The mainland surrounding Venice — the Veneto — is one of the overlooked corners of Italy. If you like Italy but don’t need world-class sights, the Veneto’s Verona is a joy, with its wealth of Roman ruins, 15th-century frescoes, and quiet, pedestrian-only ambience. For more information on the Rick Steves’ Europe TV series — including episode descriptions, scripts, participating stations, travel information on destinations and more — visit www.ricksteves.com.

photo credit: Walt Hubis

Travel tips to Budapest as Aquincum, originally a Celtic settlement, was the direct ancestor of Budapest,  becoming the Roman capital of Lower Pannonia. Magyars arrived in the territory in the 9th century. Their first settlement was pillaged by the Mongols in 1241-42.

The re-established town became one of the centres of Renaissance humanist culture in the 15th century. Following the Battle of Mohács and nearly 150 years of Ottoman rule, development of the region entered a new age of prosperity in the 18th and 19th centuries, and Budapest became a global city after the 1873 unification. It also became the second capital of Austria-Hungary, a great power that dissolved in 1918. Budapest was the focal point of the Hungarian Revolution of 1848 , the Hungarian Soviet Republic of 1919, Operation Panzerfaust in 1944, the Battle of Budapest of 1945, and the Revolution of 1956.

Regarded as one of the most beautiful cities in Europe. its extensive World Heritage Site includes the banks of the Danube, the Buda Castle Quarter, Andrássy Avenue, Heroes’ Square and the Millennium Underground Railway, the second oldest in the world. Other highlights include a total of 80 geothermal springs, the world’s largest thermal water cave system,  second largest synagogue, and third largest Parliament building.

Considered an important hub in Central Europe, the city ranked 3rd (out of 65 cities) on Mastercard’s Emerging Markets Index (2008), and ranked as the most livable Central/Eastern European city on EIU’s quality of life index (both 2009 & 2010). It is also ranked as “Europe’s 7th most idyllic place to live” by Forbes. It attracts over 20 million visitors a year. The headquarters of the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT)and the first foreign office of the CIPA will be in Budapest.

History and culture of Hungary

The first settlement on the territory of Budapest was built by Celts before 1 AD. It was later occupied by the Romans. The Roman settlement – Aquincum – became the main city of Lower Pannonia in 106 AD.The Romans constructed roads, amphitheaters, baths and houses with heated floors in this fortified military camp.

The peace treaty of 829 added Pannonia to Bulgaria due to the victory of Bulgarian army of Omurtag over Holy Roman Empire of Louis the Pious. Budapest arose out of two Bulgarian military frontier fortresses Buda and Pest, situated on the two banks of Danube. Hungarians led by Árpád settled in the territory at the end of the 9th century, and a century later officially founded the Kingdom of Hungary. Research places the probable residence of the Árpáds as an early place of central power near what became Budapest. The Tatar invasion in the 13th century quickly proved that defence is difficult on a plain. King Béla IV of Hungary therefore ordered the construction of reinforced stone walls around the towns and set his own royal palace on the top of the protecting hills of Buda. In 1361 it became the capital of Hungary.

The cultural role of Buda was particularly significant during the reign of Matthias Corvinus of Hungary. The Italian Renaissance had a great influence on the city. His library, the Bibliotheca Corviniana, was Europe’s greatest collection of historical chronicles and philosophic and scientific works in the 15th century, and second only in size to the Vatican Library. After the foundation of the first Hungarian university in Pécs in 1367 the second one was established in Óbuda in 1395.  The first Hungarian book was printed in Buda in 1473.

The Ottomans pillaged Buda in 1526, besieged it in 1529, and finally occupied it in 1541. The Turkish occupation lasted for more than 140 years. The Turks constructed some fine bathing facilities here. The unoccupied western part of the country became part of the Habsburg Empire as Royal Hungary.

