Plans for an August in Madrid

There are no infinite beaches, the frenetic pace of life that characterises the city calms down and yes – it's hot. Those are the three dominant facts that describe Madrid during the month of August, but the truth is that the most sweltering month of summer is an ideal time to enjoy the capital of our country without crowds and crazy prices.

As we are well aware, there are many of you who have chosen to reward yourself with a holiday or a long weekend in Madrid. So this month Your Hotel Destination will offer you a list featuring the 'must-do' things that you can't miss during your visit. Grab your backpack, put a cap on and let's go!

Calm descends on the museums of Madrid

Even if there are still tourists all around the city this part of the year (because there are, don't be tempted to think otherwise), the amount of visitors here and there definitely decreases quite a bit. This means that apart from giving you a little peace and quiet as you stroll down mythical streets such as Gran Cía, Fuencarral or Princesa, it's a perfect time of year for those who want to visit the main museums in the city without being annoyed by tourist crowds.

It's also a great way of escaping the high temperatures of the capital in summer, and your best bets would be visiting the Thyssen Museum, the Prado (always crowded during the winter months) and the Reina Sofia.

August festivals fill the capital

August is the month of festivals in Madrid and just like in so many other parts of the peninsula they celebrate the so-called 'Virgin of August'. So, what events will fill the city districts with local cuisine, music, coloured lanterns and the classic 'chulapos' with their 'chulapas'? Take note:

• From the 2nd to the 8th of August: the San Cayetano festival, en event held between El Rastro and Embajadores.
• From the 9th to the 11th of August: this is when the San Lorenzo festival is held in the famous Lavapiés district.
• From the 12th to the 15th: Fiesta grande in the La Latina district. Why the big party? These are the Paloma festivities, the most authentic and fun-filled festivals in the entire capital.

Hotels in the centre of Madrid

Even if you could choose anywhere in the city there is nothing quite like waking up in the morning, opening up the door to your balcony and seeing that you're right in the centre of Madrid itself. Apart from being only steps from the main places of interest you can also rub shoulders with the locals and enjoy the coffee, the vertical terraces and all the tapas and beer taverns on offer.

Our recommendation for this month would be an urban hotel in the centre of Madrid, such as for example the Petit Palace Cliper Gran Vía, the Petit Palace Arturo Soria or the Petit Palace Savoy Alfonso XII. Three flagships of the Petit Palace chain that offer outstanding value for money.

Madrid in three days: what to see, where to go and what to eat?

One of the most challenging things a travel agent can face is having to plan for a trip that combines two (highly) complicated factors: visiting a large city, and doing so in just a few days. To put it another way: the great challenge is trying to ensure that the traveller gets to experience large cities such as New York, Paris, San Francisco or Mexico City in just 3 or 4 days.

If we place the geographical context here in this country, the greatest challenge would be Madrid. Is it possible to get to know the capital well in the three or four days off that we get during Easter week? The good news is that it's possible. And the bad? No, there are no bad news, so lose those nerves and start enjoying the route!

Day 1 Museums along the Paseo de la Castellana

The first thing to do when visiting a new place would normally be to begin with all the prominent and famous locations, but here at Your Hotel Destination we believe that to really get the feel for a new place there is nothing better than to opt for a good dose of culture, and where could be a better place for that than la Castellana, where you have everything at hand.

Apart from being a unique location where you can take stroll and enjoy parks and classic bars, la Castellana is also where you find attractions such as the Prado Museum, the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum and the Reina Sofía Museum. Three large museums full of unparalleled works of art.

Day 2 Discovering the Gran Vía: Fuencarral, Chueca and Malasaña

After a first day enjoying the magical works of arts in the museums of the capital city, it's time to enjoy areas such as the Gran Vía, and legendary Madrid neighbourhoods like Fuencarral, Chueca and Malasaña.

They are areas full of shops, restaurants and excellent hotel establishments (such as hotel IBEROSTAR Las Letras Gran Vía) where you can enjoy a few hours of shopping, tapas, or walks in the sunshine of the central Spain plateau. If you're travelling as a family, there's nothing better than to opt for one of the many rooms available along the Gran Vía in Madrid, so you'll be within walking distance of the most important areas.

Day 3 Eating tapas in La Latina

Even if the main course is found in the immediate vicinity of hotel Las Letras Gran Vía (this is why it's Madrid's main avenue), hidden in the capital there are neighbourhoods like La Latina, a real culinary temple, turning a simple trip into a true experience. What is there to choose between? Well, anything from a traditional calamari sandwich to omelette tapas, or a newly-made, traditional Madrilenian stew.

