Does Madrid have a port? Or how come it is so famous for its calamari sandwiches? If you've ever visited Madrid, you've probably tried its fresh and tasty fish and seafood. Paella, grilled sea bass, squid sandwiches (Bocadillo de Calamares) ... Does it sound familiar? Also, visiting its marvelous markets, you will have noticed the amount of different fish or frutti di mare that are for sale. You may have wondered how it is possible to find such fresh fish so far from the sea and why the "Bocadillo de calamares" is so popular. That is a very good question! Madrid is situated in the center of Spain - with
Bike Tours Madrid - We are back... ...doing our bike tours respecting the guidelines and recommendations for our Tour Guides - developed by Spanish Tourism Quality Institute (ICTE): "Measures to reduce the spread of SARS-CoV-2" New rules for mask use in Spain came into effect on June 26. Spain continues to require the use of face masks in all indoor public spaces; however, masks are no longer required outdoors as long as 1.5 meters of social distancing can be maintained. Our tour guide will inform clients about applicable prevention and hygiene measures, and also about restrictions, limitations or modifications to the service to prevent contagion. The safe distance between the tour guide and clients, and between clients themselves, should be maintained throughout the tour. If this is not possible, a mask should be used and clients will be encouraged to use on too. We do ask kindly our clients to bring a mask. Our activities are designed to avoid groups crossing whenever possible and coordinated in any case with other tour guides to realize one-way routes. We always try to avoid areas likely to be crowded and will also avoid small spaces with limited capacity. Stops for explaining monuments will be done in open and/or wide spaces, respecting the safe distance. The following public health measures remain in effect during our bike tours: Social distancing (1.5 meters), indoors and outdoors, is required during our bike tours Mask use is mandatory outdoors when social distancing (1.5 meters) cannot be maintained. Trixi.com continues to require you to: Wear your face mask in our shop. Wear a mask whenever the safe distance cannot be guaranteed, also during our bike tours Maintain at least 1.5 meters of distance from others, specially during our stops Practice hand hygiene. Avoid greeting other visitors with physical contact,
Bike Tours Madrid – We are back… …doing our bike tours respecting the guidelines and recommendations for our Tour Guides – developed by Spanish Tourism Quality Institute (ICTE): “Measures to reduce the spread of SARS-CoV-2” New rules for mask use in Spain came into effect on June 26. Spain continues to require the use of face masks in all indoor public spaces; however, masks are no longer required outdoors as long as 1.5 meters of social distancing can be maintained. Our tour guide will inform clients about applicable prevention and hygiene measures, and also about restrictions, limitations or modifications to the service to prevent contagion. The safe distance between the
5th of July, 2021: Mercado de San Miguel Re-Opens! With this nice welcome, the San Miguel market in Madrid reopens again, after being closed for 9 months due to the pandemic. The San Miguel market Madrid, located next to the Plaza Mayor, was inaugurated in May 1916 as a food market and is one of the few and best examples of iron architecture in the city. In 2009 it became the first gastronomic market in Madrid and today it is the city's gastronomic temple, with nationally and internationally renowned chefs. If you want to get to know it, sign up for one of our bike tours, such as the Highlights
La Violeta In contrast to this melancholic song by Prince, "La Violeta" has been sweetening the world with its purple sweets for more than 105 years. This shop is very near to our Trixi bike shop and as we write the blog we get to know more and more hidden corners of this vibrant city that is Madrid. We would like to share these discoveries with you. La Violeta is a family business that was established in 1915 La Violeta is a family business that was established in 1915 by the couple “Gil” and it is located in Plaza de Canalejas 6, in Madrid. Since then, the shop has kept the same essence of the traditional business in the third generation. What was originally a “patisserie” called “The dessert”, was converted by the grandfather of the people who run the business today into a shop that offers sweets, chocolates, candied fruit, presents and much more. They also prepare those typical sweets that are given to the guests in Spain when there is a christening, communion or wedding. The stars of the shop are still the violet drops and candied violet flowers. The colour also dominates in the packaging, the ribbons and even in their website. In the meantime, of course, they have opened to many more colours and products. La Violeta is one of those shops where you stand outside and simply enjoy the beauty of their shop window with all the nice glass and porcelain gift arrangements with the sweets and start to think who you could bring them as a souvenir from Madrid. Or just why not give you a little treat yourself!! You just want to have an excuse to go inside and feel the atmosphere that the wood and the glass have been transmitting for so
La Violeta In contrast to this melancholic song by Prince, “La Violeta” has been sweetening the world with its purple sweets for more than 105 years. This shop is very near to our Trixi bike shop and as we write the blog we get to know more and more hidden corners of this vibrant city that is Madrid. We would like to share these discoveries with you. La Violeta is a family business that was established in 1915 La Violeta is a family business that was established in 1915 by the couple “Gil” and it is located in Plaza de Canalejas 6, in Madrid. Since then, the shop has kept