In 1686, two years after the unsuccessful siege of Buda, a renewed campaign was started to enter the Hungarian capital. This time, the Holy League’s army was twice as large, containing over 74,000 men, including German, Croat, Dutch, Hungarian, English, Spanish, Czech, Italian, French, Burgundian, Danish and Swedish soldiers, along with other Europeans as volunteers, artilleryman, and officers, the Christian forces reconquered Buda, and in the next few years, all of the former Hungarian lands, except areas near Timi?oara (Temesvár), were taken from the Turks. In the 1699 Treaty of Karlowitz these territorial changes were officially recognized, and in 1718 the entire Kingdom of Hungary was removed from Ottoman rule.

The city was destroyed during the battle. Hungary was then incorporated into the Habsburg Empire.

The nineteenth century was dominated by the Hungarians’ struggle for independence  and modernization. The national insurrection against the Habsburgs began in the Hungarian capital in 1848 and was defeated a little more than a year later.

1867 was the year of Reconciliation that brought about the birth of Austria-Hungary.

This made Budapest the twin capital of a dual monarchy. It was this compromise which opened the second great phase of development in the history of Budapest, lasting until World War I. In 1873 Buda and Pest were officially merged with the third part, Óbuda (Ancient Buda), thus creating the new metropolis of Budapest. The dynamic Pest grew into the country’s administrative, political, economic, trade and cultural hub. Budapest went from about 80% German-speaking in 1848 to about 80% Hungarian-speaking in 1880. World War I brought the Golden Age to an end. In 1918 Austria-Hungary lost the war and collapsed; Hungary declared itself an independent republic. In 1920 the Treaty of Trianon finalized the country’s partition, as a result, Hungary lost over two-thirds of its territory, about two-thirds of its inhabitants under the treaty including 3.3 million out of 10 million ethnic Hungarians.

In 1944, towards the end of World War II, Budapest was partly destroyed by British and American air raids. From 24 December 1944 to 13 February 1945, the city was besieged during the Battle of Budapest. Budapest suffered major damage caused by the attacking Soviet troops and the defending German and Hungarian troops. All bridges were destroyed by the Germans. More than 38,000 civilians lost their lives during the conflict.

Between 20% and 40% of Greater Budapest’s 250,000 Jewish inhabitants died through Nazi and Arrow Cross Party genocide during 1944 and early 1945. Despite this, modern day Budapest has the highest number of Jewish citizens per capita of any European city.

In 1949, Hungary was declared a communist People’s Republic. The new Communist government considered the buildings like the Buda Castle symbols of the former regime, and during the 1950s the palace was gutted and all the interiors were destroyed.

In 1956, peaceful demonstrations in Budapest led to the outbreak of the Hungarian Revolution. The Leadership collapsed after mass demonstrations began on 23 October, but Soviet tanks entered Budapest to crush the revolt. Fighting continued until early November, leaving more than 3000 dead.

From the 1960s to the late 1980s Hungary was often satirically referred to as “the happiest barrack” within the Eastern bloc, and much of the wartime damage to the city was finally repaired. Work on Erzsébet Bridge, the last to be rebuilt, was finished in 1965. In the early 1970s, Budapest Metro’s East-West M2 line was first opened, followed by the M3 line in 1982. In 1987, Buda Castle and the banks of the Danube were included in the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites. Andrassy Avenue (including the Millennium Underground Railway, H?sök tere and Városliget) was added to the UNESCO list in 2002. In the 1980s the city’s population reached 2.1 million. In recent times a significant decrease in habitants occurred mainly due to a massive movement to the neighbouring agglomeration in Pest county. In the last decades of the 20th century the political changes of 1989-90 concealed changes in civil society and along the streets of Budapest. The monuments of the dictatorship were taken down from public places, into Memento Park.

The Prado Museum in Madrid houses paintings that give an eye-pleasing overview of Spain’s rich history from its golden age to its slow fade. Highlights include multiple works by Titian, Bosch’s Garden of Earthly Delights, Velazquez’s Las Meninas, and Goya’s Second of May. For more information on the Rick Steves’ Europe TV series — including episode descriptions, scripts, participating stations, travel information on destinations and more — visit www.ricksteves.com.

