Glorious Historic Madrid After breakfast, we set off for an in-depth walking tour of Madrid's historic heart, beginning with the Madrid's center, the Puerta del Sol, and ending in the Plaza Mayor, built during Phillip III's reign. Along the way, we wandered through the narrow, winding historic lanes, visited local artisans, and traipsed through a wonderful market overflowing with vendors selling the most delicious-smelling wares. We learned more about Madrid's development as Spain's capital city over the centuries, and I got to marvel at the incredible architectural details embedded everywhere I turned (also, rainbows, rainbows everywhere).
Our tour included a visit to the luxurious Royal Palace, which has 2,000 rooms...insanity! Frederico provided us with utterly hilarious commentary on royal affairs, regaling us with centuries of gossip as well as insightful reflections on the shifting role of the monarchy in the Spanish state and civil society. One important travel tip: pay attention to what cultural institutions are hosting while you're in the city. You never know what your trip might fortuitously coincide with! Our hotel in Madrid happened to be right down the street, literally, from the gorgeous Teatro de la Luz Philips. A quick Google search revealed that the St. Petersburg Ballet was in town and performing that night at the Teatro de la Luz Philips! My mom and I were both ballet dancers in our youth, and we share a deep love for the athleticism and artistry of dance. We jumped on the opportunity, got some inexpensive tickets, and thoroughly enjoyed their performance of Swan Lake. An unexpected twist, but most of the best parts of travel arise from the unexpected, after all. |
All journeys have secret destinations of which the traveler is unaware. -Martin Buber |