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February 28, 2011

Getting Un-Lost with a Map of Madrid

Filed under: Vacations Spain - 28 Feb 2011 from Harvin Gulfill

Getting to the city of Madrid can be exciting especially when it’s your first time. You’ll find that you will need to come prepared with your own map of Madrid especially when everything is new to you. It’s easy to get lost in the crowd of Madrid after all.

It’s quite easy to get lost in a big crowd, much more if you are quite unfamiliar with the landscape. Therefore securing your own copy of a map of Madrid will help you out of this problem. You will find that you can easily acquire your own personal copy buy purchasing one in bookstores, travel bookstores and even newspaper stands.

Getting a map for free can be quite easy as well. You can go to map quest or goggle maps or any other site that offers a map of Madrid. The important thing is that the map is updated and that you can see the labels and passageways quite clearly.

You will find that in the center of the map of Madrid is the Puerto del sol which is the center of Spain as well. Starting from there you can branch out to different directions, use the highways and go on short walks. If you get lost, you can use that place as a reference point.

You will find quite a variety of maps of Madrid. You will find roadmaps, picture maps and even tourist maps which are quite traveller friendly. They easily point you out to the hotspots of Madrid and give you an idea on how to get there.

There are quite a lot advantages to having a map of Madrid and getting oriented in one of them. You wont easily lose your way around the circular in and outs of the city especially with a map to guide you. Of course it will also help if you decide to buy a Spanish-English dictionary together with your map of Madrid.

Harvin Gulfill is the editor of Storbyrejser. Here you can also read more about Bykort Madrid.

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February 16, 2011

Shopping in Madrid - The Best Time to Shop!

Filed under: Vacations Spain - 16 Feb 2011 from Harvin Gulfill

Flea markets, thrift stores, bargain shops are one of the many places to go shopping in Madrid. Madrid, Spain is not only a home for diverse cultural arts and breathtaking sights; it is also a place to be for great bargains and affordable merchandise.

Shopping in Madrid brings a sensation of topsy-turvy especially during sales. Well, for this city, there are two major sales held annually. The winter sale comes early January and the summer sale which is being done during the month of June. Both sales are being packed by Madrileos and tourists who want to get their hands on almost everything they wanted to buy. From local handicrafts to import handmade, you can all find it here in Madrid.

One popular attraction that is only found here in Madrid is the El Rastro, biggest flea market in the city and in the whole of Europe as well. For bargain fanatics, shopping in Madrid will definitely blow your mind out. Very cheap and so affordable things from clothes, bags, shoes, accessories, handicrafts up to furniture and antiques are being on sale in El Rastro.

When planning to have an all out shopping in Madrid especially for those coming from abroad, take note of the times when shops open and close. Well, as a part of Spanish tradition, afternoon siesta is very much practiced in all kinds of work. Whether in a government office, private business and even shopping stores, it is part of the culture to include siesta with lunch breaks. For Madrileos, business hours start from 10 in the morning and are open till 2pm only, then resumes at around 5 in the afternoon and closes at 8 in the evening.

Shopping in Madrid is definitely an exciting thing to look forward to. Your haggling and convincing skills may somewhat be tested as well to take home your purchases at a lower price. However, just don’t push your luck too much when you haggle okay? You may get at the wrong side of the owner and may end up buying nothing at all. Alright? Have a wonderful shopping in Madrid!

Harvin Gulfill is an expert on Weekend ophold. Visit the website to read more articles about Shopping Madrid.

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January 19, 2011

A Little Bit on Madrid Sights

Filed under: Vacations Spain - 19 Jan 2011 from Harvin Gulfill

If you think you have seen it all, take a trip to Spain and experience the scintillating beauty of Madrid sights. There are a lot of fascinating sights waiting for you to be discovered in this capital city. You might want to visit during May or October where you can get the best views in the year.

The city has a wide range of attractions which caters to a lot of tastes. You can always get started by exploring the city’s center then moving on o the three major districts: the Retiro, Salamanca and Arganzuela. You will find also a lot of tourist spots outside as well.

Downtown, you will find the main town square known as the Plaza Mayor. You will find a lot of cheerful restaurants here. Up ahead is the Palacio Real, the royal palace of Spain which is the main seat of the Spanish family. You can visit around 50 rooms in here. You also might want to explore its vast gardens, commonly known as the Campo del Moro.

If you want a cultural feast then you can visit the many opera houses and theatres in the city. One is the famous Spanish Opera House, the Teatro Real. Downtown area hold a lot of museums which also house a lot of works of famous Spanish artists such as Goya, Velazquez, Rubens, Breughel and many more. You will also find a lot of works from foreign artists in here as well.

There are many parks here should you wish to relax. Retiro is the largest and famous recreational park. The Royal Botanical Garden is recommended for those who want to see many exotic plants and species. You will need to pay an entrance fee though. As for the Retiro Park, everyone can go there for free.

Madrid also has many other things to explore. You will find stadiums and zoos as well as family theme parks. Madrid sights offer you the best experience for your vacation.

Harvin Gulfill is the editor of Storbyrejser. Here you can also read more about Sevaerdigheder Madrid.

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January 14, 2011

Cheap Vacation to Madrid Anyone?

Filed under: Vacations Spain - 14 Jan 2011 from Harvin Gulfill

Get the rest you always dreamed of and break away from a week of stress with a cheap vacation to Madrid. You will find that you can have it within your reach if you know just where to look and where to search.

