Day 01 : MADRID
Upon arrival at Madrid, make your own way to the Hotel of your choice. Check-in at the Hotel. Day free at leisure. Overnight at the Hotel.

Day 02 : MADRID
Breakfast at the hotel. After breakfast enjoy Grand City Tour of Madrid. Overnight at the Hotel.

Day 03 : MADRID
Day free for at leisure for shopping & other independent activities. Overnight at the Hotel.

Day 04 : MADRID
In the afternoon check out and proceed for your onward journey.
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Madrid Attractions

Museo del Prado
The Prado Museum is considered internationally to be one of the world's most significant art institutions. Housed here is the majority of the work by both Goya and Velasquez, also many and notable works by El Greco, Murillo and Zurbaran. The galleries are similarly home to a substantial collection of Flemish paintings including work by, Rubens, Van Dyck and Rembrandt.

Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofia
This world famous gallery houses what could be described as the vanguard of the early twentieth century art. Work of Spanish artists such as Pablo Picasso, Joan Miró, Juan Gris, Salvador Dalí is on display. The collection also shows artistic trends from the 1940's to the early 80's with works by artists such as Eduardo Chillida and Antonio Saura.

Palacio Real
With 3000 rooms the Royal Palace contains a larger amount of rooms than any other palace in Europe. Until 1931, the royal family inhabited the building; now, the royal family come here only for state occasions. The huge palace is decorated with frescoes by Tiepolo and Giaquinto, paintings by Goya, Rubens, Valezquez, and El Greco, dozens of Flemish and Spanish tapestries, and endless dazzling rococo decorations.

Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza
The collection of this museum perfectly complements the classical paintings of the Prado Museum and the modern paintings of the Centro de Arte Reina Sofia National Museum. With more than 50 pieces that are considered masterpieces of the world, and works from Italian and Dutch Primitives, German Renaissance, 17th-century Dutch Painting, Impressionism, German Expressionism, Geometric Abstraction, and Pop Art, this museum has an amazingly impressive display of paintings.

Plaza Mayor
The extremely grand 17th-century arcaded square is in the heart of Madrid. Once the sight of bullfights, great festivals, and ceremonies, plays, public burnings of heretics, and the crowning of kings, Plaza Mayor has played a vital role in Spanish history. Now the beautiful square is decorated with eye-catching, kaleidoscopic-coloured murals and is surrounded by baroque architecture. One can visit the many plaza shops and cafes of the square and enjoy the calm mornings, the busy afternoons, or perhaps dinner at some of the liveliest tapas bars in the city.

Parque del Retiro
Madrid's best-known park the Retiro consists of 120 hectares in the very centre of the city. It began life as private garden of the Palace of the Buen Retiro and was opened to the public by decree of the First Spanish Republic in 1868. Attractions include the 'rosaleda' (a rose garden) and a boating lake, and here you'll find a large variety of shows and street theatre during the weekends.

El Rastro
Madrid's premier open-air flea market sells all kinds of paraphanalia and antiques.

Teatro Real
Teatro Real is a wonderful concert venue both acoustically and visually and is home of Spanish Opera. As Madrid's most prestigious theatre, the Teatro Real is immensely successful and fashionable. The theatre has recently been renovated.

Museo de la Real Academia de Bella Artes
Designed in the early 18th century, this museum has one of the most important art collections in the country. Its treasures include works by Goya, El Greco, Murillo, Velazquez, Correggio, Rubens, and Tiepolo. Within the building is the Instituto de Calcografia where one can buy limited edition prints from the original plates engraved by great Spanish artists including Goya and Picasso.

Café de Chinitas
An impressive display of Spain's most singular cultural art form, flamenco, is performed here. The show is quite popular and does sell out quickly so reservations are recommended. At one time the Café de Chinitas was just a café, but now it is the best location in Madrid to enjoy authentic flamenco music and dance.

Plaza de Toros de Las Ventas
The bravery and skill of the matador enraptures the crowd as the battle between man and bull takes place. A performance of primal intensity, the bullfight is part of Spanish culture.

