A
Whistlestop Tour of Madrid, Spain by Anne Sewell
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Hotels
in Madrid / Self-Catering
Apartments
Madrid is a modern, world-class,
but also historic city - the capital of Spain - located almost centrally
in the heart of the country. A contrast of old and new, Madrid is
a beautiful and vibrant city of great architectural interest. You
might find the drive into the city a bit boring with its suburbs of concrete
apartment blocks, but once in the centre, you will enjoy the traditional
streets, with medieval buildings and some narrow and very atmospheric alleys,
containing shops and bars.
The old quarter has a concentration
of magnificent attractions including the Prado Museum with its great art
collection, as well as the Reina Sofia and Thysssen-Bornemisza galleries,
displaying Picasso and many other European and American masters.
The people of Madrid are
among the great attractions of the city. Commonly known as the "Madrileños"
they can be seen relaxing in the traditional cafes and cars, at the Sunday
El Rastro flea market, and also late into the night at the many bars and
nightclubs of Madrid.
For shopping, Madrid is a
shopper's paradise, including the classy and expensive shops of the Salamanca
Quarter. For those on a more modest budget, the El Rastro flea market
is highly recommended.
Other attractions include:
Parque del Buen Retiro (Park of the Pleasant Retreat) - a lovely green and leafy oasis in the
heart of the city including a lake where rowing boats can be hired.
There are also wonderful puppet shows for the children in the park.
Temple of Debod -
an ancient Egyptian temple which has been rebuilt in Madrid. The temple
was originally built in southern Egypt, close to the first cataract of
the Nile and is dedicated to the goddess Isis, in Philae. Due to the construction
of the Great Dam of Aswan In 1960, and the subsequent threat it posed
to certain monuments and archaeological sites, UNESCO made an international
call to save this rich historical patrimony. As a sign of gratitude for
the help provided by Spain in saving the temples of Abu Simbel, the Egyptian
state donated the temple to Spain in 1968.
The Teatro Real (Royal
Theatre) which has the world's finest stage and acoustic settings for opera.
The Santiago Bernabéu
Stadium - home to Real Madrid - is a must visit for football fans.
The city has many relaxing
plazas with beautiful sculptures, including the Plaza de Cibeles with
its magical fountain and the Plaza Mayor, a lovely place for strolling,
feeding the pigeons and enjoying a cup of coffee at one of the sidewalk
cafes.
Weather in Madrid:
Freezing cold in winter, and boiling hot in summer! Recommended seasons
for visiting this fascinating city are Spring and Autumn, when you can
stroll around the city and enjoy its many pleasures in comfort.
Transport - with the
versatile metro and bus transport systems, plus convenient taxis that can
be hailed in the street, you will have no problems getting around Madrid.
Where
to stay in Madrid: The city offers many and varied accommodation options,
with everything from bed & breakfasts,
hotels
and hostels to self-catering holiday rental apartments in the centre of
the city. While hotels are great, sometimes it is better to live
like a Madrileño in your own little home-from-home! Either
eat in or dine out at your leisure and enjoy the entertainment on offer.
In conclusion, Madrid
is among the world's most popular destination cities and is well worth
the visit.
Hotels
in Madrid / Self-Catering
Apartments
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