When visiting a new and exciting place, it is usually not enough to travel around and tour the places of particular historical and cultural interest within or near the area. Sometimes, you have to assimilate yourself into the place’s everyday life. One sure way of doing this is by sampling dishes that are unique to the area.

Madrid in Spain is definitely one of those places where eating and drinking takes precedence over other things. If you are visiting Madrid, visiting some of the popular restaurants should be a part of your Madrid travel plans. If you are planning on doing this, heed your Madrid travel advice and bring with you medication for diarrhea and allergy, just in case. Consult your Madrid travel guide as well to find out how to dress appropriately in the more popular restaurant. Here is a list of restaurants you should definitely visit in Madrid.

1. Jockey Restaurant. This restaurant is considered as one of the institutions that exquisitely combines dining pleasure and magnificent cuisine. It is most attended by Spain’s elite and very distinguished people. Jockey boasts of a selection of over 600 wines. Try their Tuétano con patata, foie y salsa de champagne or Ensalada de atún marinado a la pimienta verde.

2. Zalacain. Zalacain offers the most exquisite Mediterranean cuisine in Madrid. The restaurant features a waiting bar, two main dining rooms and five private rooms. Try their Raviolis de setas, foie y frutas or Steak tartare.

3. Botin. Botin holds the Guiness Book of World Records title of the oldest restaurant in the whole world, having been built way back in 1725. Botin also offer Mediterranean cuisine. Try their Cochinillo asado or their Cordero asado.

4. Casa Lucio. Casa Lucio is frequented by the who’s who in Spain, from politicians to famous actors, to the King of Spain himself. This restaurant specializes in traditional Castilian cuisine. The most popular dish in this equally popular restaurant is their fried egg with French fries. You can also try their callos and rice pudding for dessert.

5. Café de Oriente. Situated in the Plaza de Oriente, Café Oriente is surrounded by a breathtaking view of Madrid, particularly the Royal Palace and the Opera House. Try their vichyssoise and fresh vegetable flan. Although the interior of the restaurant is remarkable, most customers prefer to eat at one of the outdoor tables to bask in the wonderful scenery.

6. Principe de Viana. This restaurant offers exquisite Basque-Navarra cuisine and prides itself with its excellent customer service. As fish is a staple in Basque-Navarra cuisine, try their bacalao ajoarriera, which is cod with red peppers and tomatoes or their merluza en salsa verde which is hake in parsley, garlic, and olive oil sauce.

7. Asador Donostiarra. Asador Donostiarra also offers Basque cuisine. Their loyal clientele include local and international celebrities.

8. Las Cuatro Estaciones. Las Cuatro Estaciones closely rivals Jockey Restaurant in terms of popularity among its clientele. The interiors are decorated with a multitude of different flowers that are modified with the season. Try their crab bisque and blanquette of monkfish.

9. Viridiana. This restaurant’s name is taken from the classic Luis Buñuel film of 1961. The food and ambience invite you to relax. Notable dishes include their venison and rabbit arranged on a plate with fresh greens.

10. El Viejo Almacén de Buenos Aires. El Viejo Almacén de Buenos Aires is very popular in Madrid. It offers Argentinean cuisine.

With these information, it would truly be easy for you to include sampling some of the best dishes in these restaurants as part of your Madrid travel itinerary. This is a sure way of making your Madrid travel experience extraordinary.

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Madrid is one of the cities in Europe that are full of cultural and aesthetic splendor. Thus, it is no wonder that the Madrid travel experience draws hordes and hordes of tourists into the city every year. If you are one of these tourists, we certainly do not reproach you. Madrid travel plans should be built around activities that are observed all year round. With the typical travel to Madrid experience, whether you are on a historical tour or on a religious pilgrimage, you will find something that will interest you.

December and January revolve around the Christmas and New Year holidays. Christmas is usually time with the family punctuated with important meals and gift-giving. The Day of the Innocents, which is celebrated on December 28 follows close on the heels of Christmas Day. The whole Day of Innocents gives everybody a license to perform practical jokes on everybody else, much like during April Fool’s Day. The New Year is met with a lot of elaborate fireworks and good partying. Expect a sizeable crowd during the celebration. January 5 marks the Epiphany and the arrival of the Three Kings who walk through the streets giving presents to good boys and girls.

February in Madrid means a lot of dancing in the streets as the Carnival is celebrated throughout the country. The Festival Flamenco Caja Madrid, which features the best flamenco dancers, is also staged in February. Another celebration that is prevalent nationwide but most especially in Madrid is La Candelaria, which commemorates the time Joseph and Mary presented Jesus at the temple.

The Madrid Dance Festival (Madrid en Danza) starts on March and lasts until the end of April. Semana Santa (Holy Week) is usually observed in April. The observance is dominated by religious traditions but there are also a number of non-religious activities during the week. In May, the Fiesta de San Isidro, which is the most significant festival in Madrid is celebrated by staging concerts, dancing, and bullfighting. July is an exciting month with charging bulls in La Puebla de Montalban near Toledo, bullfighting and music in Avila, and a succession of flamenco shows in Segovia.

