My business visit to Madrid

My very first visit to Madrid was ten years ago, while me and my close friend were still kids and our dad and mom brought us on a family journey with the car. I had some obscure memories, but appreciated the enjoyable feeling and therefore when my ceo informed me I needed to go on a business travel to the Spanish main city; I jumped with joy… even though I didn’t show it while in front of him!

The office manager in our company arranged my plane tickets and told me she arranged my Madrid apartment, which at first sounded strange and I asked her why not a hotel apartment. She revealed that she used this sort of Madrid lodging when she went on her honeymoon last year and that she was very pleased with the amenities and the discounted rental price tag.

Like she stated, the Madrid apartment she picked for me was simply marvelous. I stayed in the middle of the urban center, had immediate link to the commercial zone where I was supposed to educate my regional co-workers and meet the management and had every one of the conveniences I needed.

Paza Mayor Madrid

Probably the most captivating thing of all was that I was accommodated very close to the Plaza Mayor location, which I think is the most inspiring spot in Madrid. I had time to take pleasure from the sculpture of King Philip III, the architecture of Casa de la Panaderia and the marvelous Arco de los Cuchilleros. In the evenings I went for an evening meal at the open-air eating places at the square. I was by myself but never felt lonely there, as Madrid has that great cosmopolitan atmosphere, where one could never feel bad after being between so many hospitable people. Then I returned to my Madrid apartment for a good night rest as I had to be ready for the following day.

My business trip was going just like planned, I was able to organize all my work tasks and still to get time and relax in the Madrid apartment I have booked. On the 3rd day of my trip to Madrid I had a free afternoon and a regional co-worker proposed to bring me to the El Retiro Park. I’ve by now seen the place as it is very near to my Madrid short stay apartment but haven’t had enough time to explore it. Thus, when my co-worker offered a nice hours under the open sky I did not wait whatsoever, we bought chocolate and sandwiches and we went to the park.

El Retiro Park Madrid

I was surprised to find out later that the park is overwhelmingly huge, covering an area of 12 hectares. My colleague informed me that first it was organized as an Italian park in a baroque style, later to become rearranged like French gardens. These days, the El Retiro Park provides a huge artificial lake where one could rent a boat at a reasonable price. My personal favorite spot however was the Rose Garden with the statue of the Fallen Angel, while my colleague said she liked most the Paseo de las Estatuas or the Statue Walk.

Museo del Prado Madrid

Plaza de Colon Madrid

We ate our sandwiches and went to Plaza de Colon to get some nice ice-cream. The place is placed between Paseo de la Castellana and Paseo de Recoletos and has a good area referred to as the Gardens of Discovery with its cascading down fountains, etc.

Now that I think about it, I was fortunate to be with a local as I got a lot of info for the city and we talked a lot about how the locals live. Once we parted, I headed right away to my Madrid apartment where I had a long shower and went to bed earlier.

As I slept in a furnished and holiday Madrid accommodation in the center of the Spanish main city throughout my business trip, I was capable to investigate the Puerta del Sol area, that is a favorite place for the visitors and the locals. The area has a wonderful zone where today are celebrated different events such as the New Year’s Eve. Here is also located the symbol of the city, that looks like a bear sculpture of bronze that climbs a strawberry tree. I did some photos of this sculpture, but also managed to capture the people of the square, that were having tea, having ice-cream or snacks or simply sitting and looking at the life going by.

Puerta del Sol Madrid

This photo of Santa Barbara

This photo of Santa Barbara

The Madrid holiday apartment was furthermore near several of the nicest dining places and bars in Madrid. It was challenging for me to get used to the late dining hours here as the restaurants were open for visitors after eight and sometimes also after nine o’clock. The night clubs however were open until the morning of the following day. Several of the finest dance clubs I learned about were placed along the Plaza de Santa Barbara where except cafes and bars, one could find takeaway food restaurants. I read that the districts Moncloa and Arguelles are usually chosen by the University students and I didn’t went there. Rather I selected a bar in the Malasaca area, where I met a group of people from my home town and they took me with them to Pase de la Castellana where we went to another popular night club. Then I was so exhausted that I called it a night and went to my Madrid accommodation were I went to bed. On the next morning I took a quick shower, enjoyed a hot cup of tea and ordered a taxi to the airport as my business trip was over.

