Madrid

As the Capital City of Spain, Madrid is a powerhouse in the International world. A visit to Madrid could be short, but the longer you spend, the more you will come to enjoy the city. Take in all the sights and get the history about the Spanish Empire that was dominant in the 16th and 17th centuries.  

Take a walk to the Royal Palace, the largest Royal Palace in Western Europe, or visit the Temple of Debod, an ancient Egyptian temple that was (re)built in Madrid. 

Puerta del Sol, a huge square next to the Post Office, is where you will find many street performers, people dressed up for photos (like the ever popular ‘Casa De Papel’ masked robbers) and is a central hub to get around the city. For nightlife and shopping, head to Gran Vía, Madrid’s cultural, shopping, and entertainment district, and stumble onto a square that resembles Time Square in NYC. 

Madrid is home to one of the World’s most popular art museums in the world – the Prado – and Retiro Park sits directly to the East. This park is a stunning green space (with the trees full of shades of reds and yellows in the fall) that is home to the oldest tree in the city (planted in 1633), as well as the Crystal palace; an iron and glass pavilion in the heart of the park. 

For the foodies – grab a cup of (overpriced) coffee in Plaza Major to soak in the atmosphere and people watch or read a book, before heading over to the Mercado San Miguel for some tasty food. The market is not your traditional food stall market, but rather a culinary feast to try out some of the best that Madrid offers. Tapas bars are set up inside, with everything from beer, cheese, meat & seafood, coffee & pastries, and traditional tapas like patatas bravas. For dessert — head to Puerta Del Sol to the Chocolatería San Ginés for some churros con chocolate — a classic Spanish treat for your tastebuds.