notes for Madrid, Spain
Our favorite things to do in Madrid are just simply walking through the different neighborhoods and exploring the thousands of tapas bars. You will see that Spaniards have an incredibly strong “bar culture” whether it’s for coffee, coke, beer, wine, tapas, etc. There really is some amazing food in Spain, but by just looking at the selections of tapas displayed in many bars, you wouldn’t think so. Some of our tapas favorites are: tortilla de patata (Spanish omelette), setas or champinones al ajillo (garlic mushrooms), calamares fritos (fried calamari), jamon serrano (cured ham), lomo (cured pork tenderloin), salchichon (Spanish salami), morcilla (rice sausage), pimientos padron (peppers from Padron), and bacalao frito (fried, salted cod). Madrid is most famous for its cured meets, or “embutidos”, such as jamon Serrano, chorizo, salchichon and lomo. You won’t see any Spaniards having lunch before 2:30pm or dinner before 9:00pm. If you do go out to dinner before 9pm, some restaurants won’t be serving dinner yet and at others you just might be the only people there! As in any big city, watch out for pickpockets! If you only have a few days in Madrid, here are the things we would suggest:
Visit the Royal Palace (next to Cathedral) – It’s probably the most beautiful part of the city to walk around, even if you don’t tour the Palace. The Cathedral “La Almudena” is where Prince Felipe and Princesa Letizia were married two years ago. If you go through the palace without a guide, it will probably take about 30-45 minutes, with a guide I think about an hour.
Places to eat near the Royal Palcae:
1 – El Anciano Rey de Los Vinos (across the street from the Cathedral)
Address: Bailen, 19
2 – Taberna del Alabardero (expensive to dine, but good for tapas/drinks) Address: Calle Felipe V, 6
**In the bars we love ordering “una canya”, it’s a small size beer and usually they’ll give you a little something with it (chips, olives or nuts). You don’t have to worry about which kind of beer to ask for because 99% of the bars will only have one or two Spanish beers. Just say “una (or dos or tres) canya (s)”.
In almost every bar, to order wine you ask for either “vino tinto” (red) or “vino blanco” (white) and they’ll just give you their house wine. You’ll typically only pick from a wine list in a nice restaurant.
Walk from Plaza Cibeles and continue on Calle Alcala –
On this walk you will pass the Puerta Del Sol (where at least a million gather for New Year’s Eve each year) and the Plaza Mayor (on the left).
If you walk from Plaza Cibeles to Calle Alcala, and continue straight on Alcala (Alcala will change names after a while), you will end up at the Royal Palace/Cathedral, a nice ½ hour – 45 minute walk, depending if you stop in a few bars along the way!
Visit TRAVEL CORNER- Address: Calle Alcala, #41 you’ll pass it if walking on Alcala from Plaza Cibeles towards the Royal Palcae, on You might as well stop in since it’s in one of the most important intersections in Madrid! Make sure to ask for Pepe, if he’s not there, mention that you’re friends with Pepe’s brother in Michigan. Most of the employees speak English and in case you need any help when you’re there, they could be of assistance.
Walk around Old Madrid
VISION BUS – this is the sightseeing red, double-decker bus, definitely a good way to see all of the main sights throughout “Old Madrid”.
Go for Breakfast and try Churros con Chocolate at one of the following places, they are both well known and your hotel should be able to point you in the right direction:
- Valor – near/behind Plaza Callao
- San Gines – Old Madrid (sometimes has long lines)
I can’t remember if you are both coffee drinkers, but unless you go to one of the several Starbucks throughout Madrid, here are the three kinds of coffee you can have at pretty much any bar:
- Café con Leche (Coffee with milk), then they’ll ask you if you want the milk “caliente” (hot) or “templada” (room temperature).
- Café Cortado – Coffee with a little bit of milk
- Café Solo – No Milk
Dining – In general, avoid restaurants with posters outside with photos of their food (especially pictures of Paella!), It’s a pretty big red flag for a tourist trap with lousy food. Here are two places we really like:
“D’E – Sergi Arola” – It’s a strange name for a restaurant, not sure what the D’E stands for, but Sergi Arola is one of the most famous Spanish chefs and this is his more reasonably priced restaurant with more modern tapas. Everything we tried, we thought was DELICIOUS. It’s in a nice part of town, outside Old Madrid. Address: Calle Velazquez, 32
(Corner of Goya and Velazqez, next door to a “Café y Te).
