THE MADRID CARD - TRANSPORT & FREE ENTRIES
by MaheshSamtani
MadridCard is a Madrid City Pass and a wonderful option for tourists to Madrid thinking of visiting the major museums and attractions.
Once purchased, the card offers FREE entrance to more than 50 Madrid museums, together with unlimited trips on the Madrid Vision hop-on, hop-off open-topped tour bus, free admission on the "Discover Madrid" walking tours organised by the tourist board, free rides on the Teleferico cable car, complimentary entrance to the Real Madrid museum tour, discounts in restaurants, shops, shows, and many other items completely free of charge.
Purchase of the Madrid Card also entitles you to a free Madrid guide including information on all the museums and establishments associated with this program (and available in English, Spanish, German, French & Italian), together with a city map of Madrid. Additionally, you obtain priority access with no queuing at the Prado, Reina Sofia & Thyssen museums, as well as the Royal Palace.
The Validity of the card is for the following hour frames - 24 hours (€47) - 48 hours (€60) - 72 hours (€74)
Prices indicated are of 2009- You normally get a 5% discount when you purchase it from their website.
http://www.madridcard.com/en/Inicio.aspx
Can save you a lot of money and also helps you plan your time better.
Torrijas 2
by Danalia
Torrijas
Ingredients:
4 cups milk
1 cup sugar
1 cinnamon stick
4 large eggs
1 loaf of day-old bread
Olive oil as needed
Directions:
Add sugar and cinnamon stick to milk and slowly bring to boil over low heat. Remove from heat and cool to room temperature. Cut bread into half-inch slices (substitute sliced bread if necessary). Add a half-inch of olive oil to a large skillet and heat over low flame. Beat eggs in a flat bowl. Dip each slice of bread into the milk mixture. Once soaked, remove and dip into the beaten eggs. Shake off excess liquid and place bread slices in frying pan. Cook till golden, about one minute on each side. Traditionally served warm with sugar and cinnamon or honey.
Fall time fiestas
by Danalia
For me, the best time to visit Madrid is during September and October . It's not hot anymore as it used to be a month or tow ago. Weather inspire you to travel around and do more things, including take a part at the local fest at the end of the summer.
during this time the Fiesta de Otonio presents music and theatre performs that can last untill x-mass.
Caixa Forum
by Urzu
Caixa Forum is the newest cultural center in Madrid, it's located in the Paseo de Recoletos, only a few meters away from the Prado Museum (but on the other side of the street). This cultural center hosts many different art exhibitions, as well as many activities, such as conferences or things that children can do to have fun & learn at the same time. The good thing about this center is that most things are for free or for a very small amount of money, so it's definitely worth checking out! Even if you don't have the time to go in, check out the vertical garden and the sculptures by the entrance, you won't regret it!
I'm ading the link to the website, but sorry, it's only in Spanish or Catalan.
Eye candy
by agarcia about Caramelos Paco
During more than forty years, my grandparents lived in a little street adjacent to El Rastro flea market, and we used to visit them every Saturday evening (no exceptions allowed). The bus that took us from our home to theirs stopped right there, in from of Caramelos Paco's shop window. So during years, every Saturday evening (no exception allowed) I found myself facing that delicious and colorful exposition of candies... the kind of vision that could bring light into a pair of 8-year-old eyes. I certainly cannot contain a smile whenever I pass in front of this shop, something that I've noticed as well in many other adults of the neighborhood. I reckon Caramelos Paco is also among their sweetest memories from their childhood. :-) Candies, what else?? :-p
Fnac, Madrid
Sweet drink selection!
Dining Room - Palacio Real
Areia at lunch time
