Re the trains yes. They have run some interesting tests on the Ave from Sevilla to Barcelona. It was faster to take the train than fly. Mostly because there is no hour and a half check in procedure and when you get where you are going you are right down town as most train stations are. No need for a cab. The other thing we found amusing was the accuracy of the schedule. If the schedule said you arrived at I:57, it didn't arrive at 1:56 or 1;58, it arrived at 1:47, every time. France was good too but there were unscheduled strikes. They all pretty much cruise around 300 KMH. Very comfortable. Very stress free mode of travel.
