I didn't know what to think about Madrid before we arrived. I've heard loads of people say how beautiful Barcelona is without much mention of Madrid - it had me worried. Well the verdict is in and Madrid totally impressed - it’s the perfect old city being used in a modern way. Small enough to cover on foot but metropolitan enough to have loads to see. Its very tourist friendly thanks to a great metro and signage. All that plus great food equal a fabulous trip.
On our first day we took a tour around the city at night.
The weather was pretty erratic. Most of the time it was raining but then we'd get about an hour of brillant blue skies before the wet weather returned. I squeezed in as many photos as I could when it was dry.
When it was really coming down, there was plenty to do indoors. Like view the masterpieces at the Prado. I only got off 2 photos before I was yelled at - photos are not allowed!
And of course there was always a place to stop in for a bite to eat - food was a highlight. I've never eaten so much cured meat!
When it was dry enough for an umbrella, we hoofed it all over town.
Just after the sun set on the last day of 2009, we saw a race right outside our hotel window. Pretty in pink!
Then it was time to ring in the New Year with Uvas de la Suerte (Good luck grapes). Trust me, stuffing 12 grapes in your mouth at midnight isn't as easy as it sounds.
With barely a hangover, we hoped back on the metro to the airport.
For those that follow me on Twitter - you already know my bags were lost. Thankfully they were found again after 2 days. Maybe they stopped off in Barcelona for a visit?
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Oh, yay! I went to Madrid last summer and loved it! As always you pictures are stunning!!! I am so envious of your jet setting lifestyle!
ReplyDeleteim so jealous!
ReplyDeleteI just discovered your blog today. Beautiful pictures! I especially love the last one at the Prado.
ReplyDeletei absolutely LOVE you & mr. limstone's sense of adventure. your short trips have really left an impression on me & inspired me to do more of the same...instead of waiting for those minimum 2 week breaks. thank you.
ReplyDeleteWow! Such a wonderful trip! Did you get to see a flamenco show? I love flamenco, so beautiful to watch.
ReplyDeleteWhat a fun trip! Your pictures are gorgeous, as usual.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the virtual tour. The vertical garden is so interesting and beautiful. (There is something quirky going on whenever I try to post. I always have to preview it twice before it will allow my comment to go through.)
ReplyDeleteOh wow....Madrid is absolutely gorgeous. Glad you decided to share the beauty with us!
ReplyDeleteplease adopt me!
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful adventure for the new year! love it! :)
ReplyDeleteI love living through your travels! Those images are amazing :).
ReplyDeleteI love your life! And look, more fabulous photos. The image of the Metropolis is stunning...Janell
ReplyDeleteI studied in Spain during undergrad back in the 90's...thanks for taking me back with your pictures! Madrid and Barcelona are still two of my favorite places. And the cured meat doesn't hurt either ;-)
ReplyDeleteI love Madrid! What a wonderful way to ring in the new year. Your pictures are absolutely gorgeous. We are currently planning a trip to Spain for this summer. I have blogged about it a couple of times this week. How did you like Iberia? Would you recommend that airline?
ReplyDeleteAhhh! Amazing! I was wondering where you had jet-setted this time! The husband and I are looking to take a trip to Spain + Portugal this summer too, and Madrid is definitely on the list! And fabulous pics as usual. :)
ReplyDeleteGorgeous photos! Hopefully by the time I make it to Europe, my photo. skills will be half as good as yours. Happy New Year!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photos! I studied abroad in Spain 10 years ago. Your pics (esp. the cured meat and the Iberia plane) brought back memories. What a great way to celebrate the new year!
ReplyDeleteMadrid looks stunning! I've never been - I'm very tempted to now! xx
ReplyDeleteI love Madrid! I'd been to Barcelona a bunch of times but never to Madrid. Like you, I didn't know what to expect because it gets overshadowed by Barcelona. I think that was actually a good thing because I was so pleasantly surprised by everything. The food was fabulous and the Prado is one of my favorite museums. Love your photos!
ReplyDeleteHello, I have just found your blog and I love it! These are amazing pictures of Madrid. I have never been there, but after visiting Barcelona I decided that I would. Your photos make me grab my suitcase immediately :-) Have a nice day, Monika
ReplyDeleteI did Madrid for NYE in 2001. Did you go to one of the plazas for all the festivities? It was a trip that I'll never forget!!!
ReplyDeleteSo jealous of all your travels, but I'm so glad you share them here...and great photos as usual!
ReplyDeleteOh man those pictures bring back so many memories!! I spend my Jr. year in college in Madrid and it was the best year of my life...so far! I love that place more than anything and consider it my second home- i'm so pea green with envy right now :)
ReplyDeleteAs always, amazing photos! How do you get to travel so much? Do you get frequent flyer miles for frequent flyer miles... i have lost count how mnay tips you two have been on this year. But what a blessing to be able to visit so many amazing countires at such a young age. I have never been out of the states, but dream of it some day.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photos. We have never traveled outside the US but I have enjoyed living through you as you travel to places I will never go. Glad you had a great time.
ReplyDeleteWow - I dream of being able to travel as much as you & your husband do! Looks like it was a great trip!
ReplyDeletePaloma - Iberia was okay. The food was pretty bad but the seat was fine. I always hear that international carriers are better than American ones but I didn't see that here. But really nothing to complain about.
ReplyDeleteMolly - Yes, we get frequent flyer miles. As much as possible we try to book our tickets through one airline so we maximize our trips (and get some freebies when we can). As far as "how" we travel so much - Im not sure what you mean but obviously we try to squeeze as many trips we can in the vacation days we have.
