| Are you planning a holiday in Madrid, Spain? Surely | | | | of the tower. Much like Times Square in New York, |
| your itinerary is extensive since Madrid has a lot to | | | | this is the place where New Year's celebrations take |
| offer tourists. A good place to start your tour is | | | | place. There are also other festivals held here |
| Puerta del Sol (Gate of the Sun). It is one of the | | | | including the popular Twelve Grapes celebration. In |
| most popular tourist spots in this beautiful city for | | | | this area is also a statue of Charles III and the |
| good reason; at its center lies a slab that marks the | | | | Mariblanca statue of Venus (original is in the Municipal |
| spot where the six main highways of Spain | | | | Museum). |
| transverse. It's also a good point to begin an | | | | Since this has long been a political focal point, you |
| exploration of this part of the old city. | | | | may see protests in this area. They are usually loud |
| Madrid, like many medieval towns of the 15th | | | | and interesting to see but rarely is there any violence. |
| century, used to be surrounded by a protective wall | | | | In this area are many shops, restaurants, and bars |
| and these gates were once the entrance to Madrid. | | | | that are at their busiest late at night. If you're |
| At one time merchants and visitors passed through | | | | planning on a bar hop then know that locals don't |
| the gate and the area gradually grew to a meeting | | | | usually hit the bars until well after midnight (dinner |
| place for politicians from all over the world. | | | | starts at about 10 or later). The areas are also |
| You will find a number of attractions located in its | | | | surrounded by cafes and street performers which |
| vicinity. Start with the sculpture of the bear eating | | | | make for a pleasant people watching opportunity and |
| fruit from the madrone tree. Madrid is named after | | | | a rest for your tired feet. Make property in costa |
| this plant and the bear is an important symbol for | | | | blanca. |
| Madrilenos (people of Madrid). In front of the Regina | | | | A trip to Madrid will surely be an experience you |
| Hotel, look at the statues atop the banks and the | | | | won't soon forget. Take your time, enjoy the |
| amazing architecture of the surrounding buildings. | | | | Spanish atmosphere, and stroll through the center of |
| Nearby are some of Madrid's most important buildings. | | | | Madrid starting at the Puerta del Sol. |
| You'll see a giant clock with clock faces on each side | | | | |