Madrid travel recommendation: activities and accommodation

The Spanish capital is one of the richest cities in the world and welcomes lots of tourists and visitors, whether they come from Spain or abroad. This city offers them lots of different places where enjoying the natural environment, but it’s also the perfect place for shopping, business travels or romantic getaways.

It’s one of the most visited cities, where you can find lots of monuments and places, icons of the international architecture and culture. A place where all cultures play a leading role and business and leisure opportunities are guaranteed.

Activities in Madrid

If  you travel to Madrid, you should visit a nice café, drink a delicious milkshake and then visit the places below:  

·       Museo del Prado

·       Parque del Retiro

·       Puerta de Alcala

·       The symbolic Cibeles Fountain

·       Angel Caido monument

·       Museo del Traje

·       Templo de Debod

·       Almudena Cathedral

·       Jardines de Sabatini

If you like football, you should visit at least one of the 4 stadiums of Spanish FIrst Division in Madrid, which are also headquarters of the 4 teams playing in the gold category: Real Madrid, Atletico de Madrid, Rayo Vallecano and Getafe.

Where to stay in Madrid?

Madrid offers a wide range of hotels, but we just mention the best ones in this article. We emphasize the 4 best hotels in Madrid that you should choose:

·       Embassy Serrano: located in Calle Serrano at Salamanca neighbourhood, this boutique hotel with its own restaurant is perfect for couples and business travels.

·       Lealtad Plaza: this impressive hotel in the heart of Madrid’s art Triangle, between Parque del Retiro and Paseo del Prado is perfect for romantic escapes.

·       Cliper Gran Via: 3-star hotel with familiar rooms in Madrid in Gran via. It’s designed for you to enjoy the Spanish capital, without difficulties.

·       Savoy Alfonso XII: next to Puerta de Alcala and in front of Parque del Retiro, we can find this 4-star renewed which has become one of the most desired 4-star hotels in Madrid,                        A perfect hotel for business or couple travels to enjoy a relaxing  experience.

Madrid, Salamanca and Valladolid, a Fall itinerary

September is ripe for the picking, many of you have a bag full of memories and a house carpeted with post-holiday syndrome, while others can’t wait to travel, explore, and discover. Luckily for the second ones, those who had to work the whole summer, it’s their time to break out the routine, and we have an irresistible offer for them: a travelling route through the centre of the Peninsula, Madrid, Salamanca and Valladolid. A plan where you will have to chance to eat until you’re full with the great cuisine, and enjoy a deluxe holiday without travelling far, a real option for a short break full of stories, pictures and great moments.

Let’s start with Madrid, with low cost flights to the Capital, and hotels in the centre of Madrid, here is my suggestion:

• Las Letras Hotel.- New in the Iberostar hotel chain, a design hotel in the Gran Vía, with a breathtaking view to the centre of Madrid from its rooftop terrace. Gourmet restaurant with a deluxe chef, fully equipped accommodations, room and common area decoration is amazing, ideal to take hundreds of pictures to Instagram.
  
• Hotel Vincci Capitol.- If you are a cinephile, you’re going to love this hotel located above the Capitol Cinema (yes, it’s on the same building, in the Gran Vía) It offers themed accommodations decorated with cult moments and movies from the film history. Besides, it is a 4 star hotel, so it has a full package of services of the highest quality. This hotel is a unique experience in Madrid.
  
• Petit Palace Alcalá Torre.- An historical architectural jewel in Madrid, the city’s first skyscraper, designed the same way as New York buildings (except for the distance and high, of course) It is one of the most emblematic downtown buildings, its 60’s design is what makes it unique and worth visiting.

• Vía 66 Hotel.- Vincci’s hotel in the Gran Vía. It has a lovely rooftop terrace to enjoy the still warm evening in Madrid, impeccable design, beautiful, perfect to take pictures. With the best accommodations, ideal to relax getaways, and go out to discover the best of Madrid, without stress or rush.

Madrid is a privilege in September. The city’s regular rhythm return is slow…the city is still full of life and tourism is wandering around, but without all the crowds, the endless lines for museums, restaurants, bars and galleries. The locals return to their regular lifestyle so you can feel the essence of the capital, without all the things the high seasons bring. There are events everywhere, new movie in theatres and concerts almost every day. Madrid is always the best plan, and what a plan.

But, since we’re on a trip, after a couple of days in the city, best thing to do is to rent a car (unless you picked up yours, of course) and head to Salamanca. From September 5 to 17 are the local festivities and the city’s rhythm goes up, The night's heat are a luxury, the place is full of locals and students who come to take their tests and get ready for the coming classes, the concerts schedule is unique and everything is filled with that wonderful vibe found in this cultural capital.

Salamanca is a unique redoubt for peaceful getaways, a traditional treasure in gastronomy, culture and nightlife. This city has everything you need, you can walk easily everywhere you want since its old town is almost full of pedestrian walkways and its museums, landmarks and historical buildings are close to each other.