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Prague Travel Tips – 5 Great Tips to See in Prague

If you are looking for some great Prague Travel Tips then you are on the right site. From my point of view, Prague is one of the world’s most romantic places. Prague is not too big so I would recommend to spend 3 – 4 days here.

What is the best time to visit Prague?

Prague can be an ideal vacation destination almost anytime of year. The most popular time to visit is in the summer, when the weather is warm, albeit a little damp, and many musical events take place. The least popular time to go is during the much colder winter, except for the Christmas season when many couples and holiday-goers enjoy the snow-covered city and festive events. Spring and fall are pleasant times to visit as there are fewer crowds and the weather is decent.

Prague travel tips

I would recommend are Lesser Town, Prague Castle, Charles Bridge, Old Town and certainly Kampa Island. However there are still so many other places to see…

1. Lesser Town

Lesser Town Square – Started as a market place it has always been the centre of life in the Lesser Town. Today, there are official buildings and restaurants. The important buildings include the St Nicholas Church, the Town Hall and the Sternberg Palace. On the facade of the Baroque Kaiserstain Palace there is a bust of the great Czech soprano Emma Destinn who lived there between 1908 and 1914.

photo credit: foto4lizzie

2. Prague Castle

Prague Castle is the most stunning castle complex in the Czech Republic. It is situated in the very heart of the capital city of Prague. Prague Castle is a textbook of architectural styles, the burial site of Bohemian princes and kings and, last but not least, the residence of the President’s Office. Founded by Prince Bo?ivoj around 880, it has been a seat of princes and kings for more than 11 centuries – and of presidents since 1918. The oldest part preserved is the Romanesque Basilica of St. George from 921. Nonetheless, it was the Gothic style that shaped the castle in the main. When visiting the place, you must not forget to see the monumental St. Vitus Cathedral, the Old Royal Palace including the Vladislav Hall and the northern three-towered bulwark. Furthermore, remember to visit the Golden Lane and take a walk in the Royal Gardens.

photo credit: -bLy-

3. Charles Bridge

Named after the Emperor Charles IV in 19th century the Charles Bridge is Prague’s most familiar monument. Designed by Petr Parler, it was completed in 1400 and it connects the Lesser Town with the Old Town. Although it is now pedestrianised, it withstood wheeled traffic for 600 years. There are thirty statues on the bridge, many of them have been replaced with copies. Originals are kept in the Lapidarium of the National Museum and at Vyšehrad. The magnificent Gothic Old Town Bridge Tower was designed by Petr Parler and built at the end of the 14th century. It is considered the finest Gothic tower in central Europe, mainly for its decoration. There are marvellous views of the Vltava river Valley, the Žofín, St?elecký Island, the Old Town and the Lesser Town.

photo credit: Mossaiq

4. Kampa Island

Known as the Venice of Prague, Kampa Island has been formed by a branch of the Vltava called the Devil’s Stream (?ertovka). Originally there were only gardens on the island but it was also used for washing clothes and bleaching linen. In the 17th century the island became well known for its pottery markets. Today it is an elegant part of Prague with a village-like character.

5. Old Town

Mentioned in 1091, it is the oldest of the towns of Prague gained the privileges of a town in the 13th century. However, its name dates back to the 14th century when the New Town was founded. The centre of the Old Town has always been the Old Town Square dominated by the Church of Our Lady of Týn and the Town Hall.

Find more Prague Travel Tips here: Prague Travel Tips.

There comes a time in a married couple’s relationship when you have to take a break from the rigors of your jobs and family responsibilities. You need time to be together and reconnect, just like old times, to keep the fire going in your relationship.

Going away on a holiday takes a lot of planning and preparation. The most exciting decision would be where to go. Married couples like you assess your common dreams and interests, and the bonding starts right here.

One option would be to travel back to a place with sentimental value to both of you where you can relive wonderful memories all over again. Love will be lovelier this second trip around. Another option would be to go to a place you have never been before and discover new sights together. This would be one of the greatest adventures in your married life.

