Chocolate Madrid

Only the best spots to shop, wine, dine and get hyped up in the Spanish capital - a modern city that honors its historical heritage. Passionate people from Madrid are all about getting together, enjoying life and art in all its forms. Regardless of the season, Madrid abounds in art venues, cultural manifestations and night life. However, a little bit of shopping won’t hurt either. 😉 Highlights: 🐻 El Oso y el Madroño (the Bear and the Strawberry Tree) - the symbol of the city, is a sculpture from the 2nd half of the 20th century, that represents the coat of arms of Madrid and is found on the east side of the Puerta del Sol, between Calle de Alcalá and Carrera de San Jerónimo, in the historical centre of the capital. 🐂 Corrida de toros - Spanish-style bullfighting, involves a physical contest with humans (and other animals) attempting to publicly subdue, immobilize, or kill a bull. The most common bull used is the Spanish Fighting Bull (Toro Bravo), a type of cattle native to the Iberian Peninsula. This style of bullfighting is seen to be both a sport and performance art. In a traditional corrida, three toreros (or matadores) each "fight" against two out of a total of six "fighting" bulls to death. 💃🏻Flamenco - is an art form (incorporating poetry, singing, guitar playing, dance, polyrhythmic hand-clapping and finger snapping) strongly influenced by the Gitanos, but which has its deeper roots in Moorish musical traditions. Flamenco culture originated in Andalusia, but has since become one of the icons of Spanish music and even Spanish culture in general. 🍖Jamón - is a kind of dry-cured ham that’s at the heart of Spanish culture and cuisine. There exist two great traditions of artisanal cured hams in Spain, both of which are a source of enjoyment and great pride among Spaniards: 1. Jamón Serrano - a cured country ham made from conventional pork. 2. Jamón Ibérico - produced from non-acorn fed pigs (Cerdo Ibérico) or acorn-fed variety which results in Jamón Ibérico de Bellota (considered the world's finest ham). 🥨 Churros - is a type of fried dough, made with choux pastry dough piped into hot oil with a piping bag and large closed star tip or similar shape. They can either be thin (and sometimes knotted) or long and thick, where they are known as porras or jeringos in some regions. Normally eaten for breakfast dipped in champurrado, hot chocolate, dulce de leche or café con leche. 🏟️ Football fans should be very excited about Madrid, as it hosts one of the best teams ever - Real Madrid. Visit Real Madrid’s home by taking a tour on their stadium, Santiago Bernabéu.

Read through this guide to learn how to eat like a Madrileño. This is great pre-trip reading, and is also handy as a reference when you get to Spain - especially after a few vermouths!

Off the Beaten-Path Madrid, Where Locals Actually Go. If you are like me, you hate to pack your days traveling from one tourist hotspot to the next 'must-see' landmark. Take a break from the usual guides and lists of what you 'should' see in Madrid and allow yourself to experience Madrid for all its charm through its food, shops, drinks, and unique culture. I find it fascinating that Madrid does not have an Eiffel Tower, or a Coliseum, yet millions are drawn (& some stay like me) to its indescribable aura that you need to see for yourself.