The musings of a man who is coming up to the next stage in life.
This week’s photo is of the bull outside the Bull Ring Shopping Centre in Birmingham.
As you can see it has been decorated to celebrate everything that has been going on in 2012. A popular tourist attraction you will always see people taking photos of the statue.
Until the next post, stay safe, stay healthy and keep smiling.
Steve
As my trip to Prague and Bratislava draws nearer I started to feel that I should be doing more planning. It is always a worry that I arrive at my destination without a clue on where to go and what to do next.
So what do I mean by planning? For myself it is ensuring that I have somewhere to stay when I arrive. This is the most important for any traveller. The last thing you need to do when you travelled on a long journey is to be going round trying to find somewhere to stay. You could end up walking a lot of miles especially during busy periods on a potentially fruitless search. Also you could end up paying a higher rate than usual. Having that first nights accommodation gives you a base to plan ahead.
I also worry that I may not have any currency to use at my destination. Again changing money when you arrive could lead you open to being ripped off. I have found pre-paid currency card to be useful. All I need is to find a ATM to obtain local currency. Of course I would be wary of who is watching me.
Where I do leave planning to the last-minute is the itinerary I follow. I make a list of places that I would like to visit however, it is loose because I could be open to recommendations about where I should go. The best sites can be the ones that you end up stumbling on. I also do not plan any entertainment for myself. In Madrid on my last night I ended up on a pub crawl with a group of people I had met on the previous evening.
So finally why bother with planning? To me planning makes life easier when I travel. It means that I can avoid some of the traps that could spoil my trip. It also guarantees that I will enjoy my trip.
Until the next post, stay safe, stay healthy and keep smiling.
Steve
This week’s photo is bust of Baron Hans Heinrich Thyseen-Bornemisza. It is situated in the grounds of the Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza.
As an industrialist, he made his fortune from steel and armaments. With his fortune he indulged in his love of art. He inherited a large collection from his father. He continued to add more paintings to the collection most of which are displayed in the museum which bears his name.
Until the next post, stay safe, stay healthy and keep smiling.
Steve
One of the first sights that I was recommended to visit in Madrid was the Prado National Museum. It is well-known by those who know me that I like to visit a good museum. I had read that the Prado was home to one of the best art collections in the world. According to Wikipedia it is the 11th most visited museum in the world. Holding a Madrid card meant that I did not have to pay an entrance fee and I could enter without having to queue at the ticket office.
The Prado was initially set up as a museum displaying paintings and sculptures. Over the years other collections have been added. However, it is most famous for its extensive art collection. This dates from the 12th century to the 19th century. The paintings range from Spanish masters such as Velázquez and Goya, to Italian masters such as Raphael and Titian. There are also paintings from the Flemish masters. In fact there are paintings displayed from all over Europe. Sculptures date back to ancient Greece and Rome.
The museum is certainly impressive not only in size but also with the collection it holds. This comprises of 7,600 paintings, 1,000 sculptures, 4,800 prints and 8,200 drawings. The museum itself displays 1,300 works. There are over 3,00o items that are out on loan to other museums.
The best known work is Las Meninas by Velázquez. The importance of Velázquez to the Prado cannot be underestimated. Not only did he bequeath his work Velázquez was also responsible for the collection of Italian masters.
My personal highlights were the collection of art. I may not know one end of a paintbrush from another but I like to think that I know what constitutes a work of art. Favourites were ‘The Fall of Man’ by Titian and ‘Third of May’ by Goya.
As a museum I would certainly rank it alongside the National Gallery in London. There is so much more to see and enjoy. You can only marvel at the range of paintings. The beauty is simply breathtaking. I would recommend that you purchase a audio guide to complement your visit. Overall, a visit to the Prado is a must when you visit Madrid and I cannot wait to go back again.
Until the next time, stay safe, stay healthy and keep smiling.
Steve
When travelling what is the most un-traveller thing you do? Is it going to the local McDonald’s, going to see a local sports game or visiting the local public library to surf the net.
In my case it is visiting the Hard Rock Cafe. Why do I go there? It is certainly not the cheapest option for eating out. What I enjoy about visiting the Hard Rock Cafe is that they conform to the same standard. In short I know what I am going to experience. There is always rock music playing. You can stare at all the memorabilia that is on view. Importantly while the food is not cheap it is of a good standard. I have yet to eat a bad meal there. Finally, I get the chance to visit the store to look at the merchandise. I always end up buying myself a t-shirt. It is my way of saying that I have visited a city. I know from experience that they are of good quality and last a long time.
The first Hard Rock Cafe I visited was Amsterdam in 1991. I brought myself a sweatshirt which has long been thrown away. The next was Washington DC in 2000. My t-shirt has also been thrown away.
