This enormous park is my favourite place to relax on a sunny Seville day. It’s a bit of a way from the main attractions – if you’re in a rush then head to the more central María Luisa park. With Alamillo Park’s wide boulevards, lakes and lawns there’s loads of space for cycling, rollerblading or just lazing peacefully with a book. There is also a large bar/restaurant. Families gather there for parties, setting up camp all day with picnics, games and wine flowing freely. There are often fairs and free concerts, and on my first trip I even happened upon a dog show taking place in one corner. The children will love the miniature railway and, if you fancy it, you can even try out cableskiing.

www.parquedelalamillo.org/
Google map: bit.ly/10i7fQG

*Eloise is our Been there local for Seville. You can read her bio here: www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/articles/seville-local-eloise-horsfield and follow her tips here: www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/travellers/EloiseHorsfield You can also catch her on Twitter at @EloiseHorsefield

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This splendid 16th-century building is one of the points on Seville’s UNESCO World Heritage triangle (the other two being the cathedral and the Alcazar) – and the only one with free entry. It was built to house Seville’s main commercial operations during the Golden Age, as more and more merchandise was brought back from the Americas. Since 1785 it has been used to store documents tracing all Spain’s dealings with the New World – some 80 millions of pages of them, on 8km of shelving. While most of the exhibits (maps, posters and documents) are labelled in Spanish, there is a very interesting 15-minute video on show, with English subtitles.

Avenida de la Constitución s/n (no number), 41004 Seville
+34 954 50 05 28
Google map: bit.ly/143kXe2

*Eloise is our Been there local for Seville. You can read her bio here: www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/articles/seville-local-eloise-horsfield and follow her tips here: www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/travellers/EloiseHorsfield You can also catch her on Twitter at @EloiseHorsefield

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I discovered this place after the gas bottle in our flat ran out one day – right in time for lunch. ‘Go to El Rincón del Búho, you can get a menú del día there for €3.50!’ read a text from my flatmate. And off I toddled. It took me about three goes to find it, as it looks like flats from the outside and you have to go up a corridor to reach it.
Advertised as an ‘artistic and socio-cultural project’, the venue has a small bar and performance space. It offers music events (including flamenco), art exhibitions, children’s theatre and storytelling workshops. Cheap snacks (€1 for a homemade empanada or slice of pizza) and bottled beers are on sale when events are on. The €3.50 deal is available from 2pm till 4pm on Thursdays and Fridays, with vegetarians catered for well.

rincondelbuhosevilla.blogspot.com.es/
Calle Parras, 31, 41002, Seville, Spain
bit.ly/13xEm7l

*Eloise is our Been there local for Seville. You can read her bio here: www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/articles/seville-local-eloise-horsfield and follow her tips here: www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/travellers/EloiseHorsfield You can also catch her on Twitter at @EloiseHorsefield

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Away from the coast, off the beaten track, yet only two and a half hours from Malaga airport, Capileira is spectacular, full of life and dead cheap. Traditional houses built into the side of the Alpujarras come with tineos (terraces) with awesome views across the mountains. If you want a pool, pay a bit more (around £50 a night for two) and stay at the Finca Los Llanos or the Rural Real de Poqueira. Winding paths lead to rivers, the surrounding villages and vertiginous peaks. A clutch of inexpensive restaurants around the square and in the steep cobbled streets that radiate from it are generous and wonderful.

www.andalucia.com/province/granada/capileira/home.htm
Google map: bit.ly/10KdFrH

www.casalunacapileira.com/

www.hotelpoqueira.com

www.hotelfincalosllanos.com/

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It’s a very nice budget hotel with good sized, modern rooms. Location is convenient, one stop from the Passeig Gracia shopping area, near Plaza Catalunya, the Ramblas and some of Gaudi’s buildings. The staff was really friendly, we had a great time at the hotel.

www.hotelviaaugustabarcelona.com/

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For the ones who do not know what pastelleria is, it is a place where they make excellent meat and other pies.
In Murcia this place is old, traditional and has the best meat pies (pastel de carne Murciano), washed down with the excellent local beer/cerveza Estrella Levante!
The meat pies are delicious, made with thin filo pastry sheets and chorizo and boiled egg in the meat filling to top it up!

