The Road from Santiago

 We are heading out of the central city for a bit of fresh air. We will start in the landscaped Jardines de Sabatini.  Tan is very descriptive. Just behind the Royal Palace, the Sabatini Gardens offer a more structured and elegant green space in the heart of Madrid. Visiting in winter at the beginning of the year, the gardens were moderately crowded, with tourists strolling along the symmetrical paths and stopping to admire the palace views. The bare trees and trimmed hedges gave the gardens a clean, almost minimalist appearance. The calm design of the gardens contrasts nicely with the busy areas around the palace. Fountains, statues, and carefully arranged greenery create a sense of order and balance, even in winter. Although the cold weather limits how long visitors stay, the atmosphere remains pleasant and relaxed. Overall, the Sabatini Gardens are a beautiful place for a short walk or a quiet pause. Despite some New Year crowds, the gardens still provide a refined and pe...

We are having another day in Madrid and heading for the clerico-royal hub.  First to the Bar Ronda for a little something to strengthen us. It is a 7am to midnight gaff, 8-1 on Saturdays. Three months ago Hannah liked it ' Super sweet little tapas bar in La Latina neighborhood. The bartenders and the owner are all wonderfully friendly, as are the regular clientele. I made so many friends and we ended up dancing salsa, bachata, and even tango. Drink selection is great and they fed me well with each round. Highly recommend the tortilla, and especially the tortilla francesa con jamon y queso! So delicious. Can't wait to come back and visit my new amigos Madrileños 🫰🏼💜' We are wandering around from place to place and then I saw 'Fucking Monday Madrid' and thought - do we need some night life because over 2 000 people have given this 4.8 stars. https://fuckingmondaymadrid.com/ For some this will be heaven, for others, Dante will have written and extra circle of Hel...

 We are in the Golden Triangle of Madrid's art quarter and we will visit the last of the last corner during today. Meanwhile we are leaving the Prado. While we have a moment we left Madrid just being made a capital city in 1561.  The argument often put forward is that Madrid is the centre of Spain and a good place to unite the peninsular. Maybe. Toledo was available but it already had established powers and it was a difficult to expand. Madrid, didn't and the Habsburgs were only on the second generation of their dynasty. Phil-2 came and between 1561 and 1700 so did lots of other people. The population rose to 100,000 by 1600. Half of them left for Valladolid [1601-06] when it became the capital. The court came back and government became a major city industry. Over the next two centuries the population rose to 150,000. Diverse palaces and churches were built.  Charles III seems to have created a cleaner urban space. Above all, Madrid claimed a decent riot. The Esquilache R...

 On the Facebook site people are voting on where to go next. They have a week. Meanwhile we are going for a wander round Madrid. We will start by heading north and looking out over the lake. Mark wrote a lot, so here he goes.... The Great Pond of El Retiro (Estanque Grande del Retiro) is the undeniable soul of Madrid, offering a serene escape that feels both grand and intimately welcoming. Visiting this iconic landmark is a highlight of any trip to Spain’s capital, perfectly capturing the city’s ability to blend historic elegance with a vibrant, modern lifestyle. The atmosphere here is pure magic. Watching the sunlight dance across the water while the majestic Monument to Alfonso XII towers in the background is a sight that never grows old. For the full experience, renting one of the iconic blue rowboats is a must. It’s a peaceful, timeless activity that allows you to appreciate the park’s scale from a unique perspective, providing a rare moment of tranquility in the heart of a bus...