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Explain an English friend a long-distance railway itinerary, for example the Spanish AVE Madrid-Valencia. See activity 3 on page 8.

Madrid and Seville are 536 km or 340 miles apart, a distance that translates into at least six hours of driving time. The quickest way to get from Madrid to Seville -- or viceversa -- is on an AVE train operated by Renfe, the Spanish national railroad.

These Alta Velocidad Española trains (with an acronym that spells "bird" in Spanish) reach speeds of up to 300 km/h or 186 mph., and the journey takes only two hours and a half. There are trains every hour from 6:30. They stop at Ciudad Real, Puertollano and Cordoba and arrive in Seville at Santa Justa Station. A single ticket costs €80 and a return ticket costs €125.

AVE trains also have bar cars, and both first - and second - class passengers have access to special departure lounges (I visited the Club AVE lounge at Atocha Station in Madrid, which was similar to a VIP lounge at an airport with comfortable seating areas, free drinks, complimentary newspapers, stylish lavatories for travellers).

Questions:

1.- I want to be in Seville at 12 o'clock midday. What time is my train?

If it takes 2 hours and half, I'll take the train in Madrid at half past nine

2.- Is there a restaurant on the train?
I think so, but I'm not sure

3.- How much is a return ticket to Seville?
It costs €125

4.- Which Madrid station do I go to?
You must go to Atocha Station

5. - Does the train stop at Cordoba? Does it stop at Linares?

Yes, of course, it stop at Cordoba but unfortunately it doesn't stop at Linares