La Vaca Argentina – There are a few of these throughout Madrid, it’s an Argentine steakhouse, the Spaniards love the argentine beef. Your hotel should be able to tell you which one is closest. Castellana, 212 .
MUSEUMS – The Museo del Prado, El Thyssen, and La Reina Sofia (modern) are the three top museums in Madrid. I would go to the Prado for sure if you want to see just one.
Transportation – The public transportation in Madrid is excellent, but may be a bit much to sort out in just a few days. Taxis are everywhere. If you want to ride the busses or subway, you can buy tickets (with 10 one way trips) in the subway stations or in the small stores called “TOBACO”. The Bus # 27 goes up and down the “main drag” of Madrid, Paseo del Prado (street the Prado museum is on), then heading North it becomes Paseo Recoletos and then Castellana.
DAY TRIPS - The high speed train, “the AVE”, is the GREATEST. I know there is an AVE to Toledo (you’ll get there in about 25 minutes) and I think a regular train to Segovia (less than an hour). The AVE to Sevilla takes about 2 hrs and 20 minutes.
Segovia – Beautiful city, GREAT day trip, it is a MUST to have lunch at Candido, the restaurant opened in 1786. The restaurant is right next to the amazing ancient Roman aquaduct. You should make a reservation with your hotel consierge. Their house specialty is “cochinillo”, or, suckling pig, it’s kind of sad to look at but it tastes pretty darn amazing. They do a special ceremony each day where they read some ancient document, break plates on the floor and they show you how tender the meat is by cutting it with a plate!
www.mesondecandido.es
Toledo – Can’t remember the places to eat there, but it’s an amazing, walled city, worth the trip.
Sevilla – If you can find a small restaurant named “El Pintor”, the owners are two students of the famous chef, Ferran Adria, the food is AWESOME. It’s possible your hotel will know it?
Read More
The Community House Winter 2012 – Spanish program
Conversational Spanish
A dynamic and intense introduction to the Spanish language for beginners through practical, real life conversations. Lessons will be taught through speaking, listening, reading and writing. Text: “Easy Spanish Step by Step” by Barbara Bregstein. Tuesdays, beg. Jan.10 from 7:00-8:30pm
7 sessions $145 (ends Feb.21)
Read More
Detroit Institute of Arts & Mexican film festival & lectures
The Detroit Institute of Arts presents a Mexican film series, a lecture by Mexican artists, and other Spanish language films in October. The Mexican film series, sponsored by the Consulate of Mexico in Detroit, is free.
Thursday, October 6
Detroit Film Theatre: The Mexican Cinema: Cinematography and Literature: 7 p.m.
In 1943, Romulo Gallegos adapted his celebrated novel Doña Bárbera for director Fernando de Fuentes. The tale of a young law school graduate who becomes the romantic obsession of beautiful Venezuelan landowner is brought to vivid life through the radiant images of cinematographer Alex Phillips. Admission Free. Sponsored by the Consulate of Mexico in Detroit.
Thursday, October 13
Detroit Film Theatre: The Mexican Cinema: Luis Buñuel: 7 p.m.
During the years he lived and worked in Mexico, Spain’s surrealist director Luis Buñuel created some of his most memorable works. In 1951’s Subida al Cielo (aka Mexican Bus Ride) a young man travels to look after his late mother’s estate. His bus ride is far from uneventful; among the distractions is a female passenger set on seducing him. La Ilusion Viaja en Tranvia (Illusion Travels by Streetcar), made in 1953, involves tram workers who steal their own streetcar. In Spanish with English subtitles. Admission Free. Sponsored by the Consulate of Mexico in Detroit.
Wednesday, October 19
Lecture: Working with Diego Rivera: Recollections by Rina Lazo and Arturo Garcia Bustos: 6:30 p.m.
As young artists in Mexico, Rina Lazo and her husband Arturo Garcia Bustos studied and worked with Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo. They talk about their lives, their time with Rivera and Kahlo and their work before opening the floor to questions. Free with museum admission. Co-sponsored by the Consulate of Mexico in Detroit, the United Auto Worker and Associates of the DIA’s Associates of the American Wing.