Three of the most romantic places any married couple would love to travel to would be:

photo credit: Raul DS

- Paris. Who wouldn’t fall in love with Paris? Known as the “City of Love”, it’s a dream destination for lovers everywhere. Your first stop would be to have your pictures taken at the Arc de Triomphe landmark which welcomes visitors into Paris. Three of the top sights a couple should see are the Musee de Louvre where Mona Lisa and Venus de Milo are displayed, the elevator ride up Eiffel Tower to view the outskirts of Paris, and the Notre Dame Cathedral with its romantic Rose Windows. A couple could hold hands and promenade along the nearby Siene River where you could dine in side cafés or have picnics in parks and gardens at the Tuileries near Louvre. These descriptions are nothing compared to the real experience of Paris in its entirety, day or night.

photo credit: brianburk9

- Venice. Who wouldn’t love a gondola ride down the Grand Canal to the tune of O Sole Mio? It’s one of the best moments to hold hands and gaze at each other’s eyes once more. Just as romantic would be a stroll through the Piazza San Marco, the most famous square in Venice where you could enjoy the fine architecture of old churches and partly-submerged buildings. You could dine at fancy Italian gourmet restaurants to your heart’s content. Those who are fascinated by Greece would love Santorini Island with its serene beaches and its villages nestled atop volcanic cliffs. Santorini has one of the most spectacular sunsets you could ever experience. If sunsets mean a lot to both of you, then this is the place.

photo credit: ndanger

- Hawaii. Who wouldn’t go head over heels about a second honeymoon in Maui or Kauai? Among all other top beach destinations like Bali, Maldives, and Mykonos, Hawaii remains the best-loved tropical paradise of all. A highlight would be taking a honeymoon cruise to see famous sights like Waimea Canyon, Wailua Waterfalls, Hanalei and Fern Grotto. Add to that other waterfalls, beaches, volcanoes, and rainforests which abound in the islands. If you both love watching a sunrise, the Magic Isle of Maui is to place to see it together.

Married life is all about enjoying days and nights and watching sunrises and sunsets together, be it at home or during your travels. It’s all in the moments.

photo credit: Hanumann

Rio de Janeiro is the 2nd largest city of Brazil. It is a major tourist destination. However, there are things to consider when going to Rio.

Rio de Janeiro or “River of January” in English is Brazil’s 2nd largest and South America’s 3rd largest city. It is situated behind Buenos Aires and Sao Paulo. From the year 1763 up to the year 1822, it stood as Brazil’s capital city while under the Portuguese colony. It became an independent nation from the year 1822 up to the year 1960. Hence, from 1808 up to 1821 it was considered as the Portuguese Empire’s capital. It is also known as “A Cidade Maravilhosa” or “The Marvelous City” as its nickname.

Rio de Janeiro, or just Rio, is popular because of the vast natural settings, Samba and various other music as well as Carnival celebrations. There is also a wide array of tourist beaches like Ipanema and Copacabana paved with cream and black swirl-like pattern mosaic decorations or Pedra Portuguesa as it is most known for.

One of the most popular local attractions in Rio de Janeiro, apart from its unspoiled beaches, is the Christ the Redeemer or Cristo Redentor. It is Jesus Christ’s giant statue that lies on top of the Corcovado Mountain. Just recently, it was considered as part of the New Seven Wonders of the World. Other attractions include Sugarloaf Mountain’s cable cars or the Pao de Acucar, the Sambodromo, a permanent giant parade stand used during Carnivals and the Maracana Stadium deemed as the largest football stadium in the world.

Aside from all of these the Tijuca Forest or Floresta da Tijuca and the White Stone State Park or the Parque Estadual da Pedra Branca both the world’s largest as well as the 2nd largest urban forest also lies here in Rio de Janeiro. Going to other Brazilian cities is also no problem with the Galeao-Antonio Carlos Jobim International Airport because it connects various international flights to Rio de Janeiro.