La Casa de Campo
This large terrain with thickly wooded areas, a large lake with boats, a swimming pool and tennis courts is also home to the Zoo of Madrid and the Parque de Atracciones. Once the hunting grounds for Felipe II and a royal park, Casa de Campo is now an area for public entertainment. The zoo contains nearly 3000 animals and has several shows performed by the dolphins and parrots daily, while the amusement park provides rides, restaurants, and bars.

Museo Arquelogico Nacional
The history of human culture from prehistoric times to the 15th century is traced at the archeological museum. The collection includes artefacts from the Iberian, Celtic, Greek, Egyptian, Punic, Roman, Paleolithic, Carthaginian, and Moslem cultures, the majority of which were excavated in Spain.

Casino Gran Madrid
The casino contains games rooms, a nightclub, three restaurants, and four bars. Men are required to wear jackets and ties.

Puerta del Sol
Marking the heart of the country in the centre of Madrid, this is the starting point for any tour and the most popular meeting place in Madrid. To mark the centre of the nation, there is a stone slab that states 'kilometro zero'.

Arab Wall
Madrid's ancient city walls are well worth a visit and the remains of the old Arab walls can still be seen. They originally surrounded the settlement of Magerit, later to become Madrid. There are Islamic remains from the 9th and 10th centuries and later Christian relics from the 12th and 13th centuries.

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Madrid Travel Tips

Loathe it or love it, bullfighting is part and parcel of the very soul of Spain. Madrid, as the capital, is no exception. Madrid's main bullring is called 'La Plaza de Toros de Las Ventas del Espíritu Santo', or more simply, 'Las Ventas' (you can find it by simply taking the metro to the station of that name). Built in red brick and ceramic tiles the architecture is of 'mudejan' style and the impressive building is also used as a venue for rock concerts and political meetings. Madrid is also one the best cities in the world in which to listen to flamenco. It has been performed here since the early 19th century and activities surrounding this mellifluous art form continue to flourish.

Madrid Dining

Eating out in Madrid is a treat. The Spanish take their food very seriously and the nation's capital city offers a fascinating and delicious collection of fine cuisine. Local dishes include the famous hot-pot called 'madrileo', and 'sopa de ajo', or garlic soup. No matter which part of Spain you visit fish will be high on any menu as Madrid boasts the second biggest fish market in the world.

The region surrounding the city produces several excellent aromatic wines, a perfect accompaniment to any meal. Few visitors can resist the excellent Spanish food, especially the mouth-watering 'tapas', small taster-style dishes which are served as appetisers in bars throughout the city, but those looking for more international fare will easily find it in the many restaurants throughout the city.

Madrid Tipping Advice

Tipping isn't obligatory in Spain though a gratuity can be paid in acknowledgement of good service, at your own discretion. Bear in mind that waiters, taxi-drivers, and other people in service industries are not well paid, and do appreciate receiving a tip. To give an idea of the size of the expected tip, about 10 percent of the bill should be given in restaurants and taxis, and 50 to 100 ESP should be given per bag to hotel porters, while additional tips should be given to the concierge for any help they provide. For tour guides, about 300 ESP should be given, and ushers or attendants expect about 25 ESP.

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TOUR COST :

HOTEL Rate ( Per person on TWIN sharing basis )
Claridge (2+*) EUR 157.00
Fiesta Gran Hotel (3*+) EUR 179.00
Holiday Inn Madrid (4*) EUR 158.00
Hesperia Madrid ( 5*) EUR 282.00

PRICE INCLUDES:
1) 03 Nights accommodation at the Hotel of your choice.
2) Daily Breakfast.
3) Panoramic City Tour of Madrid.
4) All applicable taxes.

OPTIONAL TOURS
Flamenco Show and Spanish Dance with one Drink EUR 58 per person.
Flamenco Show and Spanish Dance with Tapas Dinner EUR 79 per person.

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Have a great trip! This itinerary and supplementary information has been compiled with care and is provided in good faith. However it may be subject to change, and DOES NOT form part of a contract between the client and AirCruise.

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