Cocido madrileño If you plan to visit the Spanish capital during the winter months, what better than to try one of the most representative dishes of its gastronomy: the “cocido madrileño”. It is one of those powerful dishes that warms you up inside, comforts you and reminds you of that good meal at mum's house. It simply makes you happy! The cocido madrileño is a stew whose main ingredients are chickpeas, various vegetables, meat, bacon and some sausage. It has humble origins and was initially eaten by the lower classes. It reached the upper classes thanks to its presence on restaurant menus. It is a star dish not only in Madrid but also throughout Spain. Each region of Spain has its own particular way of preparing this winter dish, but the Madrid version is one of the most popular cocidos, even internationally. Although it is a single dish, the "Cocido marileño" in Madrid and in some other regions it is served in three parts, as if it were a tasting menu. Once all the ingredients are cooked, they are separated and served on different plates in the following order: the first contains the broth resulting from the cooking of all the ingredients the second one contains the chickpeas, vegetables and potatoes the third contains the meat If you would like to try to do it yourself, this is one of the suggested recipes by Spain Tourism: Recipe for Cocido Madrileño It has been suggested that this dish may be directly connected to the Jewish culture, both because of the curious tradition of serving the stew in 'tres vuelcos' (three courses) and because of the slow-cooking technique used and, finally, because of the presence of chickpeas. The Sephardim (Jews formerly linked to the Iberian Peninsula) already had their own stew -
Cocido madrileño If you plan to visit the Spanish capital during the winter months, what better than to try one of the most representative dishes of its gastronomy: the “cocido madrileño”. It is one of those powerful dishes that warms you up inside, comforts you and reminds you of that good meal at mum’s house. It simply makes you happy! The cocido madrileño is a stew whose main ingredients are chickpeas, various vegetables, meat, bacon and some sausage. It has humble origins and was initially eaten by the lower classes. It reached the upper classes thanks to its presence on restaurant menus. It is a star dish not only in
New Year's Eve in Spain - Why do Spaniards end the year with a bowl full of grapes in their hands? The Spanish tradition says that in order to have 12 months of good luck in the New Year you have to eat 12 grapes at exactly 12 o'clock on the night of the 31st of December; also, it is important to eat one grape at the time with the sound of each midnight bell. Therefore, it is recommendable to buy small grapes and to be careful not to choke because we have heard of some disasters…. Where does this curious tradition come from that every year plants us in front of places like Madrid's Puerta del Sol? Grapes are the fruit of the wine which has very important symbolism related to the divine, to the mystic and to life. According to Greek mythology, Dionysus (Bacchus for the Romans) was the god of wine. He represented pleasure and the joy of life. Grapes are also a symbol of prosperity, abundance and as they are the basic ingredient to be transformed into wine ... they are also very much related to festivity and union. So why not celebrate New Year's Eve with the best symbol for prosperity? In Spain, the midnight bells on the last day of the year are transmitted on television and everyone is curious which famous presenters will have the honor of moderating the night - which is really a show with music and dance etc. Everyone will also keep an eye on their clothes that they will immediately criticize the next day: be it that the lady showed too much decolleté, that the dress was too transparent or that it was simply spectacular! As far as history is concerned, popular belief states that the twelve "lucky" grapes
New Year’s Eve in Spain – Why do Spaniards end the year with a bowl full of grapes in their hands? The Spanish tradition says that in order to have 12 months of good luck in the New Year you have to eat 12 grapes at exactly 12 o’clock on the night of the 31st of December; also, it is important to eat one grape at the time with the sound of each midnight bell. Therefore, it is recommendable to buy small grapes and to be careful not to choke because we have heard of some disasters…. Where does this curious tradition come from that every year plants us in
Chestnuts: Looking to warm your hands in the cold Madrid winter? In Madrid we know that autumn has arrived when we see the first chestnut stalls appear. Usually they start to settle in November when it's starting to get cold. People used to buy them to warm their hands. Today, chestnuts are a sign that Christmas is not too far away and they give you a kind of cosy, warm feeling while strolling through the illuminated streets of Madrid. Being a “castañera” originally was a woman´s trade that started in the 19th century and was handed over from generation to generation. The ladies, who were well known in the quarter they were in, usually wore a traditional black outfit and a scarf around the head. Today ,we can see a mixture of women and men but still in the middle to older ages. The chestnuts are prepared on the spot – it is little science how they have to be made – and you get about a dozen for 2€. Apart from chestnuts, most stalls also offer delicious baked sweet potatoes and corn, sweets or those apples with red sugar cover that look nice but are so difficult to eat! So, you know now that, if you have cold hands, you can stop during your bike tour in Madrid at one of those chestnut stalls or buy some gloves! Discover the fascinating history of Madrid on our bike tours. Hear the legends and stories of the city as you explore the hidden corners and spots. Learn more about Spain’s culture, history, politics and traditions from the tour’s local expert guide.
Chestnuts: Looking to warm your hands in the cold Madrid winter? In Madrid we know that autumn has arrived when we see the first chestnut stalls appear. Usually they start to settle in November when it’s starting to get cold. People used to buy them to warm their hands. Today, chestnuts are a sign that Christmas is not too far away and they give you a kind of cosy, warm feeling while strolling through the illuminated streets of Madrid. Being a “castañera” originally was a woman´s trade that started in the 19th century and was handed over from generation to generation. The ladies, who were well known in the quarter
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