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Hotel Ilunion Pio XII
Hotel Ilunion Pio XII
Departing on 01/01/0001
Return on 01/01/0001
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Community of Madrid : The best lifestyle in the world
The Autonomous Community of Madrid stands out as one of the most spectacular and welcoming regions in Spain. It is an open, multicultural place, with an impressive historical and artistic heritage and a great gastronomic, cultural and leisure offer that impress all its visitors.
What's more, the region is very diverse, as it hosts villages with tourist attractions for all traveller profiles, being surrounded by the purest nature, with imposing monuments and varied activities etc. In fact, it is a very privileged autonomous community: its territory contains the largest number of locations declared as World Heritage Sites by UNESCO.
Fall in love with the art and literature tucked away in the cobbled streets of Alcalá de Henares, relive history in Aranjuez or visit the emblematic Monastery of San Lorenzo de El Escorial, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1984, as well as the architectural heritage of houses and buildings that make up its historical-artistic offer.
These are just some of the attractions that the Autonomous Community of Madrid has to offer. Its leisure, gastronomy, people, art and joie de vivre welcome you. Enjoy the best lifestyle in the world!
One of the must-sees in the Autonomous Community of Madrid is Aranjuez, the Royal Town, which is located just 30 minutes away on the southern outskirts of the capital. It has spectacular monuments and gardens that make it the perfect destination for a day trip.
Its main points of interest include one of the jewels in the National Heritage crown: the Royal Palace of Aranjuez, characterised by the red and white colours of its large façade. Here's a challenge: on the façade, look for the statues of the kings who were the driving force behind its construction, Philip II, Philip V and Ferdinand VI. Inside, you'll be surprised by the staircase with a rococo balustrade, Isabella II's old room, the queen's quarters and the throne room. Its gardens are inspired by the classic French Baroque and you will love the pleasant walks that you can take there.
Other places that will inspire you in Aranjuez are the Church of San Antonio, built in honour of San Antonio de Padua by order of Ferdinand VI; the Plaza de las Parejas, the Casa del Labrador, the Museo de Falúas and the railway station, in neo-Mudejar style.
Many are convinced that Chinchón is one of the most beautiful towns in Spain. So much so, that in 1974 its old town was declared a Historic-Artistic Site.
This Madrid town is famous for having one of the most authentic and charming medieval squares in Spain. Its beautiful Plaza Mayor is a closed enclosure with four accesses that you can reach by strolling through its cobbled streets.
Having passed through one of its arches, you can head towards the Clock Tower, the only remaining remnant of the old 14th-century Church of Our Lady of Grace, destroyed in the War of Independence. Nearby you can visit the Church of Our Lady of the Assumption, inside which you can admire the canvas of 'The Assumption of the Virgin', a work by Francisco de Goya.
Next to the Clock Tower you will also find the Lope de Vega Theatre, built on the ruins of the Palace of the Counts of Chinchón, which disappeared during the War of the Spanish Succession. Take the opportunity to see some of the purposes that it serves during the course of the year.
On the outskirts, the Castle of the Counts, from the late 15th century, is also worth a visit.
Buitrago de Lozoya is one of the most beautiful towns in the north of the Autonomous Community of Madrid. It is a medieval town surrounded by spectacular nature and the Lozoya River, making this destination the perfect place for hiking or canoeing, eating traditional dishes in its restaurants and discovering its rich heritage. A fulfilling excursion!
As you stroll around the town you will come across the Town Hall, which houses the Picasso Museum, with an excellent collection of works and pieces by the artist such as drawings, lithographs, ceramics, posters... And what's more, admission is free! Well worth a visit! 😉
In its central Plaza de la Constitución you will come across the Clock Tower, the main access to the walled area, whose original 19th-century mechanism is still preserved today.
Just beyond the Arco de las Nieves you can reach the high area of the wall, from where you can see incredible views of the town and the wonderful nature that surrounds it.
Finally, don't forget to visit the most important religious temple of Buitrago de Lozoya: the Church of Santa María del Castillo, in neo-Mudejar style and located inside the walled area.
Another recommended excursion in the north of the Autonomous Community of Madrid is that of San Lorenzo de El Escorial, easily accessible by car, train or bus.
This town is famous for hosting the Royal Monastery of San Lorenzo de El Escorial, declared a Historic-Artistic Monument since 1931 and a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1984. And it's no wonder! In addition to visiting its beautiful exterior, we recommend buying tickets - best to get them in advance - to access the enclosure, the best way to explore the history of Spain and the reign of Philip II.
