Itinerary: Madrid
Day 5 - Sunday, October 12, 2014
• Madrid Highlights City Tour. Before arriving at our hotel, we will enjoy an introductory tour of Spain's capital via deluxe air-conditioned motor coach. The route will take us to several of Madrid's most renowned and most scenic sites, like the tree-shaded Plaza de Espana, the Puerto del Sol which is the starting point for the nation's radial highway system, and grandest of all, the Plaza Mayor, perhaps the grandest of all European squares. Here we'll have free time for exploration and lunch on our own. Afterward, the tour continues with a visit to the Palacio Real, official residence of Spain's royal family -- a masterpiece of 18th century classical architecture -- that occupies one side of the Plaza del Oriente. There is no royal residence in Western Europe that is larger or more splendid. We'll see rooms of great magnificence, and artworks by masters like Velazquez, Tiepolo, Goya and others, for the palace is also an important art museum. The extensive gardens to the east of the building are also open to the public.
• Check-in for two nights stay at the Westin Palace Madrid Hotel.
• Dinner at La Posada De La Villa Restaurant. This extremely well-respected restaurant is loved by native Madrilenos, offering a real taste of old-time Castilian cooking, and has also been popular with international visitors for decades. (You can read the names of famous artists, politicians, athletes, and other notables on plaques attached to the seats they occupied while dining here.) The food is satisfying and truly Spanish, the favorite among local people being the house's signature roast lamb. We'll enjoy a three-course dinner, beverages, and a performance by Flamenco dancers and musicians.
Day 6 - Monday, October 13, 2014
After a full buffet breakfast at the hotel, this will be a day to savor Madrid, including her greatest museum.
• Morning Walking Tour en route to the Prado Museum. Our guide will take us on a stroll through the heart of Madrid, introducing us to points of interest on our way to the Prado. One outstanding quality of the city is the way so many of the things the traveler wants to see most are clustered together. Some beautiful plaza or fascinating historical spot is likely to turn up no matter which route you take in this part of town.
• Guided visit of the Prado. This is one of the most important museums of European art. The 18th century Classical building houses a collection that has been built up originally around the paintings owned by the Spanish royal family. So it's no surprise that it's very rich in pictures by great Spaniards – Velasquez, El Greco, Murillo, Goya – but the museum has kept on acquiring for well over a century. It now has important pieces from all over Europe, paintings, sculpture, drawings and prints, decorative objects, coins, and more, and has display space for perhaps a sixth of the collection at any one time. Even if you spend no more than a few hours in this treasure house, you'll get a sense of great art.
• Afternoon at leisure. We can stay at the Prado for more artistic exploration (no danger of running out of things to see!), return to the hotel to enjoy the spa or other amenities there, or take the opportunity to stroll around the city's heart, with all the fascination and variety it offers in a very manageable walking radius. One suggestion -- stroll over to Retiro Park, a lovely, large green space that's a short distance to the east of the museum. A favorite with Madrid residents, it has extensive gardens, walks, fountains, pools, and places for just sitting and sunning and watching the passing parade.
• Farewell Evening at the Westin Palace Hotel. A festive final evening in Madrid begins with a cocktail reception with an open bar, hors d'oeuvres, and musical accompaniment by a violin duo. Then we'll enjoy a delicious Gala Dinner with live musical entertainment.
Day 7 - Tuesday, October 14, 2014
• Depart Westin Palace Hotel. Those taking only the main tour will travel by motorcoach to the Madrid airport for the flight home. Carpenter guests going on for the 3-day extension in Tenerife, please see the extension itinerary.