Madrid, the beginning

Wenesday 4 May, Madrid

It certainly was a long journey getting here and we arrived a bit tired, even after a business class leg from LA to London where you were very well looked after, and even got to lie down to sleep. But we're here in Madrid now, nearly back to normal, and getting stuck into our touristic responsibilities.

The Hotel Preciados where we are staying has turned out to be a great choice. It's in a superb location in downtown Madrid on the pedestrianised Calle Preciados (Preciados Street). We have a quiet room with a view out to a nearby wall. More importantly it is less than 10 minutes walk from many of the most famous sights such as Palacio Real (Royal Palace). We've been walkng everywhere so far but will (of course) start to use the metro trains for anything longer.

Hotel Preciados

Today we visited Palacio Real, finding out on arriving that on the first Wednesday of the month there is a changing of the guard ceremony involving lots of marching soldiers, horses, gun carriages and military music. So it was bonus to see that. The Palacio is HUGE, bigger than Versailles. It was built in the mid 1700's during the height of the Spanish empire. It has over 3,000 rooms. Fortunately only 23 are open for public viewing.

We paid an extra 4 euro for a live tour guide which was great value. The guide reminded me very much of Hetty (NCIS Los Angeles). She was the same height (4' 9"), same looks, and same uncompromising attitude. One of our party was reminded firmly, "Your camera should be off! No photos allowed! I told you that before!"

While waiting for the Palace to re open after the changing of the guard ceremony we checked out the Cathedral Nostra Santa Maria la Real de la Almudena (conveniently next door to the palace). The cathedral was only finshed in the 1980's, after 110 years. It has interesting modern stained glass windows, and great views of Madrid from the cupola.

By the time we had looked through the Palace, the armoury, and the Cathedral next door, it was about 6pm and still 28 degrees so we headed home for a late siesta before going out again to eat at about 9pm (an early Spanish dinner time).