Canadian World Traveller Spring 2024 Issue

32
time I should spend in the city, he replied:
“You could spend weeks just visiting Madrid's
three top museums. It has one of the highest
concentrations of art on Earth.” The renowned
EL Prado, the Thyssen Bornemisza Museum
and the Reina Sofia Museum form the Golden
Triangle of Art. The collection at the Prado
alone flaunts more than 7,500 Spanish and
European paintings. Displaying work from the
Renaissance and Baroque periods through
the 19th century, it exhibits more than 1,000
sculptures alone.
Fabulous Flamenco
Flamenco, the most passionate of Spanish
dances, originated in the province of
Andalusia in southern Spain — but Madrid is
a wonderful place to experience it. In the
Salamanca district, at Tabloa Flamenco, a
fierce and seductive evening of dancing and
singing is presented through gastronomy,
music and art by the stately Flamenco de
Leones troupe in an intimate dinner and
show.
Mad About Madrid
Article and photography by Nicholas Kontis
Barrio de Las Letras
The Barrio de las Letras is the city's library
quarter. Many significant literary figures lived
in the streets between the Paseo del Prado
and the Plaza de Santa Ana during Madrid’s
Golden Age. Cervantes, Quevedo and Lope
de Vega were among those who passed
through. Today its pedestrian streets and
eclectic shops share the lively street scene with
cafes and beer halls.
The people of Madrid, who are known
as Madrilenos, use a poetic phrase
to describe their city: “De Madrid al
cielo” translates to “From Madrid to the sky.”
It's easy to see why travelers fall in love with
the Spanish capital. Art, history, and gastronomy
collide to give the city a heavenly
ambiance. Nothing personifies the passionate,
artistic soul of the city like the seductive
flamenco dance.
The thrilling metropolis flaunts styles for every
taste.
Barrio de Salamanca
The city's most exclusive quarter is Barrio de
Salamanca. Broad boulevards with ornate
19th-century facades shelter a refined
lifestyle. Tree-lined Calle de Serrano, Calle
Ortega y Gasset, Calle de Goya and Calle de
Velasquez are some of the classiest streets in
Madrid, home to high-end couture, boutique
shopping, jewelry stores and gastro tapas
bars.
El Retiro Park
Madrid is one of the greenest cities in the
world. Covering nearly 300 acres, El Retiro
Park is its heart and soul. In the 19th century,
the acreage was reserved for select Spanish
royalty. Today, it resembles New York's Central
Park as the hub of the grand metropolis with
its bicyclists and runners, meandering
Madrillenos and vagabond visitors. Sights
include the Crystal Palace, Retiro Lake (with its
Alfonso XII monument), dazzling fountains, a
fragrant rose garden, memorials to Spanish
heroes and writers, gazebos and open-air
cafes for socializing.
Golden Triangle of Art
When I asked a Madrilleno friend how much
Rosewood Villa Magna
The Rosewood Villa Magna hotel occupies a
prime location in the heart of Madrid. The luxurious
property, with 154 residential units,
stands in a coveted place on the grand, treelined
Paseo de la Castellana. The Rosewood
offers guests a chic, elegant solace from the
bustle of the outside world. Guests can enjoy
high-quality massages and facials at the
Sense spa. A Finnish sauna, jacuzzi and
steam room enhance the experience.
Executive chef Jésus Sanchez helms the
Michelin-rated Amos Restaurant.
www.esmadrid.com/en
Air Europe has convenient service from Miami
and New York to Madrid Barajas Airport.
visit: www.aireuropa.com
World Traveler Spring 2024