“I’ve missed a lot of trains in my life, and another one always comes.” Lapo Elkann, Italian businessman

After four wonderful days in Barcelona, glorious high speed train travel via RENFE AVE (Alta Velocidad Español) brings us to Madrid in just three hours. I kept looking at the display board and at times we hit a maximum speed of 290 kilometers per hour, that’s roughly 180 miles per hour! For much of the trip it felt like you were barely moving as the mountainous landscape of Catalunya melted into the central plains of Castilla, La Mancha and Aragon regions. Olive groves and vineyards spanned the landscape.

Madrid is the capital and most populous city of Spain and lies smack dab in the center of the country. It’s the third-largest city in the European Union. Its influence in politics, education, entertainment, environment, media, fashion, science, culture and the arts all contribute to its status as one of the world’s major global cities. It’s home to two world famous football clubs, Real Madrid and Atlético Madrid.

While possessing modern infrastructure, it has preserved the look and feel of its many centuries throughout its historic neighborhoods, buildings and streets, dating from the Spanish Golden Age; this coincided with the Habsburg’s reign (1516–1700). Philip II moved his court to Madrid in 1561 and transformed the town into a capital city.

From Atocha train station, a short cab ride brought us to our perfectly located and extremely well-appointed Airbnb, just steps from the bustling ​Plaza Mayor​. Sometimes online photos can prove deceiving and the property not living up to the actual; thankfully we scored. If I were to compare the three Airbnb’s booked during our trip to major hotel chains, it will be as follows: Venice = Motel 6, Barcelona = Marriott, Madrid = Four Seasons.

With our host’s recommendation, we dined nearby at a local award-winning, landmark restaurant just off the Plaza Mayor, ​Los Galayos​, open since 1894. Walking through the doors, I immediately had a sense of deja-vu … I’d eaten here over 20 years ago! Back then I’d worried about having to do the dishes to cover my meal expense. Times have changed, but the service, atmosphere and food were as good as I remembered.

Madrid is dressed in millions of Christmas lights, making the city brightly awakened and twinkling in holiday spirit. Shoppers filled the streets hurrying home with arm loads of presents. There’s a huge Christmas market plunked down in Plaza Mayor. Here’s where I’d been really looking forward to buying some gorgeous ornaments. However, kiosk after kiosk proved disappointing. I could do better at the 99 cents stores back home. We’d get into the spirit of things by shopping at El Cortes Inglés, THE dept. store of Spain.

​On the Menu … Spanish Delights @ Los Galayos …​ The four of us devoured: Fried Baby Calamari w/sunny-side up eggs (strange combination, but it works); Chicharrones; Grilled Octopus; Pate de Bacalau w/toast points; Salmon Confite (need to learn to make this dish); succulent Lamb Chops that were the size of lollipops and sections of Roasted Suckling Pig; Crema Catalana for dessert (combination flan & custard with a crisp sugary topping) … to top it all off a complimentary Apricot Liqueur was served.