We are traveling to Madrid for at least five nights and will spend New Year's Eve there. We are looking forward to the traditional grape ceremony in the Plaza del Sol, and are not interested in a multi course dinner, but looking for a casual celebration pre-midnight. Any suggestions? We will be staying near the Paseo Del Prado. We are also interested in artisanal tours to include jamon, quesos, vino, and olives. Are such tours possible in Madrid or via daytrip from Madrid. Any special new things to be made aware of? We are making the trip due to the Prado and have spent much time in Madrid. However, our last trip was in 2003. We feel long overdue and love the Spanish people and culture. We cannot wait! We would contemplate the bullet train to Sevilla for the artisanal tours and would be willing to stay overnight. Thank You for your suggestions!

Hi ElRenacer!

You'll be able to "enjoy" the 12-grapes at midnight at the centric Puerta del Sol in Madrid on New Years Eve - but try to get there at least 30 minutes early if you hope to get inside the plaza. It'll be busting at the seams with tourists, Spaniards, and foreign residents.

Finding a "casual celebration pre-midnight" should be pretty darn easy just walking into any bar. That is, IF you can walk in!! It may be full! Maybe one of the many bars in the Huertas area next to the Paseo del Prado would be appropriate.

"...artisanal tours to include jamon, quesos, vino, and olives. Are such tours possible in Madrid or via daytrip from Madrid."

I'm rather sure Julia Tours or the many Viator offerings include such things. I've not heard of any ham, cheese, or olive tours but wine tours can be found from Madrid. If you plug into Google, for example, the following search term and syntax you should find many:

"MADRID TOURS" +wine
"MADRID TOURS" +cheese
"MADRID TOURS" +olives
"MADRID TOURS" +ham

Have a great NEW YEARS in Madrid, Spain!!

Saludos, MadridMan/BarcelonaMan @ you-know-where!

ElRenacer,
Interesting screen name, Rebirth!

As Madrid Man says, if you’d be content with just tapas or raciones for your casual pre-midnight celebration, check the bars in the Huertas-Santa Ana area (which don’t usually open til 7:30-8 and don’t get lively until 9). My fave, Casa Alberto, will be closed NYE.

If I weren't celebrating with friends/family, for something both casual and fun, I'd book the 8 pm flamenco show at Casa Patas, scheduled earlier so that folks can be out well before midnight.
Or if you just want a casual meal, their restaurant opens at 8 (book online), or just have tapas/raciones at the bar. And food is quite decent.
www.casapatas.com

And heed Madrid Man’s advice of arriving early at the Puerta del Sol for the countdown. And wear shoes you wouldn’t mind getting trashed (lots of debris, broken cava bottles...).

The companies below offer Madrid gourmet tapas tours, but you can easily do this on your own and probably have, since you've spent much time in the city.

www.walksofspain.com (with Andrés)
www.letango.com
www.adventurousappetites.com (12/27, 1/2, 1/3)
www.vintagespain.com (literary tapas tours)

For day-long artisanal tours from Madrid, Vintage Spain offers 3:

to Ribera del Duero (2 wineries, lunch, visit to Peñarranda-neat town)

to Toledo province (winery, city visit)

to La Mancha (winery, lunch, windmills)

Planeta Vino offers both wine tasting courses and day trips to area wineries (they’re located at Monte Esquinza 24, corner of Fernando el Santo, 2 blks west of the Castellana in Chamber&iacute
www.planetavino.net

Madrid & Beyond will arrange any type of custom gourmet, wine-tasting tour you want-“bespoke service”, if cost isn't an issue.
www.madridandbeyond.com

But you can do your own artisanal foods tour of Madrid-

Cheeses: Poncelet (Argensola 27, near Plaza de Salesas), Cuenllas (Ferraz 3, near Plaza de España)

Wines: Lavinia (Ortega y Gasset 16, Salamanca quarter)

Hams: Mantequerías Bravo (Ayala 24, Salamanca) and La Boulette in adjacent Mercado de la Paz

Oils: Patrimonio Comunal Olivarero (Mejía Lequerica, below Plaza Sta. Bárbara)

Chocolates: Xocoa (Gravina 3-near Plaza Chueca), Cacao Sampaka (Orellana 4-off Plaza Sta. Bárbara), Valor (Postigo de Sa
n Martín-behind Plaza de San Martín),
Moulin Chocolat (Alcalá 77, Salamanca)

Desserts: Paco Torreblanca (Juan Bravo 12 at Lagasca-Salamanca)


Have a great time celebrating and tasting.

A bit of what's new in Madrid since '03:

new Moneo wing of the Prado (which probably prompted your trip), reopened Velázquez door entrance, audio guides, new cafe, new website, online booking (!!), expanded hrs, expanded free admission times...
4 special exhibits during your stay including “Velázquez's Fables”
& “Los Grecos en el Prado”.

museum tours offered by www.madrid-museum-tours.org

Jean Nouvel wing of Reina Sofía

refurbished Fundación de Lázaro Galdiano (lovely museum)

expanded Sorolla Museum (now open til 6 on Wed.)

Costume Museum, "Museo del Traje"

new Changing of the Guard on Wed. at Royal Palace

½ price theater ticket booth, “Taquilla Último Momento” (15€ tixs to "España baila flamenco”)
www.taquillultimomomento.com

Richard Roger’s Terminal 4 in Barajas and metro to T4

high speed AVANT train to Toledo

new AVE bullet train to Segovia (*stated* opening date for public: 12/23)
(both a 30 min. ride)

Lots to enjoy!

THANK YOU THANK YOU
We are grateful for the information.
HAPPY NEW YEAR