Travel in Madrid

Madrid is a beautiful city, but sometimes, you need a moment away from the hustle and bustle of the concrete jungle. Well, for anyone in need of a little natural beauty, the Royal Botanical Gardens is a must-see.

Charles III is the monarch responsible for its development, and when it opened in 1781, “this garden promoted a series of expeditions that brought glorious times to Spanish botany, accompanied by illustrious names: Mutis, Ruiz y Pavón, Cavanilles, Boutelou, Lagasca, Colmeiro, etc.” (Spain.info website). Read more…

One factor that makes Madrid so enchanting is its gorgeous, intricately designed buildings and monuments. With so much classic architecture to see, Madrid could almost be called an architect’s paradise.

The Plaza Mayor, for example, has been the heart of Madrid for centuries. There are multiple archways supporting the interchanging terracotta and art-covered buildings. And if the artwork wasn’t enough by itself, atop these beautiful decorated buildings rest large, cross adorned steeples. The finished Plaza emerged in 1619, and underwent a refurbishment in 1790. Thus several architects are responsible for the finished space. The center holds a statue of Philip III riding a horse, and has been used for bullfights and executions, particularly during the Spanish Inquisition. Read more…

As the capital of Spain, Madrid has a lot of history and culture to offer visitors. There’s no better place to get a feel for Madrid’s past then by visiting a museum.  Whether you’re looking for an art collection or a museum of historical artifacts, Madrid has a little of everything.

National Museum of Archeology

The National Archeological Museum has collections from multiple cultures all under one roof. Societies represented in the museum’s exhibits vary from Egypt, to the Mudejars, and from the Hispano-Roman culture to the Moors, and of course, Spain. Queen Isabella II established the museum during the 19^th century, and its permanent exhibit contains artifacts from Spain’s origin to the time of the museum’s founding.  Visitors to the History of Civilizations can expect to see the bust of Dama de Elche and a display of the Altamira Caves. There’s no ticket cost during the renovation. Read more…

While it’s good to know where Madrid’s best attractions are, after a full day of sight-seeing, a bed to rest your aching feet is equally important. And what’s better than a 5-star hotel?  Located within the Art Triangle of Madrid (the Salamanca Neighbourhood), the Hotel Wellington is not only a gorgeous example of Spanish architecture, but is within walking distance of your favorite attractions (such as the Prado).

The hotel was established in 1952 by Baltasar Ibán Valdés. Since its opening, celebrities such as Ernest Hemingway, Gene Kelly, members of Asturias and Spanish royalty, and many others have called the Hotel Wellington their home away from home. Read more…

If you want to visit Madrid, but you haven’t spoke Spanish since high school. . .  you might need a little refresher.  No worries though, because we’ve got a list of some of the best speak Spanish programs and guides. And with these products, you’ll be speaking like a resident Spaniard in no time.

Rosetta Stone

While Rosetta Stone is an expensive purchase, the product has achieved 7 awards and several prestigious recommendations for its success. Instead of overloading you with Spanish exercises, the course places you into a Spanish speaking environment. Don’t be intimidated by the idea though, Rosetta Stone assures its customers that “by surrounding you with words, images and the voices of native speakers, [this] method lets you progress naturally from words and phrases to sentences and conversations” (Rosetta Stone website). The Level 1 Spanish program runs for $194.65, but if you’re still not convinced, try a free demo on their website. Read more…