First day in Madrid
Picking up where Nancy left off we arrived at Madrid’s Barajas airport without incident.
I would note that security at Gatwick was oppressive with the staff delighting in confiscating liquid items such as Bob’s perspirants and shaving foam.
I also noted that dress standards had dropped. Time was when passengers dressed for travel but now it’s just the cheapest way to fly from A to B reflected in more comfortable, less elegant, dress.
Batajas is one of those busy modern airports where you had to take a coach to the terminal, descend two escalators, take a train and then exit to a crowded area where we had difficulty in locating our arranged driver.
I always take note when driving into a city.
Madrid seemed both prosperous and efficient. Like Dublin, it no longer bears the yolk of heavy Catholicism. I read that 280,000 Brits – mainly young professionals – have moved to Spain attracted by the climate and cheaper schools.
Bob noted too that there was no sign of London-style congestion and the traffic flowed. Probably not a venue for a romantic weekend though I have had no invites anywhere!!!
I was impressed by the location and greeting of our hotel the Villareal bang in the centre and in the golden triangle of the Prado, Reina Sofia and Thyssen art museums. The porter explained in good English how the well-appointed room worked There were complimentary chocolates and a bottle of fizz too.
In the evening we dined at the Casino de Madrid (above pic), which was not a casino but a huge palatial building full of salons and bars.
At the Recoletos restaurant I had a superb fish soup and grouper followed by a refreshing sorbet. It was was €30 per head with a glass of Verdejo.
The atmosphere was formal but there was a younger party of eight upon an adjoining table. As with many young people, mobile-watching was the order of the day.
Madrid is a lively city and I took a taxi back to the hotel. I could sense it coming to nocturnal life.