Madrid

We left our hotel in Seville early to take the AV city to Madrid. I found discounts and prebooked a mesa fare. Mesa is offered to families, and basically it is an arrangement facing 2x2 seats. We were 3, so we paid for 4 to get all 4 seats for us. It came as a cheapest rate. AV is like AVE at a better price. Our hotel called a taxi for us and arrived to the train station in 10 minutes. We walked to our train which had security and luggage scan. The train was comfortable. We arrived in Madrid at 10AM and took Cercanias since it was a combinado ticket. I printed our tickets with the code. It was easy, only one stop to Sol. Our hotel was Hostal Astoria. We turned in circles a couple of times, because of construction. Fortunately our hotel was just a bit further, 300m at most from Puerta del Sol. We arrived at 11AM, but our room was ready, it was just by the computer used as Internet cafe. I worried it would be noisy, but isolation was fine. The personnel were nice and they even tried to speak our language at check in and check out. Any time we went out or in, we greeted and were always answered. The location and the price were hard to beat. The street is busier towards Puerta del Sol, but closer to the hotel it was never as busy. We walked everywhere and all was not more than 1 km in each direction. Madrid is small.

We went out for lunch to the Meson de la Tortilla fortunately open on Sunday and off Plaza Mayor and had a delicious tortilla con chorizo, finally. I am a big fan. This small place with a little terrace only serves tortillas for 1, 2, 3 or more people and also some tapas. We also chose some croquetas.











We had a walk around Puerta del Sol, sales were starting and stands were being installed for music shows. We located little supermarkets close by as well as el Museo del Jamon a few meters away from the hotel. There is also a bakery, and right next door a place selling turron. The Carefour supermarket had great prices and had delicious pate for only 60c or so. We bought a baguette from the bakery and wine from another little supermarket for diner picnic in our room which was not too big, but well organized and air conditioned, essential in Summer heat. We didn't hear much of the loud shows as the street was a bit further from it all, but very central. We could even open windows at night, and it was fine for Madrid.

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