Riquelme, 5 and Gimenez Baeza 10, Murcia in the old town
Google map: bit.ly/ZIpDSk

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Tune in to to the animated chit-chat of day-tripping Madrillenos for an hour or so while you ride the local C8 train from Achota or Chamartin stations to the idyllic Sierra region of Cercedilla, an ideal spot for a couple of hours walk away from the hustle and bustle of downtown Madrid.
You can either walk the 3km from the station to Desehenas, where the trails start or take a bus (every 75 mins or so). I'd recommend the bus as it's an uphill walk along a pretty unattractive main road and you'll want to save your legs for the climb ahead.
There's an excellent information centre where you can get a map that shows you the three or four trails you can follow, depending on how far you want to walk and what kind of challenge you're up for. You don't really need the map because these are some of the best marked routes you'll find in Europe. So long as you can see 30 yards ahead of you all you have to do is follow the circles painted on the trees and you won't go wrong.
These routes take you through some of Spain's most spectacular views of the snow brushed mountains, along shady forest paths that open up on splendid views down the valleys below. Breathtaking in every sense.

www.cercedilla.es
Google map: bit.ly/1145ubv

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Where to start? There are so many exciting and beautiful places to visit within easy travelling distance of Madrid, but I would recommend the World Heritage Site of El Escorial, about 40 minutes by the regular (and cheap) suburban train service from Chamartin station, and site of the vast former palace of the kings of Spain, which contains also a monastery and the magnificent Basilica of San Lorenzo. Guided tours, at around 7€, are well worth it. The magnificence of the state rooms, and especially the opulence of the vast library, are not to be missed, and make El Escorial a visit of prime importance in central Spain. As if that were not enough, close by is the Valle de los Caidos (Valley of the Fallen), the basilica carved into a rocky hillside and built by Franco as a tribute to all those who lost their lives in Spain’s disastrous civil war. Here again, one marvels at the sheer magnitude of the site, which is on the huge scale of the foolishness which it commemorates. To complete a tour of the unforgettable delights of this corner of Madrid’s environs, the city of Segovia – another World Heritage Site – is not to be missed, with its amazing Roman aqueduct at least on the scale of the Pont du Gard and its charming old town dominated by a magnificent cathedral and topped off by its clifftop chateau.

Take the train from Atocha station, Madrid, to El Escorial.
Google map: bit.ly/Yw9vnB

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A visit to these sites will provide a day of contrasts. In San Lorenzo de El Escorial is the monastery/palace created by Philip II as the last resting place of his parents, Charles I of Spain (Holy Roman Emperor Charles V) and Isabella of Portugal. Now the mausoleum holds the remains of all but two Spanish kings, their wives, children and near relatives. Enjoy the views of the Sierra de Guadarrama and visit the library, the Hall of Battles, the Art Gallery, the domestic apartments and the gardens. Of particular interest is the royal bedroom, with its window onto the high altar of the Basilica so that Philip could observe mass from his sick bed.
Six miles from El Escorial is the Valle de los Caidos (The Valley of the Fallen). The National Park holds the remains of 40,000 Spaniards who died in the Civil War (1936-39). The basilica built on General Franco’s orders between 1940 and 1959 is in the grandiose style so typical of 20th century totalitarian regimes. The vast cathedral tunnelled into the mountainside, with a 150m. cross above, serves as the tomb for the dictator and José Antonio Primo de Rivera, the founder of the Spanish Falange party, executed by the Republicans in 1936. It remains controversial, with disputes over the working conditions and the number of Franco’s prisoners of war who died during its construction, as well as the location of Franco's tomb. The Basilica was closed in 2009 by the socialist government, only to be reopened in 2012 by the current conservative Popular Party government. A visit will give you plenty to think about.

