| 1> | | | | These three main museums include the world famous |
| This is certainly an excellent idea, and if you are | | | | Prado Museum, and it is here that you will be able to |
| considering spending a week or two here, then there | | | | come face to face with Diego Velázquez's Las |
| is certainly more than enough to keep you | | | | Meninas, as well as witness first hand Francisco de |
| entertained, from the lavish artwork and galleries | | | | Goya's La maja vestida and also his La maja desnuda. |
| throughout the city A vacation in Madrid allows you | | | | Pablo Picasso is also represented, naturally, and you |
| tom enjoy all that is Spanish. Madrid is the epitome | | | | can find his recently returned Guernica hanging in the |
| of art, culture and fine cuisine, but all too often, it can | | | | Reina Sofia Museum. |
| be impossible to fully appreciate what this magnificent | | | | As well as art and culture, Spain, and in particular the |
| city has to offer. Indeed, a visit to Madrid can often | | | | area around the outskirts of Madrid is well known for |
| feel but a scratch on the surface, and for this | | | | something else: excellent wine. No vacation in Madrid |
| reason, more and more people are dedicating an | | | | is complete without a visit to the vineyards of La |
| entire vacation to this city in order to appreciate | | | | Mancha, home of Don Quixote. If the rain in Spain |
| fully everything that it has to offer. | | | | allegedly falls mainly on the plain, the plains in this case |
| This is certainly an excellent idea, and if you are | | | | might well refer to the La Mancha, a vast arid, fertile |
| considering spending a week or two here, then there | | | | area in which a large variety of crops, including barley, |
| is certainly more than enough to keep you | | | | wheat, grapes and cereals are grown. It is the |
| entertained, from the lavish artwork and galleries | | | | expansive cereal crops which have given rise to the |
| throughout the city, the ancient buildings, temples and | | | | large number of windmills noted here, but the |
| other icons of history which have survived as a | | | | extensive vines are used to cultivate and produce a |
| testament to their builders, and of course the | | | | large number of excellent wines. |
| Spanish way of life is easily recognized here, and you | | | | If you really want a holiday to remember, and want |
| can enjoy watching life pass you by in its energetic, | | | | to taste all that Madrid has to offer, then it is easy |
| colorful way, whilst you enjoy a cool drink outside a | | | | to argue that Spanish culture includes its |
| street cafe. | | | | generations-old wine growing tradition, and the best |
| Whilst walking through the city can be thoroughly | | | | way to appreciate this is to book a visit to a winery. |
| enjoyable, and provides an excellent way of seeing | | | | As an example, this opportunity is available as an |
| many of the sights at close quarters, the best | | | | exclusive tour provided through a limited number of |
| possible way to enjoy this city is to have your own, | | | | agents, and it is worth finding one to enjoy the |
| experienced driver. Being chauffeured through the | | | | hospitality offered by such wineries as the Bodegas |
| streets of Madrid will ensure that your time is well | | | | Osborne Malpica. Your personal tastes are almost |
| spent. | | | | certainly likely to be catered for, with a wide range |
| You will be able to see more of the many beautiful, | | | | of different local wines produced using grapes such |
| and well known squares, or plazas, such as the Plaza | | | | as the robust Tempranillo, more famous for the |
| de Espana, the Plaza Mayor Puerto del Sol and also of | | | | Riojas of the North, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit |
| course the many famous streets and avenues, such | | | | Verdot and Syrah. |
| as Castellana and the Gran Via as well. Walking these | | | | After soaking up the art and culture of Madrid, |
| streets during your vacation in Madrid would be time | | | | washed down with not a few glasses of the local |
| consuming, and tiring in the Spanish heat, so having a | | | | vineyard’s finest, you may decide to freshen |
| driver will make a big difference if you are able to | | | | up by visiting the Sierra de Guadarrama mountain |
| take advantage of such a luxury. | | | | region very close by. Here are breathtaking views, |
| One of the most striking aspects of Madrid is its art; | | | | enchanting hiking opportunities and a whole range of |
| indeed, the city is considered to be one of the most | | | | exhilarating mountain sports; you don’t even |
| important cultural destinations for art galleries and art | | | | need to be a climber, with a dedicated mountain |
| related museums, and it is quite possible to spend | | | | railway escorting you all the way up. |
| several days simply browsing the vast range of | | | | There really is much more to see and do in Madrid, |
| artistic culture. If you have a guide, he or she will be | | | | that a holiday in Spain couldn’t possibly give |
| able to direct you to those galleries and museums | | | | you enough time to appreciate the art, culture, |
| which feature art from eras which most interest you, | | | | history and unique flavor of this city. If you’re |
| in order to make best use of your holiday time. | | | | considering a visit, be like the grapes on the vine |
| However, the three of the best art museums can be | | | | — and spend time soaking up as much as you |
| found in the famous Golden Triangle of Art, in the | | | | possibly can — it’s well worth the time. |
| vicinity of Paseo del Prado. | | | | |