We drove the short distance to Madrid, arriving just before lunch at our very nice Hostel – Hostel Gonzales. When we arrived we were told that the next two days would be public holidays and all the shops would be closed. CLOSED??? What did they mean that we would be spending 3 days in the Capital of Madrid with no shops open??? Panic set in as Matt and I frantically rushed to Puerta de Sol to wonder around the amazing wide shopping streets of Calle Mayor and Calle de Alcala and the surrounding areas. This is truly a great shopping area in Spain, and because it was a Sunday before two days of Public holidays, the shops were open till 9pm and the streets were abuzz with people. We managed to see Camper and Zara and lots more, not forgetting wandering along Gran Via just watching people pass by. The sun sets late in Madrid, so at 9pm the streets are very active and the mood very festive, particularly in the Chuenca district.
The next day was Labour Day and unfortunately everything was closed, but this is not a problem in Madrid as their wonderful parks are always open. First stop was the Botanical Gardens where we got to admire a whole variety of Flora. The afternoon was spent in Parque de Retiro, one of the most amazing public gardens in Europe. It was a gorgeous spring day and the park was packed with people who where kicking a ball, rowing a boat in the huge lake, picnicking, sunbaking, drawing, reading – just enjoying life – and that is exactly what we did for the afternoon. That night we walked the area around Peurta de Sol and then headed off to see an English movie.
Our last full day in Madrid was National Madrid Day, and we started off at the famous Museo del Prado (in fact we got there 1/2hr before it opened, to avoid the long line, and got inside first….very exciting!). We got to marvel at El Greco’s, Goya’s, Reuben’s and Titian masterpieces. Next stop was the Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza which was previously a private collection of the German-Hungarian family of magnates, The Thyssen-Bornemiszas. What a wonderful collection of art starting with medieval religious art works and moving onto Titan, Rueben El Greco to Cezanne, Monet, Van Gough, then from Miro, Picasso and Gris to Pollock, Dali and Lichtenstein – a real art history lesson in itself and a museum we would HIGHLY recommend. Next stop was the Palacio Real – Madrid’s 18th Centaury Palace. The palace is so ornately decorated its hard to believe or should I say find, anything in ”good taste”. It is where the well known Middle Eastern Madrid Conference took place in the 90’s.
After way to many museums and palaces we spent the afternoon wandering around, enjoying the atmosphere, having an ice-cream in Plaza Mayor and enjoying an outrageously expensive vegetarian meal in Plaza de La Paja.
Our last night in Madrid we treated ourselves to an amazing Flamenco show at a well know establishment called Casa Patas. We got to watch and listen to masters of Flamenco song, guitar and dance and an experience we would strongly recommend to anyone. What a highlight!
We both loved Madrid, the people, excitement, vibe, wide streets, shopping, Museums, music etc etc etc.