 Tanya's Scoop Covering the West Coast & the World CURRENTLY IN: SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH  Hello, Hello!! Happy Hump Day! Well, as I am a huge fan of Spain, I thought I would take you on a virtual trip to Madrid and a few of the top tourist attractions and dining experiences! Let us know what you think!! Madrid: A Guide to the Top Tourist Attractions, Food, & Culture  Madrid (shutterstock) Bursting with energy and overflowing with fantastic attractions across the entire city, Madrid is a modern metropolis serving up a visually-astounding and culturally rich taste of Spain. Wide city roads are decorated with people from all around the globe, and both locals and tourists can ceaselessly feast their eyes on Madrid's gorgeous urban sprawl. The city is constantly bustling with life, and with so much to do just steps away, you're never short on things to see, experience, and eat while vacationing in Madrid. The vibrant capital city is home to some of the world's most fascinating architecture, colorful public squares, unforgettable nightlife, and eclectic cuisines. If you're headed to Madrid for a short vacation or a long holiday, use this guide to make sure you hit all of the top attractions, eateries, and cultural hubs. Plaza Mayor Located in the heart of Madrid, Plaza Mayor is much more of an experience than a must-see attraction. Encircled by quaint cafes and bars, Plaza Mayor welcomes you to take a breath, and take it slow. There's no better place in Madrid to people-watch and relax than this massive square. Beyond the throngs of tourists and locals populating Plaza Mayor, there are several street performers that cruise in and out of the open area to provide unparalleled entertainment. Once the clock strikes 2 p.m., the square grows busier, and only increases in foot traffic as the sun goes down and nighttime settles in. Gateway of the Sun (Puerta del Sol) Known as the true heart of Madrid, Puerta del Sol is lined with fountains, shops, restaurants, and friendly people. The city square is usually busy, particularly at nightfall when the city lights up with pedestrians wandering through the square searching for the hottest party or jazziest bar. And, while Puerta del Sol is home to some of Madrid's trendiest bars and nightclubs, it's also home to some of the finest eateries in town. Nonetheless, whatever urban experience you're looking for while spending time in Madrid can be found in the heart of Puerta del Sol. Círculo de Bellas Artes Rooftop Bar Circulo de Bellas Artes is a Spanish cultural building with a history dating back to the 1880s. While the inside of this art center features over 1,200 stunning works of art, Circulo de Bellas Artes is best known for its rooftop. Offering sweeping views of the city, it's truly no wonder why this spot is so highly coveted among locals and tourists alike. Witness amazing sunsets while kicking back with a tasty cocktail in hand for a mere $5 and a quick elevator ride. DiverXO DiverXO's Michelin-starred chef, David Muñoz is at the height of his career, serving hungry mouths that come all across the globe to indulge in his colorful and eccentric eats. Although the waiting list at DiverXO is long, it is, without question, absolutely worth the wait. Immerse yourself into the three-hour dining experience that features more than 20 dishes you’ll simply have to eat to believe.  Mercado de San Miguel (shutterstock) Mercado de San Miguel Mercado de San Miguel is best distinguished by its beautifully decorated glass and cast-iron architecture and it's bustling interior teeming with everything from fine wine and cured meats to rich coffee pours and great conversation. This market is a popular stop for tourists to Madrid and is centrally located just outside of Plaza Mayor. If you're looking for an inviting space to expand your tapas palette, Mercado de San Miguel is your go-to spot. Royal Palace of Madrid The Royal Palace of Madrid is a spectacular castle boasting larger-than-life architecture and presence in the middle of Madrid. Regarded as one of the largest royal palaces in the world, this grandiose 18th-century estate parallels the exquisite majesty of the Château de Versailles. The Royal Palace is home to more than 2,500 lavishly decorated rooms. Take a tour through the former residence of a lengthy list of kings and queens while feeling like a royal yourself, if only for a few hours. Prado Museum A true world-class museum, the Prado Gallery houses a collection of more than 5,000 paintings that easily contend with the might of the Louvre collection in Paris. Experience a visual tour down Spain’s historic art scene through the Prado's assembly of paintings from the 12th century to the early 19th century. Lovers of Francisco de Goya are bound to be blown away by the Prado's collection of de Goya