Traveler Magazine Andrew Harper Traveler Summer 2019 | Page 30

28
Madrid
(2 Nights)
Spend a few days in this lively metropolis and
you’ll quickly get into the swing of Spanish
life. Vibrant yet laidback, Madrid’s residents
embody Spain’s joie de vivre attitude with an
infectious warmth and a passion for good food
and wine. A culinary and art powerhouse,
few other cities can compete with Madrid’s
innovative restaurants and world-class
museums, and with jet lag on your side, the
traditional 10:00 p.m. dinnertime won’t feel
like such a stretch.
Madrid is surprisingly accessible, and most
major sights are within a comfortable walking
distance. That said, start your visit with a
private city tour and you’ll be sure to catch all
the highlights. For lunch, stop by Mercado de
San Miguel, the city’s historic food market,
where you’ll find stalls from some of the city’s
best-known chefs and restaurants. Afterward,
stretch your legs with a leisurely walk through
El Retiro Park, a green oasis in the heart of
the city.
The next day, spend the morning admiring
the Velazquez collection at the Prado,
Picasso’s Guernica at the Reina Sofia or the
Impressionist masterpieces at the Thyssen-
Bornemisza. In the afternoon, explore the
upscale shopping district of Salamanca, one
of the city’s most exclusive neighborhoods,
before embarking on a guided tour of the city’s
celebrated tapas bars in the early evening.
PHOTO
L A P U E R TA
D E L S O L , M A D R I D, S PA I N
SUMMER | 2019
C O N TACT YO U R T R AV E L A DV I S O R TO DAY