Europe group posting on GLOBOsapiens

Hostel is a good idea?? Madrid... we're on our thirties...

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nepalrules Joined: Jan 05 Points: 12 Posts: 3 Posted: 2005-01-24 09:59:00    Hello!! Soon a couple of friends and myself are going to Madrid.. this is our first time in this city. We’re on our thirties, so we want to visit museums and restaurants.. not so wild. Besides, we are still looking for accomodation.. we have been thinking on hostals, but we are not so sure... Can you give us some recomendations??? Reply    Reply with quote    Contact nepalrules   pascall Joined: Nov 04 Points: 16 Posts: 4 Posted: 2005-01-24 10:02:00    In Madrid I know a place called Metropol Hostel. This place is very well located, 5 minutes walking from “La Puerta del Sol”. It’s economic, clean, with breakfast included. I believe it was a hotel and a couple of years ago became a hostel. The rooms are smal, so you will not have to share with more people.... Each room has a TV and bathroom. Near this hostel, Santa Ana and Huertas are the nearest zonas! Head up Calle Victoria (I think - beside the Museo del Jamon) from Puerta del Sol and stop in the busy bars for tapas and drinks. Take a look at what people are eating/ drinking and point, if necessary. Many of the bars have a speciality, so don't miss out. To sit down (very casual) try Maceira on Huertas. They'll probably have a queue so pop in before you're starving and put your name down. There's a place called Susana that looks great, but always has a queue around Calle Sevilla (head up San Jeronimo from Sol and take the first left, then the first right I think...). There are also great tapas bars around La Latina - try El Almendro (earlyish) and again follow the crowd. For trendy eating try calle Libertad (metro Opera - but a short walk really). There's a huge range of restaurants there. Bocaito for tapas and great raciones (best jamon I've EVER eaten); Extremedura (for BIG meat), Carmencita (I've never been, but it's always recommended) and I can't believe I don't remember the name, but there's a restaurant towards the end of the street with huge plate glass windows that's really great. The street leads on to Agusto Figueroa - the home of all great shoes! (just go before 2 on Saturday!) This area is called Chueca, it's the gay area, has a fab buzz and I really like it, but some people think it seedy, so if you're very nervous go for lunch not dinner - and don't miss the shoes... For boozy lunch, I like Bellas Artes restaurant (metro Opera)- it's incredibly chic. Don't miss Casa Mingo for sunday lunch (roast chicken, cider, salad) - metro to Principe Pio then walk 10-15 minutes on Paseo de la Florida. This is an institution, and if you like people watching, it will be hard to leave. I hope this information is helpful. Reply    Reply with quote    Contact pascall   nepalrules Joined: Jan 05 Points: 12 Posts: 3 Posted: 2005-01-31 11:57:00    Thank you very much Pascall... It looks like you know very well the city. I just printed your mail and will try to follow all your advices. I took a look at the hostel you mention and Metropol's web site looks fine.. If we can book and room just for ourselves it will be pretty cool. It is located very near from "La Puerta del Sol", right?? I sent them an e-mail asking for information.. I hope they answer fast...Thanks again man Reply    Reply with quote    Contact nepalrules   marianne Premium account Joined: Sep 03 Points: 20248 Posts: 349 Posted: 2005-01-31 14:25:00    Hi Pascal. That is really good information. Why don't you write a report about madrid in which you include all this. That way it is easier for all of us, to find it back. (and future readers ) Marianne --- “I travel not to go anywhere, but to go. I travel for travel’s sake. The great affair is to move.” Robert Louis Stevenson Reply    Reply with quote    Contact marianne   nepalrules Joined: Jan 05 Points: 12 Posts: 3 Posted: 2005-03-09 12:33:00    Hello there: We just came back from Madrid and had a great time. First, I was afraid of staying at a hostel.. but it wasn't so painful.. Metropol Hostel (it's located in Gran Via, 5 minutes walking from "La Puerta del Sol") The place is clean, specially the bathrooms (which is the most impotant for me). We had a room for the 3 of us, with TV, phone.. breakfast included...internet (although we didn't used it)... The hostel offered tourist guides (for free)... activities like going out to Tapas BAr.. but! we didn't go.. My friends had a schedule... and we follow or book guide. The people was great,,, our spanish is really poor, but they appreciate our effort when we tried to speak Spanish... The weather was not great,, it's still cold and a little bit of rain..ok... The center, the bars, the main Palace, The Prado Museum.. Callao Street.. I loved the city.... Thanks for your advices guys. Reply    Reply with quote    Contact nepalrules   christianj. Premium account Joined: Oct 02 Points: 6482 Posts: 69 Posted: 2005-03-09 19:07:00    Hi SOfia, thank's a lot for your feedback. It's great to hear that you had a good time. This could be the ideal moment to write your first report and tell us your experiences... Just SMILE, Christian --- Just SMILE - and the world smiles with you!! Reply    Reply with quote    Contact christianj.