masterpieces. Feast your eyes on a whopping 140 de Goya originals at the simple cost of admission. Outside of Spanish relics, enjoy worldly paintings, sculptures, artifacts, and more from Italy, France, Germany, and beyond. With more than 100 rooms on three floors to explore, it is easy to make a day out of a Prado Museum visit. El Retiro Park To the east of central Madrid lies El Retiro Park. A sprawling, tree-lined escape from the hustle of metropolitan Madrid, this park is full of lush greenery, formal gardens, lakes, cafes, recreation zones and more. This massive 300-some-acre park was previously home to Felipe IV's palace and gardens. It wasn't until the late 19th century that this gorgeously developed piece of Madrid became open to the public.  Madrid's Gran Via (shutterstock) Gran Via The famous Gran Vía in Madrid is a popular destination for shoppers and architecture enthusiasts. Erected in the early 1900s to make travel to and from the city center a streamlined and painless commute, Gran Vía stretches nearly one mile long and is lined with boutiques, mainstream shops, bars, and restaurants. Make it a point to stop and try a bocadillo de calamares, or get lost in retail at the world's second-largest Primark. For some even entertainment, mosey on down to the Teatro Lope de Vega for an authentic Spanish performance. No matter where the Gran Via takes you, you'll be in great company. Wrapping up Spain's cozy summers make it a haven for tourists looking for a laid-back long holiday or a busy cosmopolitan experience can find exactly what they're looking for when booking a trip to Madrid. Between gazing at Madrid's architectural marvels while drinking wine in a local bar or relishing the beauty of Spain's stunning natural landscape, you can rest assured knowing your trip to the Spanish capital will be a total dream. Cheers, -Travelin' Tanya  David Adler is the Founder and CEO of The Travel Secret, a members-only travel search engine. David is a passionate entrepreneur who started The Travel Secret after sitting through a timeshare presentation and daydreaming how nice it would be to get the same discount, he received for attending the timeshare presentation on every trip he took. He used his experience in travel, e-commerce, telecom, hospitality, and international business to create The Travel Secret which gives more people access to pricing on travel that is usually not available to the public. |  Elisa's Scoop Covering Long Island & NYC Boroughs CURRENTLY IN: LONG ISLAND, NEW YORK Is it really Hump Day already?! It feels like I was just "virtually" traveling throughout Disney World with you and here I am again today bringing you another fun Walt Disney World Wednesday again! In our house, we go through a bit off "withdrawal" if we are not reading, planning or at Disney World. Our biggest dilemma now as we plan our 2021 trip, is whether to try for the first-time ever, a Disney cruise. All things considered, with the state of health right now, we keep flip-flopping back and forth in our decision. Of course, the compromise is a Disney Land & Sea combo trip where by we enjoy a few days cruisin' and the rest of the trip "on land" at the parks. Clearly, me and my girls have some thinking to do. As for today, I do hope you check out Tanya's Scoop where she is traveling virtually to Spain for "Madrid: A Guide to the Top Tourist Attractions, Food, & Culture." As for me, I'm bringing you a super cool list of ways for moms and daughters to bond at Walt Disney World. Considering that my girls and I visit the happiest place on earth together at least once a year, Kelsey, (my partner in crime writing for Walt Disney World Wednesdays) and I are more than qualified to guide you in the right direction! So without further adieu, let's get to it!! 11 Memorable Disney Bonding Experiences for Moms & Daughters From Afternoon Tea to Mani-Pedi's to Balloon Rides!  (c) travelincousins.com As someone who has taken numerous mother daughter Walt Disney world trips throughout the past decade, I can attest to the countless memories we have created in a way only a mom and her female children can! Whether a specially planned mother-daughter trip or simply some designated girl time away on a family trip, Disney World parks and resort properties are home to some very unexpected and unique experiences for moms and daughters to create memories to last a lifetime. Here are 11 ways to celebrate and share this very special parent-child relationship together in the happiest place on earth: Read more... As for the rest of my day, I'll be heading out into the rain to do some errands. Before we know it, we'll be back again on Friday, when I'll be chatting it up about a few Bronx Little Italy businesses and what they have done to survive during the Covid-19 pandemic. Stay safe and be well!! -Travelin' Elisa xoxo |
