Many vacationers consider Madrid to be one of the very best destinations available. The cuisine and museums alone create an irresistible attraction. A culturally rich and beautifully colorful city, Madrid should be on the top of your must see list but remember, you will need a passport to visit here. With online passport sites available, you can get your expedited U.S. passport and in your hand in as little as 24 hours so your excursion to this beautiful city can happen more quickly than you may have thought.

In the past, the process of getting a passport was filled with inconveniences and stress but online passport agencies have changed all that. These passport websites can help you with just about every aspect related to passports from getting your first passport to getting a replacement U S passport. You can now access full service passport assistance from the convenience of your own home computer.

When you think of food, think of Madrid as there is so much to enjoy here. A vast variety of the Spanish treat Tapas begins just about every dining experience here. You will find this appetizer presented is a number of varieties, depending upon where you dine. Garlic soup or Sopa de Ajo as it is called here is another great Spanish dish and don’t forget to enjoy their lamb dishes, Gallinejas and Entresijos. Speaking of dining, opened in 1725, Botin is the oldest restaurant in the entire world so be sure to stop by.

Many spots in Madrid are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Toledo, the ancient walled city, was the original capital of Spain. All the medieval elements and architecture are enough to make you feel like you’ve traveled back in time. El Escorial, located in the mountains, is where you can find the world’s largest monestary: Royal Monastery of San Lorenzo de El Escorial. Alcala de Henares has a very interesting story. It was to be the original Civitas Dei, or City of God. Civitas Dei was supposed to be the first actual utopian community, a perfect urban setting. Later, it became the center of learning during the Renaissance, and is also where Miguel de Cervantes, the author of Don Quixote, lived.

Many other famous landmarks exist that are worth visiting. Located on just one street are three of the most famous art museums in the world, making Madrid a must for any person who appreciates art. Museo del Prado features classical masterpieces by artists from all over the world. The Reina Sofia National Museum and Art Center is a spectacular modern art museum, housing Picasso’s imposing and emotional piece, Guernica. Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum of Art is the third museum on this avenue, also containing some of the most famous art pieces in the world.

The spectacles available for your enjoyment are limitless in Madrid from world famous art to authentic flamenco dancing. The shopping experience is second to none if you visit Rastro, a popular flea market where you can find anything and everything. A ride on Teleferico, the cable car, will provide a spectacular view of the city but all this can only be enjoyed if you have a passport. If you need to get your expedited US passport, locate an online passport website and you will have your passport needs filled quickly and efficiently, even if you need a passport replacement. Once your passport is in hand, the world and Madrid can become your playground.

You have retired, bought your dream house in Malaga but still something is wrong. It is very late at night, outside it is raining like hell, and you are not in the mood of going out to get some food. You look at your mobile and at the computer but you feel helpless.

There’s so much to do in Madrid, including sitting comfortably in the plazas watching the sun descend. For me, being a TEFL graduate for two months, the lead up to the night’s fun is top of the list. The bookends of the night are ca?as and tapas. Introducing: ‘ca?as and tapas’. This mix can of course be indulged in at any time…

The very greatest bites to eat I have experienced in Madrid have come with ca?as. These small, delightful in quantity, beers are the beginning to a great night or a lazy Sunday afternoon. Whatever you choose, great tapas is forever involved.

My first ca?a and tapas experience was in Plaza de Espana, just off Grand Via in a very loud, typically Spanish tapas joint. You cannot sit down, which is nowhere as nasty as it sounds. The bar is great to lean on and makes a useful beer ordering point. The bar staff were very funny, always inclined to help and recommend different dishes. The starter dish they bring is fried chip potatoes served with a delightful oily, garlic sauce. With this were three small chorizo sausages. My spanish companion and I are keen to start. This garlic sauce is one that should be experienced with friends, not first dates. It was magnificient. The chorizo was great, completely melt-in-the-mouth and making me want get more! Another ca?a, another tapa. The next dish was baby squid in a completely delicious tomato sauce. Loving my decision to come to Madrid and indulge in everything it has to offer, we finished our squid and beer. Another beer, another plate of food. Next we choose some salami – yum.

Plaza de Espana is really fantastic for finding tapas bars. It has long side streets that have a whole host of cervecias that have their own specialities. But be aware that the closer you go to Gran Via, the pricer things become. Plaza de Espana is a happy mix of quintessential Madrid and Spanish bustle. For 3 ca?as each and therefore 3 plates of tapas with our drinks, the bill came to a heroic €7. So why didn’t we make a night of it? Simple reason being because the other bars in the area are just as tempting!

I could not stay much longer, I had to go hom and lesson plan. Reaching home after a rather dizzy ride on the Madrid metro I settle down to put my TEFL qualification to good use and start to plan my business English lessons. Content on ca?as and full on tapas, I settled down easily. What another brilliant evening! I’m excited for the next time I eat out in Madrid!