We have arrived in Vannes, France, but we need to finish our time in Spain. So here is Madrid Part 2.

Once the festivities of the Kings Coronation Anniversary were over, the Courtyard of the Royal Palace was open again, so we were able to visit.

Then we went inside the Basilica of St Francis the Great constructed in the second half of the 18th century. Its massive dome is the largest in Spain and the 4th largest in Europe.

We wandered back through the old town discovering some of the street art that Madrid is known for.

Everywhere we walked we admired the beautiful buildings and the more we walked the more we needed to re hydrate!

The Posada del Peine or “The Inn of the Combs” is Spains oldest hotel dating back to 1610. Each room has a comb which guests can take home which is a “seal of distinction”, and apparently a lady ghost visits all the guests!

We thought we should experience the Madrid Metro so we decided to check out the Bull Ring, La Ventas, opened in 1931 and seats 23,798 spectators. It is the largest Bull Ring in Spain and the 3rd largest in the world. It was a rather impressive building.

Lunch was at Chocolateria San Gines. an institution in Madrid since 1894 and serves the famous chocolate con churros. Boy what a lunch it was!

Then we waddled onto the Church of Saint Anthony of the Germans, known for its magnificent frescoes. It was well worth the 5 euro entry fee. It is called the Spanish Sistine Chapel and it was pretty amazing.

We checked out Casa Botin, the oldest restaurant in the world, founded in 1725, but decided not to eat there. The thought of a huge full suckling pig staring at us did not excite us at all’ There are many bars in Madrid that Ernest Hemingway frequented, and we did visit quite a few, trying out all the speciality drinks of Madrid.

We had a fabulous time in Madrid and clocked up many kilometres of walking. Madrid is a great city with many beautiful buildings but then it was time to move on to San Sebastian to continue eating and drinking, but that’s another blog

It’s that time again, apéritif time

Adios amigos

Greg, Rhonda and Julie

xxxxx