Latest news with #AlAndalus
Yahoo
02-08-2025
- Yahoo
Live the Belle Époque dream by travelling through Spain aboard this 1930s luxury train
Sitting on silk sofas, surrounded by mirrors and lacquered wood panelled walls, passengers on Spain's Al Ándalus train are abuzz as the carriages glide out of Aranjuez station. 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. Related Europe's former railway stations have become the darling of the luxury hotel scene Around the world by luxury train: This 59-day adventure passes through 12 countries 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. Solve the daily Crossword
The Independent
30-07-2025
- The Independent
Luxury Spanish train announces new 2026 itinerary starting and ending in Madrid
Spain 's luxury Al Ándalus train service has announced a new itinerary for the 2026 season. The opulent 1930s train will now begin and end its journey in the Spanish capital of Madrid, with a new seven-day, six-night voyage available from April to October. As well as travelling on one of the world's most deluxe rail journeys, passengers can look forward to stopping at some of Spain's most magnificent cities and attractions, including Seville, Córdoba, Jerez de la Frontera, Toledo and the Royal Palace of Aranjuez, a Unesco World Heritage Site. New destinations on the 2026 tour, which focuses on Spanish heritage, gastronomy and landscapes, include Extremadura, Castilla-La Mancha and Madrid. A luxury coach accompanies the train along the entire route to facilitate excursions and a multilingual guide is present throughout. Now run by state-owned rail company Renfe, Al Ándalus forms part of its Luxury Tourist Trains portfolio. The new itinerary marks the historic train's 40th anniversary, although the train has a distinctly more vintage heritage. The opulent carriages were built in France at the start of the 20th century to transport members of the British monarchy between Calais and the Côte d'Azur. Four lounge cars date back to 1928 and 1930, while interiors are characterised by wood-panelled walls, soft lighting, silk sofas and velvet upholstery. Passengers can sleep and dine in the sumptuous Belle Époque style, with prices matching the opulence. For a Grand Class room, expect to pay €6,600 (£5,700) per person based on two sharing, while a Deluxe Suite costs €7,900 (£6,840). Admission to all scheduled visits is included, along with many other onboard services and activities, such as all breakfasts, lunches and dinners, whether served onboard or in local restaurants. It also includes on-board activities, such as live music and performances, parties in the bar and an end-of-trip gala dinner.
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Travel + Leisure
16-06-2025
- Travel + Leisure
I'm a Travel Photographer and This European Destination Is One of My Favorite Scenic Spots for Its Stunning Architecture
As a travel photographer, I'm most often drawn to places steeped in culture and history. I find these things give depth, meaning, and context to my images, and a view of the world beyond surface-level aesthetics. I'm especially fascinated by the rich legacy of Al-Andalus, the nearly 800-year period of Islamic rule on the Iberian Peninsula. In what is now Spain, this began around the year 700 and lasted until 1492, when King Ferdinand II and Queen Isabella I unified the nation as a Catholic monarchy. From left: Palacio de las Dueñas; Mosque-Cathedral of Córdoba. In what is today known as Andalusia, particularly Seville and Córdoba, these Muslim and Christian influences intertwine, often within the same four walls. I wanted to document how architecture can serve as a dialogue between civilizations. My goal was not just to capture beautiful images but also to explore the layers of cultural exchange that define this region. Córdoba was once the capital of the Umayyad dynasty in Spain. At Mosque-Cathedral of Córdoba, which was built in the late 700s, I was attracted to the distinctive red and white stripes, an important element of Umayyad design. The building was converted into a Catholic church in 1236. I wanted to document how architecture can serve as a dialogue between civilizations. My goal was not just to capture beautiful images but also to explore the layers of cultural exchange that define this region. I also found a particular moment quite moving, watching a woman climb the stairs, as it made me wonder about all the people, over many, many years, who had climbed these same steps to pray, whether as followers of Islam or Christianity. I also thought about how so many landmarks here have survived for centuries, even as the immediate surroundings have evolved over time. The layers of history in Palacio de las Dueñas, in Seville, also intrigued me. Owned by the aristocratic Alba family since 1612, it was turned into an apartment building in the late 1800s; one of Spain's most beloved poets, Antonio Machado, was born there in 1875. In the 20th century, the Albas turned it back into a home, where celebrities like Jacqueline Kennedy and Grace Kelly visited. From left: Royal Alcázar of Seville; Iglesia de Santa Catalina. Originally developed in the early 10th century as a Moorish fortress, the Royal Alcázar of Seville was transformed over the years into a sprawling palace by both Muslim dynasties and Christian monarchs. Today, it is still a residence for the Spanish royal family when they visit the city. Iglesia de Santa Catalina, a Sevillian church, was mainly constructed in the 14th century, on the site of a former mosque. I admired the Islamic influences that can still be seen, like the brickwork, the horseshoe arches at the entrance, and the roof lantern that echoes the shape of a minaret. A version of this story first appeared in the July 2025 issue of Travel + Leisure under the headline "Stories in Stone ."
