VISITING MADRID, SPAIN.

Right at the geographical center of the Iberian Peninsula, the capital city of Spain
is center of economics and administration of the country. With a legacy of centuries of fascinating history, art and culture are very important in Madrid life.
The city offers a broad variety of accommodations and services, that combined with the momentum of a society that is dynamic and open, and at the same time warm and welcoming, has turned this metropolis into one of the western world's great capitals.
"El Prado" is the most important of its 73 museums. It has kept for over 175 years,
works enjoyed only by the monarchy before.- With its annex, "El Cason del Buen Retiro", is one of the world's finest galleries; exhibiting paintigs by El Greco, Rubens, Goya, El Bosco and many more.

One of Madrid's better known and busiest places is "La Puerta del Sol" (The Gate of the Sun). It is the center (Kilometer "0") of the radial network of the Spanish roads.- The Square is also where the famous clock that marks with its bells the traditional eating of the twelve grapes, and the beginning of a new year is located.
La Puerta del Sol originated as one of the gates in the wall that surrounded Madrid in the 15th century, and its name came from the rising sun seen from it, since the gate was oriented to the east. Now, a metro station named Sol lies under the Square.

GASTRONOMY.
Since Phillip II made Madrid the capital of Spain, numerous recipes and influences from all regions of the country entered its kitchen. Today, its practically impossible to say which dishes are original and which imported, so Madrid offers more of a Spanish, than a regional cuisine.

In Spain, dinner is served between 9 and 11 pm. (sometimes as late as 12 midight),
leaving significant time between work and dinner. During that time, Spaniards often go "bar hopping" (Spanish: Ir de tapas) and eat tapas before dinner.
Tapas is the name of a variey of appetizers served when you order wine or an alcoholic beverage of some kind. The word "Tapa"means lid, or cover. There are several explanations for the etymology of "tapa", the most commonly cited is that an item, such as bread or a flat card, etc. would often be placed on top of a drink to protect it from fruit flies. At some point, it became a habit to top the drinks with a snack.- Razor thin slices of Serrano ham, chorizo (sausage) and some kind of cheese, are the most popular tapas requested in bars when ordering a beer or a glass of wine.
Madrid has many exceptionally good restaurants; their Chefs rating among the best in the world. Internationally, I believe that the most known Spanish dish is the "Paella". One of my favorites are "gambas" (shrimp) deepen in a vinagreta sauce, covered by floating, finely chopped onion.


Going to a"Tablao Flamenco" should be in your What to do list while visiting
Madrid; where you can dine, drink wine or sangria, and enjoy the Flamenco guitar, singing and dancing. El Corral deLa Moreria, is considered to be one of the most famous in the world. Get there early. About half a block away, is a bar where you can sample some very good tapas with a glass of wine, in a very pleasant ambience while waiting for The Corral to open it's doors.