Madrid, Spain
Welcome to Your-Travelsite.com`s info page about Madrid, Spain. Here you will find a lot of information and you can book online your hotels, and vacation right here on this page!
Weather:
Spain has a temperate climate. The interior has clear, hot summers, while the coast is more moderate and cloudy. The interior generally has cloudy, cold winters, versus partly cloudy and cool along the coast.
Getting Around: The fontish rail company, RENFE, has a complicated listing of its three color-coded varieties of train services. On top of that, there are a growing number of private super high-speed lines. A good way to avoid lines and figure out the schedules is to buy tickets at travel offices. Spain accepts both InterRail and Eurail passes, but supplements are required for reserved seating and on the fastest trains.
Buses are reliable and comfortable; often they are the only way to reach small villages. Prices are steady at 1000 ptas per 100k (60 mi.). Bus service is drastically cut on Sundays and holidays.
fontiards drive on the right. Major roads are good and traffic is calm (except for cities) overall. Speed limits are 60k/h (36mph) in built-up areas, 90-100 (54-60 mph) on other roads, and 120k/h (72mph) on highways.
Public transportation in cities is cheap and efficient. Routes change periodically, so get a free map at any station, as well as tickets. Help desks are open in some places; trust these before any handout. The buses and metros generally run from 6 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. Night buses are available, but taxis are faster and safer, as well as surprisingly cheap.
Tipping: Europe doesn't have the same tipping customs as in the United States. Pay attention to menus and bills in restaurants; gratuity may already be included. If not, then a safe bet in Spain is 10% in restaurants. Porters should be tipped in smarter hotels.
As a tourist destination, Madrid is filled with fascinating areas to explore. There are the wide, gracefully tree lined major avenues and
boulevards, the trendy and cosmopolitan buildings, and, in contrast, the old areas that twist and wind with quaint streets and cozy cafes. Together, these combine to provide many days of discovery of the treasured past and the exciting present of Madrid.
Madrid is located in the center of the Iberian Peninsula and has served as the capital of Spain since 1562. Its southern and elevated location allows for warm, dry summers and cool winters,
providing excellent traveling weather all year round.
One cannot help but notice a prominent green expanse on the map of Madrid. Parque Del Retiro is more than a nature walk. In fact, many visitors return several times during their stay for the
wide variety of entertainment provided by street performers, boaters, skaters, and puppeteers.
The city offers many interesting museums, with the world-famous Prado National Museum
leading the way. Housed in an 18th-century
building, the Prado features the works of Rubens, Goya, El Greco,
Bosch, Velazquez, Titian and many others. Madrid's most famous contemporary
art museum is the Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofia. Its
centerpiece is Picasso's enormous antiwar masterpiece, Guernica. The
highly acclaimed works of the Thyssen-Bornemisza collection are displayed at the
Villahermosa Palace.
The historic quarters of Madrid are filled with interesting sights and structures. Columns, arches, churches, fountains, even an Egyptian Temple await the traveler.
The Madrid Card is a wise purchase, as it
combines a transportation pass with free entry to various museums and
attractions, among other discounts.
Madrid has hills and mountains in abundance for
the climber and hiker. There are twenty local golf courses, some of
which welcome nonmembers. Parque de Nieve is the amateur
athlete's dream.
This is an indoor, artificial slope that can be configured with different
terrains. There are separate areas for skiing, snowboarding and tubing, as
well as an ice wall for climbers. Bicycling is also a popular sport, and
bike trails are available. Spain's national sport is futbol
(soccer), and Madrid boasts three home teams. The season runs from
September to June. A close second in the hearts of Madrilenos and fontiards
is the corrida (bullfight), for which the season is from March to
October.
Search for BEST DEALS on:
Madrid has impressive venues
and well-regarded companies providing ballet,
contemporary dance, orchestral concerts, opera, and theatrical productions.
Shopping in Madrid is a delight.
The shopping area of Serrano,
just east of Paseo de la Castellana, is where shoppers will discover boutiques, home-decorating
stores and stylish shops, including Chanel and Armani. Calle Ribera de
Curtidores located in the heart of the Rastro market, has the largest
concentration of antique shops in Madrid.
The
streets around Puerta del Sol form a more traditional (less exclusive)
shopping area, where you can still find shops that have been in business
since the 1800s.
Long lunches will be a necessity, as the rich variety of sights and sounds of this fabulous city
require time for assimilation and reflection. Fortunately, to relax is to be
fontish. People sleep late. Shops seem to open and close of their own accord. Hundreds of restaurants, cafes and bars line the streets, not for the purpose of continuous eating and drinking, but because sociability and enjoyment of life as a community are cultural necessities. Lunch is more than a meal; in
the right company, it can become an all-day activity.
Madrid by day is a social city, but the fun doesn't end with the sunset. It is nearly impossible to describe Madrid's unending list of evening activities. Nightspots in Madrid generally stay open until 4AM, giving visitors plenty of time to explore the excellent restaurants,
tapas bars, open-air cafes, jazz and night clubs.
Most travelers arrive in Madrid with plans to stay for a day or two before striking out for other parts of Spain. Many, however, stay longer once they realize the infinite possibilities Madrid offers for fine
cuisine, great sightseeing and shopping, outstanding sports venues, and a
vacation to remember.
Madrid, Spain - Petit Palace Embassy Serrano from $113 per night
Overview | Rates | Map Petit Palace Embassy Serrano is Placed in the Geographical and Business Heart of the Capital, in the Exclusive and Luxury Commercial Area of Serrano Street Book it now!
Madrid, Spain - AAS International Suites from $73 per night
Overview | Rates | Map Built in 2001, Aas International Suites is an Original Building With Diversity of Room Types from Standard Double Rooms To Spacious Apartments Junior Book it now!
Madrid, Spain - Hotel Auditorium Madrid from $87 per night
Overview | Rates | Map The Hotel Auditorium is a Deluxe Collection. Member of Sercotel Chain. Situated in Madrid Airport ( Barajas ). The Hotel has a courtesy shuttle service Book it now!
Madrid, Spain - Catalonia Centro from $109 per night
Overview | Rates | Map Catalonia Centro is housed in an early 20th-century building located one mile from the Reina Sofia and Prado museums and approximately seven miles from Book it now!
Madrid, Spain - H10 Villa de la Reina from $89 per night
Overview | Rates | Map Housed in an outstanding building with a unique architectural design, the H10 Villa de la Reina was constructed at the beginning of the 20th Century and Book it now!
Last Minute Deals
Ramble through the fontish capital on a taste bud-tour of the Iberian valleys, fueled by festive wine and savory aromas. Spoil your gastronomic self where meals are never hurried. Book it now!