Here are some useful travel tips to Rio de Janeiro:

Money Exchange

When bringing and exchanging money in Rio, you can bring cash, traveler’s checks or credit cards. When bringing some cash, it is wise to put it inside a money belt and keep it there until you reach the hotel. Of course, it is also safer to book in a hotel that provides a safety deposit box inside your room.

Traveler’s checks are good but the exchange rate is always a problem. However, it is good to bring some for emergency purposes. Carrying debit or credit cards is also very convenient in Rio. The most widely accepted are Visa, AmEx, Diner’s and MasterCard. This is best when going on shopping sprees, dining outside and paying your hotel bills. If your credit card falls under the Cirrus system, you can also use it to withdraw some cash.

For visa card holders, you can withdraw from Banco Itau, Banco do Brasil and Brandesco. Thus, if ever you plan to withdraw at any of the ATM machines in Rio, it is in Portuguese so make sure you ask for help from bank personnel only. This means that if you will be exchanging your money, you will lose money because of the exchange rate. This makes the ATM’s Cirrus system as your best option since they use the same rate as the one you use back home.

In Rio, currencies apart from Euros or US dollars are not that good. It is best to just bring either of the two, particularly the US$ which consecutively gets the best rate.

The Portuguese Language

When going to Brazil, it is best to brush up on some Portuguese language. A quick course would do about basic conversation. It is also advisable to buy translations book. It might be handy in your trip.

Brazilian Currency

The currency in Brazil is called Real. They have the R, R0, R, R, R, R and R bills. The exchange rate at current is R=US. There are also 2 varieties for every coin except for the coin R. The real can be divided in 100 centavos. These coins are handy for coffee, bus rides and gums.

Having a Visa

For Europeans, only a valid passport and return ticket is needed in order to enter Brazil. Upon entry, you also need to fill up an entry card, allowing you to stay for about 90 days. This will be attached to your passport. The other half is kept by immigration officials. Losing this will entail a delay in your departure.

For Canadians, Australians, US and New Zealand citizens, a visa is required. You can get this from your home country’s Brazilian embassy. Thus, make sure you also contact them prior to going to Brazil so that you are aware of the full entry requirements.

When you already have a tourist visa, you have the option of extending it for another 90 days. You only need to apply this at least 15 days prior to the expiration of the 1st one. However, you can only do this once. Afterwards, you need to leave the country and just reenter at another time.

Thus, for those who are from Uruguay, Argentina, Paraguay as well as other neighboring countries, you only need a photo ID to enter Rio. For countries that require a visa, the requirements for a visa include a copy of your round trip ticket, your passport that should be valid for another 6 months, 1 colored or black and white passport size photo, show money, vaccination certificates and the visa application form from the Brazilian embassy or consulate.

photo credit: sociotard

Yellowstone National Park is one of the best reasons for living in and visiting the United States. The vast natural forest is home to a wide variety of flora and fauna and it’s been preserved so well that pleasant and exciting surprises await the adventurous visitor. If you’re planning a trip to Yellowstone soon, here are some travel tips you can use for your safety and security:

Be aware of prevailing conditions but be ready for anything
Yellowstone is like a whole different world in itself. Conditions vary here, changing easily from calm to stormy within just 24 hours. When traveling to Yellowstone, always check weather conditions in the area and use precautions to ensure your safety for the trip.

photo credit: kthread

Practice defensive driving. The area going to and within Yellowstone is often used by both humans and animals. Be especially aware of distracted drivers, animal crossing and other related incidents. These will result to travel delays, so be very patient.

Bring all necessary gear and supplies
When traveling to Yellowstone, bring all the basics with you in terms of food, water, clothing and survival gear. Having sufficient supply of clean water is essential since water from the park itself is not guaranteed safe. Drinking water from streams, lakes, ponds or creeks that have not been boiled or treated could put you at risk of intestinal infestations and infections.

Even water from thermal pools isn’t safe for consumption. They have been known to cause serious burns in numerous visitors over the years.

