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La Magia de Madrid

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Laney & David, Royal Palace of Madrid, November 2014

In November of 2014, David and I collaborated on booking and creating our first international trip together. We had been dating for over a year and by that time, had made our cohabitation commitment. We already knew we were in harmony after traveling to San Juan, Puerto Rico just 3 weeks into our relationship. It was time to reach new heights. Hand-in-hand, we were thrilled to take our first steps in exploring the rest of the world!

Having done just enough research to avoid being frazzled, we both agreed that Madrid, Spain was where it's at! We imagined Spain as a wonderland for grown-ups, where people ate luscious lunches, strolled around historic neighborhoods, and took mid-day siesta breaks from work with their loved ones, all in a state of euphoria! When we arrived, everything we imagined was pure and true. 

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vintage-clothing

Where We Stayed

If you're looking for trendy and hip, Malasaña is the place. In Spain, it's known as the "Williamsburg, Brooklyn" of Madrid. The streets are lined with modern cocktail bars, restaurants, cafes, and vintage clothing stores. Mixing the old and the new, you'll see abuela people watching on her doorstep and plenty of street art painted on neighborhood walls. The dynamic of this barrio makes you hyper-aware and absolutely alive.

We stayed at a U Hostel, which could have passed as a 4-star b&b. The views from the top of the hotel were impressive.

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Where We Ate

You can guarantee the food scene in Madrid will leave you spellbound. It's apparent the expectations on food quality are set to sky high. We didn't walk into a single restaurant or cafe that didn't treat us like royalty. Here are a few must-dos:

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1862 Dry Bar

Where We Drank

David and I are a bit pretentious when it comes to cocktails, especially with age. We only consume clean alcohols to avoid a 3-day hangover, so we do most of our drinking at home where we can make our own mixes. Otherwise, you can find us at high-end bars where the staff takes their bartending professions seriously and with care. We found what we wanted at 1862 Dry Bar, our ideal atmosphere for libations in Madrid.

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midday-stroll

Where We Walked

We wanted to see Madrid's architecture in all of its glory. From 17th-century gardens and barroco madrileño stone and iron, we wandered the streets of Madrid by foot. No subways, no cars, no bikes. We moved slowly with the rest of the city and soaked in every minute of it. Be sure to check out these attractions:

  • Museo del Prado, sculptures and sophistication all day long.
  • Palacio Real, experience sheer opulence.
  • Walk around any neighborhood with the intention to get lost in its side streets!

Madrid era mágica! Madrid was magic! It filled our ears with its lusty language, our bellies with "Love Potion Number Wine", and tantalized all our senses. Madrid was so enchanting, we're not sure we ever really left.

Laney's Playlist for La Magia de Madrid

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