All posts tagged: madrid

Hipmunk City Love: Hotels with the Best Views in Madrid

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Spending the summer in Madrid is the last thing on most Madrileños minds as they look to book beach holidays during the hottest months in Spain. But if you are visiting Madrid during the summer or just happen to live there, finding the best terrace is key to making your stay enjoyable. And since all the locals and students seem to disappear, it only means more available seating on these divine terraces. Below are the hotels with the best terraces–most of them rooftop–giving you amazing views of the sunny Spanish capital. Hotel Urban Located in the heart of El Barrio de las Letras–the neighborhood where many famous writers have made their homes,  Hotel Urban offers luxury accommodation in the center of Madrid. They boast a rooftop terrace that locals and guests enjoy throughout the summer months. Choose from a selection of high-quality cocktails and nibble on some of Spain’s famous tapas.  Hotel de Las Letras Located on Gran Via, the main avenue running through the center of Madrid, Hotel de Las Letras has the perfect location. Although in the center …

| THE WORLD KEEPS TURNING |

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I made it to Madrid in one piece, but slightly delusional. The one thing I didn’t prepare myself mentally for was the jet-lag. I had never traveled far enough for it to every have an effect on my body. Here I am, two two hour naps later, and I’m up at 3:50 AM . . . whoops! Before jetting off I said my farewells to my parents and Rodrigo (our Chilean exchange student). We parted ways and I made it through security where I met Ryan at Terminal E5 in anticipation of our adventures to begin! The first stretch of our flight took us from Boston to Dublin – a five and a half hour flight. Ryan and I took our seats; he was solo in the four-across row and I had two others sharing my row. Of course, I moved to join Ryan – I wasn’t going to let him enjoy his four seats all to himself. Aer Lingus blessed us with a large selection of movies, games & tv shows to choose from …

| TODO CAMBIO |

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Wow. It’s been quite the week. Never thought teaching could be so exhausting. I began work this past Wednesday at my private, catholic school in the south of Madrid. After one transfer and a 40 minute metro ride from the city center, I arrive every day a little bit before 9AM. It’s strange having to get used to waking up before 10AM (or later) every day. This past week has taken a little getting used to. It’s like I’m back at Cheverus, except at the front of the classroom now – and not just to present an assignment. The dress code at my school is rather similar to my private, catholic high school where I spent four years of my life. Skirts / dresses to the knees, dress shoes, no low cut shirts, no jeans, no tank tops and no super tight clothing. I may have had to make a couple purchases this weekend to find proper pants to wear to school. Never thought I’d be back in a dress code – at least not …

| IF THERE’S A BOOK OF JUBILATION’S |

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It’s been awhile since I’ve put my adventures into writing. Although I’ve jumped into a routine of working 40 hours per week, dinner dates Monday and Wednesday’s, and going to the gym, I still manage to explore new parts of my city every week. I have also bought a new DSLR camera that I have been learning how to use. It’s been a great way to capture my new city the way I see it. Although there are moments of nostalgia and missing the coastal life – I have grown to like Madrid a lot in these past couple months. It’s simply a different way of life: from hearing a man playing the accordion on our street corner, buying churrors from a street vendor to buying my fruit and veggies from a fruteria. However, my newest venture living in a big city: taking the metro to and from work (which still remains an interesting part of my day). Whether I am able to embrace the 40 minute journey by taking a nap, or simply sit, …

| MOVE LIKE YOU GONNA DIE |

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My oh my. Bull fights. I knew what to expect before I even decided to go to the bull fight, but for some reason I wasn’t prepared for what I was about to watch. I knew before I entered Las Ventas that the object of the fight was to kill the bull. I knew there was going to be blood. I knew I was going to watch this creature die. But I didn’t realize it was going to make me feel so sick. While making the bull angry by waving a flag in it’s face, the men run around in sparkling tights with giants spears trying to poke the bull – bringing it closer to its death. The blood that dripped down the side of the bull wasn’t gruesome to see since I was so high in the stands. But because I knew that the darker patches on the bulls back – now decorated with spears – was blood, it made me feel pity for the bull and I started hoping the man would get …

