatoes, or mantequilla (jam) along with a fresh orange juice (grown locally) and a coffee (con leche or bombon a coffee served with milk concentrate). This costs as little as 4-5 euros.*<commit_msg>Update 2019-12-23-spain.md<commit_after>---
title: "South of Spain and Portugal by train"
date:   2019-12-23 11:52:01 -0200
published: true
mathjax: true
header:
  teaser: /assets/images/eden.jpg

---

**This post is still ongoing some changes!**

<img src="/assets/images/train_trip.png" alt="Train trip"> 

# Spanish journey

## From South of France to South of Spain
We started our journey from Toulouse with the idea to reach Barcelona by train (regional train), via Latour-de-Carol/Entveitg (in the mountains), which, despite tacking a bit longer, is much cheaper than high-speed trains to Barcelona. However, due to strikes in France that significantly affected trains, we went to Barcelona by car (car sharing). We were lucky enough to find a ride in the morning and could enjoy a sunny afternoon in Barcelona! 

Once in Barcelona, you have different options to reach Andalucía: Either you take a high-speed train (AVE trains) to Madrid and then a regional train (Talgo trains) to Almería, or you can go through Alcazár de San Juan instead of Madrid with Talgo trains (longer but cheaper). Unfortunately, we could not make it through Alcazár de San Juan as trains were all fully booked to go to the Don Quijote city: Carnival was happening at the same time, and we were not quick enough to book our tickets! 

*Barcelona Tip: If you are in the Sants district for a train connection and have a bit of time to go around, try the Pickwick Bar (Carrer de Sant Jordi, 3, near the Sants market and connected to the Carrer de Sants). The place is a local spot, held by a couple in their 50s and they serve delicious home-made tapas!*

We left Barcelona (Sants) in the early morning the next day to reach Madrid (Puerta de Atocha) in about 3 hours, giving us 5 to 6 hours before our connection to Almería. We spent the afternoon at the Parque del Retiro, a big green spot in Madrid where you can visit the Palacio de Cristal, a glasshouse hosting exhibitions, and closeby, the Palacio Velazquez, which also hosts contemporary art.

<img src="/assets/images/Madrid.jpg" alt="Madrid" align="center">

From Madrid, we took the Talgo train that passes by Alcazár de San Juan and lets you admire the majestuous windmills (Molines) to reach our first destination in Andalucía: Almería finally!

*Good to know:* 
- *In Spain museums are closed on Monday. If you're a student, don't forget your student card to get discount.*
- *The typical Spanish/Andalusian breakfast is made of tostadas con aceite (olive oil locally produced), tomatoes, or mantequilla (jam) along with a fresh orange juice (grown locally) and a coffee (con leche or bombon a coffee served with milk concentrate). This costs as little as 4-5 euros.*
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