3 days in Madrid with my son-any ideas?
Jan 6th, 2010, 11:51 AM
#21
My favorite museum in Madrid was the Thyssen-Bornemisza. Well planned and laid out, minor pieces by major artists and major pieces by less-known artists covering many periods.
One of my favorite two things to do in Madrid was to spend time in the Plaza Santa Ana, ringed by cafes with tapas and lots of activity until late at night (although I was there in the summer, and it may well be different at this time of year).
The other favorite thing was to see flamenco at Casa Patas (http://www.casapatas.com/). I can not tell by your comment about flamenco shows whether you decided you don't want to see one or whether you just found information about them and not other things. But I have been to Madrid only twice, and only for a couple of nights each time, and the show was such a highlight of my first trip that I went the second time and brought my husband, for whom it was equally a highlight even though he didn't expect to be so enthralled.
Have a great trip.
One of my favorite two things to do in Madrid was to spend time in the Plaza Santa Ana, ringed by cafes with tapas and lots of activity until late at night (although I was there in the summer, and it may well be different at this time of year).
The other favorite thing was to see flamenco at Casa Patas (http://www.casapatas.com/). I can not tell by your comment about flamenco shows whether you decided you don't want to see one or whether you just found information about them and not other things. But I have been to Madrid only twice, and only for a couple of nights each time, and the show was such a highlight of my first trip that I went the second time and brought my husband, for whom it was equally a highlight even though he didn't expect to be so enthralled.
Have a great trip.
Jan 6th, 2010, 12:27 PM
#22
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Dutyfree, you can get tickets from 160 to 40 euros for next sunday match at servicaixa.com . Look in SPORT and click on the Real Madrid vs Mallorca match. Time is 19:00 pm. You can only get the tickets the week prior to the match, and you don´t go through scalpers. Check it, in case your son is still interested.
Forecast is very cold for the weekend, by the way.
Bye, Cova
Forecast is very cold for the weekend, by the way.
Bye, Cova
Jan 6th, 2010, 03:39 PM
#23
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I recommend a visit to the Reina Sofia museum, not so far from El Prado. The second floor holds a display of paintings, photos, movies and posters about some of the civilizational breakdowns of the 20th Century (the Spanish Civil War and WW II) that might give a very profound impression. Among many other things, photos of Man Ray and Robert Cappa and paintings of Dalí and Picasso, including his Guernica.
Jan 7th, 2010, 02:39 AM
#24
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Not a wine tour, but this tapas & wine walking tour of old Madrid sounds very promising, seems like these guys know what they're doing. The Spanish (english-speaking) guide Andrés Jarabo is a member of the Spanish Wine Tasting Association.
http://www.walksofspain.com/
For a different eating experience, go to Casa Mingo, the oldest cider house in Madrid (1888). The best roast chicken ever and loads of sidra. The only other things on the menu are salad, sausages and cheese. Opens for lunch at 1pm and for dinner at 8.30. Usually you have to go early if you don't want to wait.
http://www.casamingo.es/
http://www.walksofspain.com/
For a different eating experience, go to Casa Mingo, the oldest cider house in Madrid (1888). The best roast chicken ever and loads of sidra. The only other things on the menu are salad, sausages and cheese. Opens for lunch at 1pm and for dinner at 8.30. Usually you have to go early if you don't want to wait.
http://www.casamingo.es/
Jan 7th, 2010, 07:15 AM
#25
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These are great suggestions and I appreciate everyone taking the time to put them down. Any lunch/dinner places that would be great for a vegetarian in Madrid?( I have Maribel's notes copied but most of her restaurants seem very expensive to me!)
My son became a vegan while living in India the past two years so will have to give up the wonderful ham and chicken in Spain this trip.
My son became a vegan while living in India the past two years so will have to give up the wonderful ham and chicken in Spain this trip.
Jan 7th, 2010, 07:48 AM
#26
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dutyfree, the two places I like are "La isla del tesoro"
http://www.isladeltesoro.net/
and "Al natural"
http://www.alnatural.biz
I think that "La isla del tesoro" would fit more with your son, because I remember seeing vegan dishes in the menu. It is really tasty, too.
Does your son eat fish, or is it a no-no? I am trying to think of some other recommendations for you...
bye, Cova
http://www.isladeltesoro.net/
and "Al natural"
http://www.alnatural.biz
I think that "La isla del tesoro" would fit more with your son, because I remember seeing vegan dishes in the menu. It is really tasty, too.
Does your son eat fish, or is it a no-no? I am trying to think of some other recommendations for you...
bye, Cova
Jan 7th, 2010, 09:57 AM
#29
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El restaurante El Séptimo should have something vegatarian.. or several dishes on the menu. I really like this place.
www.elseptimo.com
seems they have a nice vegetarian selection if you go to last page of menu.
