Madrid was our destination of choice with our European Escapades group, and with what seems to have become a regular feature of these trips we all had slightly different travel plans. Heather and I were flying out from Gatwick on the Thursday evening where we would join Chris, Gail, Simon and Linda who had flown to Madrid earlier than us. John and Rita would join us on the Friday afternoon flying in from Birmingham, but they would be staying for some extra time in the Spanish capital after the rest of us headed home on the Sunday afternoon.

Arriving into Madrid airport at 23.40 (local time) on the Thursday evening it was a short(ish) journey to Plaza Espana by Metro, even so it was after 01.00 by the time we were in bed at the Mercure Hotel.

On Friday morning we met up with our friends and headed firstly to the Madrid Railway Museum before enjoying a walk through Retiro Park and enjoy lunch in the sun. Before meeting John and Rita there was just enough time to visit 'Platea', a converted theatre that now houses bars and restaurants located close to the metro station at Colon. It would be good to go back and enjoy this place for a little longer . . . . especially as from the outside you would never guess what was awaiting you on the inside!

Friday evening we headed to Cabana Argentina, which served up great steaks. Very nice it was too and rather filling. Celebrating the UK not leaving the EU - as this should have been Brexit day (29th March 2019) - myself and John had a few G&Ts in the Larios bar which was spotted en-route to the hotel. The others were far more sensible and returned to the Mercure Hotel Plaza Espana!

Saturday morning had us catching the train from Madrid Chamartin station to Segovia. The outward journey took around two hours as it was via the mountain route, but the return trip, via the high speed line, took just 30 minutes. The contrast between the two routes was impressive, although the high speed station serving Segovia is well out of town needing a bus to get you there, unless you fancy a long walk.

Segovia was however well worth the visit, the magnificent Roman aqueduct, crossing right through the city centre is the money shot, but the rest of the place is really nice too. Lots of narrow streets to wander around, a magnificent cathedral and an Alcazar (palace) to visit as well. If you are ever in Madrid, and looking for somewhere out of the capital to visit, get on the train. Segovia will certainly not disappoint.

On Sunday morning we visited the Romantic House Museum - which was around a 30 minute walk from our hotel in Madrid. That gave us just enough time to head back out to the airport, have lunch, and catch our flight to London Heathrow with Iberia.

As ever, the journey back from London to Derby took far longer than flying from Spain to the UK . . . . .