The best way to avail the cheapest rates o your vacation is to travel off season. You can use this option especially if you have a flexible travel time. The peak season runs along spring and fall therefore you can expect large but manageable crowds and sky high prices. You can avoid this with going off season.

Around the month of August expect a low count on the number of tourist going to the city and you will also find several shops, hotels and stores closing down for the whole month to save up on their expenses. The city though will be quite tranquil and if you prefer a very tranquil city then you can travel on these dates.

If you want to dine within budget then the best thing you can do is to stay clear from hotel restaurants and restaurants near tourist spots. You will find not so good food with extremely high prices near tourist spots. You can get your meals in local taverns and cafes off the street where there are more locals than tourists. The best way to spot a good restaurant is to look for one with many locals in it. Chances are they serve great food with affordable prices.

One restaurant you might want to try is the Museo del Jamon located on San Jeronimo and Calle Mayor. They serve a lot of tasty ham for an affordable price and accompany it with beer.

There are also cheap accommodations in the city but you can get the cheaper if you book in advance. You can try looking them up in Expedia and TravelZoo if you want great steals on those options.

Harvin Gulfill is writting for the website Weekend ophold. Visit it to read more articles about Madrid rejse.

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December 5, 2010

Finding Cheap Flights to Madrid

Filed under: Vacations Spain - 05 Dec 2010 from Harvin Gulfill

Getting on to cheap flights to Madrid can be easy or difficult. It depends on how you look upon your present situation. Also, it depends on the season you will avail your plane ride. Tickets fairs always have fluctuating rates.

A lot of people visit the city of Madrid for its fiery culture, its gorgeous architecture and artistic and rich culture. It is a very accessible place especially if you live in Europe. Its medieval culture, alleys and shops and museums give this bustling city quite a charm.

In catching a cheap flight to this city, there are some things that you need to take note such as time and days to book a flight, the on and on seasons in Madrid and also socio-economic events. These factors always have an effect on the fluctuating airline rates.

A good start in to looking for an affordable ticket is to log on the internet. A lot of airlines have websites where interested would be passengers book tickets. Here you can browse among the many airline rates and select which trip would be of most convenience to you.

Before paying, it will be wise to choose a credible online website. Aside from getting cheap plane fare, you are also ensured of a safe and reliable trip to Madrid. If getting a ticket directly from a travel agent or airline company makes you feel safe, by all means you so.

You can find affordable rates if you book flights during the wee hours of morning or during late night. You will also find cheaper rates during the weekdays especially on Wednesdays and Thursdays. You can also book flights during off seasons because prices also tend to dip a bit.

You can also sacrifice conveniences in flight especially if you will be travelling on short distances. A no fills flight is also one way to get cheap flights to Madrid.

You can read more articles from Harvin Gulfill on the website Flyrejser billige. Here you can also learn more about Billige flyrejser Madrid.

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October 18, 2010

Your Guide To The City Of Madrid

Filed under: Travel and Leisure - 18 Oct 2010 from guest

Many vacationers consider Madrid to be one of the very best destinations available. The cuisine and museums alone create an irresistible attraction. A culturally rich and beautifully colorful city, Madrid should be on the top of your must see list but remember, you will need a passport to visit here. With online passport sites available, you can get your expedited pass port and in your hand in as little as 24 hours so your excursion to this beautiful city can happen more quickly than you may have thought.

Historically, the thought of having to get a passport has been an almost terrifying experience with all the rules, regulations and long lines but that has all changed. Online passport websites can meet all your passport needs, even get you a replacement passport, and can be accessed from your own computer.

When you think of food, think of Madrid as there is so much to enjoy here. A vast variety of the Spanish treat Tapas begins just about every dining experience here. You will find this appetizer presented is a number of varieties, depending upon where you dine. Garlic soup or Sopa de Ajo as it is called here is another great Spanish dish and don’t forget to enjoy their lamb dishes, Gallinejas and Entresijos. Speaking of dining, opened in 1725, Botin is the oldest restaurant in the entire world so be sure to stop by.

The UNESCO has named several World Heritage Sites in Madrid and among them is Toledo. This is an ancient walled city was originated as Spain’s first capital. Also named by UNESCO is Royal Monastery of San Lorenzo de El Escorial which is located in the mountain city of El Escorial. It is the largest monastery in the world. The city of Alcala de Henares was built as the Civitas Die, City of God, and was hoped to be the first utopian community. It later become the center of learning during the Renaissance period and was home to Miguel de Cervantes who wrote Don Quixote.

There are so many places of interest to visit, it is hard to know where to begin. One single street is home to three world famous art museums making Madrid a must see for art lovers. Museo del Prado houses classical pieces of art while the Reina Sofia National Museum and Art Center present modern art, including Picasso’s Guernica. The third is Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum of Art and contains masterpieces from all corners of the globe.

Things to see and do in Madrid are seemingly limitless. You can enjoy a performance of authentic flamenco dancing or set out on the shopping experience of your life by visiting Rastro, a famous flea market where the shopping opportunity is limitless. Ride the cable car known as Teleferico for a breathtaking view of the city but first you have to get your passport or all of this will be out of bounds. An online passport website can get your expedited U.S. passport or get your USA Passport replacement but whatever your need, it will be handled quickly and securely. Get your passport and you can be on your way to Madrid.

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