Madrid, the capital of Spain, is located in the heart of the Iberian peninsula and has excellent air connections to and from most leading world cities. Madrid contains a wide range of sites of historic interest ranging from excellent museums (Prado Museum, Reina Sofia Museum, Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum) to the Royal Palace, the Madrid of the Austrias and the Monastery of the Royal Barefoot Franciscans ('Monasterio de las Descalzas Reales'). Many pleasant places can be visited in one day excursions. This includes Toledo (70 km. southwest of Madrid), El Escorial (50 km. northwest of Madrid) and Segovia (87 km. northwest of Madrid).
    A detailed information about major museums and galleries, tourism in the city of Madrid and surroundings and useful links to interesting websites (art, transport, accommodation, etc.) is available from the Web address

     http://www.comadrid.es/turismo

    A selection of websites of interest is as follows:

• Prado Museum:     http://museoprado.mcu.es
• Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum:    http://www.museothyssen.org
• Royal Palace:     http://www.patrimonionacional.es/en/preal/preal.htm
• El Escorial:     http://www.patrimonionacional.es/en/escorial/escorial.htm
• Toledo:     http://www.cyberspain.com/ciudades-patrimonio/itoledo.htm
• Segovia:     http://www.cyberspain.com/ciudades-patrimonio/isegovia.htm
• Metro of Madrid:     http://www.metromadrid.es/