| Madrid, Spain has a long and complicated | | | | |
| history. For centuries it ruled half the | | | | At nearby Plaza Mayor, travelers can enjoy a |
| world as the center of the monarchy power, | | | | delicious meal at one of the many restaurants |
| but it is now a one of the most popular | | | | or cafes. Or, they can simply sit under the |
| tourist destinations in Europe. One central | | | | shade and "people-watch." The Plaza Mayor |
| to the Spanish Inquisition, Madrid is now | | | | square is nearly 100m on each side and is |
| known for its vibrant nightclubs, incredible | | | | surrounded by buildings that have watched |
| shopping and abundance of art. | | | | many things throughout the years, from |
| | | | beheadings to bullfighting. |
| A trip to Madrid rewards the traveler with | | | | |
| first-rate soccer and bullfighting, and | | | | Be sure to allow time for a visit to the |
| shopping third in Europe to only Paris and | | | | Royal Palace, or Palacio Real. It was home to |
| London. The traveler also experiences the | | | | Spain's monarchs and still contains the Royal |
| best and most beautiful art museums, parks | | | | Armory, throne room and Royal Pharmacy. |
| equal to those in Manhattan, New York. A trip | | | | Visitors can stand in some of the 2,800 rooms |
| to Madrid is surely not a quick pass through. | | | | and imagine what it was like for the royal |
| Visitors should anticipate spending some time | | | | families and monarchs ruling half the world |
| in the city. | | | | from that very room. It is not a difficult |
| | | | thing to imagine, though, when you are |
| Art lovers will surely want to visit the | | | | looking at displays of El Cid's sword, |
| Prado, but the Museu Thyseen-Bornemisza is a | | | | porcelain vases and hundreds of jewels. |
| recent addition that should definitely not be | | | | |
| missed. It was founded by the family of | | | | Of course, leave time to shop. Gran Via is |
| wealthy industrialist Baron Thyssen and his | | | | Madrid's most well known shopping area. You |
| wife, a former Miss Spain, housing over seven | | | | can find anything form the popular El Rastro |
| hundred of Europe's beautiful treasures from | | | | flea market to department stores, such as the |
| the thirteen to the twentieth centuries. The | | | | El Core Inglés. In addition to these, |
| Queen Sofia is home to an abundant amount of | | | | Madrid's shopping offers much more, including |
| twentieth century art, enough to satisfy fans | | | | Calle Montera, Calle Alcala, Calle Princesa |
| of the Museum of Modern Art in New York. | | | | and so many terrific stores and boutiques. |
| | | | |
| However, there is more to Madrid than the art | | | | For anyone planning to visit Madrid, you will |
| museums. You can take a walk in Madrid's | | | | want to plan to spend some time in the |
| sunny climate and visit the beautiful Parque | | | | beautiful city. There are many great packages |
| del Buene Retiro. Though this park is smaller | | | | available offering fabulous accommodations |
| than Manhattan's Central Park and even | | | | and great travel deals. Take a look and make |
| smaller than London's Hyde Park, it is no | | | | your way to Madrid to experience its art, |
| less beautiful with lakes, sculptures, lovely | | | | history, attractions and fabulous shopping! |
| grounds and Crystal Place. | | | | |