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Madrid Travel
These photos of Madrid are courtesy of Morguefile
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Madrid - A capital excursion
Spains vibrant & dynamic capital is both an economical and feasible break for those searching for a little more than just sun, sea and sand from their visit to Spain. Located in the heart of Spain, Madrid, has been the administrative capital of the country since 1561, and as such, for over 400 years has accumulated the best Spain has had to offer. Indeed much of the present day city center owes its grandiose buildings and world renowned art collections to the proceeds of the wealth accumulated at the height of the Spanish empire.
The central location has also proved critical in establishing Madrid as the economic center of the Iberian peninsula and somewhat surprisingly is even considered to be the nations Seafood capital! In the same manner that foodstuffs are bought to the city from all over the country so the Spanish people have gravitated to Madrid. Initially in search of employment many have stayed and become madrileños. Of course they remember their roots and this is evidenced by the wide variety of cuisine that can be enjoyed.
In the city´s many restaurants one can enjoy such diverse dishes as Basque rib eye steaks chuletillas, Asturian cider or even spend the afternoon relaxing in an Andalucian taberna eating shrimps and listening to the tune of a Sevillana. Of course the city´s reputation extends beyond that of just eating and drinking (although it is a pastime enjoyed by many) and its Art galleries attract many foreign visitors for all over the world. Within a 500m triangle, the three galleries of El Prado, Reina Sofia and Thyssen Bohemia offer the opportunity to see both the best of Spanish and world artists.
Home to the worlds largest collection of Picasso and Goya´s work there are also numerous masterpieces from such famous names as Rubens, Dali, Velazquez, Caravaggio, Monet, Renoir & Van Gogh to name but a few. Whilst for many art of the preceding type is beyond ones reach a cheaper alternatives can be found, along with almost any product or antiquity in El Rastro, Europes largest outdoor sunday morning Market.
For those more accustomed to shopping in the traditional manner Madrids commercial centers offer a wide variety of stores, boutiques and even an indoor ski slope!
Surprisingly, for a country that is crazy about football, tickets for matches are both easily obtainable and with prices starting at 20€, cheap when compared to other countries. Of course it wouldn´t be Spain without Masters series tennis and cycling included in Madrid´s sporting repertoir. For those who are thinking that the above won´t keep the younger ones entertained Madrid boasts two large theme parks as well as numerous aquatic centers. There is even an interactive bio-diversity center where children are encouraged to interact & learn with animals from various climates in specially created habitats.
If playing with a dolphin doesn´t leave an impression what will! For those a little too old for the aforementioned activities Madrid is rightly known as "the 24hr city". Madrids continuous nightlife has recently seen it overtake destinations such as Prague and Amsterdam as "the place to go". Institutions such as the six storey disco "Kapital", the luxurious "Palacio" and open air "Ananda" were discovered early in the decade by stag and hen weekends and their fame spread though word of mouth.
Now accustomed to a multinational, multilingual clientele the music and ambiance are distinctly "international". Of course with a thousand and one other bars and discos in the city just about every taste is catered for.
Thankfully with accommodation, be it hostel or hotel, being cheap one can sleep off any ill effects without incurring any financial damage! With a hundred and one additional attractions waiting to be discovered, at prices in line with Madrid´s status as one of Europes cheapest destinations, what´s stopping you from taking a capital excursion? Getting There: By virtue of its status Madrid benefits from excellent transport connections from throughout the world. Air - Served by its own international airport with flights worldwide.
Rail -International train services from Paris, Lisbon, Oporto and Marseille
Bus - Regular bus services operate from throughout Europe and North Africa to Madrid. ************************************************************
This content is contributed by Angus Perry-Macleod, a UK & NZ national who lives and works in Madrid, Spain. He is also the creator of Madrid Guide Spain where he explores Madrid in-depth and through the eyes of a city native.
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