Took an abbreviated tour of Museo del Prado. Among its astounding collection of paintings is this one by Velazquez reputed by our guide book, and many others, to be the world’s greatest painting. Called Las Meninas, it shows Velazquez himself painting the Royal Couple, while the Royal Daughter and her servants, some clerics and a dog, look on. I don’t really think it is the world’s greatest painting, or even if that appellation can be given to any single work of art, but it is neat. The …

Took the Madrid Visions bus tour around Madrid to take in all the sights I was not going to see otherwise. I find it a good way to get the flavor and feel of a place quickly, and then decide what else I want to walk on foot. Got off the bus (the second time around) at the Palacio Real, Madrid’s Royal Palace. Built between 1738 and 1755, it is considered to be the second most incredible palace in Europe, following perhaps Versailles.
Let me tell you: it was cool. …

Puerto del Sol is now a big construction site, so the Sunday flea market (or pickpocket’s market as the locals know it) has moved to other digs. At night it is still filled with street performers, and presided over by this famous Tio Pepe sign. I love neon and photograph it wherever I go, so I could hardly resist.

Ate dinner in the eponymous Cervecerio Santa Ana in the Plaza de Santa Ana. Our first evening meal, and our first tapas. Had a huge plate of assorted jamon, …

Madrid’s own Hanging Gardens

Madrid is a city of gardens, many of them built by King Charles III in the 18th Century.  Then there is
Hieronymus Bosch’s masterpiece, “The Garden of Earthly Delights,” which was perhaps my main motivation for visiting Madrid.  Today I stumbled on this great work of art, that doesn’t seem to have a name.
Just down the Paseo del Prado from the Thyssen museum, is this incredible, lush, sweet-smelling hanging garden. I actually smelled it before I saw it.  This is like a rain forest glued to the side …