Friday and Saturday, October 28 and 29, 7 p.m.; Sunday, October 30, 2 p.m.
Detroit Film Theatre: Octubre
Octubre follows Clemente, a small-time money-lender living in Lima, who discovers a baby left on his doorstep. The film creates a visionary portrait of the back alleys and tumble-down houses of Lima while introducing unforgettable characters. Tickets: $7.50; DIA members, seniors and students, $6.50.
Saturday, Oct. 29, 9:30 p.m.
Detroit Film Theatre: El Baron Del Terror (Brainiac)
In the 1950s and ’60s, Mexico’s Churubusco Studios produced a series of bizarre horror films, including this tale of a 17th-century baron and playboy who, after being burned at the stake, returns 300 years later to take revenge by devouring the brains of his tormentors’ descendants. This low-budget cult favorite will have you gasping and laughing in equal measure.. Tickets: $7.50; DIA members, seniors and students, $6.50.
Sunday, Oct. 30, 1 and 3 p.m.
Sunday Music Bar: Cuauhtémoc García Verdugo and Angelina Pashmakova
Mexican flutist Cuauhtémoc García Verdugo and Bulgarian pianist Angelina Pashmakova will play a classical music set. Free with museum admission. Co-sponsored by the Consulate of Mexico in Detroit.
Hours and Admission
Museum hours are 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays, 10 a.m.–10 p.m. Fridays, and 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. Admission is $8 for adults, $6 for seniors, $4 for ages 6-17, and free for DIA members. For membership information call 313-833-7971.
Read More
Birmingham Bloomfield Chamber of Commerce
We are very happy to join the Birmingham Bloomfield Chamber of Commerce today. Since 2005 Spanish International has been located in Birmingham and has been working with businesses and individuals of all ages, not only from Birmingham but from all metro Detroit. Finally we are members and we are very excited to work with local businesses and professional that may be interested in communicating in Spanish and learning more about the largest minority in the US, the Hispanics and Latinos.
Hasta la vista,
Joaquin
Read More
Society of Hispanic Business Owners and Professionals, Detroit, Michigan 2011
On behalf of the Society of Hispanic Business Owners and Professionals (SHBOP), we would like to invite you to attend our Hispanic Heritage Month Reception. The reception will take place on Thursday, October 13th from 5 to 7 pm, at Armando’s Mexican Restaurant (4242 W. Vernor Hwy., Detroit, MI 48210).
This 1st Annual event will serve as a Kick-Off for SHBOP and will provide attendees an opportunity to learn more about our efforts with “advancing the economic and commercial welfare and prosperity of our members and the Hispanic community in southwest Detroit and at large.” With over 500 Hispanic Businesses and close to 50,000 Hispanics in Southwest Detroit, SHBOP is eager to work with those entities willing to support our initiatives.
If you would like to attend and or have questions about the organization give call 313.590-8960 or send an email to shbop7@gmail.com.
We hope you’re able to attend and look forward to seeing you on Thursday, 13th of October, 2011.
Read More
Southwest Detroit Hispanic Business Conference 2011
Michigan’s Only Bilingual Business Conference Returns to Southwest Detroit for Its 3rd Year!
DETROIT – The Southwest Detroit Business Association (SDBA) along with The Center for Empowerment and Economic Development (CEED), the U.S. Small Business Administration Office – Michigan District Office, the Internal Revenue Service and Detroit SCORE presents the 3rd Annual Hispanic Business Conference, on Wednesday September 21, 2011.
“We are pleased to bring Michigan’s Only Bilingual Business Conference to Southwest Detroit,” says Kathy Wendler, SDBA President. “The small business and immigrant community has been Southwest Detroit’s economic driver for over 100 years”, she continues. Vanessa Rucker, Program Director at CEED adds, “We look forward to helping businesses reach their potential in leadership, growth and job creation.”
Launched in 2009, the event targets both current and aspiring small business owners whose first language is Spanish. The event will offer essential business information to develop entrepreneurial skills and build a strong business foundation. It will also explore challenges, and provide recommendations based on proven strategies, and share best practices.
