Madrid is a lovely experience for anyone visiting Spain. The city is beautiful with well preserved old buildings - especially in the old part of the city. No sky scrapers dotting the sky, lovely parks all over the city with people relaxing, walking, running and generally enjoying themselves.
Food, sight-seeing and shopping
There are several road side restaurants which one should visit and just take in the scenery as it goes by.. At road crossings, when traffic is stopped for the lights, jugglers perform and in some open atriums, BMX bikers perform tricks.. lots of shopping as Madrid is the style capital of Europe.. but every thing is very expensive ..!! Food is excellent.. and non-vegetarians can order the tender meat of the haunches of pigs from the side on which it rests!
Activities & things to do
Dont miss a Flamenco show which is put up in several places across the city.. It may be a small hall at the back of a restaurant or a proper theatre.. Its an experience not to be missed.. the vitality, rhythm and the clapping and stacatto dancing and stupendous guitaring will make you want more of it.. The sheer energy displayed by the men who do the tap dance or the flowing skirts of the women dancing is a feast for the eyes! There are several museums .. for those who like modern art there is the Sofia which has original works by Salvador Dali, Picasso etc. For those who like traditional art there are other art museums.
Travel tips, How to reach, travel warnings etc.
Weather was very pleasant in mid April and only a light jacket is required. From India Madrid is reached via Munich or Frankfurt.