Don't miss the MANGO tarte tartine. wow!
www.elseptimo.com
seems they have a nice vegetarian selection if you go to last page of menu.
Don't miss the MANGO tarte tartine. wow!
Jan 8th, 2010, 12:30 PM
#31
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My husband is a vegetarian and we just got back from Madrid. We had an outstanding dinner, many vegetarian choices, at La Vaca Veronica, Moratin 38, Anton Martin. Very close to Plaza Santa Ana. Outstanding and not too expensive. You won't be disappointed. I also agree - go to Reina Sophia. Amazing Picasso pieces.
Jan 8th, 2010, 04:21 PM
#32
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Why not El Estragón, right in the middle of everything: http://www.frommers.com/destinations/madrid/D54922.html
Jan 9th, 2010, 12:36 AM
#33
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I haven´t mentioned El Estragon because on weekends is really packed and you need absolutely to book in advance. But it is a good place, and I have liked it a lot.
About El Septimo, I am in between. I haven´t been to it, but I have been a few times to its sister restaurants : La Galette and La Casa Escondida. I am not a vegetarian, but I don´t eat a lot of meat, so I have a couple of friends who drag me there when they want something for everybody. They say that they are some of the first vegetarian restaurants in Madrid, but by looking at the menu, you wouldn´t say that. The food is not bad, but I haven´t managed to remember the dishes afterwards. It looks as if they are trying harder to impress you with the decoration (like a rural french house, or the idea they have) than with the food. But my friends always come out raving about it, so something good must be done. The wine list is not good at all and expensive. I had a much better list last Christmas at a chinese restaurant in Bilbao
oh, the Priorat and the champagne we ordered ! I hope that El Septimo is better than the other places in the group.
Anyway, I hope dutyfree has already arrived to Madrid. It is not snowing or raining, and temperature is around 0 degrees, positively balmy for the kind of weather the rest of Europe and many parts of Spain are suffering ...
Bye, Cova
About El Septimo, I am in between. I haven´t been to it, but I have been a few times to its sister restaurants : La Galette and La Casa Escondida. I am not a vegetarian, but I don´t eat a lot of meat, so I have a couple of friends who drag me there when they want something for everybody. They say that they are some of the first vegetarian restaurants in Madrid, but by looking at the menu, you wouldn´t say that. The food is not bad, but I haven´t managed to remember the dishes afterwards. It looks as if they are trying harder to impress you with the decoration (like a rural french house, or the idea they have) than with the food. But my friends always come out raving about it, so something good must be done. The wine list is not good at all and expensive. I had a much better list last Christmas at a chinese restaurant in Bilbao
oh, the Priorat and the champagne we ordered ! I hope that El Septimo is better than the other places in the group.Anyway, I hope dutyfree has already arrived to Madrid. It is not snowing or raining, and temperature is around 0 degrees, positively balmy for the kind of weather the rest of Europe and many parts of Spain are suffering ...
Bye, Cova
Feb 5th, 2010, 09:51 AM
#34
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Sorry to get back so late on this topic-we had a family situation with my sister in law so we could not go on this trip last month. However, I got the trip again for tomorrow so will try everyone's suggestions. Anything else? Thanks in advance!
Feb 6th, 2010, 12:20 AM
#37
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I was in Madrid and Salamanca this past week.
Wednesday was beautiful, around 60 degrees, the sun out.
Thursday, ran into some drizzle but went out to Toledo anyways.
Cold but mostly dry the past week, including out in Salamanca.
Wednesday was beautiful, around 60 degrees, the sun out.
Thursday, ran into some drizzle but went out to Toledo anyways.
Cold but mostly dry the past week, including out in Salamanca.
Feb 6th, 2010, 05:10 AM
#38
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Well, today is absolutely beautiful here in Madrid. Last week was miserable, but right now the sun is shining and it is warm and it looks to stay that way the whole weekend. I think duty has been lucky with the weekend.
Bye, Cova
Bye, Cova
Feb 11th, 2010, 12:36 PM
#39
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Back from Madrid last night-had only one bad day of weather last Monday (the day we chose to go to Toledo) so wasn't that great. However, we did leave alot of our money at the wonderful tapas and wine bars around town along with one flamenco show and all of the museums and palace.
Our hotel is over by the bullring so it was kinda a pain to get into the old Madrid area with the long walk to metro but I survived.Great mother-son bonding even though he says I snore?I was just" a little congested"...
Our hotel is over by the bullring so it was kinda a pain to get into the old Madrid area with the long walk to metro but I survived.Great mother-son bonding even though he says I snore?I was just" a little congested"...
