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XIII maltatoday, Sunday, 25 January 2015 Travel Why go? Right in the middle of the Castillian plain, 646 metres above sea level lies the cosmopolitan capital city of Spain, Madrid. It is characterised by intense cultural and artistic activity and a very lively nightlife. From Baroque and neoclassical structures of the 17th and 18th century, such as the Plaza Mayor (Main Square) and the Palacio Real (Royal Palace) to the modern buildings on the Paseo de la Castellana, Madrid is a showcase of its eclectic history. What to do? Housing masterpieces by Velazquez, Goya, El Greco, Rem- brant and others Prado Museum (w w w.museodelprado.es) is one of the world 's most important art galleries. For a more contemporary take on Spanish art visit the Reina Sofia Culture Centre (w w w.muse- oreinasofia.es) exhibiting a wide variety of pieces covering diverse modern artistic disciplines such as painting, sculpture, photogra- phy and films among others. The Military Museum (w w w. ejercito.mde.es) houses 27,000 artefacts including weapons, uniforms, f lags, paintings and sculptures tracing the history of the Spanish military. While bullfighting has been banned in Catalunia, they are still found in Madrid. If you can't stomach an actual fight take a tour of the magnificent arena and discover the hidden corners and the buzzing life that it involves at the Plaza Monumental de Las Ventas. Check out the Mexican- style chapel where matadors ask for protection before the fight and the hospital rooms with facilities for up to 12 doctors. See what it feels like to wait in the Puerta de Cuadrillas (bullfight- ing team gate) and enter into the arena. Madrid is a great place to take the kids with a wide variety of things for them to do from the Madrid Amusement Park (w w w. parquedeatracciones.es), the Warner Park (w w w.parquewarner. com) and the Madrid Zoo (w w w. zoomadrid.com) and Aquarium, one of the world 's largest zoos and home to elephants, gorillas, pandas, exotic birds, giraffes, kangaroos and sharks. Ride a bike, go canoeing, free fall or observe the city from high up at Casa de Campo, the largest urban park in Spain at 1,722 hec- tares. It is an ideal spot for sports, mature and culture lovers. Be a part of Madrid 's legendary nightlife with a myriad of bars and restaurants from minimalist chill out bars to the most entic- ing clubs and Goth bars, from questionable dives to the wildest afterhours clubs and nostalgic dancehalls. Visit the Corral de la Moriera (w w w.corraldelamoriera. com) for a Michelin-starred meal followed by world-acclaimed f lamenco. Where to stay? On the corner of Calle Goya and Calle Velásquez, Hotel Adler (w w w.adlermadrid.com), has been fully refurbished and equipped with the very latest facilities. Decorated by the renowned inte- rior designer Pascual Ortega who was also commissioned to deck out the streets in preparation for the Royal Wedding between Prince Felipe and Doña Letizia Ortiz, the hotel has taken on a whole new dimension, without detracting from its 18th century charm. You can marvel at views of the most cosmopolitan side of Madrid as you cool off in the pool at the Emperador (w w w.emperadorho- tel.com), a four star hotel located in Madrid 's Gran Vía. This long avenue is famous for its cinemas, theatres, shops, restaurants and its proximity to the historical city centre, with sights such as the Royal Palace, Plaza Mayor or Puerta del Sol just steps away. The Hotel Ritz is part of the world-renowned group of luxury hotels. It was officially opened in 1910 by Alfonso XII in order to satisf y the "need " to provide ac- commodation for the nobility and the celebrities of the time. Almost 100 years later, it continues to welcome celebrated names from the worlds of politics, culture and the arts. Where to eat? Olé Lola (w w w.olelola.com) is a vision of tradition and modernity living in harmony. Photographs of bullfighters and plañideras (hired mourners) watch over the laidback clientele lounging about on velvet sofas. The 21st century tapas are taking age-old Spanish fare and spinning it into some- thing new – crunchy fried fish and translucent thins of tortilla with coriander peer from artful paper pyramids. The Cuban/Costa Rican inf lu- ences of Beto at Baco y Beto (w w w.bacoybeto) come through in some truly innovative dishes. Duck breast marinated in tequila and soya milk is not a traditional tapas combination but a treat none the less. Try Beto's patacónes (green plantain puff pastry tarts filled with avocado, served with mashed beans and cheese) followed by his sumptu- ous take on tiramisu. For truly traditional Spanish tapas visit La Parrala and sip beer at the bar and chat to the locals. Try the para compartir (to share) menu with a mouth water- ing degustacion de tapas, at Ojala (w w w.ojala-restaurante.com). Tuna pasties, salmon ceviche, caramelised chicken, vegetable tempura and cream are among the delights at the restaurant. After dinner go downstairs to the beachy cocktail bars, complete with sandy f loors, to dance bare- foot to Spanish funk. How to get there? Air Malta and Ryanair oper- ate direct f lights to Madrid. Air Malta f lights departing on 8 February and returning on 15 February were priced at €370.42. Ryanair f lights on the same dates were priced at €148.98. All prices include airport tax and were accurate at the time of going to The metropolis of Madrid The rectangular Plaza Mayor is surrounded by three- storey residential buildings with an impressing 237 balconies overlooking the square If you don't want to watch an actual bullfight, take a tour around the Plaza Monumental de las Ventas, and see what it's like to be in a matador's shoes – without the dangers of the bull The Reina Sofia culture centre is home to contemporary Spanish art in a variety of media from painting to sculptures, photography and film