|
The frequent Madrid-Toledo trains run via Aranjuez , a little oasis in the beginnings of New Castile, where the eighteenth-century Bourbon rulers set up a spring and autumn retreat. Their palaces and luxuriant gardens, which inspired the composer Joaquin Rodrigo to write the famous Concierto de Aranjuez , and the summer strawberries (served with cream - fresas con nata - at roadside stalls), combine to make it an enjoyable stop. In summer (Sat & Sun end of April to July & Sept to mid-Oct), an old wooden steam train , the Tren de la Fresa, makes runs between Madrid and Aranjuez; it leaves Atocha station at 10.05am and returns from Aranjuez at 6.13pm, arriving back at Atocha at 7pm. Train enthusiasts won't begrudge the extra cost (?20.40), which includes a guided bus tour in Aranjuez, entry to the monuments and fresas con nata on the train. The less romantic, but highly efficient, standard trains leave every 15-30 minutes from Atocha, with the last train returning from Aranjuez at about 11.30pm. Nearby, too, connected by sporadic buses from Aranjuez at c/Almibar 138 (Mon-Fri 4 daily, Sat 2 daily) and hourly services from Madrid, is Chinchon , a picturesque village that is home to Spain's best-known anis - a mainstay of breakfast drinkers across Spain.
Your Tip for Aranjuez and Chinchon
Help other backpackers! Write your own guides and backpacking tips to Aranjuez and Chinchon - they will appear instantly on this page - Please only write a tip/guide to Aranjuez and Chinchon - visit the main Aranjuez and Chinchon forum to ask a question!
Please do not post links to your site here (they won't work) - please use the Aranjuez and Chinchon webguide section below! Thanks.
|
