Got up early and everyone took a shower, ate some leftovers from the last couple days and took a cab to the train station. Traffic was heavy and took a decent amount of time to get to the train station.

At the train station we had to work with broken Spanish and their broken English, relying on hand gestures to figure out our way. All signs were in Spanish. Pretty much like an airport, there’s security etc and waiting at gate. Got in well in time and settled into our seats. Feels like a spacious aircraft, plenty space to keep all our luggage. They had coffee and breakfast service just like on flights, but more comfortable. Kiddos were glued to iPads for the 2.5 hr journey.

Countryside was nice, started to see the formality in the buildings as we approached Madrid. Made our way out of the train station and to the line for taxis. Was a 30 min ride to our hotel. 

Hotel looked really fancy, was super busy and checkin wasn’t until 3 pm. We were there by 12 pm. Zara was right next door, so we planned to spend some time there and head out to lunch and out sight seeing. Left our luggage at the front desk.

While we were at Zara we got a notification that our room was ready. So walked back to hotel to settle in. Room was very nice, fantastic view. I freshen up while kids were excited about sofa bed, they watched tv. There was light rain outside. After getting freshened up we headed out to a lunch place I had bookmarked from Yelp. When we got there it did not look great, only bar seating, didn’t seem suitable for kids.

Saw a decent sit down place opposite and went there. Food was very average, got American food like burgers, fries etc. then walked over to check out the royal palace. Massive and great views of the city. after that took a cab to try out the cable car ride to a park that gives good views of Madrid.

Our cab driver missed exits atleast 3 times, when we finally got there, there was nothing, looks like it was closed for rain? Communication was definitely challenging, sanjeev just adding “o” to every English word and the cab driver speaking Spanish louder when we didn’t understand. Once we confirmed cable car ride is closed, we asked him to drop us to retiro park. 

Rithvi took a nap with all the driving and was very cranky/cold when we got to the park. Had to hold our umbrellas because of the light drizzle. She and dad sat in one spot while tanush and I walked. Needed to use restroom and that was again a challenge figuring it out with no signs in English. Finally found a tiny toilet in the back of hotel and barely made it 🤦‍♀️

Asked sanjeev and R to join us for some churros and chocolate. R was feeling much better now, she had woken up from her nap. Then sat down for some chocolate and churros right near a lake, rain had come down and we enjoyed some hot coffee while kids enjoyed the churros and chocolate.

Walked more around the park, lovely place. Lots of joggers even though there was light rain. We then walked across to visit el prado art museum. Found out it was free all evenings from 6-8 pm and it was after 6 pm by now. Found a very large line but moved quickly. The museum is massive and it’s impossible to walk all of it as well as absorb every painting in there. I walked the most, tanush 2nd. Sanjeev and R sat down after some time and enjoyed the painting in that hall only.

Sanjeev’s colleague from Madrid recommended we try out a sky bar with a view of the city for dinner. Took a cab and mid way due to traffic and road closure the cab driver asked us to get down and walk. Fair to say I was very cranky to walk after all the walking at the museum. We found out today was the first day they had put up Christmas lights everywhere. It was like a mela. After much walking and crankiness from me, reached the place. Thankfully Sanjeev had made an online reservation. The view was very nice as was the decor of the place. The food to me again was just ok, nothing wow. Sky bar was quite close to hotel, but man, this city does not sleep. We were walking at 9:30 pm and everything was still open, including a nail salon with customers inside getting their nails done!!

We’re we’re quite tired, and everyone retired to bed. We used the blackout curtains and slept until 9 am next day.