Madrid ... or when can I return to Spain?

Oh Madrid.

I'd heard such contrarian things about you: The food is nothing special. It's not a very fun city.  There's hardly anything to do there.  It's not even pretty.

But oh, how very wrong all those statements proved to be!

El Retiro Park: a perfect place for an inversion

Madrid is a beautiful, walkable, historic city filled with beautiful parks, art of all types, and interesting architecture almost everywhere you look.  Consider the Glass Palace in El Retiro Park, which meets all of these descriptions at once.

PRO TIP: Visit early or on a cloudy day if you go in the summer as it can get very hot inside!

The Glass Palace is perhaps the finest example of cast iron architecture in Spain, designed by Ricardo Velazquez Basco and built in 1887, located in what is currently called El Retiro Park, which has roots dating to the 17th century.  Originally built to house plants, the Glass Palace is now part of the fantastic Reina Sofia Museum and houses temporary exhibits, like the one featuring Charles Ray sculptures during the summer of 2019.

The feet of "Mujer recostada" by Charles Ray

But there is beauty all around Madrid.

From street art ...

... to the street musicians outside our hotel.

From world class art museums ...

... to street vendors offering beautiful books.

From colorful buildings ...

... to rainbows on buildings ...

... to rainbows of love.

From stairways ascending from sunken gardens ...

... to rooftop sunsets.

But perhaps the best part of Madrid is having family in the area who plans a tapas tasting tour for you, including a special summer treat of Tinto de Verano!

Yes, Madrid: you are a magical city.  As with so many things, I'm glad I didn't rely on the opinions of others and head somewhere else.  I'm already wondering when I can return!