Kemey and I are both enthusiastic fans of Spain. It’s very much one of our preferred destinations for holidays and city breaks and is a country we both know fairly well. However, Kemey had never been to (but always very much had wanted to visit) its dynamic and dignified capital. So back last month, to celebrate her birthday, we headed to Madrid for a long weekend of food, fun and flamenco. Like me, after my initiation to the charms of this magic place some years ago, Kemey was wowed. To be sure, our magnificently Madrileño weekend won’t be our last!
Over the next few days, I’m going to blog all about the fine time Kemey and I had in Madrid. But before I get started with any rapturous rave about what makes this city tick with such potent and beguiling style, I reckon I should lay down a few basics for ya and send out a few gracias too.
British Airways
We’d booked this trip (flight and hotel) at the beginning of 2014 via British Airways’ annual January sale (the flights were actually with Iberia). Considering the quality and location of our hotel (the fabulous five star Hotel Hospes Madrid near Retiro Metro station), the booking was exceptionally good value and well worth the wait! Come 2015, I’ll certainly be keen to look into what’s on offer for more savings.
Driven A to B
Getting from our east London flat to T5 at Heathrow, we took new point-to-point corporate car service, Driven A to B. Car was plush, driver was friendly and the ride was smooth. We took ’em on our way back home after our return flight too. Driven A to B provides a cost effective, point to point car service on a pre-booked and ad hoc basis. Drivers are PCO licensed, fully referenced, CRB checked and smartly presented in shirt and tie. Vehicles in fleet include Mercedes E class, BMW five series, Audi A6, the Passat and the Ford Galaxy. The vehicles are never older than three years and are tracked 24/7. I’m more than happy to recommend the service.
From the airport in Madrid, hopping on the Metro into town was a breeze (fairly quick and very affordable too). On our way back though, we took the Exprés Aeropuerto coach from Plaza de Cibeles as it was super close to our hotel and only about €5 per person (it was Sunday too with virtually no traffic on the highway).
Insider’s Madrid
So much of the fun we had in Madrid came compliments of Insider’s Madrid and the amazing access granted by tapping into its expert knowledge base. Founder Joanna Wivell and her small team of Madrileños “who share a passion for the real Spain” helped make our weekend a foot stompin’ blast that was filled with happy memories. More on Insider’s Madrid to come …
Madrid Food Tour
Our time touring the city’s best tapas bars with Madrid Food Tour proved an especially delicious way to grab a more than generous bite and quench our thirst in this most savoury of cities. More about Madrid Food Tour to come …
Madridcard
For instant access to loads of attractions coupled with more than decent discounts, roaming around town with a Madridcard in each of our back pockets turned out to be a super smart and money saving move. The “essential sightseeing pass for visitors to Madrid,” the card includes entry to more than 50 museums (with priority admission in many of them) and amazing discounts in shops and restaurants.
Mas
Muchos gracias to Sarah Canet and Naiara Garro for their excellent recommendations and to the folks behind the incredibly insightful resources of spain.info and esmadrid.com.
More posts in my Did Madrid miniseries to follow soon!
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