A pleasant trip to the capital of Spain, Madrid

This will probably be our last holiday in two: a stork in a few months we will bring our long-awaited child, and then change our habits and, for some time, even our goals.
We then took off a whim and see Madrid, the European capital that has always attracted, but still we were not able to see. And in the meantime, take notes on the possibility of travel for pregnant women!

Plane: for expectant mothers is important to read the signs on the sites of airlines, because there may be restrictions or requests for certificates. In our case we opted for a scheduled flight (more space on board, less restrictive policies, no race for the seat) and chose to fly Alitalia (taking advantage of an opportunity).

Hotel: with respect to Trivago, we found a great deal of Booking.com for hotel Agora Juan de Austria (4 * downtown, Metro Bilbao) and I must say that we were fine.

Travel: Madrid has an extensive network of subways and buses. We opted for subscription information: 5 days at Euro 19 (each). You probably could have run on foot, but with the weight of the belly (we are in the middle of the month 6) we used very means of transport. Among other things, the Spaniards are much more careful of the Italians and I almost never struggled to find a seat. The only flaw: many subway stations are not equipped with elevators / escalators.

Meals in the hotel rate ranged only overnight, so we always ate out in good places thanks to the suggestions found on the Internet (the key forums CiSonoStato). For pregnant women who have contracted toxoplasmosis, the famous jamon Iberico is a real treat! Unfortunately, Spanish cuisine is often accompanied by raw vegetables (must be washed well?) Or is rather elaborate (and therefore sometimes difficult to digest).

Tips for eating:
- Breakfast: Mallorquina (C / Mayor 2, metro Sol) or Chocolateria San Gines (Pasadizo de San Ginés 5, metro Sol)
- Tapas: Mercado de San Miguel (C / Mayor, Metro Sol), El Tigre (C / Infantas 30, metro Gran Vía), and in general the Calle de la Cava Baja, Cerveceria Alemanna (Plaza Santa Ana 6, Metro Sol / Anton Martin)
- Restaurant: Sobrino de Botin (C / De Los Cuchilleros 17, metro Sol), La Finca de Susana (C / 4 Arlaban, Metro Sol / Sevilla), Paella de la Reina (C / de la Reina 39, metro Banco de España)

Climate: in early April temperatures are already more than if they are mild and sunny days, it certainly is warmer than in Milan. But it is not yet dry season, the parks and green spaces offer a sight far more lush than in other periods.

 

First day

Rise early after about 5 hours of sleep: to make the most of these four days, we booked the flight from Linate of 7.25.
Past the metal detectors, we give ourselves one last Italian coffee, and we boarded, we found that a total of 20 passengers plus the crew!

Landed right on time, buy now our Abono Tourist (19Euro each for 5 days): we say that Madrid is running safely on foot, but if we look at the belly, I can take all the means that we want, even if for a few stops!

And we are reaching the hotel, well served by Metro. The room will be ready in the afternoon, but we leave the luggage and begin the tour.

Of course we start from Sol, crowded and bustling center of Madrid, famous for the statue symbol of the city: the bear rubs his nose against a strawberry tree.

From there we surpass the famous Mallorcan pastries and walk some picturesque alleyways, until you reach Plaza Mayor, full of tourists and tables where you can enjoy a tapa. We allow ourselves a break, but at the center of the square without being groped by the throat.

Resuming the journey, we come across a very nice grocery store and take the opportunity to buy saffron in Spain is generally better than what we find in Italy.

From there, the Mercado de San Miguel is a short step: nice meeting indoors in a structure of glass and wrought iron, used by tourists and locals for shopping or a bite to eat. We share the tradition with a jamon sandwich.
Continuing our tour, we pass the Sobrino de Botin, the oldest restaurant in the world: the photos and the menu we would like to try it ... the prices a little 'less!

However, it is still early for lunch and then we head towards Playa de Villa, the town hall, and then to the Cathedral of Nuestra Señora de la Almudena and the Palacio Real.
For today we admire from the outside only, in their majesty and whiteness.
Let us return then to the Plaza Mayor, thinking to dine at the Museo del Jamon, but the service and choice we feel bad and then we go out.

So we opt for a local Cava Baja (they say we are the best places for tapas): Bodegas Galliena. The atmosphere is nice and the food is not bad, but the prices seem a little 'disproportionate.

Since fatigue and wake up at dawn it make you feel, let's go back to the hotel to take over my room (number 509, named after Pope Gregory XIII) and take a nap. We find that the rooms are clean and spacious, furnished in retro style and bright. Wanting to find fault, are not particularly soundproof towards the corridor.

After a siesta, we take the metro (with all its stairs) to the Temple of Debod, brought here from Egypt after the construction of the dam on Lake Nasser. The surrounding park is very well maintained and offers an excellent glimpse of life in Madrid, over a beautiful view of the Cathedral of Nuestra Señora de la Almudena. The temple but did not strike us too much: we return after dinner to see it lit.

