Reasons to visit – Best of Madrid

Last fall, after I meandered the medinas of Fez and Marrakech, the intricate maze of the souks, the ancient cities, and the deserts of Morocco, I moved on to Europe’s sunniest capital city, Madrid. A first peek for me I will return for the full Spain architecture and gastronomic tour. There’s a spicy unique rhythm to life in Spain. From the staccato of the fiery flamenco dancers, animated chatter over tapas and rioja, bustling boulevards and cobblestone walkways, the excitement is palpable in Madrid.

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Madrid

Endless cultural and culinary options, Madrid, Spain’s central capital, is a city of elegant boulevards and expansive, manicured parks such as the Buen Retiro. There’s far more to this vibrant city than tapas, bull fighting and flamenco although you will find all three here. It’s renowned for its rich cache of European art, including the Prado Museum’s works by Goya, Velázquez and other Spanish masters. The heart of old Hapsburg Madrid is the portico-lined Plaza Mayor, and nearby is the baroque Royal Palace and Armory, displaying historic weaponry. 

Goya at Prado Museum, Madrid

Over eighty museums and more than two thousand monuments -both historic and artistic, contribute to the city’s richness, Madrid’s cultural legacy offers visitors an incomparable tour: El Paseo del Arte, an Art Walk which includes the Prado Museum, the Reina Sofía National Museum and Art Centre, the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum and, more recently, CaixaForum.

I spent several days wandering with our expert guide, she a foodie and art major, with a deep love of her city.

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Royal Palace and Almudena Cathedral

Art lovers will delight in Madrid’s ‘Golden Triangle of Art’, which comprises three world-renowned galleries, including the famed Prado Museum. Admire some of Europe’s finest art before wandering through the opulent chambers and salons of Madrid’s magnificent Royal Palace. Built in the 18th century, this lavish royal residence is one of the largest palaces in Europe, and with 2,800 rooms, visitors are spoiled for choice when it comes to exploring the elegant interior.

Museums Museo Reina Sofia and Museo del Prado are an absolute must for art lovers. The Reina Sofia for contemporary art (and Museo del Prado for the classics. Museo Nacional del Prado is Spain’s main national art museum. Along with the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum and the Museo Reina Sofía, the Prado forms Madrid’s Golden Triangle of Art. 

Markets and Shops.  Madrid is a shopper’s heaven, the El Rastro Sunday market is a social gathering place for madrileños. Locals come every Sunday to shop, stroll, and grab a bite at the generations-old tapas bars that dot the neighborhood.

Culinary Scene. Any trip to Madrid could become food focused due to its diverse culinary scene. Mercado de San Miguel opened as a wholesale food market more than 100 years ago. Nowadays, it’s the place to sample everything from Iberian ham to fresh fish and tapas from more than 20 stands serving up authentic Spanish food.

Spend a day outside the hustle and bustle of Madrid in the enchanting city of Toledo. This ancient city is renowned for its cultural heritage – this was where Christian, Jewish and Muslim cultures peacefully coexisted in the Middle Ages. Situated on a hilltop overlooking the Tagus River, Toledo offers wonderfully dramatic views across the gorge below. Discover the history behind this multi-cultural city and admire the works of controversial artist El Greco, who once lived within the city walls.

Sobrino de Botin. For a truly memorable meal, head to Sobrino de Botin, the official oldest restaurant in the world and a favorite of authors Ernest Hemingway and F. Scott Fitzgerald. Sobrino de Botin opened its doors in 1725 and continues to base its dishes on its original recipes. Among those recipes? The roast suckling pig that earned a mention in Hemingway’s “The Sun Also Rises”. Casa Botín, founded in 1725, is the oldest restaurant in the world according to the Guinness Book of Records and a benchmark of Madrid’s best traditional cuisine. Forbes magazine gave the House third place in the list of the world’s top 10 classic restaurants, together with its two specialties, the delicious suckling pig and lamb roasted in the Castilian style. Three and four times per week, shipments of the best Segovia suckling pigs and lambs arrive at the restaurant from the magical triangle for this meat: Sepúlveda-Aranda-Riaza. My guide and I spent a few leisurely hours here over a delightful Sunday afternoon. Highly Recommend!

We have an amazing team for touring and exclusive events. I’ve stayed at the best hotels and can recommend both five star properties depending on client needs!

Madrid Musings Four Seasons Hotel…Only The Best.

