| Page Views: 17,925 Last Visit to Madrid: 2000 | Excuse Me, Is This The Way To MADRID? by Krystynn - last update: Jan 18, 2004 |
The Best of Madrid! | Madrid: Una ciudad hermosa |
The clear, transparent autumn air fills the Madrid skies as it welcomes the tourist/ foreigner to the most cosmopolitan city and capital of Spain.
Hola!.
The city of Madrid comes alive even if you're can't speak Spanish (the language). And when nightfall descends on the entire city, Madrid and the Madrileños (citizens of the city) literally bursts into energy. Yes, the city of Madrid comes even more alive! The city boasts of numerous cultural attractions, monuments and landmaks, the most famous being the:
- Palacio Real,
- Plaza Mayor,
- Cervantes Memorial, and
- the fountain of Cibeles
- Prado Museum... treasured with the works of El Greco, Goya, and Velázquez (all favorites of mine).
<img src=http://p.vtourist.com/523042.jpg>
GEOSTATS:
Official Name: Kingdom of Spain.
Capital: Madrid.
Currency: Euro. 100 cents = 1 euro.
Population: 39,167,745.
Area: 194,880 sq mi/504,739 sq km.
Languages: Spanish (Castilian), Catalan, Gallego, Basque, local dialects.
Economy: Tourism, industry, agriculture, services.
Predominant Religions: Christian (Roman Catholic).
Government: Constitutional monarchy.
Weather: Warm and dry in most of the country; wetter in the northwest.
Voltage Requirements: 220 volts
Telephone Codes: 34, country code; 1, city code for Madrid; 3, city code for Barcelona.
Airport Departure Tax: None.
Time Zone: 1 hour ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (+1 GMT). Daylight Saving Time is observed from the end of March to the end of September.
Info credit: CIA - The World Factbook
<img src=http://p.vtourist.com/1242608.jpg>
Exploring Prado Museum in Madrid... |
| Prado Museum's 'Las Meninas' by Velasquez |
|  | Everything You Ever Wanted To Know......... Shopaholics (ladies, are you reading this?) can start on their favorite pastime right on the GRAN VIA.... and end their busy day at bustling PUERTA DEL SOL, the heart of Madrid's shopping district. Don't forget to conquer the El Corte Ingles - Spain's #1 department store.
If you come during their great end of summer and winter sales, you can grab great buys at unbelievable prices! I managed to buy a lovely fire-engine red trenchcoat for myself at El Corte Ingles for EUR 50.00! I am not kidding you. If you're a Zara or MNG Mango fan, they have boutiques here too. Hey, who knows... you might just bump into her "Royal Highness" Victoria 'Posh' Spice at one of the exclusive boutiques!
If you arrive on a Sunday, don't forget to head straight to the RASTRO (flea market). Just remember - anything in wrought iron is considered a good buy. Remember also to bargain, bargain, bargain before you purchase anything at the flea market!
Art lovers (like... ahem... yours truly) can spend a week at the PRADO without ever retracing your steps! That's how large this whole museum is!! Let the painting of "Las Meninas" captivate you... or shudder at the spine-chilling 'black paintings' of Goya's last days. Or - gasp in awe at Picasso's "Guernica" - a 20th century masterpiece, housed in the sophisticated REINA SOFIA MUSEUM. This Museum houses the works of Pablo Picasso and other modern art.
Nature lovers will enjoy spending a lazy morning (or afternoon) at the PARQUE DEL RETIRO. Try a little boating here too = Fun!
I know I will raise the ire of anti-bullfight activists for my next suggestion (but please understand that this is still a major Spanish tradition/culture) and to a foreigner, it's intriguing. Look at it this way: I least I don't wear fur! ;-) Now, back to bullfights and the 'corrida'.... Perhaps you may wish to experience the fiery passion of the 'corrida' at the Plaza de Toros.
Football/Soccer fans will be thrilled to know that the world's current #2 football team is REAL MADRID. AC Milan is #1, of course. ;-)) Hey, don't hate me because I don't support Real Madrid. Somebody has got to support the other underdog teams, isn't it?
Make your trip to Madrid memorable by attending a soccer match at the BERNABEU STADIUM. I heard that on the days of their derby matches against city arch rivals - Atletico Madrid - the whole city comes to a total standstill. ;-) I can envision the overwhelming excitement of seeing your favorite team win. Imagine bumping into Zinedine Zidane (currently rated as the World's Best Player of 2003 by Fifa).... or Luis Figo... or Roberto Carlos... or fatty Ronaldo (oops!)... or 'King' David Beckham himself on their way to the Bernabeu. ;-) Fortunately, I am NOT a fan of Real Madrid. Otherwise, I can imagine how many times my heart must have stopped beating. ;-D |
........ But Were Afraid To Ask ;-) Celebrate your short time in Madrid by choosing to live and dine like a local Madrileno. Ole!
Sip on your Sangria punch whilst waiting for your Gazpacho soup, Tortilla Espa?ola and Paella to be served. Preferably ordered and eaten at a local neighborhood mesones. This will get you into the groove of things... er, I mean - mood as you slowly allow the city to intoxicate your 5 major senses. ;-) Hey, at least it's better than being on drugs!
2 words to describe this city?
Vibrant.
Electrifying.
The citizens of Madrid sure know how to live life and have fun! I salute the Madrilenos.
Adios Madrid!
Adios Espana!
"The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeing new landscapes, but in having new eyes."
- Marcel Proust
Copyright (c) Krystynn 2003
Please do not take my personal pics without prior permission.
Thanks.
| | | Puerta del Sol - Busy, Busy, Busy place! |
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> Add to your Custom Travel Guide [What's This?]
| Pros: | "A Madrileño (in my eyes) seem carefree, happy and energetic. Their marvelous ability to defy the need for sleep is worth mentioning!" | | Cons: | "Unless you're allergic to happy & carefree people, I can't seem to think of any negative points. You may also find it baffling to know that a trendy Madrileño has no problems partying till dawn..." | | In A Nutshell: | "Madrid is a vibrant city that electrifies even a dull person! ;-D A city that NEVER sleeps!" |
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 Comments for Krystynn about Madrid | | | | |
Maggies Tue Dec 30, 2003 20:45 UTC
Raul is the numer 1 in the 1# team ;-) In my hotel they didn't have neither churros with chocolate nor tortilla or other Spanish dishes. sniff, sniff | Paul2001 Fri Dec 26, 2003 22:06 UTC
I really like Madrid. Very good images of this fine city, especially the Plaza Mayor. | shellseeker Sun Jun 2, 2002 07:11 UTC
wonderful page again, on an amazing place! | Dalibor79 Tue May 7, 2002 12:52 UTC
great PAGE! |
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