I'm going to Madrid, what should I see?

I'm going for three weeks in July, with 11 other students for a Spanish program. We have some activities planned, but I think we can see other things while we're there. I'll be in a homestay in Majadahonda.

Ok, I think Gringa might be a bit confused. Firstly, all the things she(?) mentioned are great, and probably covered in your class, but the Main Square, it's called Plaza Mayor, and it's really nice. You'll love it, and it's probably covered in your group. Plaza de C铆beles, while I麓m sure you麓ll get there, is no place to relax. It麓s a busy traffic hub, with a famous fountain in the middle.

Tons of shopping to do in Madrid, one of the great capitals of Europe and a very cosmopolitan city.

On your own, you麓ll want to explore Retiro park more deeply than you probably will with your class. You麓ll probably make excursions into some of the other cities nearby, and may even take some longer trips out to the further cities on the weekends.

I麓m going to assume you are not going to have too much time on your own, that your family won麓t pick up the slack, but there麓s the Rastro (Sunday flea market), it closes up at about 2:00, so go early, and keep a careful eye on your valuables. bring your camera, because you never know when a photo is going to present itself.

There麓s a really neat botanical garden, not sure of the name, but I麓m pretty sure it麓s on the East side of town. Haven麓t been there myself, but I麓ve seen photos. Also, I understand there麓s an important skating rink right there in Majadahonda. If you like to ice skate, it might be a really welcome change from the heat of the meseta in July.

You麓ll probably be taken to El Escorial and the Valle de los Ca铆dos, Segovia, Toledo, 脕vila, Castle touring, Palacio Real,
etc. On your own, you might want to explore some of the streets around the Plaza Mayor, that麓s the oldest part of the city, and really "Spanish", very sort of late medieval. Football is another good thing. If you can get your family to take you to a f煤tbol game (preferably Real Madrid, but I checked and tickets are kinda pricey) games are on Sunday evenings.

Try to get to a flamenco show. The best dancers are there in Madrid, even though the dance originates in Andaluc铆a. If you can get into a class, even cooler (if that麓s your thing).

Don麓t know whether you麓ll be allowed, but the young people in Spain usually stay out pretty late at night, often clubbing, dancing, etc. Though, usually school trips have rules about drinking, the other activities might not be taboo.

Have a great time. It really doesn麓t matter how much you do. Hopefully, you麓ll go back and pick up anything you麓ve missed on the next trip.

Here, check out my photos from last may/june...http://flickr.com/photos/organ...

If that doesn't get you there, try flickr, then in the search window, type spayer1. feel free to check them out. Love sharing. Love Spain. Wanna go back already! 隆Buen Viaje! Report It

Maybe a bullfight, Las Ventas,Madrid's most famous bull ring
Reina sofia-modern art museum
Museo Nacional Del Prado
Madrid's famous square, Plaza de Cibeles fun place to relax