The event opens with key-note speaker Dante Villarreal, the Regional Director of the Michigan Small Business Technology & Development Center in Grand Rapids. Mr. Villarreal will present “Success for Your Business”, an overview of starting a business that is designed to help small business owners and start-ups keep their business on track, and to assist entrepreneurs needing direction.
Following the bilingual presentation, attendees will participate in roundtable discussions to further help them in their business. The Roundtables will include presentations by local resource providers covering business related topics such as financing, procurement, accounting, and obtaining tax credits.
The 3rd Annual Southwest Detroit Hispanic Business Conference: Wednesday, September 21, from 4:30-8 p.m., at the Mexicantown Mercado, 2826 W. Vernor and 20th Street. The event is free to registered participants. Please register at www.miceed.org. For assistance please dial 313.255.1020 (English), or 313.842.0986 ext. 36 (Spanish).
Read More
Suggestions & ideas to visit Barcelona, from a local
..the Paseo de Gracia. Great shopping on the Paseo…
…walk to two of Gaudi’s most famous buildings: the CASA BATLLO and LA PEDRERA worth going into each. Buy tickets early or the previous day to avoid the lines of tourists.Don’t forget to check out Vinçon, one of the best and coolest design shops in the world a couple of blocks north of you. Make sure you get up to the terrace on the second floor for a unusual view of Gaudi’s la Pedrera building.Also walking distance is LAS RAMBLAS which is a bit touristy and dangerous for your wallet( picpockets) but off of it is one of the most amazing food Markets in the world. LA BOQUERIA. After browsing all the stands have a bite at the little food stand that serVes up a bunch of what is sold at the Market.I think the PALAU DE LA MUSICA or the LICEU ( CLASSICAL MUSIC VENUES ) are off of it but better ask your concierge about that.In terms of eating , a great place for lunch is EL TRAGALUZ on the second floor. The classic tapas place is CERVECERIA LA CATALANA , a magical tapas place, reservation needed is BAR MUT on corner of Diagonal and Pau claris.
El NOTI is a nice cool casual place walking distance from hotel.
A good seafood place is TAKTIKA BERRI small and local.If you want an good elegant and expensive lunch/dinner head over to beautiful art nouveau restaurant LA DAMA on the Diagonal.
Other do not miss visits are Gaudi’s SAGRADA FAMILIA cathedral which you might be able to do from the double decker tour bus.
The Gothic quarter is also a favorite tourist spot . the CATHEDRAL looks older than it is and the PICASSO museum is close by. Be careful if you are there at night as some of the dark alleys can be sketchy but is fine during the day.
El BORNE is also a new hip neighboorhood to walk around.
If you have time and want to get a night view of the city head up to TIBIDABO “mountain” and have a drink at EL MIRABLAU.
MONTJUICH is the hill by the port where the MIRO foundation museum is as well as the “PUEBLO ESPANOL” or ” Poble Espanyol ” in Catalan a touristy but cool place that represents a microcosm of spain.
Whatever you do make sure the hotel gives you the number for a Teletaxi service as cabs aren’t in abundance in some of the places such as TIBIDABO or MONTJUICH.
If taking an overnight trip to the Costa Brava, Not to far is S’AGARO where the HOSTAL DE LA GAVIN hotel is. It’s a bit old and overpriced but the location is spectacular and you can walk to one of the best seafood restaurants in the world: LA TAVERNA DEL MAR. A bit further north is AIGUABLAVA situated in a beautiful charming cove where you can stay at the hotel AIGUABLAVA or at a national PARADOR.
Read More
Thank you University of Detroit Mercy
Today Spanish International is starting a new Spanish program for the Sisters of Charity in Detroit and the University of Detroit Mercy is donating the Spanish textbooks. The Sisters want to learn Spanish to better serve the community they currently serve in Southwest Detroit. Thank you for your service and for your generosity UDM.
Read More
TEDxDETROIT 2011
Congratulations! You’re going to TEDxDetroit 2011!
Your name rose to the top of the stack of the hundreds of applications we received this year, and we’re thrilled to officially invite you to join us in sharing ideas worth spreading.
Spanish International has been invited to TEDxDetroit 2011. ¡Viva Detroit! & see you there!
Read More
Connect with Us