We were treated to sunny skies on the other side of the Pyrenees during our weekend getaway to Madrid,. It was my husband's birthday, so we decided to take our first trip to Spain to this lovely bustling city -- one of the biggest in Europe.
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| Pyrenees Mountains bordering Spain and France |
The first thing to note about Spanish cities is that things happen on a different schedule than most other places. Here in Geneva, Switzerland we have adjusted to specific strict hours for restaurants, and most stores close at 6 pm. In Madrid, restaurants serve lunch between 1:30 and 4 pm, while dinner begins after 9 pm. Social activities linger well into the early morning.
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| Plaza Mayor |
Our hotel
Villa Real, a Derby Hotel within the portfolio of Small Luxury Hotels of the World, was well-situated on Plaza de las Cortes -- within an easy walking distance of parks, palaces, squares, markets, restaurants, and other attractions. We anticipated using the metro, but ended up being able to walk everywhere we wanted to go. Our room at this boutique 5-star hotel was large and comfortable with all the amenities we needed. The included daily breakfast was a perfect start to each day.
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| Full mood over the Square |
The hotel was a 30 minute taxi ride from the airport, and check-in was a breeze. Friday evening, we decided to head out for tapas, which is an excellent way to sample a variety of local cuisine. You order several small plates and share with your companions. We had some nice blood sausage, garlic shrimp, and fresh local mushrooms with a bottle of local house wine. Spanish wines are a great value, and it's hard to go wrong even with so-called "table wine".
We spent all day Saturday on our feet checking out as much of the city as we could see in one day. From Parque de El Retiro with its large crowds of people enjoying the sun to the pretty Cristal Palace to Plaza Mayor with many outdoor cafes to the wonderful shopping streets around town. It was a great day getting to know our way around.
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| Cristal Palace |
Saturday night dinner at
Marina Ventura was wonderful. It was a special occasion so we splurged a little. We started with some amazing local cured
ham (Jamón ibérico) which is a local delicacy in Spain. For the main course we enjoyed a delicious Paella Valenciana with rabbit and chicken. It is supposed to be as good as the real thing from just a few hundred km away on the Mediterranean coast. A bottle of Roda Reserva Rioja was the perfect accompaniment. We meant to hang out at a rooftop bar enjoying views of the city, but were pretty exhausted after exploring all day.
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| Some nightlife in Madrid |
After sleeping in on Sunday, we headed out to
El Botin -- the most famous restaurant in Madrid. The restaurant is older than the USA, having been established in 1725. We had to go for the suckling pig, roast baby lamb, garlic soup plus a half pitcher of sangria. The food was outstanding, and the service spot on. Reservations are highly recommended.
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| There is always a line at El Botin |
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| Roast Baby Lamb |
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| Suckling Pig |
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| Sangria |
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| Happy in Madrid |
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| El Botin |
We ventured out for more exploring to check out the Mercado San Miguel. We were hoping to shop, but discovered it was only a place for eating, drinking, and socializing. Having filled up on our glorious lunch, we could only take photos and observe the fun atmosphere of the place.
Madrid has so much to offer, and our trip was too short. Our next visit will include greater depths of understanding of the local culture as well as branching out to see the nearby countryside, villages, and vineyards. Hasta luego!
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