Day 1: Madrid

Fly into Madrid as early as possible so you can check into your hotel and have time to recharge with a café au lait and croissant before sightseeing. Take the Metro to Atocha or Banco de España for access to the

Museo del Prado. Allow a couple of hours for a brief visit. You won’t be able to see it all, but you will be able to take in the impressive collection of works by Velázquez and Goya, including such pieces as the Clothed Maja and Naked Maja.

Break for lunch at Plaza de Santa Ana This historic neighborhood of outdoor cafes was once a favored hangout for the literary set, attracting such Golden Age authors as Lope de Vega and Cervantes. In the 1920’s, Hemingway came here to drink. After lunch, walk west to Puerta del Sol. This is the Times Square of Madrid. To the northwest you can visit Monasterio de las Descalzas Reales. This beautiful old convent houses a threasure trove of mid-16th century art.

You may be ready for a siesta before going out in the evening. When your ready to dine, may we suggest Ernest Hemingwat’s favorite restaurant, Sobrino de Botin. To finish the day you can go to the beautiful Plaza Mayor, the hub of Madrid’s nightlife.

Day 2: Madrid

Today you will finish your tour of Madrid’s great museums, the Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía and the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum. Take the Metro to Atocha to get started. The Nacional Centro houses one of the greatest collections of modern art in Spain. Its centerpiece is Picasso’s masterpiece, Guernica. The Thyssen-Bornemisza also has many treasures. You will want to allow at least two hours for each attraction.

In the early evening you can partake in the tradition of tapas hopping. You can enjoy a wide variety of Spanish cuisine by visiting a succession of the neighborhood bars and taverns that are virtually on every street corner. Each estblishment offers their own version of hot and cold tapas. These are small plates of appetizers, ranging from fresh anchovies to the tail of a bull. You can discover plenty on your own and you won’t need to make dinner plans. Afterwards, you can retire for the evening or take in a flamenco show.