Thanks, Maribel-have downloaded the thread on Hungry Onion. Can't wait to study it. And yes, hoping I can manage to add a night to our Madrid stay as part of our vacation/birthday/anniversary extravaganza. Indeed, Revulgo's observations about Madrid are among the reasons why I've been enticed to try to add on a night. I've been studying Italian for years and so generally use the few days I can add on to work trips to Europe to stay in Italian cities (though have loved the few 2 week vacation stays that have taken me to some parts of Spain). I can see that my horizons have been too narrow! (And thanks for the suggestion on the Roommate Alba -- clearly you "get" the feeling of the types of places I'd like to stay at, especially during this trip. I've booked it. Many thanks!

Great, at the Alba you’ll be in the heart of Letras where you’ll have lots of options for dining, gourmet shopping, pastry and chocolate shops, coffee houses, cocktail bars, a wonderfully authentic municipal market, the Mercado de Antón Martín, with a terrific small gourmet bistro in the downstairs “mercado gastronómico, LaLópez, that chefs, food critics and bloggers rave about (me too), wine shops, and you’ll be within an easy walk of the Art Triangle. All that you need for your 3 days,

Cannot wait-thanks for the additional inducements!!!!!