Madrid to Barcelona — Virgin Voyages - Italy and French Riviera 2026

Adios Madrid

Pestana Collection Plaza Mayor, Madrid, Spain

Making our way closer to Barcelona. Leaving the Pestana Collection Plaza Mayor hotel which was just fantastic.

✨ Found online

Pestana Collection Plaza Mayor is a luxury boutique hotel situated directly on Madrid's iconic central square. It offers elegant accommodations, an interior courtyard restaurant, a seasonal rooftop pool, and a historic spa.

Address: Calle Imperial 8, 28012 Madrid, Spain

Website: www.pestana.com

Price Range: $$$

What To Know: The hotel occupies two historically significant 17th-century structures—the Casa de la Carnicería and a former fire station—and features an indoor spa pool built into an ancient brick-vaulted coal cellar.

Off To Barcelona

Barcelona

We are comfortably seated in our seats on the Iryo train line to Barcelona.

Thankfully Brad had the sense to go ask an attendant if we should line up because the train never showed up on the board and the previous train scheduled before us seemed to not have left.

We were able to get on pretty early which is good because there is not a lot of space for big luggage. But as I’m typing this I’m seeing the attendant push a huge piece of luggage overhead.

It is just over 3 hour ride and we are in the Infinita Bistro car which I guess is the business class of train travel as we do have bigger seats and get a meal.

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White Stork Nests

Zaragoza

White stork nests on the power towers as seen from the train.

✨ Found online

Massive white stork nests built on high-voltage power towers and railway catenaries are a famous sight along the Ebro River valley and train lines just outside Zaragoza, Spain.

Address: La Cartuja Baja and El Burgo de Ebro corridor, Zaragoza, Aragon, Spain

What To Know: Milder winters and abundant food from local landfills have led many white storks to reside here year-round rather than migrating. Their nests on utility pylons can weigh up to 300 kg, frequently requiring careful intervention by railway and power grid operators.