Both are about 50 kms from Madrid. A suburban rail line from Atocha station or the 664 from Moncloa bus station both take about an hour to reach El Escorial, though the bus drops you much closer to the monastery. Public transport to The Valley of the Fallen is more difficult. Buses leave from El Escorial but often leave you with a long walk to the monument. Check before you travel. Organised guided tours are available and may ease travel issues.
Google map: bit.ly/Yw9vnB

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Just two hours from Madrid by train Ávila is a real medieval gem. It boasts the most complete Romanesque city walls in Spain and walking on top of them gives you a real feel for the days of El Cid and the vast Castilian plain. The city is crammed with Gothic churches and the cool vaults of the Cathedral are a welcome relief on a hot summer’s day. Known as the City of Stones or Saints Ávila’s most famous inhabitant was Saint Teresa, who gave her name to the delicious sweet pastries known as Yemas. These are found in many pastry shops the best being the famous La Flor de Castilla.

www.avila.com/
La Flor de Castilla:
Plaza Santa Teresa, 6, 05001 Ávila‎, Ávila, Spain
+34 920 25 60 49
Google map: bit.ly/XEhYrH

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Start early and take a 30 minute train journey to Segovia for a day bursting with history. The first view of the vast Roman aqueduct, built with 25,000 granite blocks with no mortar, is breathtaking. The Alcazar with its towers, throne room and Hall of Kings, has a superb location and views to match; no wonder it became a favourite residence of Castilian monarchs. Visit the cathedral, other fine churches, the Jewish quarter, or just explore the streets to soak up the medieval atmosphere and take in a museum. Don't ignore the temptation to have a drink/tapas in a bar or enjoy a meal in one of the restaurants serving regional specialities, such as suckling pig.

AVANT train: Madrid - Segovia, 12.50 Euros.
Google map: Google map: bit.ly/XMhZMe

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Situated metres from the Prada is Madrid’s Atocha station. While it seems a shame to leave the shops and cafés of the station, you won’t regret getting the train to Toledo. Walk up from Toledo’s little station, high over the river Tagus winding its way to Lisbon and into the ancient capital. Get way from the crowds and meander through the quiet little streets, as good as any Tuscan hill town. El Greco came here in 1577 and didn’t leave. Who can blame him? The massive cathedral is the seat of the Primate of Spain.
Don’t bother with a farewell drink in the overcrowded main square. Stroll back to station and refresh yourself in the peaceful garden of the station café.
You’ll be back in Madrid in time for free evening entry to the Prada before joining the Madrileños for another late night.

www.spain.info/en/ven/otros-destinos/toledo.html
Google map: bit.ly/15cUaiM

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The Romans knew a thing or two about locating cities and never more than in selecting the most specular site in Spain for Segovia.
Getting there is simple, a quick journey on Madrid’s excellent metro, a late breakfast at Chamartin station and take a frequent train to Segovia.
A short bus ride takes you to the foot of the Roman aqueduct which was still in use until the end of the 19th century. A short walk through the walled city gates will take you past the 16th century city cathedral and on to the fairy tale Alcazar. Swallow your disbelief for the 19th century reconstruction and take in the amazing view.
This still leaves plenty of time to dawdle on the way back, be awed by the aqueduct again and get back to Madrid in time for a gentle stroll to decide on tapas venues.

www.spain.info/en_GB/ven/otros-destinos/segovia.html
Google map: Google map: bit.ly/XMhZMe

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Manzanares el Real is a village located 50km to the north of Madrid by the Pedriza protected park, amid a stunning landscape. The village has lots to see including the Mendoza Castle, one of the best preserved medieval fortresses in Spain. You will also enjoy the old castle ruins (Castillo Viejo), the Cañada Real Bridge, the church of Nuestra Señora de las Nieves, founded in the early 14th century and the first paper factory in Spain.
Manzanares el Real offers a wide variety of local cuisine and leisure activities such as Medieval Weekends, a Tapas Fair and all the annual local festivities.

www.manzanareselreal.org/tourism/
Bus No.724 from Plaza de Castilla (50 minutes journey approx)
The castle is open from October to May (10am to 17pm) and from June to September (10am to 18pm). Mondays closed.
Google map: bit.ly/ZxKlUV

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Easy 50 minute bus ride from Madrid. Go to see the unique cobbled Plaza Mayor with its whitewashed houses and wooden balconies then stroll through the narrow streets perhaps up to the Iglesia de la Asuncion to see a Goya painting. Or else sit under the arches of the plaza and enjoy a glass of anis in its ancestral home, before lunch in one of the many restaurants. Recommended are the Meson Cuevas de Vino with its own bodega or the more reasonably priced Meson del Duende. There is also a very attractive parador nearby housed in a sixteenth century monastery with a good restaurant.

