Within easy reach of Madrid, by train or car, are beautiful towns, palaces and monasteries. Geographically, go north and west for spectacular landscapes, following the three main sierra ranges, and head south and east for dry tableland and fertile river basins. Segovia, Aranjuez, �vila and Toledo make for great days out, as does a trip to El Escorial, Philip II’s austere retreat, or El Pardo, another royal retreat and one-time home to General Franco. Or there’s Cervantes’ birthplace, the university city of Alcalá de Henares. Many towns are easily accessible by train: visit www.renfe.es for routes and schedules.

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