Madrid
 

In July we will fly to Madrid on a thursday night and wil stay until sunday evening. What should we do while we are there??? Is it possible to take any day trips from Madrid , if so what do you suggest. Should we spend all of our time in Madrid. Thanks for your respond.

Hi Ann, we were in Spain last year. From Madrid there are several day trips that you can do. Avilla and Segovia make a nice day trip. Toledo would be another. El Escoral would be another. <BR>Have a great trip <BR>Regards <BR>Art <BR>

I have been to Madrid 4 times and find that the mesones (small bars) around the Plaza Mayor are great! They each have individual food specialties, and are a good place to be around Spaniards in their environment. <BR> <BR>A short trip from Madrid that I thought was wonderful was to Chinchon, where they make anisette. It's a small town with a lot of charm. Wasn't at all touristy at the time (20 years ago!). <BR> <BR>Have a great time - Spain is wonderful!

Just don't mention that you support the death penalty (if you do). You'll get screamed at by some sanctimonious lefty who probably is all for abortion rights.

Don't know how you feel about museums, but the Prado was phenmomenal, and the Museau de la Reina Sophia was outstanding. Toledo was beautiful, but I didn't have enough time there to really get a feel for how much there is to "do" there. If you get the chance, go out and have some churros and chocolate one night.

If you love museums, with only 3 days available you'll hardly have time to make a side trip. IMO it would be too tiring to visit 2 out of the 3 big museum in a single day. Besides the museums, other sites that merit attention are, to name a few, the Palacio Real, Descalzas and Conception Monasteries, Ermita de San Antonio de la Florida and the San Jeronimo el Real church (eventually also Cason del Buen Retiro). Regarding strolls, on top of Plaza de Oriente, Paseo del Prado and Parque del Retiro, which are taken care of when visiting sites, one should consider Plaza de Cibeles, the Gran Via and the general area to the south along the whole extension of Gran Via (Calle Mayor, Plaza Mayor, Plaza de la Ville, Puerta del Sol, Plaza Santa Ana, etc). <BR> <BR>If you decide skipping at least one of the big 3 museums, you may consider a sidetrip. In addition to Toledo, El Escorial, Avila, Segovia and Chinchon referred to above, a trip to Salamanca is also quite "doable". If you decide for Toledo, I'd do it on Friday instead of Saturday (when it should be packed). <BR>For an extended insight, restaurant recommendations and else refer to <BR> <BR>http://www.fodors.com/forums/crossro...messagesframe& <BR> <BR>Paulo

I just came back from Madrid and vicinity. I arrived in Madrid on a Sunday afternoon. Since museums and sights were closed, I walked around the area - saw Plaza Mayor, Palacio Real, and numerous churches. <BR> <BR>Day trips are possible. I took two day trips using the tour operator, Pullmantur. One office is located on the Gran Via while the other one is on Plaza Oriente, near the Palacio Real. I took a day trip to Segovia and Avila and a half-day trip to Toledo. These tours are not expensive at all. Plus, they provide the transportation (bus), a tour guide (English), and entrance fees to museums/churches.

if you want to go on day trip go for it. i was in madrid in april for five nights and we made day trips that were terrific. toledo would be my first choice and you can go on your on by train for not a lot of money. in the plaza zocodovar there is a little train that takes you around the outside of the city for great views, then get lost in the city seeing the cathedral and the lot.