Here we are in Madrid staying at Hotel Regina not far from Sol Plaza in the centre. Wow what a big city full of people, full of bustle & very vibrant. It is much cooler than Seville with temperatures in mid 20's.
We had a very comfortable 1st class train trip taking 2 1/2hrs followed by 1 1/2 hrs at the station waiting to reserve the next leg to Bilbao!!! Very frustrating, however finished catching up on my blog whilst listening to the numbers being slowly called to the counter!
Settled into our hotel & after a few hours of sight seeing on foot, came back & I got stuck in the lift for 30 long minutes!!! Not happy Jan! I had gone to reception to get better coverage skyping Jodie in Scotland, & Michael was following shortly after. All apologetic & asked if I needed anything? A stiff G&T for two please, was my reply which was accommodated!
The streets are angled into central plaza's unlike the square blocked streets in Barcelona. Their are street artists everywhere, also quite a number of beggars with joint deformities & missing limbs,(horrible to see).
Thursday:
A day of sight seeing with Michael on the Hop on hop off bus & me on a bike tour for 4 hours. I had a great time with 8 others in the group, all from USA, & a guide giving us amazing history & tales as we went. It was worth every cent of E24 ($32). Michael watched Eagles beaten by 7pts by Essendon after his 3hour tour.
The Royal Palace with it's 2,800 rooms, is the oldest one in Europe taking 100 years to comlete in 1994. It is quite spectacular, with the Cathederal adjacent which we didn't enter as not ABC!!!
Ran out of time to visit the Reina Sofia Museum & Padro Museum which I feel sure would have been others 1st choice over a bike tour! Also wanted to take a tour to Toledo (the old capital & original seat of parliment). Needed more days in Madrid. Next time?!
Dinner at The Mario Parrilla with another good red & steak, not tapas as sick of them! We heard San Sebastián has the best tapas in Spain.
Back to hotel to watch Spain beating Italy in the Soccer Semi Finals (penalty shootout) played in Brazil.
Friday: (today)
We are on another train to Bilbao, which is very comfortable. Much greener & cooler as we head North. Still no clouds in Spain, but believe we are heading for a bit of rain!
Racing to catch the train to Madrid from Seville,(they don't wait ), & I still took a shot!!!
Plaza Mayor is a central plaza in Madrid where there have been bull fights, soccer games & executions in the past! The biggest square surrounded by these buildings with restaurants in each corner.
Plaza Sol
Same plaza at 2230.
Royal palace
Street artists
Plaza de La Villa a former Town Hall until 2007.
Vendors getting ready to set up their wares at 2300.
Drink stop after 2hrs. Young tour guide in yellow on the right.
Beautiful rose gardens
Didn't work out very well. A huge lake with people rowing about!
City Hall ( since 2007)
City Gate
Our last night in Madrid. Dinner at The Mario Parrilla.
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