We suggest you two accommodations:

• Hotel Las Torres.- A hotel located in the Main plaza of Salamanca. A unique experience to brag about since it is the only hotel in the area and it has bedrooms with view to the plaza. It is a 4 star hotel renowned thanks to its customised service and its design, which tries to keep the city’s charm.

• Vincci Salamanca.- A hotel to the Conference and exhibition centre of Salamanca, close to the cathedral and the pontifical University, the Casa de las Conchas and the famous Meléndez Street. this hotel has  a perfect design, with a more contemporary and business air than the other, with a lounge bar perfect to relax and prepare your city’s itinerary, and if you came by car, don’t worry it has parking service.

Don’t forget to drop by Plaza Anaya, enjoy the magical Calixto and Melibea garden or head down to the Tormes shopping mall. You can also ride a bike though the riverbank remodelled a few years ago, or jog on Mondays or just walk along the edge and admires the city’s view from the river, with all its historical buildings on the Spanish skyline. To go out for tapas, the major square, the Zaroma street (it has some great bars), around the plaza and Rúa street. And there is the Van Dyck, is a little bit farther, at the city’s entrance before the bull ring, a place to taste some of the most authentic flavours.

Last but not least, our final destination is Valladolid, don’t be sad, city is almost an hour away from Salamanca and in September (from 13 forward) they celebrate the local festivities: the city get crowded with stands where you can taste some of the most delicious brochettes, tapas, and wines, party all night long, enjoy the local cuisine, the concerts, the art exhibitions, and even children activities. Best time ever to discover this area of Castilla león, somethings forgotten but, it’s one of the landmarks of this autonomous community.

To stay in Valladolid, we recommend you the Vincci Frontaura, a 4 star hotel in the centre of the city, considered a gastronomical reference in Valladolid, besides the food, you can enjoy its spa and walk peacefully through its old town without the need of cars (and the endless parking search in festivities) the bedrooms are amazing, and it’s perfect if you’re planning a romantic getaway.

Traveling to learn languages

Traveling to learn a language is not something new, but it is true that, in recent years, more and more people have tried this formula: young people seeking an alternative outside their country, people who want to improve a language to aspire to a new jobs or simply, travellers who like to enjoy their holidays by getting to know better other cultures and traditions.

To schedule a trip like this is important to have the possibility to travel over a long season, between 1 month and 3 months for the course to really be worthwhile. However, the range of intensive courses that concentrate basic training of a language in a couple of weeks has grown considerably in our country. The problem with this option is that the hours you have to devote to study every day is too many to be able to combine it this with the full enjoyment of the destination.

In Spain, Barcelona and Madrid, along with smaller cities but historically linked to university life and study -as in the case of Salamanca, have become genuine receptive centres to travellers looking to enjoy a stay in another country while studying the language.

The profile of this language tourism is usually young and/or executive, eager people who can take the time and enjoy learning or simply seeking a more complete experience that the journey itself: the best souvenir is often what you learn and discover during your holiday.

The most demanded accommodation for this type of tourism are usually Youth Hostels and Apartments, with rooms and common spaces to share. However, more and more travellers with a certain cultural and economic level, who are committed to this type of experience,  seek unique hotels in which to spend their days in Spain.

For them, there are all kinds of options. One of the most praised by the uniqueness of their spaces and the quality of their services are the selection of urban hotels by Petit Palace, among which the following stand out:

· Hotel Petit Palace Londres: comfortable and modern. The best: it is located in the Preciados street, the centre of Madrid, next to the best shopping streets in the capital. The main Spanish schools for foreigners are in this area.

· Hotel Petit Palace Puerta del Sol: Madrid's flagship hotel with an exceptional location. It is located at number 4 in the Puerta del Sol, a few meters from the famous kilometre 0 and shopping  areas and delicious tapas in Madrid. Like the previous hotel, it is perfect for those who will join a language course for foreigners.

· Hotel Petit Palace Plaza Mayor: as the name suggests, booking this hotel means staying at the Plaza Mayor in Madrid. The building is just a few metres from the Mercado de San Miguel, one of the trendiest places both to buy and to enjoy tapas in good company.

· Hotel Petit Palace Opera Garden: for those who prefer to travel to Barcelona. Located on Las Ramblas and with a unique design, this hotel is perfect to enjoy the Mediterranean climate and travel in groups. The best: its design and the patio with century old trees that is hidden inside.

· Hotel Petit Palace Las Torres: Salamanca, the university city is one of the best places to learn spanish and enjoy a stay full experiences, stories and culture. The hotel Las Torres is located in the centre , next to the Reloj de la Plaza Major, the meeting point of the city.