As for equipment, think of worst-case scenarios. Bring a tent, weather-resistant clothing and other survival equipment such as lighters, all-purpose knives, flashlights, first aid kits, etc. to ensure your personal safety and protection.

Take care of your trash
Food, food scraps, containers, tissues and other materials that end up in your trash should be disposed of properly. During travel to Yellowstone, be aware that the trash you leave behind could have a negative impact not just on the environment but also on the animal residents of the area.

Think safety, regardless of where you are
When entering Yellowstone, know that you are at the mercy of Nature. Your only defense is correct information and common sense. When traveling to Yellowstone or participating in the numerous activities available there, be aware of animal activity. Bears, for example, are just a few of the natural threats that you have to watch out for. When driving, walking, hiking or camping, be aware of your surroundings and keep an eye out for signs of animal activity that might expose you to danger unnecessarily.

Follow regulations
Yellowstone maintains a strict system for its camps and backcountry areas. Be aware of all regulations that are in place not just to ensure you don’t violate any rules but also for your own personal safety.

Certain activities also require permits. Camping, for example, is allowed only in certain designated areas. Permits for overnight stays have to be obtained personally in advance, so check with the administrative office for information.

Enjoy yourself
Yellowstone is too beautiful to ignore. When traveling, bring a camera to capture the scenic routes and spectacular views. As long as you keep safety and security measures in mind, you can be assured of a very enjoyable trip to Yellowstone again and again.

photo credit: Y.Fujii

Sukhothai was the first capital city of Thailand. Its name means “Dawn of Happiness”. It is located about 450 kgs. north of Bangkok. (take about 6 – 7 hours by bus or you can fly by daily flights to Sukhothai) There are a lot of interesting places in this ancient city esp. Sukhothai Historical Park which is the most amazing one. UNESCO declared the Sukhothai Historical Park a World Heritage Site in 1991. Sukhothai, therefore, is one of Thailand’s most visited ancient sites and Thailand travel destination.

The Sukhothai Historical Park is very large area and comprises the elegant ruins of Royal palaces, Buddhist temples, 4 city gates, walls moats, dams, water control system and much more. The ruins are very awesome and the grounds are magnificent. You can feel great Thai cultural and artistic significance. Sukhothai was known as a Kingdom of Happiness. So, images of Buddha sculptured during the Sukhothai era are cultural treasures which impart a feeling of peace and serenity. The large Buddhas there are the most beautiful Buddhas that you had ever seen. Take as many photos as you can.

Besides, if you plan your trip to Thailand in beginning of November, you may join the great Thai tradition, Sukhothai Loi Krathong and Candle Festival” which is celebrated at the Sukhothai Historical Park annually on the full moon night of the 12th lunar month (November) (when the tide is high and the air is cool) In the old days, we had to worship to gods of the rivers and to avoid bad luck. To celebrate the festival, we make the Krathongs or floats in the form of lotus, have candle lighting and play with fireworks. There are also Nang Nopphamat (as beauty contest), exhibition at the historical site.

If you are interested in Thai history, this is a must place to visit. It is indeed one of Thailand Travel Destination.

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North India Travel Destinations: Assortment Of Landscapes And Seasons

India is one of the most beautiful countries on earth and attracts large number of tourists from all over the world. Among all the places north India travel destinations has always been a hot favorite amongst the tourists.

North India by its immense geographical beauty and historical legacy is one of the most sought after destinations in India. If you are planning for a tour to north India you must be aware of the various north India travel destinations. Right from the chilling Himalayas to the warm desert, north India showcases variety in landscapes and seasons. To define it clearly lets categorize the various north India travel destinations.

photo credit: tehzeta

Forts and monuments of north India:

Agra: Anguri bagh, Macchi Bhawan, Mariam Tomb, Moti Masjid, Mina Masjid and Jhangir Mahal are few of the tourist destinations of Agra, but never to forget two important places of tourist visit is The Taj Mahal, one of the eight wonders of the world and the Agra fort; a gigantic fort of the reflecting the Mugal era.