Chinchon. 30 miles south east of Madrid. Easily accessible by bus. Frequent and regular service.
Google map: bit.ly/12j9JCW

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Take the train from Atocha - either a slow 90+ minutes relaxation through the stunning forests and little villages of the sierras, or a fast 30 minutes zipping you to your destination. Then bus to the foot of the absolutely stunning 1st century Roman aqueduct; and a slow walk up the calle Juan Bravo, passing mediaeval casas and plazas, to the Plaza Mayor and the huge Gothic sandstone cathedral, with its myriad of buttresses. A pause here for refreshments under the arches or a lunch in the many restaurants in and around. For a glass of Douro and a tapas or a full meal in the restaurant try Jose and Maria round the corner (my favourite). Then a stroll down to the fantasy Alcazar, all turrets and towers, with its stunning views over the barren plain. On the way back slide down the left of the Cathedral to take in the Juderia and the synagogue. A walk outside the walls will take you back to your bus and on to the train and the beautiful journey home. A grand day out!

Google map: bit.ly/XMhZMe

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With its fairy tale castle and abundant historic churches the small town of Segovia is a pleasant day trip from Madrid. The real star of the show however is the world's largest and best-preserved Roman aqueduct towering over the town centre. With typical Spanish nonchalance there is very little fanfare just an incredible sense of history as you admire this amazing ancient structure nestling cheek-by-jowl next to unassuming cafe bars. A word of warning. The mountain setting is beautiful in the winter but beware the biting cold wind.

Google map: bit.ly/XMhZMe

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An enjoyable day trip from Madrid famous for it's monastery. Walk past the monastery and into the park beyond, stopping to buy a 'limon granizado' from the mobile refreshment cart on the way. Keep walking and go up the mountain towards 'La Silla de Filipe 11'. Fantastic views of the monastery and surrounding countryside. You'll hear cuckoos and woodpeckers. There's a cafe at the top for cold drinks.

Take the bus, 661 or 664, stand 11 from the bus station at Moncloa. An enjoyable ride that takes about 50 mins and costs €4.20
Google map: bit.ly/YrpinI

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Just an hour's drive north-west of Madrid is the ancient city of Segovia, which stands proudly beneath its splendid cathedral. Nestled under the city's imposing roman aqueduct sits Meson de Candido, a family owned restaurant attracting food-lovers from far afield. Upon the recommendation of our local friends we dined, like everybody else that afternoon, or so it seemed, on the house's speciality, "cochinillo" or roast whole suckling pig. The waiters and chefs alike are proud of this dish, and so they should be. Cooked in vast, traditional ovens (ask nicely and you may get treated to a tour of the kitchen, as we did), the pork is a delight. Start with Granja, a local white bean soup, and savour the surprise "sorpresa" pudding, a gorgeous cakey, eggy, ice-creamy affair. If you're in Madrid and have a spare day, then Segovia is a glorious city of romance that you must visit, especially in late summer: potter, enjoy the sun and most importantly, make the most of what Meson de Candido has to offer. You won't regret it! Food and wine all in for around 35 euros.

www.mesondecandido.es/ingles.html
Plaza Azoguejo, 5, 40001 Segovia, Spain
+34 921 42 59 11
Google map: bit.ly/15eS56y

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From the Castle of Mendoza to the stunning scenery of La Pedriza, Manzanares El Real has a lot to offer. Film set to the romances of Castillian Spain, Spaghetti Westerns and Spartacus, it combines magnificent sixteenth century architecture with breathtaking mountain and lake scenery, and a village to boot with all the traditions and festivals of a people proud of their heritage.

www.manzanareselreal.org/tourism/
Google map: bit.ly/Zk5eqL

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