Basic Info Needed

[Cassie]

Hello. The company I work for is going to be traveling to Madrid in
late October, and we need some help gathering some basic information.

We need to know if anyone has suggestions for local markets, grocery
stores, convenient stores, shopping, local resteraunts, bars,
hangouts, etc. Any information on any of the above would be helpful.

I am also looking for some travel guidebooks, or handouts. It doesnt
look like there is a whole lot on the internet about these. If you
know where to find some for pretty cheap, or free, please let me know.

If you have any other helpful information on the area, please let me
know.
The conference they are attending will be about a week long, and they
are staying at the TRYP Ambassador Hotel. They wont have much time
during the day for activities, but if you know of some fun nighttime
activities, please let me know.

Thanks in advance for any help or suggestions.

[Roger Warwick]

Hi Cassie,

To be honest, it's not very practical to give you information about local restaurants or bars. Your company is staying in quite a central location, and you will only need to walk out on to the street to see plenty of bars and restaurants - just walk around and see what's available, go in to a bar that takes your fancy and order a beer or glass of wine, then wait to see if they provide you with a small plate of tapas. Walk around, enjoy the sights and choose one of the many restaurants you'll see.

Grocery stores and supermarkets are also plentiful, although in the centre you'll probably need to know where to go: make sure you visit the San Miguel Market (Plaza de San Miguel) which has many different shops for all types of delicatessen goods, as well as places to sip a glass of wine or take a quick beer. You could also visit the "Mercado de los Mostenses" (Calle del General Mitre) for a range of shops serving fresh meat, fish, cheeses, olives, bread and cakes, and a whole lot more.

Lastly, the El Corte Ingles department store on Preciados street near the Puerta del Sol has a supermarket downstairs (down from the ground floor) where you can find some quality foodstuffs.

Regarding brochures or guidebooks, I suggest you visit the tourist office once you're in Madrid (e.g. the one at Plaza Mayor) and pick up all the information you need. If you want to research some activities beforehand, may I humbly suggest you look at my own online guide (link below) and especially the section of Top 10 activities.

Hope you enjoy your trip!

Roger.
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http://www.GoMadrid.com - Madrid City Guide for Tourists

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[edw martinez]

Cassie,

Roger's advice is right on.  Pack your comfortable walking shoes and get out and walk. Get away from the hotel!  You will find something.  You will also learn that in Madrid, they pride themselves on party hard all night!  Lots of night noise and activity going on everywhere   Walking in Madrid, as many large older cities, it can be easy to get turned around-and lost. Even maps do not help much.  And yes, it happens to me a lot., especially around the Plaza Mayor.   My own benchmark is to find the nearest Metro stop.  If you do not see one, ask someone.  And go from there.  If you do not speak Spanish well, then write out the name of your hotel and other places/destinations in large letters on a notecard.  Flash that.  And by the way, do not hesitate to use the Metro, it is THE great way to get from place to place.  (even when lost). Buy the ten ticket deal  After a week of exploring you will be a travel pro..  As this travel forum is global, I do not know if you are located in the United States. If so, then a good "free" place to get travel info is at Barnes and Noble.  Take a notebook and pencil, find a soft chair, and scan the travel books.   Rough Guides and Letting Go are good starts.  Your local library should have a selection too, although probably older out of date, the basic info is still valid.  And, hit the internet hard.  Trip Advisors has good info and (sometimes) valid opinions and reviews.  When traveling, my own food plan is often to duck into a mom and pop deli or connivance store and get fruits and snacks stuff to go.  And do not shutter at this, but there are McDonalds etc all over Madrid--and they are always open and they serve beer.  Remember, restaurants only open late for dinner   And, of course, in Spain, at night you must do the wine bars, taverns and their tapas.  If your hotel plan has a breakfast buffet, bulk up there for the day and stash an apple or banana as backup.   In the Euro world, the large department stores usually have a food section or deli in the basement.  Follow the fish smell. HA!    Since my usual hotel is between Opera and Sol, my night wandering is around or just beyond, Plaza Mayor, and southeast streets beyond, Sol.  I do not do the nightlife along the Via.

 

Good Travels!

[larrysimi]

Cassie
Don't know where you're located but if you can get to a Spanish Consulate office they have lots of written material
If not call or email one of the offices
They were very helpful to us
Larry

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