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Posted at June 21, 2010

Travel Monday – Madrid

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Author: Kathryn Frengs (350 Articles)

Travelfusion's Social Media Officer, I manage all of our online marketing and presence on Twitter, Facebook, our blog and more. I love my job!

In honour of today’s Spain vs. Honduras match, today’s Travel Monday will take us to the capital city of Spain, Madrid.  Besides being the capital and largest city in Spain, the city of Madrid is a commercial and political centre with plenty of things to see and do.

madrid city hall

Photo credit: orocain

Although I have only visited Madrid once, my favourite part of the city and reason why I’d love to travel back is the enormous Retiro Park.  Known by some as the “lungs of the city,” Retiro Park is like an oasis in the middle of this busy city and offers respite and calm in an otherwise frantic place.

parque del retiro madrid

Photo credit: Juanedc

For a more active day in the park, hire one of the many rowboats and propel yourself around the beautiful lake near the majestic monument to King Alfonso XII, but be prepared to be in tourist photographs!  Or, grab a cold drink and seek out some shade under one of the many trees around the park.  It’s easy to see why Retiro Park has been a top destination for both tourists and locals since it was built in the 1500’s.

alfonso monument madrid

Photo credit: Zaqarbal

Once you’ve had your fill of relaxation and tranquility, seek out a local tapas bar and enjoy Madrid’s culinary specialties.  Order a drink at the bar in any tapas restaurant and you’ll be treated to these “small plates” of delicious bite-sized treats in a variety of flavours.  From savoury tarts to small bits of chorizo sausage, tapas are always my meal of choice in Spain.  Washed down with a glass of sangria, tapas are a great idea either to start off your night or as the cornerstone of your evening in Madrid.

tapas madrid

Photo credit: anaulin

Wait for temperatures to get a bit cooler and take a trip to Madrid this autumn. Flights from London to Madrid in late September start at £ 37 return.  Flights from Dublin to Madrid start at £ 51 return for the same weekend.

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  • http://www.markellison.me/ Mark

    TAPAAAAAAAAAAAS

  • Travelfusion

    Tapas – get in my belly!

  • http://blog.travelfusion.com/2010/07/12/travel-monday-spain/ Travel Monday – SPAIN!

    [...] Travel Monday – Madrid, Spain: want to get away but you prefer a more bustling city environment? Travel to Madrid instead and enjoy all that the Spanish capital has to offer! [...]

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