We continue to Plaza de España and give a salute to the statue of Cervantes and his characters (Don Quixote, Rocinante and Sancho Panza). Take the bus to cross the Gran Via until near the end.

But before continuing our tour, we eat from La Paella de la Reina, where you can enjoy a good restaurant Valencian paella. Pending (20 minutes, as good for risotto), and we let ourselves be groped by croquetas solomillo, but the portions are plentiful paella them and eventually end up struggling to do almost everything. In any case, to recommend (best to book or present at the opening, as we did.

When we go it's dark of course, ideal for photographing the beautiful buildings of the Plaza de la Cibeles and Gran Via. The program would like to see participation in the "evening stroll" along the Gran Via, but the tiredness and the belly begins to be felt. We take the bus back to Plaza de España and go back to the Temple of Debod: lit is really beautiful and fascinating.

With the image of the Egyptian temple, which is reflected in the pools surrounding ends our first day in Madrid.

The budget is welcome, but we may have overdone it a bit ': the 25 weeks of pregnancy feel all right!

Second day

Our second day in Madrid starts Spanish in style: with moooooolta calm!
Late sleeper, shower e. .. The Mallorcan breakfast (G) with a selection of their delicacies.

We walk along Calle Mayor and we put ourselves in line to get in the Palacio Real (10 euros plus 4 audio guide). If you do not have a detailed guide, you may want to opt for the audio guide, because the information in the individual rooms are rather sparse. It is not allowed to take pictures in the halls of the palace, but only in the large front courtyard.

Immediately visit the Royal Pharmacy, where you can see collections of stills and containers of herbs and medicinal substances, solvents and vials used in the course of centuries to treat members of the royal family.

We then go in the main, to admire the 50 rooms of the palace open to the public, including the pompous throne room, strangely accessible from the side, looking towards the throne while the only wall with windows.

We end the tour with Real Salt Armory (explanations in Spanish only): arms and armor of the various Spanish monarchs.

Along the way there are very few places to sit (except for "possession" of the benches of the security personnel): pregnant women, elderly and disabled people are not very easy life, unfortunately!

We leave the palace and we get to the Cathedral of Nuestra Señora de la Almudena, to find it is closed for work (and say it is fairly recent as construction !!!). Fortunately, the neo-Romanesque crypt is accessible (2 million): bright and beautiful, welcomes us with its splendid capitals and columns. The calm and peace that reign in effect call for a moment of prayer and reflection.

He made the time (Spanish) for lunch and decide to follow the local customs with a couple of tapas. The first stop is behind the Plaza Mayor, La Revuelta, where we taste their famous bacalao (cod fried), obviously standing for "bar". And then we find a table with stool (just one, but it is already an achievement) from Goyo, in Cava Baja, an excellent (if a little 'expensive) for a plate of jamon y queso. The alley, almost deserted yesterday, today is full of Madrid that are located in individual rooms for a round of tapas and a chat. The phenomenon is actually out in a short time before the 15 venues are still closed at about 16:30 already empty, but it becomes difficult to find quell'oretta Standing!

We decide to go back to the hotel for a nap, however, going to the Plaza Mayor (where some street performers entertain the many tourists) and the Mallorcan, for a sweet tapas.

The decision to take a break at the hotel turns out to be good, but unfortunately because time is a bit 'spoiled and down a few big drop from the sky.

After the siesta we go out in the rain, but to celebrate on Sunday evening we decided to dine at the Hard Rock Cafe, now traditional stage of our travels and regret for not having to Milan (as too little tourist town?).

Finished dinner (hamburgers and bisteccazza) and content purchases (sticks for my husband and a shirt for me) go for a walk to Plaza de la Cibeles, and found that in the meantime has stopped raining.

Do not resist doing a few more photos in the neighborhoods, changing the perspective from yesterday. Will then continue to the lively Plaza Santa Ana: Unfortunately the shower and the uncertain weather does not allow the dinners and evenings outdoors, but many clubs are teeming with life and fun. Many restaurants and pubs deserve a photo just for the beautiful murals (often ceramic) or traditional style wooden furnishings. But there is not enough light will be back tomorrow, maybe for another lunch of tapas.

Unfortunately I'm too tired to continue to explore the city: we go to Sol and, after greeting her beloved bear and strawberry tree, we take the subway and go back to the hotel.

Third day

We wake up with a decidedly different sky: flashes of blue skies are gradually driving out the dark clouds and weather forecasts confirm that the temperature is getting better (last night we were around 11'C).

And to continue the good traditions, we go to breakfast at San Gines Chocolateria (G), of course, hot chocolate (dark) and churros (7 euros in two). At 10 am on Monday morning there are a few free tables, but will be filled soon: in general there 'tail night and day!

On Monday and 'the day of closure for most of the museums (including monasteries) and then opt to take advantage of the sunny day and the routes open. We could choose (as many do) for a day trip to Toledo (well served by trains departing from Atocha station), but we were afraid it was too much of a trek for me.