| Ill DISAPPEAR IN SOME FLAMENCO, MAYBE Ill REACH THE OTHER SIDE |

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It´s been awhile since I´ve written about my adventures and I think it´s about time I reflect on everything that has happened in these past few weeks. In the few months we´ve been dating, Ryan and I have shared quite a few holidays together (yes, I´m including our birthday´s as holidays) … Even though I´ve never been one to care too much about Valentine´s Day, it is always a fantastic feeling when you´re surprised with candy and flowers. The combiniation is simply perfect — especially coming from someone you´re crazy about. Only three days later, we were celebrating Ryan´s 26th birthday. I don´t want to gloat, but I think I did a pretty good job with my gifts. Since the beginning of our time in Spain Ryan has mentioned, on more than one occasion, his interest in seeing a live flamenco performance. However, we had never gotten around to going to see a show. So, that´s what I bought — 2 tickets to see a show at a famous flamenco bar here in the center …

| MADRID, TE QUIERO |

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It had been 10 months since I had left the city. I wasn’t sad to go at the time either. I was actually rather happy to be done with it. I never thought I’d be so excited to be back in the city. To see the lights glittering in the night sky as I flew above gave me butterflies I couldn’t control. It was almost like coming home. I used Couch Surfing to find a place to stay in the city and so I could meet new people this time around. Create new memories with new friends. And that’s exactly what I did. It was amazing to walk down streets I knew. To be able to speak the language. To feel at home in a city I’d be away from for almost a year. It was all familiar to me, but I was happier, free. While I was visiting, Bruno, my CS host, and I discussed the meaning of freedom over dinner one evening. I don’t quite remember how it was brought it up, but …

| SOUL SEARCHING, CATCHING WAVES, SOAKING UP THE SUMMER SUN |

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I got an email the other day from hostelworld.com — the subject line read: “It’s been six months since your last trip.” I couldn’t believe it. Six months has already passed since I last booked my hostel in the Canary Islands? I stared at the email thinking about those three months of traveling before clicking the box to delete it. Man, does time fly. It’s now the very last day of July 2012. I just rolled in from the beach, searching for the slightest sign of ride-able waves. Trickles. The surf shop had students floating on the passing baby swells, but it was nothing I wanted to bring my board out into. I parked the truck, grabbed my towel and headed for the water. I needed a good dose of salt water. My mind had been swirling all day with thoughts of visas, moving in October, friends I’ll get to see again and friends I’m leaving in the States. I’ve come to realize a good dose of salt water will really help cure anything. I’ve …

| WHERE’D ALL MY MONEY GO? OH RIGHT, COFFEE |

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I didn’t realize how much money my trip would cost overall. I couldn’t be bothered to really think ahead and budget . . I decided to just go with the flow. Turns out, I ended up spending a little more than planned — surprise, surprise. I can say for sure that I lived well these past few months for only spending money and not earning any along my travels. I ate well. I stayed in nice hostels. I stayed with wonderful Couch Surfing hosts. I even bought a few clothes. I paid for most of my major transport prior to leaving the US in January, so not much of the money I had went towards that . . which in the end was one of the smarter decisions I made. Looking back on all my purchases throughout these past three months I can safely say there are a few things I shouldn’t have bothered to buy — but hey, that’s life. But nothing I bought has been useless or not somewhat worth it. The majority …

| through the waves, i have learned |

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The sun sets on my time in Maine while the waves start to grow for the seasoned surfers of the North East Coastal towns. It’s been an amazing summer in Maine but as the season is changing, so is my craving for new adventure – which is why I’m moving back to Spain, to the coastal city of San Sebastian. I called the small coastal village of Kennebunk my home for the past 19 years. But after leaving the country to pursue my four-year-degree in Halifax, NS I found myself living abroad in Madrid, Spain; it was the first time I’d been living in a large city (3.2 million to be exact) – and the closest beach was a four-hour car drive away. It wasn’t until then that I’d realized my need for the coast; the smell of salt air, the view of the vast ocean fading off into the horizon, the steady cry of the seagulls patrolling their countries coast lines, and the bright reds, yellows, and oranges exploding over the deep blue waters …