If you've never been to Barcelona and have your sights set on some of its more famous spots, this morning you could experience some more Gaudí magic before you head off to Madrid.

Top of your list might be the still-unfinished-but-still-remarkable Sagrada Familia. Further north is the quite bonkers Park Güell garden city, where Guadí's imagination truly ran wild, though they never quite finished this one either. Either can be visited independently or with a guide, but booking ahead is essential. If you'd like us to include a visit to either this morning, just let me know.

This afternoon you'll be carried across the plains to the very centre of Spain in less than three hours. Arriving at Madrid's Atocha station, with its grand tropical garden, you simply walk out of the station and cross the road to your next hotel. With its lively cafe, walls adorned with 3D relief maps from across Spain and even its own barber shop (yes, really) it's one of the city's more memorable hotels. And the location is just perfect.