Heart of Spain - Madrid

We have really enjoyed our four days in Madrid. This city is just packed with so much culture. As much as we really enjoy the small towns we have visited along the way, the major cities just feel more like home. (Living in NYC has destroyed us forever!)

Each day we sleep in until ten or eleven, hit up a major attraction, eat lunch, siesta for a couple of hours, eat dinner, stroll through the lively streets and plazas, and go to bed around one or two. Really, who could ask for much more in life?

The museums in Madrid are amazing. We went to the Museo del Prado and sucked up all of the Spanish art we could get. The Goya section was by far our favorite. Sara hit up the Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza to get her fill of impressionist art while John was getting his modern art fix at the Cento de Arts Reina Sofia. Later that evening Sara walked through the Parque del Buen Retiro - Madrid's version of Central Park. The park was alive with people strolling, running, boating, sleeping. It was wonderful! There is nothing better than relaxing in a beautiful park in the middle of a city.

We have loved spending time in the Plaza Mayor and Puerto del Sol. There is so much happening. The street performers are both freaky and amazing. We could watch some of the performers for hours! We are coming up with some good street performing ideas just in case we can't find jobs when we get back!

Our last day in Madrid was spent touring the Palacio Real and Catedral de Nuestra Senora de la Almudena. We toured fifty of the two thousand rooms in the palace. The royal family moved to a smaller palace outside of Madrid but still uses this lavish palace for entertaining guests. We are hoping our next visit to Madrid includes a dinner with the King and Queen. The Cathedral had amazing colorful and modern stained glass windows. It was a nice surprise to see so much light and color in a large cathedral like that. Spain, you really know how to spice things up!

PS - any country that eats churros and hot chocolate for breakfast is destined to be amazing!