Getaway to Madrid

Once you have settled into your hotel, start your visit to Madrid by taking a walk through El Retiro, the most beautiful park in Madrid. Of course, don't leave without taking a boat ride on the famous pond. The park is huge so you decide how much time you want to spend on it. Of course, better without haste. In the end, very close, is the famous Puerta de Alcalá and as the song says "look at it, look at it, look at it..." and the famous Fuente de la Cibeles, the place of Real Madrid celebrations and those of the Spanish national soccer and basketball team. If you keep walking you will reach Madrid's Gran Vía, the most commercial and luxurious street in the city where such emblematic buildings as the Metropolis are located. To end this day, head towards Plaza del Callao, where the building stands with the well-known Shweppes illuminated sign and the classic Callao cinemas. Take the opportunity to go up to the eighth floor of El Corte Inglés, which is located right there. From here you can enjoy fantastic views of the city, especially at sunset. In the Callao area, you will find a wide variety of taverns and bars where you can dine.

This day starts off strong with a visit to the Prado National Museum, ranked among the top ten in the world. This museum has more than 34,000 pieces of art, among which its El Bosco collections stand out, with such fascinating paintings as El Jardín de las Delicias; Titian, El Greco, Rubens, Velázquez and Goya. This visit will take you at least 2:30 hours and, if you are an art lover, maybe much more. Once you finish your visit, we will pass through the Barrio de las Letras, where some of the most important writers of the Spanish Golden Age lived, including Cervantes, to reach the famous Puerta del Sol where the statue of the Bear and the strawberry tree, the mythical Tío Pepe poster and the Km 0 plate, where all the radial roads of the Spanish territory begin. If lunchtime is approaching, it is a good time to eat a squid sandwich here or at the next stop: Madrid's Playa Mayor. In this arcaded square you will find several restaurants and cafes as well as numismatic and philately shops. Continue along Calle Mayor and its centuries-old establishments and you will reach the Almudena Cathedral and the Royal Palace, located in Plaza de Oriente. To end this day, nothing better than going to the Egyptian temple of Debod and seeing what is probably the best sunset in Madrid. If you have time and desire you can go back to the center for dinner passing through the Plaza de España where there is also a metro stop.