Going to Madrid Spain, any recommendations?

[Sheila O'Connor]

Hi there,
I am heading for Madrid Spain in a few months and wondered if anybody had an idea of what to do/see while there and also what hotels you would recommend, especially one that might be open to offering press rate accommodation in exchange for a mention in my article. I am a published writer and do have outlets so can offer them those. Thanks in advance for any advice/help.

[Sheila O'Connor]

thanks David, sounds good!

[Bart van Poll]

Hi Sheila,

Can't help you with the hotels, but do have a tip.

If you'd like to experience Madrid like a local, I'd recommend you to check out www.SpottedbyLocals.com/madrid - a cityblog with tips by Madrid locals only.

Enjoy! Bart

[joao cabral]

yes. visit my blog and see in Setúbal Portugal the paradise.
http://portugaldreamcoast.blogspot.com

[Sheila O'Connor]

thanks so much!

[Edward Rivera]

Here is something unusual but great. Spend a week at a beautiful resort with all your meals and accommodations provided for free. The catch? You talk. All day. To Spanish business people who spend top dollar to converse with anglos. It's www.vaughantown.com. It's fascinating and life-changing. I'll be there in June.

Mayte Ziga is the contact ([e-mail]) Mention my name. They will also pay for a hotel night on the evening before you leave to your week at the resort, because you are a travel writer.
Here's a link to my story.
http://justaguyintheworld.blogspot.com/2008/08/vaughantown-and-span...

[Sheila O'Connor]

thanks Rich, am in Madrid now, have only 2 days here. Alas, not much time.

[Lana Bortolot]

The tourists come here, but it's worth checking out the flamenco show at El Corral de la Morería. You can ignore the tourists and enjoy the passion--in dancers and audience alike. I advise taking a nap and going for the 1:30am show--you're more likely to be among the diehards. And afterward, get hot chocolate and churros in one of the bustling cafes. It will be 3am, but this is when Madrid is at its liveliest. Best place is Chocolatería San Ginés--over by Plaza Mayor.

[Sheila O'Connor]

Thanks Lana, am back now in San Francisco. I really LOVED Madrid, however my colleague got his luggage stolen as we were standing putting money into the subway machine for tickets to the airport. There was a loud alarm going offf at a neighboring ticket machine and we saw nothing until we turned around and the bag was gone. There were 3 security guards who saw nothing just 10 feet away, and the place was deserted, it was Good Friday, we were the only ones in the station. Amazing and it really spoiled the holiday for us. At least they didn't get his passport or his money, only his laundry. I am still amazed. I wonder if the noisy ticket machine that the engineer was fixing was a distraction deliberately.

[Lana Bortolot]

How terrible! What a way to end a trip. That's surprising, too, in such a public place. I've always considered Madrid quite safe but just goes to show you can't be too careful. If there's a silver lining, it's that it happened at the end. How unfortunate. :(

Sheila O'Connor said:

Thanks Lana, am back now in San Francisco. I really LOVED Madrid, however my colleague got his luggage stolen as we were standing putting money into the subway machine for tickets to the airport. There was a loud alarm going offf at a neighboring ticket machine and we saw nothing until we turned around and the bag was gone. There were 3 security guards who saw nothing just 10 feet away, and the place was deserted, it was Good Friday, we were the only ones in the station. Amazing and it really spoiled the holiday for us. At least they didn't get his passport or his money, only his laundry. I am still amazed. I wonder if the noisy ticket machine that the engineer was fixing was a distraction deliberately.

[Sheila O'Connor]

Thanks Lana. Yes, it could happen anywhere. Now however, I am putting together a few bucks so he can replace the stuff he lost. I wrote quite a few articles on the trip and they are here: http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-29076-SF-World-Travel-Examiner~y...

It's one of those sights, if you click I get a penny (I love it really) so feel free to check it out and I'd love to read your comments. Thanks to everyone on this site for all their great advice and insight. Gracias.