Punjab: With number of forts and palaces Punjab also is an important north India travel destination. The main attractions of Punjab are Phillaur Fort, Qila Mubarak, Shahpur Kandi Fort, sheesh Mahal, summer palace etc.

photo credit: ciamabue

Rajasthan: With it’s a rich history behind it, Rajasthan remains the top most selection for lager number of tourists. Cities of Rajasthan such as Jaipur, Jodhpur, and Udaipur comprises in it large number of fort and palaces of the Rajput kings. To name a few, Moti Mahal, Sheesh Mahal, Jantar mantar etc are major places of tourist attractions.

photo credit: ciamabue

Delhi: Being the gateway and capital of India, Delhi is also a hotspot of tourist visits and occupies an important place among all the north India travel destinations. Important tourist attractions of Delhi are the red fort, the Kutub Minar, Akshardham temple, India gate, Jantarmantar and a many more.

The Refreshing and chilling environment of the Himalayas:

If you are admirer of natural beauty then you can enjoy the mesmerizing scenic beauty of Kashmir comprised in its lakes and mountains, Kashmir is considered as paradise on earth. Shimla with its natural beauty is yet another popular north India destination and will comfort you by its cool environment.

The ideal time of visiting north India is from October to March when the weather is very pleasant and cool; you can have a perfect enjoyable holiday during this period.

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by gapysphoto

Spain As A Shopping Travel Destination

It may not be on the top of your list when you think of shopping travel destinations, but Madrid has the best of Spain to offer in its shops. If you are looking for upscale chic shopping experiences, there are a number of exclusive shops available in the city. If more organic shopping is your style, there are flea market atmospheres or a number of quaint antique shops available for perusing.

The main shopping area in Madrid is the Gran Via. This street is full of shops that seemingly never close. Even when the night life kicks up, there is still shopping to be done in this area in many of the stalls around the Plaza Mayor. A word of caution, make sure you know how to bargain. Some of these booths are just looking to make a buck off those in the tourism market and are selling the same tourist junk you can buy at any airport kiosk. Look around, and look for a good deal.

photo credit: Francisco Antunes

If you love the idea of shopping in the open air visit El Rastro, the massive outdoor flea market in Madrid. In addition to the same touristy things you expect to find everywhere, there are treasures to be found including jewelry, old books, clothes and antiques that need new homes. If you are in the area on a Sunday there is also a coin and stamp fair nearby.

Check out the La Latina Metro Stop. This is located between the Ronda De Toledo and the Plaza de Cascorro and Ronda de Toledo. You will know you are there when you see the massive Eloy Gonzalo statue in the center of Cascorro Square.

This place is packed on the weekends, as it is a travel destination, but while the crowds are big, so are the deals to be had! There are many, many shopping opportunities. There is also some shopping potential during the week, but not nearly as lively an experience as on the weekend.

Want the latest in style and fashion? Then you want the Alcalá area. You will be able to roam from boutique to boutique filled with dresses, shoes, and all the latest accessories. If you are using the metro as your transport, get off at the Sol or Sevilla.

Another fancy shopping destination is Calle Serrano. This street is full of the finest in shopping including art, gifts and a variety of designer clothing items. You can find a precious gift for yourself, and don’t forget to get something for those back at home that were not lucky enough to be vacationing in Madrid.

The high fashion shopping in Madrid is not just for women. Both genders of the tourism market are appreciated where fashion is concerned. The Calle Princessa, which can be accessed by the Argüelles and Ventura Rodríguez metro stops, is lined with a number of men’s boutiques selling suits, accessories and shoes for the classiest of men.

For a quaint shopping experience, try the Calle Preciados. It is a shopping area that is only accessible by walking. To get there, take the Metro to Sol.

Finally get a real feel of Spain at the Mercado de San Miguel. This was once just a fish market, but now it offers a wide variety of foods, fresh fruits and vegetables, and other delectable items to experience.

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