Thirty days ago I won a unique reward from work, which included a free of charge vacation to the Scottish capital for me and an individual I pick to go on with. The whole thing was organized from the secretary at the office, so me and Mark took the airplane tickets and the directions on how to get to our Edinburgh vacation flat once we land at the airport terminal.

We got accommodated and I was happy with all the conveniences I found in the serviced apartment in Edinburgh that people were booking. Because this was our very first time to the Scottish capital, just before the trip I made a good research on the web and created a plan of exactly what we are to see. For the very first day of our stay Mark and I got on the sightseeing buses, to get to know the town and to choose the sites we wished to go back to on the following days. We covered all 4 bus tours offered and we did some good photographs.

Edinburgh

Palace Holyroodhouse Edinburgh

Hyde Park Madrid

The following day, as we woke up in our huge cozy bedroom, we had tea and some fresh fruits and left our Edinburgh flat for a walk to the Royal Mile area where are located the majority of the historical monuments in the city. We spent an hour exploring the Edinburgh Castle and then we went to the Holyroodhouse Palace on the other side, while along we appreciated some other historical sites such as the Cathedral St. Giles and the House of John Knox, had a tea and purchased a few souvenirs. I was pleased I had my comfortable walking shoes on, as we walked a lot.

Our next sightseeing day ended with a visit to the Arthur’s Seat, wherefrom we could take pleasure in some great views in the direction of the city, before we had a nice dinner at a bar near our Edinburgh vacation flat.

Mark woke up very early on the following morning, therefore he went outside our Edinburgh accommodation for a good breakfast and a paper, then made the capuccino and woke me up. We’d a few quiet hours and then went to the first of the many monuments I had on my catalog.

This photo of Princes Street Gardens

The one nearest to our serviced flat in Edinburgh turned to be the National Museum of Scotland, and then we went to the Royal Museum with its Millennium Clock. Mark insisted on seeing the National Gallery of Scotland as he is a serious lover of fine art and after that he dragged me to the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art.

I wanted some air and right after our visit along the museums, I persuaded Mark we had enough for this day and we headed towards the Princes Street Gardens where we made a picnic. The recreation area was packed with moms and dads with their children and they all seemed happy.
This photo of Princes Street Gardens

After dark we headed to the Leith district, which hasn’t been that close to the Edinburgh vacation apartment we were residing at, but was so wonderful that we couldn’t resist. We went to the Britannia Royal Yacht, which is on dock there and then we headed towards the Shore, which is a region of fish and chip shops, curry houses and elegant fish eating places, along with traditional Scottish bars. I picked a good brasserie called A Room in Leith, which had a waterside position and we got a good Scottish dinner.
This photo of Royal Yacht Britannia

Then Mark was the person to choose the pub we went to right after dinner and he selected The Kings Wark on the coast, which turned to be a conventional pub on the water. There we had some ale and snacks and stayed really late until we eventually got a taxi to our Edinburgh accommodation.

We had 2 more days in the Scottish main city and were quite pleased that they coincided with the start of the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Mark was thrilled that the majority of the alternative performances were to be arranged near our Edinburgh journey accommodation and we actually handled to go to several of them.

Edinburgh Castle

To be in the Scottish main city during the most significant arts festival in the world begins was very fascinating and we actually noticed just how the inhabitants doubled when all the artists and tourists arrived to take pleasure in the event! The city was full of students, thrilled to show on stage what they are able of.

Mark and I loved the outdoor street event along the Royal Mile and some free performances too. Mark loved most a play we saw, while I enjoyed best a dancing theatre. Throughout the very first evening of the event we’d a dinner and then travelled to a good club where we attended a unique evening show.

On the final date of our vacation in the Scottish main city, we woke up early, stuffed our suitcases to be ready and left it in our Edinburgh residential home, after which we went to see 2 comedies that we truly had fun with.

There after we still had time and funds to had a salad and some delicious food at the Hendersons bar, which was well-liked among the vegetarians. The atmosphere was great and we were happy that we really had the chance to see the main sites of the Scottish capital and also to see some of the Fringe Festival activities.

Henderson's Wharrf Inn

I purchased a lot of candy and small souvenirs for my colleagues at work, while Mark purchased souvenirs for our two families. Then we went straight to our Edinburgh lodging, grab the baggage and took a cab to the airport.