August is heralded by festivities around Madrid, primarily in La Latiena, Lavapies, and La Granja, and the bull running in Cuellar which is near Madrid. During the last week of August, a giant puppet display is staged in Alcala de Henares. September brings with it a handful of religious activities particularly the Fiesta de la Virgen dela Vega in Salamanca, Romería de Nuestra Señora de Chilla in Avila, Romería de Hontanares and Romería del Santísimo Cristo del Caloco in Segovia, and Romería de la Virgen de Gracia in Madrid. Locals also observe the festival of Toro de la Vega which is when a sacrifice of bull is made on the streets. The Saturday night around the 20th is called La Noche en Blanco. A multitude of cultural activities, including musical, film, photography, art, and theatre performances, are staged for free throughout the city on this particular night.

October is ushered in by Madrid’s major performing arts festival called Festival de Otoño. Companies are invited to take part in theatre, dance, music and circus performances. Mid-month, the Valladolid International Film Festival, as well as the Fiesta de la Rosa del Azafrán, which celebrates the locally grown saffron, are held. Two gay film festivals dominate the month of November, the Alcine Film Festival in Alcalá de Henares and International Gay and Lesbian Film Festival in Madrid.

With all these activities, there is no doubt that Madrid is really for people from all walks of life. When in the area, make sure to incorporate these activities in your Madrid travel itinerary. Be sure also to be accompanied by a map or a Madrid travel guide.

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Madrid, Spain is truly a great place for tourists and vacationers. Aside from the Smörgåsbord of architectural, historical, and cultural sites, there is also a varied selection of activities you can try during your stay there. It doesn’t even matter whether you’re alone, traveling with friends or family, or honeymooning with your spouse. You will surely find something that will suit your unique preference and style. Make sure to include these incredibly interesting places in your Madrid travel itinerary.

1. Tour the Plaza Mayor
Plaza Mayor is at the center of Madrid. During the Spanish Inquisition, it was used as “autos de fe” against people accused of being heretics, as well as the executions of those found guilty and sentenced to death. Nowadays, you can take a stroll through the plaza while admiring breathtaking architecture and murals. You can also purchase an original painting in watercolor done by any of the pavement artists that hound the grounds.

2. Visit Palacio Real
Palacio Real is a colossal palace that holds the honor of being the largest palace in Western Europe. It stands on an area of more the 135,000 m² with more that 2,800 rooms. The palace houses various historical collections including the Royal Armoury, the only complete Stradivarius string quartet in the world, tapestry, porcelain, furniture, etc. A stroll along the grounds outside is enough to occupy a whole morning.

3. Tour the Golden Triangle
The Golden Triangle is composed of Spain’s three most remarkable art museums, all of which are a mere 15 minutes walk from each other. The museums are Museo del Prado, Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofia, and Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza. Museo del Prado houses a vast selection of paintings and sculptures, including over 100 paintings of Francisco Goya. Reina Sofia, on the other hand, boasts of a collection of 20th century art, foremost of which is Pablo Picasso’s Guernica. The Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza contains the Thyssen-Bornemisza collection, once the largest private collection in the world, second only to that of the Queen of Britain. The collection consists of over 1,600 paintings of impressionists, expressionists, as well as European and American paintings from the latter half of the 20th century.

4. Watch Real Madrid
Get a healthy dose of adrenaline and excitement by watching the Real Madrid play at the Bernabeu Stadium. Real Madrid is one of the best teams in Spanish football. If you take a guided tour, you will be able to walk down the players’ tunnel, stand in the Presidential box and even visit the dressing rooms.

5. Visit Faunia
Faunia is a famous nature theme park. It protects 3,500 animals in four zones with 10 pavilions, that feature almost everything from arctic regions to tropical rainforests.

6. Ski at Xanadu Snow Park
Xanadu Snow Park features two slopes, one for beginners, and one for those who are intermediates to experts. If you don’t like to ski, you can still spend time in Xanadu’s shopping complex, one of the largest in Spain, which features a cinema, 10-pin bowling, go-karting, and mini golf.

7. Take the Teleferico Cable Cars
The Teleferico cable cars affords a view of the city, including the Parque del Oaste, the Manzanares River, Palacio Royal, etc. during a more or less 15-minute ride.

8. Retiro Park
Retiro is a large boating lake. After getting tired from rowing a boat, you can get refreshments at one of the many cafes in the park. You can also be serenaded by one of many street musicians.

9. Medina Mayrit Arabic Baths
The Medina Mayrit Arabic Baths are Turksih style steam baths that are situated at the heart of the city.

10. Go bar-hopping and clubbing
Madrid has a large number of Irish, Latino, and Flamenco bars, as well as dance clubs. Huertas near Plaza Sta. Ana is very popular place where young people can go drinking and dancing. Palacio Gaviria is also a dance club that also offers tango lessons on weekdays. El Tempranillo is a bar that boasts of an impressive collection of wines and tapas.

Indeed, Madrid is a haven for tourists who want to get to know more of a new place’s history and everyday life. If you are set to travel to Spain, you should definitely include a visit to these places in your Madrid travel plans. For historical places, it is best to bring with you a Madrid travel guide that will include several comments about the places you are visiting. If you will be traveling without a guide, get a Madrid travel map for yourself. To avoid inconveniences such as climate changes or heavy traffic, be sure to be informed of any Madrid travel advisory.

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