After a far too short stay in Vienna, we’re back at the airport, but via the airport bus for the first time. I didn’t feel like struggling with getting the luggage on and off the train twice, so the bus was very convenient – and air conditioned!
We’re going onwards to Madrid this evening, from Terminal 1 which I’ve never been in before. The main Terminal, number 3, is the home of Austrian Airlines as well as their partners across the Star Alliance. This is the terminal that houses the low cost and other airlines.
After quickly going through bag drop and security we visit the Vienna Lounge. It’s gorgeous!
Our flight is a little bit late but not by too much. The sun is just setting as we take off.
Ellie passes out quickly after a busy day.
The onboard meal offering is pretty good for a short (2.5 hour) flight!
We follow the sunset for a while which makes for some nice views over the Austrian Alps. Unfortunately the windows were really dusty and dirty on this aircraft.
We arrive in Madrid’s massive airport not too far behind schedule.
The bags however took forever to come out. These bags here from a previous flight were just sitting on a non-moving belt for at least 15 minutes. I’d imagine the people who could see their bags just sitting right there for so long but out of reach weren’t happy at all. Ours took 40 minutes to appear.
It’s midnight when we arrive at our home for the next 4 days – The Madrid Edition. Ellie hides under her avocado stuffie in the beautiful bed.
We expire pretty quickly after that, and head down to Jeronimo, one of the in house restaurants, for the first of 4 absolutely delicious breakfasts.
Ellie decides to take a selfie with my phone when I get up to use the restroom.
Here’s the hallway from the lobby to Jeronimo.
We head out for a walk after breakfast before it gets too hot. Here’s the street in front of the hotel.
The Puerta del Sol – one of Madrid’s main squares.
These guys were playing some beautiful music down the street which was worth a stop, listen, and a tip.
A statue of a Spanish writer and composer Maestro Alonso stands in front of the Casino de Madrid, a historical social club.
I found it intriguing how there were so many roads underground in central Madrid. We drove through a few on the taxi ride from the airport.
Church of the Calatravas
Calle Gran Via – the “Spanish Broadway”
Cervantes Institute
Paseo del Prado, one of the many boulevards of Madrid
The Fuente de Cibeles – which was beautifully lit at night and one of the few operating fountains due to extensive drought. I never made it back after dark for a photo, sadly.
We arrive in El Retiro Park. On the entrance boulevard there were a ton of people dressed as various characters solicting tips for photos. Must be sweltering inside those suits. It was already 38 degrees at noon.
The Galapagos Fountain
The Great Pond of El Retiro. It was quite busy with boaters, but didn’t look too appetizing for swimming.
It was getting really hot out so we just sat on a shaded bench along one of the many treed walking boulevards.
This one was the Boulevard of Statues.
Lots of shade… very welcome in the blazing Madrid sun.
Another coin operated pay phone !!
It’s too hot to walk back to the hotel so we duck into the Metro.
This station was really nice with some tiled murals of the park that it serves.
Curiously, the station benches have cheerful USB charging points.
In Puerta del Sol we pass by El Oso y el Madroño “The Bear and the Strawberry Tree” – a famous symbol of Madrid. When the city was founded bears were abundant in the nearby mountains.
Walking back through one of the shaded pedestrian streets.
Ellie requested a “pink drink” when we walked by Starbucks.
Back at the hotel, we go up the cool spiral staircase to the lobby.
And Ellie sits in one of the plush chairs. Would be very cozy for a nap!
The room has been tidied nicely 🙂
Next, we head to one of the highlights of this hotel. The rooftop terrace and pool.
Cheers!
It’s really an oasis up here. We hardly hear anything from the street below.
Ellie wants to check out the gym, and ponders which machine she wants to use. Thankfully she forgot about this idea.
Ice cream time! The name of this shop means “Kiss of Ice Cream”.
Ellie loved the banana flavour.
A view on another one of the typical side streets in this area.
We take some rest in the room then head out of the city for a sunset view in a residential neighbourhood.
This hill, Cerro del Tio Pio, is very popular with locals but I don’t hear anyone else speaking English here. It was a very cool experience. Ellie liked it so much that she wanted to come back again but it was definitely a bit of a trek so we didn’t have time to do it again!
We should have stayed longer on the hill as the colours kept getting better as we walked back across the highway to the bus stop, but as it was 930 PM and we were getting hungry, we really needed to get dinner.
So we jump on the bus to this cute little pizza joint.
Ellie was very happy, and the Italian server who was likely one of the owners was super friendly.
Back at Puerta del Sol, this nicely lit building simply houses the offices of the Directorate General for Media.
Looking the other way, is the iconic Tio Pepe.
We go up just to take a look at the beautiful roof terrace where a few people are enjoying drinks.
It’s been a great first day!
Ellie's Adventures 