Magnificent Madrid

All work and no play make Jack a dull boy. The question is do you wish to be a dull Jack or do you want to break free from your routine life and visit a magnificent city that is rich with glorious history, splendid architecture and museums with a splendid collection of art and artefacts?

If your idea of the ideal vacation is to stroll through a picturesque city, then Madrid is the place for you. From amazing architecture, astonishing collection of art to a daredevil sport like bull fighting, you name it, this city has it all.

If you want to take a few steps back in time and go back to the 15th century (you do not need a time machine), then Puerta del Sol, also known as the Gate of the Sun is the place to visit. It is one of the gates of the city wall that surrounded the city back in the 15th century. Oriented to the east, the gate is decorated with a rising sun. Puerta del Sol used to be the busiest place back in time and it still is.

Walk a few blocks and you will reach the Plaza Mayor, a gigantic plaza built during the Hapsburg era. Three story residential buildings surround the rectangular shaped 129 by 94 meter plaza. One interesting feature of these building is the 273 balconies, all facing the plaza. Since its creation this has been a prime location for various festivals — bull fights, coronation of kings and queens and even executions.

When in Madrid, you have to stroll the Parque del Buen Retiro. The most stunning feature of this park is a statue named El Angel Caído. What makes this statue different from the other statues is that it is dedicated to Satan.

There is no way you can come to Madrid and not visit the Prado museum. Every day a large number of people come to this highly-acclaimed museum. The art collection is one of the largest in the world. Works of famous artists such as Goya, Bartolomé Bermejo, Alonzo Cano, El Greco can be seen here.

All in all, Madrid is a dream city where you can have a dream vacation. This is something you would not want to miss, would you? Then it is time to pack your bags and grab your passport. This is one trip you will never forget, that is for sure.