Destinations Unlimited

Spain - Madrid

Proven Madrid Destination Management Company: DMC and planner for Specialist
Incentive, Conference, Event and Convention Travel Organiser Worldwide

	ITB DMC (SITE)
Contacts C/ Doctor Esquerdo, 17 2º derecha Madrid - 08028 Spain Tel: + 34 91 574 6070 Fax: + 34 91 573 7456 Email: madrid@dudmc.com Web Site: www.viajesitb.com Contact: Miguel Friede - Director Links - Madrid Destination Example Programme Suggested Sightseeing Theme Party Ideas for Incentives Specialist Groups

COUNTRY MAP

(Map by kind permission of the CIA Official Website)

General Information

Destination

Situated at a higher altitude than any other European Capital, Madrid is a city of wide avenues, stylish shops, excellent restaurants and a range of top class hotels, several of which offer extensive conference facilities. Museums and art galleries abound for the visitor with a cultural frame of mind and those with a lighter outlook cannot fail to be impressed by the nightlife ranging from disco to classical Spanish Dance.

An outstanding destination, sometimes overlooked in favour of Spain's coastal resorts.

Example Programme

Day 1
Arrival at Madrid airport. Meet and greet by English speaking guide.

Transfer to the hotel, including a short sight-seeing tour of the city on the way, in order to get a first impression of the city: There are several different styles of architecture to be seen in the Madria buildings and monuments: Medieval, Renaissance, Baroque, Neo-classical, Romantic and Modern, and different socio-economic districts, such as the Madrid of the artists, the students, the antiquarians, the wealthy and the impoverished gypsies.

Drive along famous streets like the Gran Via and see pretty plazas (squares) like Plaza de España, Puerta del Sol, Neptune and Cibeles.

You will see the modern Madrid with its wide avenues like the Castellana, and parks and gardens like the Retiro and Casa del Campo. Also included on our route are the "monumental" bullring and the Real Madrid Stadium.

Arrival at the hotel and time to freshen-up

Tonight, we suggest for a relaxed welcome, a typical Tapas Dinner in Madrid downtown, in restaurant Los Galayos. Located in the Plaza Mayor, this is one of Madrid’s highlights. Very animated square and a pedestrian crossroads. Caricaturist, painters, musician, locals, are the population of this not to be missed spot. It’s possible to dine in an outdoor terrace on the square. The specialty of the restaurants is Tapas. We can brighten the meal by a band, playing Spanish songs from table to table while dining.

After dinner, return to the hotel.

Day 2
Morning departure from the hotel for a guided visit of one of the most important Museums in the world - the Prado Museum.
It is one of the most important art galleries in the World, installed in a splendid 18th century building. Spanish painting from the 12th to 18th centuries: Greco, Velazquez, Ribera, Murillo, Goya. Italian painting like: Fra Angelico, Raphael, and Venetian school. Flemmish school: Bosch, Rubens, Van Dyck. Dutch and English school are also represented. Collection of coins, enamels, gold and silver work.

Afterwards, enjoying a different way viewing the beautiful and historically significative city center of Madrid:

Tapas Rallye
Pedestrian Rally throughout the old town. We will provide different road-books to the participants of the group, so that every 8-10 persons have a different itinerary to discover by their own the Austrian Quarter (historical part of Madrid), starting at the Plaza Mayor. This road book shows the way to follow in the Old Quarters of Madrid and also give a little explanation about some of the buildings and History where they pass by. During the itinerary, they will have a drink and a Tapa in two typical tavern of the quarter, giving them the chance to mix with locals. Each mesón (Tavern) has its own speciality: Spanish potato omelette, deep fried squids, stuffed mushrooms, Spanish cured ham, etc... These Mesones have a superb atmosphere...

The road-book will end at restaurant La Posada de la Villa for lunch. This is a 3 floor house located in the old part of Madrid, built in XVII, a Typical Castillian "meson" with rustic and elegant decor. The best roasted suckling lamb in town for Spaniards. Lamb is roasted in a 300-year-old granite oven sizing 3 meters of diameter.

After lunch, return to the hotel or free time in the city centre for shopping and return to the hotel afterwards.

Evening departure from the hotel for dinner in one of the most well visited restaurants in Madrid, the Cafe de Oriente. Located in the Plaza de Oriente, a pedestrian area, opposite the Royal Palace and next to the Royal Opera House. The most elegant dining room is one of the old caves of the Royal Palace. Elegant and rustic decoration. Warm atmosphere. Includes a private dining room that the King and the Royal Family accustomed to visit. Offers an excellent selection of meat and fish dishes. There is a coffee shop upstairs, Belle epoque decorated which in the spring and summer also has an outdoor terrace.

After dinner, transfer back to the hotel

Day 3
Morning departure from the hotel with bus and guide for the neighbouring city of Toledo, a place you cannot miss!

At 70 km far from Madrid. The Imperial city of Toledo is such a perfectly preserved medieval city that it has been declared a national monument and Honored monument of the Humanity by UNESCO. It is superbly situated on a high hill and surrounded on three sides by the Tagus River. Toledo was: the Visigothic Kingdom capital for more that 100 years; Very important Muslim city subordinate to the Caliphate of Cordoba, for more than 3 century; Capital of the Reconquest from the XI century, Toledo was the Spain Capital till 1.561We will visit the Gothic Cathedral, and the Santo Tomé Church, where Greco's masterpiece "The Burial of the Count Orgaz" is displayed. We will walk through the winding streets of the Jewish Quarters and pass by the two existing Synagogue.