I came in the British main city in the late afternoon last Thursday for an extended weekend and went straight away to my London vacation residence. I intended to see a good friend, but her air travel was appointed for a later hour, thus I had some time for a shower and some rest in front of the TV set. When my buddy eventually showed up, she placed her suitcases in her bedroom and we didn’t waste a moment yet ran outside to enjoy the city.

This photo of London

Prior to my trip I attempted to make a study about which are the best pubs in London, but was really confused. There were so many responses and so many testimonials by travelers, that I decided we’ll visit the bars near to our vacation apartment in Edinburgh and try to stick to our instincts. We made a visit to the Last Drop Pub, since we were intrigued by its long history, then we’d some beers at the Sandy Bell’s Pub in which we listened to some folk music.

Henderson's Wharf Inn

Next we headed towards the Portobello area that was far from our serviced flat in London but was a fascinating area as we were told. We stood for half an hour ay the Malt and Hops Pub where the beer selection was overwhelming, then we went to the Sogo where we were offered the best beer for the night.

The Malt and Hops Pub London

We were in a great mood and we met some new friends, who were eager to find out about our countries and home towns and we exchanged our emails to keep in contact once back at home. The time was flying and so Marta and me and we agreed to return to our London lodging and get a good sleep, as we had quite a lengthy plan for the next couple of days.

On the subsequent morning, Marta and I woke up early and spent some time drinking capuccino and looking at the people from the terrace of our London holiday dwelling. When we were dressed appropriately to go for a stroll, we headed directly to the Royal Mile in the Old Town and thus we visited the London Castle and the Palace. Hilga has warned me that I have to put on even and cosy trainers and thus I was able to manage the stoned streets in the old town.
This photo of London

This photo of London

This photo of London

We had a meal and a fruit juice in the nearby Park on the eastern part and then went to the Arthur’s Seat and then in the direction of the Cathedral St. Giles and the Scotch Whiskey Heritage Centre. After that we definitely required refreshment and Tom recommended we really should have a bite and some ale on one of the pubs along the Royal Mile. After the snack we had, we went for some souvenir purchasing. Then we two agreed, it would be better to go back to our London holiday accommodation and have some rest. I watched TV, whereas Hilga checked the e-mail and done a study about the pubs and dining establishments in the Scottish capital that were in close proximity to our trip apartment.

Late in the mid-day we went out once again and had a great lengthy walk along the Princes Street, which symbolizes the centre and in a way sets apart the Scottish main city into an Old and a New Town. On the Princes Street we discovered a few good stores, and noticed exactly where the Royal Scottish Academy and the National Gallery are and decided to visit them on one of the following days.

We had a quiet dinner at Rick’s bar, which is a trendy bar in the central part, offering food and beverages. We’d deep fried pizza, which we found out is a common traditional meal after which we went to bed earlier as we were quite worn out from the landmarks and purchasing during the day.

On the next morning, after an extended and excellent night’s rest in the serviced London vacation flat we’ve rented, we had a breakfast and made a decision to enjoy the New Town, which like we saw on the map was set to the north direction from the Old Town and was in fact bordering it.

Tom told me we now have a lot to see in that section of the Scottish capital and I agreed upon. The very first monument to view was the Trafalgar Monument, which was constructed and arranged for the memory of Trafalgar. From there we appreciated wonderful sights over the city and made some good photographs. The next place to visit was the National Gallery of Britain where we were able to view the best fine art selections in the region. There was no entrance charge whatsoever, that was great and the exact was in force for the Scottish National Portrait Gallery, that on the other hand we couldn’t visit as it was shut for refurbishment till November 2011.

St_George_Street_Saint_Augustine

Tom was starving, therefore we purchased hot dogs and had some rest at the Princes Street Gardens, which is a small but beautifully arranged park set in between the Princes Street and the Castle Hills.

In the afternoon we climbed the Hill and next we went shopping along the Main Street, the George Street and the Broughton Street.

As this particular day was totally committed on the New Town, in the evening hours we went out of our London arranged apartment and we went to a pub we have seen during the day – The Living Room, where the menu was great and the visitors could enjoy not only the beer and the cocktails but additionally the show of the bartenders. Then we went to the Standing Order Pub and finished the night there.

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