Madrid
Madrid has it all. City break with shopping and recreation. The city is just buzzing, where ever you go, and regardless of the hour. The city simply never sleeps.
Gran Via, the grandest street, passes through the center of the city and there are so many experiences on both sides of the road. Plaza Mayor is a magnificent square in the city center. Mercado de San Miguel is an interesting food marked.
My favourite spot in Madrid, is, hands down, Templo De Debod. An Egyptian temple in Parque de la Montaña, which was a gift from the Egyptian Government. It came to Madrid in 1968. Today, there is unfortunately a disagreement whether it was actually a gift or just on loan, so Egypt demand to have it returned. Madrid, however, is not having it.
From Templo de Debod you get an incredible view of Madrid especially at sunset. Even the locals flock here for a sunset selfie with the Royal Palace as a backdrop. The temple is open to visits.
A different experience in Madrid is the Teleferico. A cable car leading 2,5 kilometres away from the city. The view of Madrid is spectacular. You have to see it. Unfortunately, the cable car is closed for renovation.
I am a Madridista!
I am a Real Madrid fan in my heart. It is a very special experience to watch a football game at Bernabeu Stadium and in Spain, also. The Spanish have the notion that you do not choose a team to support, it is chosen for you before you are even born.
The Bernabeu Stadium is an impressive piece of architecture and it seats 80.000 spectators. It is currently undergoing reconstruction and modernisation works.
Bull fighting is a massive part of the Spanish culture and heritage. Las Ventas, the bull fighting arena in Madrid is a stunning piece of architecture. It is my favourite building in the whole city. You can do a self-guided tour and dive into the artform that the Spanish call bull fighting.
You cannot miss out on a spectacular flamenco show. This is Spanish culture at the core. I watched a 1 hour show at Las Tablas at Plaza España. It was incredible. The guitarist, the singer and the two flamenco dancers. Wow, just wow!
I took a day-trip from Madrid to UNESCO world heritage site, El Escorial, a former royal residence, and Valley of the Fallen, a memorial to the fallen during the Spanish civil war from 1936-1939. Absolutely incredible!
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