Madrid - Sign Me Up!

To say we loved Madrid was an understatement. My US born, French raised spouse, who always thought we'd retire to part of the year in France has now kicked that to the curb in favor of Spain.

Plaza Mayor, Madrid

We rented a two bedroom flat on Plaza Mayor in the heart of Madrid during Holy Week. And for two lapsed Catholics it was a reunification with religion we'd forgotten about. Each parish carries a float through the streets of Madrid, eventually passing through Plaza Mayor on the way to the cathedral. It was an amazing site each and every processional.

Easter Passion evening processional

That aside, Spain is just way more relaxed and much friendlier that other parts of Europe.

Let's just start with the food. If you are even remotely a foodie then Spain will be like a paradise. We started off at Mercado de San Miguel, just steps away from Plaza Mayor. It is like all of Spain's tapas options in one place. It is a converted market that dates from the early 20th century. Each vendor sells something different. Calamari, sardines, oysters, paella, potato chips, cheese, wine, beer, champagne and the list goes on. It was a good way to determine what we liked and wanted to try again somewhere else during our culinary exploits in Madrid.

That's fresh mozzarella cheese tapas!

Oysters - the first plate

T

he sights to see in Madrid are countless. There's the Royal Palace - worth a visit if the line isn't super long.

 The National Archaeological Museum was fabulous!

The Monasteria de las Descalzas was the hottest ticket in the city. We showed up three different times before we got an admission ticket, for the last entry of the day. Very interesting and still operating abbey. Downside is the tour is entirely in Spanish so we were kinda SOL.









Skip the HUGE line at the Prado and go here instead! The collection is amaze-balls. They may only have one of someone's work but they've got one of EVERYBODY's work. Picasso, Monet, Degas, Holbein the elder, Holbein the younger, Fra Angelico, Rembrandt, Van Eyck, Hopper, Caravaggio, Rubens and of course El Greco. Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum, which is a private collection, is one of the best museums we've been to almost ever. And you can see it all in half a day.

And then there are just wonderful sites you come across wandering around the city!

So next time you're thinking you need a trip to Europe, give Spain a go. Enough to see, do, experience and more than enough to eat in week (or six!)  Ole!