We rarely have this problem in Vancouver, but being a tourist in Madrid involves being on the alert for shade. We spent a great deal of time criss crossing the cobblestone streets to stay cool. We enjoyed the random breezes that materialized between the buildings as we meandered down the streets, seeking out cafes with outdoor seating that included "misting" umbrellas. Who knew such a thing existed?
We were impressed with the cleanliness of the city, the history, the massive landmarks and the multitude of restaurants. Adjusting our eating schedule was much easier this time as compared to our 2010 trip, mainly because the time change and the heat zapped our energy, and between the hours of 6 and 8 pm, we were asleep on our bed. Tapas also encourages sharing so we didn´t have to deal with huge meals and overeating. One night we invited another bed and breakfast guest, Robin from California, to dine with us. It turns out she is a doctor whose speciality is working with children with autism, so Lynda had a lot to talk about with her.
One of our favourite places was Park de el Retiro. Right in the centre of the city, it is a haven for joggers and assorted entertainers, but on Sunday, it was packed with multi-generations of families. It was refreshing to see people out enjoying a sunny day in the city with their loved ones. We were able to cool ourselves under the trees and watch the people going by.
We also made a stop at the Palacio Real. We are not fans of tourist spots, but the palace, with its 3000 rooms and massive white courtyard, was very impressive. Unfortunately, they have a no-photography policy inside the palace and we were unable to document the ornately decorated rooms and the ample armoury.
Madrid is home to many reknowned art galleries, and three of the biggies were within close proximity to our bed and breakfast. After a lengthy discussion with Paola, we settled on the Thyssen gallery because of the variety of artwork it offered. We quickly discovered that we do not understand modern art, however, we did enjoy the portraits of the Old Masters and the Impressionist paintings. Two hours was long enough for us. We are happy to say that we had the experience, but we are not likely to go back for more, any time soon.
We would like to extend a very big thank you to Paolo and Rudolfo for creating such a warm and inviting place to stay. Bed and Breakfast is not usual in Spain, but the Artistic bed and breakfast exceeded our expectations. The location was amazing, the rooms were large and very clean, and the breakfasts were ample. Paola went beyond the call of duty when Craig´s baggage was M.I.A. and we enjoyed many conversations with both of them. If you are ever in Madrid, you must stay with them.
We were impressed with the cleanliness of the city, the history, the massive landmarks and the multitude of restaurants. Adjusting our eating schedule was much easier this time as compared to our 2010 trip, mainly because the time change and the heat zapped our energy, and between the hours of 6 and 8 pm, we were asleep on our bed. Tapas also encourages sharing so we didn´t have to deal with huge meals and overeating. One night we invited another bed and breakfast guest, Robin from California, to dine with us. It turns out she is a doctor whose speciality is working with children with autism, so Lynda had a lot to talk about with her.
One of our favourite places was Park de el Retiro. Right in the centre of the city, it is a haven for joggers and assorted entertainers, but on Sunday, it was packed with multi-generations of families. It was refreshing to see people out enjoying a sunny day in the city with their loved ones. We were able to cool ourselves under the trees and watch the people going by.
We also made a stop at the Palacio Real. We are not fans of tourist spots, but the palace, with its 3000 rooms and massive white courtyard, was very impressive. Unfortunately, they have a no-photography policy inside the palace and we were unable to document the ornately decorated rooms and the ample armoury.
Madrid is home to many reknowned art galleries, and three of the biggies were within close proximity to our bed and breakfast. After a lengthy discussion with Paola, we settled on the Thyssen gallery because of the variety of artwork it offered. We quickly discovered that we do not understand modern art, however, we did enjoy the portraits of the Old Masters and the Impressionist paintings. Two hours was long enough for us. We are happy to say that we had the experience, but we are not likely to go back for more, any time soon.
We would like to extend a very big thank you to Paolo and Rudolfo for creating such a warm and inviting place to stay. Bed and Breakfast is not usual in Spain, but the Artistic bed and breakfast exceeded our expectations. The location was amazing, the rooms were large and very clean, and the breakfasts were ample. Paola went beyond the call of duty when Craig´s baggage was M.I.A. and we enjoyed many conversations with both of them. If you are ever in Madrid, you must stay with them.
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