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Madrid - The Sleepless City

Spain's modern bustling capital Madrid, is
smack bang in the middle of the country. TheThe Calle de Alcalá, runs into the main
heart of Madrid is open with grandshopping street, the Gran Via. What a sight
architecture and wide avenues. Beingand what a shoppers' paradise! The large and
relatively compact it is easy to explore andfamous department stores, fashion houses,
enjoy  the  ambiance  in  all  its  glory.shoe shops mix with the artisans and craft
shops on this long avenue. With its
When visiting you would be well advised to besurrounding streets and side alleys combined
aware of the weather in Madrid. Sitting on awith long opening hours, Gran Via is the
high plateau with low mountains to theshoppers dream. In Madrid there is nowhere to
northwest it does not enjoy the best ofgo  but  the  Grand  Via.  Look  no  further.
climates. Locally they claim to have three
months of bad weather and the other nineThe great "Plaza de Toros Monumental de Las
months are awful. This can be taken with aVentas.", the bullfighting ring, is the
pinch of salt, particularly if you are fromlargest in Spain. Recently, live transmission
colder regions but the winters are cold withof bullfighting has been withdrawn from
biting winds while the heat of summer is besttelevision but "afficianados" (fans) can
avoided. Typically most "Madrileños" headenjoy  their  art  from  May  to  October.
for the coasts or mountains. Check your
Madrid travel guide but spring and autumn areAnother great passion of the "Madrileños"
the  best  times  to  visit.is of course their beloved Real Madrid
football club and a visit to the gigantic
Whatever the weather there is alwaysSantiago Bernabeu Stadium is a mecca for many
somewhere to get away from it. With so manyfans. Madrid caters for all tastes and
fine cafes, bars and restaurants to chooseyounger visitors often prefer the Warner
from, catering for all tastes and times ofBros-Madrid Theme Park, the famous
day you will have to plan your time well.Zoo-Aquarium, Faunia Theme Park, and the Wax
Madrid being cosmopolitan, is not famous forMuseum.
any particular regional dish but this does
not detract from the quality of what is onWhile walking Madrid is the best way to see
offer and it certainly adds to the variety.it, a city pass and the open top bus will
Restaurants in Madrid set a very goodsave your legs for the nights out. Should you
standard so visit the side streets andfind yourself too far from your hotel and a
uncover small specialist tapas bars or hiddenlittle weary the metro system is very user
restaurants  offering  gastronomic  delights.friendly  even  for  a  foreigner.
The famous Prado Museum, housing Spain'sHotels in Madrid offer the whole range of
finest art works is complemented by the Theaccommodation as you would expect. From the
Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum, and the "Museoluxurious five star hotels to the more modest
Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía", The"hostals" or the simple private rooms:
Queen  Sophia  Museum  of  Modern  Art.everyone's budget is catered for. Note that
"hostal" in Madrid is in fact a denomination
The 18th century Prado built during the reignof an hotel. Don't expect peace and quiet
of Charles III, is considered to be the bestthough except perhaps in the very early hours
neoclassical building in Madrid. Itsor during siesta if you are lucky! Spain is a
collection of paintings is one of the best innoisy  country  and  Madrid  never  sleeps.
the world, housing the works of the great
Velazquez, Goya, El Greco, Murillo, Zurbaran,Do not be surprised either that evenings
Rafael  and  Rubens  amongst  others.start later than in many places and a night
out is just that. With that said Madrid is a
Behind the Prado is the huge expanse of thegreat city to be out on the town. Flamenco,
Parque de Retiro; perfect to stroll and relaxblues, salsa and jazz compete with disco, rap
away from the heat and the traffic. This isand techno as music emanates from every bar,
adjoined to the Royal Botanical Gardens.restaurant, club and street corner. This is a
Close by, those travelling by train to orcity  full  of  people  enjoying  themselves.
from the Atocha Station have the added
pleasure of the indoor botanical gardens toFlights to Madrid are through Barajas
enjoy.International Airport which lies 15km to the
east of the city. Transport to the centre of
The Royal Palace, "El Palacio Real", and theMadrid is by hire car (take A-2 Barcelona
wonderful Sabatini Gardens are a must forroute to the M-30 highway) taxi, route 89 bus
many visitors, while the Plaza de la Cibelesor the metro subway train service which takes
is considered as the heart of Madrid. It is ayou to the very heart of this wonderful city
good point from which to orientate yourself.by  changing  at  Mar  del  Cristal.
Between the two, seek out the Plaza Major
with its statue of Felipe III on horseback inYou may leave Madrid exhausted, wondering
the centre. It is off the Calle Major closewhen and if the "Madrileños" ever sleep
to the Puerta del Sol and though large, it isbut you will certainly remember your visit.
mysteriously  missed  by  some.



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