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Short vacation in Madrid, suggestions?

post #1 of 8
9/1/09 at 3:52pm
Thread Starter 
I'm blatantly ripping off binge's title. My fiance and I are going to Madrid for about five days in mid-October. Accommodations are already handled. I'm looking for recommendations for activities, restaurants, bars, shops, etc.
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post #2 of 8
9/2/09 at 7:44pm
I <3 Madrid.

My girl keeps track of names and places, but there was a famous restaurant that all the bullfighters go to after a fight. Food was only ok, but the atmosphere after a fight was excellent.

I'm guessing any concierge would know the name of it

K
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post #3 of 8
9/2/09 at 8:18pm
Madrid is so awesome. I'm sure there are a ton of great restaurants there, but I went when I was a poor student so I didn't get to go to any of them. There were tons of great tapas bars, but I don't remember the names as I had a friend who lived there who showed me around. Some give you free tapas (not that great though) when you buy drinks. I did make a point of going to the "touristy" Restaurant Botin, because it was one of my favorite writer's favorite restaurants (and also the oldest restaurant in the world). The sucking pig was pretty amazing. I also got a drink at the Ritz Carlton by the Prado which was nice. They have this real badass owl that keeps pigeons at bay.
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post #4 of 8
9/2/09 at 8:46pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by cheessus View Post
Madrid is so awesome. I'm sure there are a ton of great restaurants there, but I went when I was a poor student so I didn't get to go to any of them. There were tons of great tapas bars, but I don't remember the names as I had a friend who lived there who showed me around. Some give you free tapas (not that great though) when you buy drinks.

I did make a point of going to the "touristy" Restaurant Botin, because it was one of my favorite writer's favorite restaurants (and also the oldest restaurant in the world). The sucking pig was pretty amazing.

I also got a drink at the Ritz Carlton by the Prado which was nice. They have this real badass owl that keeps pigeons at bay.

Botin is worth a visit if you have time. Pig was pretty good as was the lamb, but its also a really nice / old / intimate atmosphere for a relaxed dinner with the lady.

K
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post #5 of 8
9/2/09 at 11:04pm
I went to their modern art museum twice. If you like Picasso, Miro or Dali it's a must. If not into modern art, they have 2-3 others (can't remember names) that are top notch too.

Get ready for dinner at 10 pm, hitting bars until 6 am and afternoon siestas when things shut down.
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post #6 of 8
9/3/09 at 12:15am
Eh don't worry about the siestas too much. There's always those Chinese convenience stores that are always open. But yeah, things start late there.
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post #7 of 8
9/3/09 at 11:51am
Quote:
Originally Posted by cheessus View Post
I also got a drink at the Ritz Carlton by the Prado which was nice. They have this real badass owl that keeps pigeons at bay.

Its still just the Ritz (no Carlton).

Once you have seen the galleries, shops and palace etc perhaps you could take a trip out to Toledo and if you have time Aranjuez or in the other direction the Escorial, Avila and/or Segovia.
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post #8 of 8
10/22/09 at 4:13pm
Thread Starter 
I just returned from my trip and had a great time. We skipped Restaurant Botin in favor of Casa Lucio, which is similarly well-known and just down the street. The huevos estrellados were fantastic, and I really enjoyed the suckling pig. While waiting at the bar, King Juan Carlos walked in with the President of Lebanon. It was rather unusual to witness. Otherwise for meals, we'd pick a neighborhood and just jump from place to place, eating tapas and drinking. I don't remember the names of most of the places. It was easiest just to get a feel for the crowd inside and stop in if it looked good. The Prado and the Reina Sofia are both very good museums, and we were able to catch the last bullfight of the year.
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