Madrid

The trip to the heat wave at 15.7-18.7.2022 happened in Madrid, where I booked flights a couple of weeks earlier and the price of return ticket was a salty as you can imagine. However, the price with its flights + hotel did not dampen the travel atmosphere as it was my birthday trip. Another year older and it feels like that I am going crazier in every year. I cannot stand still; I want to experience and see everything.

A hotel called Leonardo Hotel Madrid City Center was chosen as a hotel for a four-day trip to Madrid. The hotel is actually a three-star hotel by rating but I think it deserves more. The hotel was super clean and cozy. The staff were friendly, and breakfast was really varied.

My interest in Madrid was mainly to tour the city to see architecture, history, and art. However, the heat above 35 degrees was difficult to manage, and the weather was not the most favorable for walking. Almost three liters of water were drunk per day, and I tried to find shady places to sit down for a while. Despite the heat, however, I managed to visit these attractions, among other things: Palacio Real de Madrid,  Plaza Mayor, Almuneda Catholic Cathedral, El Prado Museum, and a gay neighborhood called Chueca. I learned a lot of new things about Spanish history and of course, modern social structures.

I celebrated my birthday evening with a friend on the roof terrace of a hotel called Room Mate Macarena, which offered spectacular views over the rooftops of central Madrid. In Room Mate Macarena, drinks were about the price level in Helsinki, perhaps a little cheaper. Of course, it is mainly a hotel and a rooftop terrace for tourists, but locals sometimes visit that place. I also had time to make some shopping during the trip; Of course, I do not usually buy souvenirs. The only exception is the flags of different countries. I love collecting flags, they fascinate with colorfulness and the meanings of the different patterns on flags. I had to get a Spanish flag and, of course, took a photo with it.

Home sweet home, it's always nice to come back home :) Time for planning the next trip, hasta luego!