During the tour, we will make a stop for a wonderful wine tasting in a very special place: Adolfo’s wine cellars. These cellars date from the 12th century and are Jewish cellars recently discovered; Adolfo, the best Restaurateur in Toledo, has transformed in wine cellars to keep his wonderful wine collection

After the tour, lunch will be served in a very special restaurant in Toledo: Cason de Los Lopez de Toledo. In the very centre of the medieval Toledo is located this imposing restaurant, in a building of the most pure Toledanian style of the 16th century, with all the rooms built around a patio (in-yard), which previously belonged to the well-known family of the Lopez de Toledo. No other restaurant in Toledo combines ambience and cuisine so well. A vaulted foyer leads to a patio with marble statues, twittering caged birds, a fountain, and abstract religious paintings; in the dining room, delicately carved wood abounds, and everything gleams with polished details.

After lunch, free time to walk around or transfer back to Madrid.

Tonight, we're off for our Gala Dinner, suggested at Pedro Larumbe. This restaurant is integrated in a 19th century palatial mansion and former headquarters of the monarchical newspaper ABC. A historical-artistic monument which celebrated its hundredth birthday on September 21st 1996. It comprises the Salon Pompeyano (in Art Nouveau style), the salon Fundador and the Patio Andaluz, the three areas having a combined seating capacity for 150 pax. It feature Franco - Basque cuisine with a Mediterranean flair from one of the top chefs in Spain awarded with the prestigious “ National Gastronomic Award“ in 1996.

Day 4
Morning departure from the hotel for the last chance of shopping in Madrid: a visit to the Fleamarket!! The “RASTRO” is the Madrilenian flea market, open on Sunday and bank holidays. It’s located in the old part of the city. Compulsory rendezvous for Madrilenians on Sunday.
It occupies more than 20 streets , where you can buy from a simple needle to a second hand car. Each street is specialized to sell similar things, like animal street, shoes street, antiques street, etc. In this area you find Puerta de Toledo market, a commercial center where you find the most well known Spanish fashion designer and best antique shops in Madrid”

Afterwards, lunch in Las Cuevas de Luis Candelas. It was a former city jail of Madrid in XVI century. One of the oldest rest in town. Located in the wines cellar of the former Kings of Spain Palace in plaza Mayor

After lunch, departure from the restaurant directly to the airport for departure flight.

Suggested Sightseeing

Madrid City sightseeing (half day)
This tour comprises the most famous places to visit in Spain's capital city. The Prado Museum is a beautiful example of 18th Century neo-classical architecture and home of some of the most important and richest painting museum in the world.

It holds an impressive collection of Spanish paintings significant collections of Italian and Flemish art as well as German and English paintings and some classical sculptures.

The Royal Palace, former residence of Spanish Royalty is an immense 18th Century structure forming one of the most beautiful palatial complexes in Europe. Inside one can admire examples of beautiful and elegant furniture, porcelain, tapestries, armour and paintings.

Escorial & Valley of the Fallen (full day)
The monastery at El Escorial is one of the most important architectural works in Spain. You will see the Pantheon of the Spanish Kings and an extensive library. Nearby if the valley of the Fallen a moving memorial to those who died in the Spanish Civil War. Lunch is provided en route on the full day tour.

Segovia and Avila (full day)
Drive to Avila known as the City of Stone and Saints and see the remarkable Cathedral St. Teresa's Convent, the Basilica of St. Vincent and St. Thoma's Convent. After lunch continue to Segovia with its Roman Aqueduct and Alcazar. Drive to La Granja to admire its Royal Palace, fountains and gardens.

Toledo (half or full day)
Drive along the highway south of Madrid to the Imperial City of Toledo. Toledo is such a beautiful and perfectly preserved medieval city that the entire area has been declared a national monument. Situated on a high hill and surrounded on three sides by the Tagus River, this ancient city remains much the same as it was centuries ago, with its narrow winding streets and small squares from different periods. It is described as a Museum City. You will visit the Gothic Cathedral, Zocodover Square, the ancient gates to the city, the reconstructed home museum of the painter El Greco, the Alcazar (fortress), the 13th Century Santa Maria la Blanca Synagogue and Santo Tome Church which houses El Greco's masterpiece. After a visit to see how damasquinado jewellery is made, lunch is taken in an old Palace.

Theme Party Ideas for Incentives

Capea and dinner
A Capea is a bloodless bull fight, featuring baby bulls where audience participation is invited. Tapas (Spanish Hors d'oeuvres) and sangria are served whilst a Tuna band entertains. Dinner is served in the 200 year old wine cellars.

Castillian Dinner in Palacio de Negralejo
Castillian Hacienda decorated in the XVIIIth Century style, old carriages set up in the house courtyard and staff dressed in themed costumes, with Castillian music and cocktail. Afterward a Castillian dinner is offered in a room converted from the original stables. We suggest a Spanish Classical Ballet as entertainment.

Verbena Evening
A Verbena was a local fair celebrated in Madrid in olden times. Today a Verbena can be staged in a number of hotels. The ballroom is decorated with streamers, special lights and stalls. Guitarists and Tuna musicians entertain, guests enjoy a spectacular traditional buffet, folklore and dancing competitions.

Toledo excursion by steamed train
Activities onboard like a rural Spanish countryside family travelling with guests and creating funny situations, a Tuna Band will perform typical Spanish music and drinks are offered.

Specialist Groups

• Architecture
• Agriculture
• Art
• Ornithology
• Wine