Six days in Madrid is just not enough! So glad I had scheduled 2 tours before I arrived
through the local AAA, as it allowed me to just enjoy all the sights and sounds
near my hotel without feeling overwhelmed and that I needed to DO something
right away. Toledo was the first tour day then a free day and then Avila
and Segovia with 2 free days after that. Of COURSE I managed to make
friends and chat up some lovely people along the way and found out all sorts of
interesting things to do and see that I hadn't thought about.
My hotel was super and once I figured out how to say my room number in Spanish,
all seemed to go well. They would keep my key as I left and someone was
always on the desk when I returned. I even made sure that I walked up and
down the stairs to my 4th floor room each day even though there was
a glass elevator. Luckily it was good training for all the walking I
would do.
My hotel (Francisco I - I'd recommend it) was right in the
heart of Madrid on a busy walkway / street and I even had a little balcony
overlooking it all. A bit noisy but that’s Madrid… it rarely seems to
sleep… being up until 11 pm isn't unusual as they don’t seem to
eat until around 8 or 9 pm! The balcony doors had
double panes so once closed the noise was gone. I’ve loads of
pictures which will come as soon as I can get them on the computer. I was
near most of the major plazas with the Royal Palace only a few blocks
away. Which I did get into see before I left and it was amazing, plus on
my last day I got to see the changing of Royal Guard which only happens on the
first Wednesday of the month – except for August and September. Managed
to fit in a couple of art museums (one with an amazing exhibit on El Greco)
and found something to photograph on every corner. LOADS of people… as
lot more than I’m used to but everyone managed to share the walkway / streets
with the cars, trucks and scooters that abound! Still not sure how the
ladies don’t sprain an ankle walking on the cobblestone streets in their
amazing array of heeled shoes!
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