BlahBlahBlahger - No, we didn't brave the plazas. It was pouring out so we had dinner close to our hotel.
Mango - No, we didn't see the flamenco. I just figured it was a tourist trap but I might have been too quick to discount it.
oh how my heart resides in Madrid! I visited Spain in 2003 when I was studying abroad. This city stole every part of my heart. I love it more than Barcelona. It's so nice to see you loved it too!
ReplyDeleteI am insanely jealous. I haven't been international since summer and am dying for a trip. Spain has always been high on my list. Will you be posting more photos? Those are amazing and it looks like so much fun even with the rain. The 12 grapes sounds interesting. So lucky you have a husband that must love travel as well.
ReplyDeleteI am happy you liked my country :-)... yes, I am in Spain. Well, actually I am not spanish, but have been living here for over 20 years(I am finnish living in Malaga on the southern coast of Spain). I enjoy very much your blog and it's always the first one I check out when I have time to sit down in front of the computer. I especially like the pics and the comments on your trips...
ReplyDeleteWhat a way to ring in the new year! Great photos...thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeletelovely photos. wishing i could go on a trip soon. i am so ready to get out of here. i have always wanted to go to spain!
ReplyDeletebtw, i'm thinking you're onto something here. short trips may be a good idea after all. i have so many places i want to see! except i live on the west coast..not as easy as nyc :(
ReplyDeleteI live in Madrid and you perfectly captured my beautiful city. :) Well done! Glad you enjoyed it!
ReplyDeleteMy husband and I spent two weeks in Spain in 2008. We loved Madrid and Barcelona, but the two cities couldn't have been more different. If you get the chance, go to Barcelona, it's absolutely beautiful, fun, loose. Madrid was wonderful as well but I compare Madrid to DC and Barcelona to Miami/San Fran feel. We loved Spain, especially the CAVA: Spanish sparkling wine.
ReplyDeleteI just found your blog through the Times Online, and I'm so excited! I love all your content, and your pictures are breathtaking. I studied abroad in Spain, and your pictures capture Madrid wonderfully!
ReplyDeleteI would love for you to do a post about how you plan for the trip. How you choose the hotel and what to do in such a short amount of time. How to get in touch with local guides, etc.
ReplyDeletelove your blog!!
In 2003, I went to Madrid with my college. My teacher said that Barcelona was more Americanized than Madrid.
ReplyDeleteWere you able to go to the Reina Sofia Museum where the famous Picasso painting is? Very moving!
Great pics Mrs. Limestone!
Jealous! Barclona is amazing your photos prove Madrid is just as cool!
ReplyDeleteSo jealous! It looks amazing!
ReplyDeleteWhen I grow up I want to be just like you and country hop as my long weekend excursions! Such fun!
ReplyDeleteReally amazing photos! Thanks for sharing the beauty of Madrid.
ReplyDelete~ Joanna
Excellent Mrs. Limstone, I love arm chair traveling:) Happy New Year to you!
ReplyDeletexo,
Miss B.
no, I think your bags were on a "siesta"-
ReplyDeletehappy travels, I can see it in your photos
happy smiling places.
pve
How was traveling internationally now and were there extra long delays?
ReplyDeleteAdventure is your middle name.
:-)
Melissa - These are pretty much the highlight of the photos so I won't be posting more.
ReplyDeleteKoodeker - Europe may be harder for you but Asia is so much easier so its all a trade off.
Danielle - No, we didn't make it to the Reina. If we had more time maybe but Im not a big modern art fan so it wasn't that high on my list of things to do.
Naz - Traveling now is pretty much the same. The only additional delay was that on our connection from London, everyone got pat down and bags searched. But hardly much of an inconvienence.
Unbelievable. You are truly my travel hero! What a fun way to ring in the new year! And I think I could put a big dent in that tower of Veuve yellow label...that's my fave!
ReplyDeleteI am *jealous*. I prefer Barcelona to Madrid, but Madrid is great and so are your beautiful photos!
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear about your bags. Lost mine once going from France to Spain. I guess one of the hazards of air travel.
I so envious of he wordly travels! Gorgeous pics as always! Happy New Year!
ReplyDeleteMadrid looks dreamy! I may have to highlight it on my next travel post!
ReplyDeletelovely pics. i am planning on going to madrid as well. can you suggest a hotel, which one did you stay at?
ReplyDeleteGorgeous- you've captured the fun and culture brilliantly!
ReplyDeleteThe color in these images is stunning!
ReplyDeleteHow fun are you?!! Your pics are gorgeous as usual. Must be nice to be able to hop on a plane and fly off into the sunset. Thank God for vicarious living and your blog :)
ReplyDeletePaula Grace
OK, like everyone above, i'm totally jealous.
ReplyDeleteOh to live in the northern hemishpere where it might be possible to head to these gorgeous locations for a short break.
Lovely images, thanks for sharing the experience!
jules
Beautiful pictures!!! you captured so much of the city in just those few snapshots... loves the strawberries!!! :)
ReplyDeletethat looks like such a wonderful trip! i've always wanted to go to madrid, and it was great to live vicariously through your great images. hope you're recovering from the jetlag!
ReplyDeletexo katherine aka. urban flea :)
http://www.urbanfleadesign.net
oh i am SO jealous! i hope you had a wonderful time. gorgeous photos as always.
ReplyDeletekelly
What great pictures and how FUN, I have never been but it is on the list
ReplyDeleteWhat does Mr Limestone do for a living ? How neat you both like to travel and it blows my mind how short your trips are, most would go to the mts or perhaps another state not you guys lol
Nice post Happy New Year
thnx again for sharing your trip pictures. i feel i was on trip also. goodluck!! were waiting for more!
ReplyDelete