Last fall, after I meandered the medinas of Fez and Marrakech, the intricate maze of the souks, the ancient cities, and the deserts of Morocco, I moved on to Europe’s sunniest capital city, Madrid. A first peek for me I will return for the full Spain architecture and gastronomic tour.

There’s a spicy unique rhythm to life in Spain. From the staccato of the fiery flamenco dancers, animated chatter over tapas and rioja, bustling boulevards and cobblestone walkways, the excitement is palpable in Madrid.

Great care and thoroughness were taken to transform this notable corner in Madrid, seven historical buildings (including the Banco Español de Crédito, the Banco Hispano Americano, and the Equitable Life Assurance) have been painstakingly transformed into Spain’s first Four Seasons.

Corral de la Morería, Flamenco and a Michelin restaurant!

Endless cultural and culinary options, Madrid, Spain’s central capital, is a city of elegant boulevards and expansive, manicured parks such as the Buen Retiro. My first evening in Madrid will begin with a walk trough the historic Tapas District, the largest in Spain, every evening the area comes alive. 
You can indulge in the variety of savory Tapas and specialties found in the popular Mercado de San  Miguel a 19th century building, which every evening prepares great Tapas. I’m enjoyed an evening visiting a couple of historic and popular bars joining locals in their favorite evening pastime, tasting their specialties accompanied by the excellent local wines. Whether it’s Tapas, lunch or dinner, Madrid offers the gourmet lover, exquisite traditional gastronomy as well  as a Fusion Cuisine, always accompanied by the best wines. 

Four Seasons is an easy walk to three of the world’s best art museums, including The Prado with its masterworks by Velázquez, the Thyssen-Bornemisza with spectacular pieces by the Impressionists, and the Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía, home to Pablo Picasso’s “Guernica.” Let us arrange a private tour with an expert art consultant as your guide. It’s renowned for its opulent repositories of European art, including the Prado Museum’s works by Goya, Velázquez and other Spanish masters. The heart of old Hapsburg Madrid is the portico-lined Plaza Mayor, and nearby is the baroque Royal Palace and Armory, displaying historic weaponry.  There’s far more to this vibrant city than tapas, bullfighting and flamenco although you will find all three here in abundance.

Four Seasons Madrid

Four Seasons – Designed by Estudio Lamela with interior designs by BAMO, you may have seen the BAMO collaborate posts on my website. BAMO has designed a handful of Four Seasons properties.

History comes to life with vibrant modern energy at Four Seasons Hotel Madrid. In the very heart of the capital – within walking distance of all the key attractions – seven historical buildings have been transformed into one dynamic destination. The innovative Centro Canalejas unites a collection of seven historical buildings, all impeccably restored and reimagined. The oldest part of the complex, originally El Palacio de la Equitativa, dates to 1887. The dramatic rotunda, topped by a copper cupola, towers over the corner of Calle de Alcalá. Equally impressive is the neighboring façade of the Banco Hispano Americano headquarters, begun in 1902 and today forming the main entrance to the luxury shops of Galería Canalejas.

Among the 200 guest rooms and suites, there are many one-of-a-kind layouts. Some are designed on two levels connected by a short staircase. Some feature step-out balconies or spacious private terraces – ideal for enjoying Madrid’s warm weather and views. Throughout the building, you’ll find over 3,700 original artefacts – intricate stone floors, fireplaces and large brass door pulls – creating a connection to history rarely seen in a contemporary hotel. The largest spa in the city combining four levels of sybaritic bliss and a sun-drenched indoor pool terrace, offer a high level of self indulgence! I spent an entire afternoon lapping up the opulent spa luxury!

Discover the newest dining destination by Spanish celebrity chef Dani García. Casually elegant, this dynamic brasserie combines Michelin-starred specialties with traditional Andalusian cuisine. Enjoy it all with unparalleled rooftop views. Accommodations are adorned with traditional and modern details, plush furnishings, and al fresco spaces to soak in the views.

Four Seasons Art collection

We are Four Seasons Preferred Partners.

‘Madrid is a strange place anyway. I do not believe anyone likes it much when he first goes there. It has none of the looks that you expect of Spain. Yet when you get to know it, it is the most Spanish of all cities, the best to live in, the finest people, month in and month out the finest climate. It is in Madrid only that you get the essence. The essence, when it is the essence, can be in a plain glass bottle and you need no fancy labels. But when you can have the Prado at the same time as El Escorial two hours to the north and Toledo to the south, a fine road to Avila and a fine road to Segovia, which is no distance from La Granja, it makes you feel very badly, all question of immortality aside, to know that you will have to die and never see it again.’ – Ernest Hemingw