Hey! Welcome back to another issue of Solo Wanderess!
For those of you in a hurry:
Here’s the skim!
Why I love Spain story.
Deals This Week:
Cruise Deals from MSC & Royal Caribbean
See the world save some money doing it!
Destination Deep Dive: Madrid, Spain
Travel Tip: Visit A Museum Tips
Spain will always have a special place in my heart. My best friend and I are forever intertwined with Spanish, Spain and the city of Madrid. It’s a little mystical almost something like destiny.
My best friend and I met in 7th grade Spanish 1 class. We fumbled through Spanish 1 together and grew up together. Constantly opening doors for one another to experience new and interesting things.
When we were young adults he decided he wanted to try teaching English overseas for a while, I stayed in the states and got a job.
In 2014, he decided to settle in Spain. Madrid to be precise. It’s this decision that would forever open a door for me to international travel.
In 2016, I decided to take a trip by myself to go see him. Mind you in that decade my Spanish was still at best fumble worthy… Boarding that plane in Gatwick, England and hearing the entire pre flight announcements in Spanish was a real eye opening moment.
But I was not afraid. I was going to see my friend after all.
That trip changed my life!
Let’s talk about Madrid!
But First The Travel Deals!
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Madrid Is A Sight To Behold
The city is filled with art, history and a lively atmosphere. There’s a little bit of something for everyone in this must-visit destination. Some of the key places to visit when you are here include:
The Prado Museum (Museo Del Prado):
When I went in 2016 it was free after a certain hour! The collection inside was amazing and is considered one of the finest collections in Europe!
The Reina Sofia Museum (Museo Nacional Centro De Arte Reina Sofia):
The home of the masterpiece Guernica by Pablo Picasso. I went to just spend an hour with this painting in 2016. The museum is home to other 20th-century pieces as well.
Madrid’s Train Station, Atocha:
My friend took me here to see the turtles. They have since been removed. But the station itself is clean and a great way to get around Spain. You can take trains to a variety of locations in Spain from this location.
Each of these places holds a special place in my heart.
An evening spent amongst artistic masterpieces.
A siesta spent gazing at an emotionally moving anti-war painting.
A night out with a friend to see something pretty unique.
Deciphering how to buy train tickets in an era where Google Translate wasn’t that good yet.
Travel Tips: Visiting Museums On Vacation
Always check the local times and dates for availability of exhibits and locations you want to visit.
Checking availability for the dates you will be traveling can save you a lot of heartache and disappointment.
During my trip to Madrid I also had a short stay in Barcelona (48 hours) and guess what… that was the exact 48 hours the Picasso Museum is closed during the week.
Check availability for tickets and hours of operations. Some museums have free admission after certain times and some tickets even SELL OUT!
Be aware of museum policies for dress, food, drink and water bottle containers. Read the signs.
When I went to see Guernica, the painting had guards and had a zero tolerance flash photography policy in place. All the signs were in Spanish with a clear pictogram explaining no cameras inside the room.
So on my next trip to the country I will not be missing that!
Thanks for reading till the end!
Till Next Time,
Jordan Lynn
Founder, Solo Ladies Will Travel
Independent Travel Agent
Experienced Solo Traveler