Revulgo, you are a genius at those maps!

Yes! Genius! I need to figure out how to do this

Revulgo, What is the difference between the places that have the square orange icons with a fork and wine glass versus the blue round icons with a knife and spoon? Is that Tapas Bars versus "real" restaurants?

Maribel, Azotea sounds right up our alley! As does café sitting at Círculo de Bellas Artes. And you mentioned the rooftop and speakeasy at Hotel NH Madrid Suecia which is very close by. We will definitely walk all over the city and try different bars and restaurants!

Oh, and we will take a guided historical tour of Madrid. We love them and will take guided walking tours in Granada and Seville (and maybe Cordoba) as well. I don't see any prices on Spain Fred's website; I will reach out and ask. There are 5 of us, ages 23 - 65.

Best, L

Yes, the speakeasy of the NH Casa Suecia is just a very short walk way.

Here's some info in English about the Círculo de Bellas Artes on Alcalá and NH Casa Suecia. The same Azotea rooftop bar-restaurant group is going to take over the rooftop space of the Palacio de Cibeles Centro/Centro, right now under renovation.

https://www.therooftopguide.com/roof...l-circulo.html
https://www.therooftopguide.com/roof...sa-suecia.html

For reservations:
https://www.azoteadelcirculo.com/reservas

And the menu for the Speakeasy "Clandestine" Cocktail Bar. You pass through the restroom to enter the bar.
https://casasuecia.es/en/menus/cland...-cocktail-bar/

Thank you Maribel!

You´re welcome. The ground floor café of the Círculo de Bellas Artes with outdoor terrace, La Pecera, is a classic and open from 9 am until 1 am, later on Friday-Saturday.
http://lapeceradelcirculo.com

I think this is the same group that puts on the December Arts and Crafts Fair on Paseo de Recoletos. Looks lovely!
​​​​​​https://amoa.es/pages/mercadodeotono2023

Yes, this is the group.

Wow! This is a wonderfully informative, detailed, and appealing thread that I am absolutely saving for thorough study this weekend, alongside the many TRs, conversation threads, and thoughtful replies to an open ended query that I raised a week or so ago seeking advice/opinions on a base for a trip to mark some personal landmarks, roughly btw Dec 20-Jan 3 (no bookings made). NOT trying to hijack this great thread, but just for reference this was my initial post. 14-16 day bdy/anniv trip spanning XMas/New Yrs--?-Rome,Paris,Andalusia,OR S Portugal ). I’ve been to Madrid several times (though never in winter) and love it and hadn’t considered it as a base for this trip (both bec my vision was to go somewhere I’ve never been—and so I flagged Andalusia as a potential base—or return to Paris and/or Rome, both of which are favorites for DH and me). And the prospects of drier, warmer weather, and longer periods of daylight (and the novelty for me of a wonderful, fascinating new region) was tilting me towards Andalusia and away from Paris and Rome at this time of year. (I appreciate that Madrid, like Andalusia, also has longer periods of daylight compared to Paris/Rome.) Anyway, once I read carefully the goldmine of materials I’ve saved, I may start a new thread this weekend if we do decide-all things considered—that Andalusia will in fact be our base for this trip. If that’s the case, I hope that with some excellent advice we can put together something as memorable (albeit different) as the very generous posts here suggest.

It's a great idea to start a new thread for Andalusia and specifically for the cities you wish to visit. There's a great deal of info already, plus some fine Trip Reports on the forum for Andalusia if you want to do a search first.

As of the summer, some events that will take place in the Christmas season will be known.

As of the summer, some events that will take place in the Christmas season will be known.

Another art exhibit during the "Picasso Celebration Year", along with those mentioned in post #16

* "Picasso 1906, the Turning Point" runs from November 15-March 4 at the Centro de Arte Reina Sofía
https://www.museoreinasofia.es/en/ex...s/picasso-1906

Can't wait! We originally has a full week scheduled for Madrid with a day trip to Toledo. But our kids all live on the east coast in colder weather and really wanted to go to Sevilla for some hopeful sun and better temperatures. Hence, why our stay in Madrid is only 3 days now. But BOY! There is so much in this wonderful city! We are all so excited!

Thank you, Maribel. I plan to spend tomorrow (Saturday) doing nothing but reading threads and TRs in efforts to get clarity on our vision for the trip. I will also do a quick check of flight options to make sure I'm not looking at some terrible number of connections (give how late it is to be looking at flights) and will also investigate upgrade possibilities (with miles) since this is a trip for a special occasion. Will start a new thread when I narrow things down. Thanks!

More stuff... https://www.esmadrid.com/en

See Revulgo, this is the web page I still think you write!

I deny having anything to do with what that web page tells.

Ok, I believe you!

REVULGO...What can I say..you have outdone yourself! The only thing is now, I have to find a way to be in Madrid over the holidays!

A million thanks to both you and to Maribel, as always.....I was planning about 4 nights in March but may have to stretch that..

Feliz Ano Nuevo!

Looking at the Prado. We would like to take the 11:00 am English Guided Tour of the Collection one day. Does anyone know if we need to buy tickets ahead of time? Here is the link but it doesn't say a lot: https://www.museodelprado.es/en/reso...7-863052ccdbd7