Dec Spain Trip: Need help with planning
Nov 24th, 2010, 06:12 AM
#21
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For Banco De Espana area use metro (same 2 euros) to Nuevos Ministerios and then transfer to light blue line to GranVia station. Otherwise walk from Atocha (20 min max)
http://www.metromadrid.es/export/sit...oMadriding.pdf
http://www.metromadrid.es/export/sit...oMadriding.pdf
Nov 24th, 2010, 08:34 AM
#23
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hkto - thanks for the suggestion, I did more research on the link you provided earlier for the Airport Express bus and it stops at Cibeles which is near Banco de Espana! This is definitely very easy for me to get from airport to hotel! thanks again!! Also, thanks for the metro link - this is a great map to have with me!
Nov 25th, 2010, 02:42 AM
#24
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New Year's Eve in Madrid: The Eating of Twelve Grapes at Puerta del Sol.
In 1909 a group of vinegrowers from Alicante encouraged their fellow citizens to eat one grape to each chime of the clock as mark the final twelve hours of the year, as a way of cutting down on the large production surplus of that year. To this day, it is popular belief that following this tradition without choking will bring luck in the year ahead. The atmosphere in the square in the hours leading up to midnight is vibrant. All eyes turn to the clock tower as everyone waits for the gilded steel ball to drop and the sound of the quarter chimes to mark the start of the countdown. The machine’s mechanismis manually adjusted every new year’s eve by the clockmakers from Losada, the company in charge of its maintenance during the year.
Small tin cans containing 12 seedless (and sometimes peeled) grapes for easier consumption, will be on sale for this occasion.
In 1909 a group of vinegrowers from Alicante encouraged their fellow citizens to eat one grape to each chime of the clock as mark the final twelve hours of the year, as a way of cutting down on the large production surplus of that year. To this day, it is popular belief that following this tradition without choking will bring luck in the year ahead. The atmosphere in the square in the hours leading up to midnight is vibrant. All eyes turn to the clock tower as everyone waits for the gilded steel ball to drop and the sound of the quarter chimes to mark the start of the countdown. The machine’s mechanismis manually adjusted every new year’s eve by the clockmakers from Losada, the company in charge of its maintenance during the year.
Small tin cans containing 12 seedless (and sometimes peeled) grapes for easier consumption, will be on sale for this occasion.
