Heat arrives to Madrid!

Well, we are visiting Madrid the capital and the largest city of Spain.

Many things to do and few hours... We arrive at the Atocha Railway Station, heart oh the town in our way to the Prado Museum. Another group goes to the Royal Academy of Fine Arts of San Fernando, located near Sol, called 'Km O', the meeting point for both groups.

Free time in Sol and Callao, and time to have lunch. Our Puerta del sol is the bustling center of the center of Madrid, flanked by large department sotores, retail shops and fast food restaurants on every side. Its location has made it a popular meeting point fo hundreds of years, now with moden markets like the neon "tio Pepe" sign and the most emblematic statue "El oso y el madroño". Puerta del Sol is the equivalent of New York's Times Square. Thousands gather to count down to the chimes of the clock above Casa de Correos and eat a grape for every toll.

Later we take Calle Mayor in the way to the 'Austrias' part of Madrid and to the Playa Mayor one of the biggests market during the 15th century and now, home of the city's biggest tourist office, a government building and a number of overprized but pleanst caffes with outdoor seating year-round...

... and we arrive to the Royal Palace, located on a site of a 9th century fortress and rebuilt from the oldest Alcazar, burnt in 1734.

This palace is the official residence of the king of Spain but it is only used for state ceremonies. King Juan Carlos and the Royal Family do not reside in the palace, choosing insteed the more modest Palacio de la Zarzuela on the outskirts of Madrid.

The palace is owned by the Spanish State and administered by the Patrimonio Nacional, a public agence of the Ministry of the Presidence.