What Ana Does

Here's a quick look at the Madrid itinerary, in case you're looking to plan a trip, and a picture of my map with our route highlighted. Monday Hotel Checkin -- Eric Vokel Madrid Suites   We picked this hotel because the price was excellent and we got an apartment with two rooms, a bathroom and kitchen. With four women traveling together, this made more sense than two small hotel rooms. The one drawback was no 24-hour hotel desk, so in the early morning, there was no one around to hail a taxi to the airport. Walk to the Prado from the hotel along the Gran Via seeing Banco de Espana and Plaza de la Cibeles where the Real Madrid fans party when they win big along the way. Oh! And the Hotel Ritz! Museo del Prado is open until 8 most nights. And most museums are closed Mondays, except for the Prado. The  Royal Botanic Garden is behind the Prado, but we didn't have time to walk through it. From there, you can choose a few streets to get to the Puerta Del Sol (see el Oso...

Before I begin let's all just agree that Madrid is like your laid-back best friend that likes to stay up late and drink way too much wine. Ok? Madrid is a diamond in the middle of an arid plain in the middle on Spain. Though it's been an important Spanish city of centuries, it wasn't the Spanish capital until the early 1600s. The grand palace was built in the 1700s, which isn't that long ago given the ancient castles in Toledo or Seville. I arrived in Madrid on Monday morning with my Mom and two sisters. We got an apartment suite just north of the the Gran Via -- the main boulevard that cuts through Madrid east to west. We got lucky because the room was ready, so we were able to dump our luggage, freshen up and head out onto the street. Here's the most important thing you need to know about Madrid -- this is a very walkable city. And a walkable city makes like all the more easier. From our hotel, it was an easy 30 minute walk to the Prado, which was basicall...