Then there was Paris in 2005.
Next there was Berlin in 2007
Edinburgh in 2008
London in 2011
Finally, Madrid in 2012
There is something comforting about visiting the Hard Rock Cafe. Yes, the service staff can be over friendly yet it is part of the experience. As a solo traveller I have always felt comfortable about eating there on my own. Whenever I leave I always feel so much better than when I arrived. In the end that is the customer experience we all want. In September I am off to Prague and guess what. There is a Hard Rock Cafe. I cannot wait to visit.
Until the next post, stay safe, stay healthy and keep smiling.
Steve
This week’s photo is of the Bernabéu Stadium, home of Real Madrid.
I would not normally include myself in a photo but this is a perfect way to highlight the impressive stature of the stadium. A full review will follow later.
Until then stay safe, stay healthy and keep smiling.
Steve
While I was in Madrid I purchased a Madrid Card. It was advertised as ‘the smartest way to visit Madrid.’ I wanted to see if this was true.
There are four versions of the card available.
24 hours costs €39, 48 hours costs €49, 72 hours costs €59 and 120 hours which costs €69. Further savings can be made if you purchase online. As I was staying in Madrid for five full days I chose the 120 hours card.
What does the Madrid card give you? You get admission to the following:-
You also get priority access to the following:-
This means you avoid the long queues to these popular attractions.
With your card you are given a useful guidebook that details all the attractions and discounts available.
Your card becomes activated once you first use it. It is also important that you sign your card.
Is the card worth the money? I have to say that I found it to be excellent value for money. Just using it to visit the major attractions I found that it had paid for itself in no time. The discounts on restaurants can be particularly useful for those travelling on a budget. I recommend the discount for the Hard Rock Cafe. By showing your card you can have a set three course meal for €20 which I found excellent value.
There is so many discounts on offer that you will have to make a return trip to Madrid to take advantage. Overall, whatever card you purchase it represent excellent value and makes sense if you are travelling on a budget.
Until the next post, stay safe, stay healthy and keep smiling.
Steve
This week’s photo is from the Real Jardin Botánico de Madrid.
Situated next to the Prado Museum, the gardens date back to 1755. The gardens have three outdoor sections and two greenhouses. There are over 30,000 plants and flowers and over 1,500 trees. I spent a pleasant Saturday evening in the gardens. A great way to escape from the hustle and bustle of Madrid.
For most backpackers and travellers the holy grail would be to take part in a Round the World trip. This is true for myself. From the blogs I have been following a lot people have undertaken such a trip. It has been used as a springboard for continuous travel by others.
Why should anyone want to take such a journey? I suspect it is all about the adventure of being on the road for a long period. You can see a lot of the world in a short period or you can spend a long in one country. Some people take three months while others will take a whole year. Of course, such a trip takes a lot of planning and simply cannot be undertaken on a whim. Particularly where do you want to go, how much money do you need to save, do you have the vaccinations, documents.
For myself it is one of the dreams I have in life. I want to undertake such a trip before I get too old. However, age should not be a barrier to travel.
In my ideal trip I would like to see the following:-
How does that sound to everyone? Where would you go on your trip?
By writing about my trip I want to use it as a spur for me to stop dreaming and start planning. Best start saving my pennies.
Until the next post, stay safe, stay healthy and keep smiling.
Steve
I have been back in the UK for three weeks from my trip to Madrid. This has given me time to reflect about the trip.
I have to say how lucky I was with timing. Being in Madrid at the time of the Euro 2012 final meant that I say a city that was feeling triumphant and happy. You would not have known Spain was suffering a big recession. Hopefully, we in the UK can follow that same attitude.
Secondly, Madrid is a beautiful city. Highlights were the Plaza Mayor where I could witness events going on around me. In my eyes it represented the best of Madrid. The museums and palaces where interesting places to visit. So much history to witness.
The only trouble was that there was so much I missed. Still, it is an excuse to come back again. Then there were the gardens. These were haven were I could go to rest and reflect about Madrid.
Thirdly, I was lucky with the weather. No, I will rephrase that. The weather is what I expected. Hot and dry. It felt good to walk in the sun. I know the UK was experiencing extreme wet weather. I could only chuckle to myself when I saw the news.
Finally, as a city Madrid was alive and vibrant. The nightlife seemed to be never-ending even on a weekday. So many bars and restaurants. Again, so many that I did not get chance to try out. Another excuse for me to come back.
To sum up would I recommend Madrid? You bet I would. It has everything for those looking for a weekend break and the seasoned backpacker. I cannot wait to go back.
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