Live the Belle Époque dream by travelling through Spain aboard this 1930s luxury train
The glamorous hotel on wheels was one of the country's first luxury trains when it began operating in 1985. The wagons were originally bought from the British royal family.
Now run by state-owned rail company Renfe, passengers can journey sedately around the Andalusia region in sumptuous Belle Époque style, sleeping and dining in the refurbished carriages from the 1920s and 30s.
And starting in 2026, the itinerary will include new stops, beginning and ending in the Spanish capital.
Travel from Madrid to Seville on a luxury historic train
For the 2026 season, the Al Ándalus train will run between April and October with trips of seven days and six nights.
You can choose to follow the itinerary in either direction, from Madrid to Seville or vice versa.
During the dreamy journey, passengers stop at some of Spain's most magnificent cities and storied attractions.
In the La Mancha region, there is a visit to an artisanal cheese factory and a wine cellar, while in Jerez de la Frontera, guests attend the show a famous equestrian ballet set to Spanish music.
In Aranjuez, there is a visit to the Royal Palace and its gardens, while in Córdoba, passengers take a tour of the extraordinary Mosque-Cathedral.
Throughout the trip, travellers stop at a total of 10 destinations, including five world heritage sites.
A luxury coach accompanies the train along the entire route to facilitate excursions, and a multilingual guide is present throughout the journey.
Sleep in 1930s carriages on board the Al Ándalus train
The experience on board is a fabulous time-warp. The suites and rooms are inside carriages that were built in France at the beginning of the last century to take the members of the British monarchy between Calais and the Côte d'Azur.
There are two accommodation categories to choose from - a Deluxe Suite or a Grand Class Room - both of which are clad in decorated veneer panels and feature en-suites.
There are also four lounge cars dating from 1928 and 1930, which dazzle with scarlet velvet upholstery and soft gilded lighting.
In the restaurant, dishes exalt Spanish ingredients like olive oil, sherry wine, and Jabugo Iberian ham.
Live music and a gala dinner
Of course, this kind of opulence doesn't come cheap. The cost per person for two sharing a Deluxe Suite is €7,900, while for a Grand Class room, it is €6,600.
While it's a hefty sum, it does include admission to all scheduled visits and all breakfasts, lunches and dinners, whether served onboard or in select local restaurants.
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It also covers on-board activities like live music and performances, parties in the bar, and the end-of-trip gala dinner.
Passengers receive a welcome drink and snack, unlimited water, and a toilet bag with toiletries and slippers.
Those staying in a Deluxe Suite can also enjoy all non-alcoholic beverages in the minibar free of charge, a crew service to pack and unpack bags and sort clothes, and the opening and closing of the bed upon request.
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Compact flashlights, like the portable ones from GearLight and Lighting Ever above, are easy to pack, offering a much better solution without taking up much room. When it comes to security, it's smart to take extra precautions, especially in hotels or Airbnbs. Bringing your own lock and door wedge provides peace of mind. "I always travel with a door wedge, which I place under my hotel room door from the inside," Figgins says. "Even if someone has a master key, they still can't get in, and I can sleep soundly." A door wedge creates an extra barrier against unauthorized entry, particularly in accommodations where you may not fully trust the door's lock. These small, easy-to-pack versions from Kerui and Trustella greatly enhance your personal safety, ensuring you're taking proactive steps to protect yourself and your belongings. Overpacking can be more than just inconvenient—it can make you a target for theft, as it signals you're a tourist with (poorly packed) valuables. 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Make yourself a hard target by being situationally aware and, more often than not, the bad guys will move to an easier target.' — Lloyd Figgins Love a great deal? Sign up for our T+L Recommends newsletter and we'll send you our favorite travel products each week.
Yahoo
15 hours ago
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Parents accused of abandoning 10-year-old son at airport so they wouldn't miss their flight
Airport staff called police after spotting the child alone. A couple is facing intense backlash after allegedly leaving their 10-year-old son behind at Barcelona-El Prat Airport when his passport issue prevented him from boarding — because they didn't want to miss their own flight. According to a viral TikTok video posted by airport air traffic coordinator Lilian, the incident unfolded earlier this week after staff realized the boy's passport had expired and that he also needed a visa to fly. Rather than stay behind with him, the parents reportedly chose to board the flight anyway, arranging for a relative to retrieve the child. 'They left the child and got on the plane,' Lilian said in her video, translated from Spanish, which has since racked up over 300,000 views. 'The kid told us his parents were on the plane heading to their home country for vacation.' But the plan unraveled when staff noticed the boy alone and contacted the authorities. Police were alerted, and the pilot of the plane was notified mid-boarding. He reportedly made an announcement asking if any passenger had left a child behind in the terminal — and was met with silence. Eventually, the parents were located, accompanied by a younger sibling. It's unclear if they were removed from the plane or allowed to travel. Spanish authorities have not yet issued a public statement on the incident. Online, the video has sparked a firestorm of outrage, with many commenters questioning how parents could prioritize a vacation over their child's safety. 'Before I'd ever leave my child behind, I'd leave my husband,' wrote one commenter in the comment section, also translated from Spanish. 'My child comes with me, always.' Another user fumed, 'This should be considered abandonment. In an advanced society, this is criminal behavior.' Others were stunned by the logistics: 'If the child was already in the boarding area, how did they expect a relative to even get in to pick him up?' asked one. A former hotel worker even shared a chilling anecdote of their own: 'I used to work in a hotel in Menorca. A German couple left their 8-year-old child behind in the hospital after an accident — and flew home to Germany without him.' Some were heartbroken: 'Am I the only one whose heart sank hearing that they left him there?' wrote one user. 'I can't understand how anyone could do that to their child.' And one mother put it simply: 'Just thinking about this makes me want to cry. With the way the world is today, leaving a child alone in a busy airport terminal is unthinkable.' Others, though, defended the parents, saying the child wasn't a toddler and would be picked up quickly. But that opinion was in the minority — with most calling the decision 'surreal,' 'unforgivable,' and 'a total parenting failure.' Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
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