The people of Madrid usually do on Sundays, but we attacked tourists and the Parque del Buen Retiro on Monday morning!
When we arrive, the park is waking up: the first open banquet (food and drinks, fortune tellers and musicians), the first boats that take off on the artificial lake (not too clean), the guards on horseback down the animals that make the trucks ...

Walking through the park (well kept), admire the monumental mausoleum of Alfonso XII and the slight Crystal Palace. And while her husband photographed everything from different angles, I take this opportunity to rest and maybe get some 'sunny, comfortably seated in one of the many benches available. We continue to one of the few statues in the world that the devil is in the Glorieta del Angel Caido. You pass along the area of ??the park dedicated to the victims of the March 11, 2004 we get out of this green and reach the station of Atocha.

We go along Calle Atocha (alas, uphill!) Until you reach Plaza de Santa Ana and we decide to dine at the Cerveceria Alemana (outdoor table, having a beautiful sunny day and 'output).

Finished dinner, we walk toward Sol having heard so much, I want to make a trip to El Corte Ingles, a multi-brand chain stores (and very widely used in Spain by the Spanish) but it disappoints me a little '(in fact turns out to be a great showcase of designer brands, cutting very international and high prices ...).

After a stop at Sol, stroll to the Plaza Isabel II and then take the metro to go to see the Puerta de Toledo and the namesake bridge, according to the guide, the most elegant bridge in the city. In fact, the structure and the statues are quite fine, pity the Manzanares river is so small as to make any excessive overhead!

My belly and my husband's allergy (grasses flourish in Spain before and we were not prepared) are felt: and 'get back to the hotel for a rest!

And is' almost made it in time for supper. We follow the advice of the guide and friends of "Been There" and reach La Finca Susana (metro Sevilla): A nice little place where almost elegant indulge in large portions at reasonable prices (the famous Fideua Ali-Oli). At 20.30 seems deserted, but when we finish dinner and 'in full force!

And to digest, we hunt the last few night shots: this is' our last evening in Madrid, unfortunately!
We go back to Sol, Plaza Mayor, the Cathedral Nuestra Senora de la Almudena, Palacio Real, Plaza de Oriente and Plaza de España, where we take the metro back to the hotel.

Fourth day

Madrid greets us with a beautiful sunny day.
The plane did not leave before eight this evening, then leave the room, but leave your luggage at reception, to be free to rotate.

The last breakfast Mallorquina San Gines has taken us by the throat and delighted us, but there is more choice for binge morning.

And all it takes, given the row ahead of us to enter the Monasterio de las Descalzas Reales!
Unfortunately in the end we must give up: the first visit is available for the 16, too late for us.

A little 'reluctantly, we turned the heels and take the metro, list of monuments rescued from the Plaza de Castilla and the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium.

The two buildings of the Puerta de Europa inclined rather than leave us stunned: each other and golden needle in the center, we do not understand the idea of ??the architect, the more so in front of the statue is a stylized image of a man with hands hair (ironically?).

The Bernabeu Stadium (final frame of the mythical Italy - West Germany in 1982) reminds us a little 'out our San Siro, with circular staircases at the sides and all the stalls selling t-shirts and scarves (but perhaps these are only in view of game tonight Madrid - Tottenham to the Champions League) ... Except that the Bernabeu is nestled between several buildings, residential and commercial, while the Meazza is much more isolated. It hurts us to think that every four years troublesome hinder the handful of concerts at the San Siro when these people of Madrid are within walking distance from every match of Real ...

At this point we need is the Plaza de Toros de Las Ventas. Do not try to enter, because they tell us that one of Ronda is much more beautiful (though smaller) and we have already seen a few years ago. However from the outside is really impressive and elegant at the same time. Shame not to have another night to see her in the night version!

We take the subway for lunch and opt for the Mercado de San Miguel. Do not expect to easily find a stool, or to pity the other patrons, bellies showing, or advanced age: is a commodity so rare, that is defended tooth and is rarely sold. But in the end I can retrieve a piece of stool and a table and then we divide the tasks: I stand in defense of the attack and her husband stand to recover several different tastes, water and ... cerveza! To do a little 'health seekers, take even a bowl of fruit.
At the end we eat as our appetizers, even though the total is much higher against, but perhaps a little 'quality of food, often prepared at the moment. The variety of choice of course can satisfy all tastes ... perhaps with the exception of vegetarians, and Spain does not exactly have an easy life.

We decide to take a nap at Plaza Mayor and take the opportunity to take a little 'in color, but it is invaded by English fans (even a little' drunk) that are evidence of the chants and load for the game tonight. Then fall back on Sol, but it's really too hot and then let's do a little 'to rub along the Gran Via to Plaza de España (and we can not even buy anything !!!). We rest for a moment and, with the image of tourists and locals sprawled in the sun, let's salute Madrid and collect your baggage: it's time to go to the airport.

The connection to the meter is fast, but we must consider that the airport is really big and you have more than a little trek to do all the procedures and arrive at the gate.

Thus ends another beautiful Spanish holiday that will remain in our hearts.