Inside are the Library, the Basilica, the Chapter Rooms - with works by El Greco and Velázquez -, the Pantheons - where the Kings and Queens of Spain are buried - as well as the Hall of Battles.
But in this beautiful town you can visit other points of interest such as the Garden of the Friars, the vantage point in Adolfo Suárez Park, the Casita del Príncipe, the Casas de Ocios, the King's Stables, the Royal Colosseum of Carlos III and the Colosseum Museum.
If you are a nature lover, a walk around the Herrería Forest will totally recharge your batteries.
Madrid has many types of climate. In this city, summer is not just July and August, nor is winter just December and January. You can end up having a hot weekend in mid-November… and it would be no surprise! And the same thing happens with the cold weather, because you can decide to visit Madrid in December, March or April and find yourself with your overcoat under your arm the whole time. When travelling to the Autonomous Community, forget about the calendar… Pay attention to the weather forecasts!
One of the reasons to visit the Autonomous Community of Madrid is its gastronomy, comprising traditional dishes made with the highest quality products, such as meats and cheeses from the Sierra de Guadarrama; honey and broad beans from the Sierra Norte; garlic and anise from Chinchón; strawberries and asparagus from Aranjuez...
Cocido madrileño (Madrid-style stew), callos a la madrileña (Madrid-style tripe), squid sandwich, fried eggs, chicken in sauce, Madrid-style doughnut, baked sea bream, Madrid-style snails, garlic soup... Impossible to choose from so many typical dishes, isn't it?
All of these can be found in Madrid's many restaurants and bars. In the capital you can follow the best tapas routes, to taste potato omelette, croquettes, patatas bravas, fried eggs, garlic shrimp... Watching someone's face when they first try these snacks, the waiter calling out the orders, the non-stop hustle and bustle of the people coming in and out... Why else would the tapa be so well known worldwide?
And for dessert... Some tasty hot chocolate with churros - of course, in the mythical chocolate shop of San Ginés -, doughnuts, torrijas, wafers, cream puffs...
Finger-licking good!
If you plan to spend a few days in Madrid, you should know that public transport reaches all corners of the community. In addition to being cheap and running smoothly, the underground, city buses, commuter rail network and taxis are the best way to travel. If you wish, you can rent a bike in Madrid, a scooter or an electric car to move freely around the centre, a very affordable option to suit all budgets.
The Autonomous Community of Madrid has an unrivalled offer in terms of accommodation, adapted to all tastes and budgets. Hotels of all categories, from one to five stars; bed and breakfasts, guesthouses, tourist apartments... And, of course, unique spaces such as campsites, bungalows and charming cottages.
And if you really want to get away from the routine and feel adventurous without venturing too far, it features very original places: staying overnight in a train carriage from the 1960's, a charming Mongolian yurt , a dome in the moonlight or a vintage caravan. Stars, nature, peace, silence... Sounds great, right?
In the Autonomous Community of Madrid, opening hours are usually later than in the rest of Europe. This is largely due to the specific time zone of Spain, which is governed by the central European timetable rather than the Western one, despite the fact that its geographical location and condition would be suited to the latter.
Shops open at around 9-10am and restaurants and bars start serving their lunches and dinners later than in other countries and cities. However, in tourist areas you can eat whenever you like, especially in the centre of the capital.
What's more, on the streets of Madrid and especially in the old town, the entertainment never stops, day or night. Madrid residents love being out in the street and interacting with each other.
It should be pointed out that in the Autonomous Community of Madrid it is very easy to communicate, since in most shops and restaurants the staff are fluent English speakers. Ordinary Madrid residents, especially young people, know the language of Shakespeare well, and as for the natives less skilled with foreign languages… they make up for it with their innate friendliness!
It is important to know that the menu varies according to the time of year. In winter, soups and stews abound, and in summer the food on offer is much lighter. There are notably cold dishes such as Russian salad, salmorejo or gazpacho.
Don't forget to ask about the day's menu offered by most restaurants in Madrid! This consists of a first and second course plus dessert or coffee, for about 12 euros.
Once the booking is confirmed you will receive a confirmation e-mail. The voucher for the hotel will be also sent by email plus the vouchers for any other services (car hire, transfer, travel insurance) if booked.
Please note that no flight tickets are sent due to most airlines using e-tickets. You only need to print our confirmation email where the Airline`s booking reference appears and take it with you to the airport with your ID/Passport documents.
Important: Some Low Cost Airlines (Ryanair, Easyjet, Wizzair, Blueair and others) now request all passengers to check-in online and print the Boarding Cards before departure through their corresponding websites. Failure to do so, these airlines will charge you a supplement at the airport.