The perfect city break
If you are planning another short break to make the most of the sun this autumn,
may we recommend the spanish capital madrid, both for its history and its culture.
IMA Schelling Spain is based in Alcalá de Henares, just 30 kilometers away from Madrid and right in the center of Spain. Thanks to the good infrastructure and excellent airport links, none of IMA Schelling‘s Spanish customers are more than 600 kilometers away. Furthermore, the capital city also has something to offer tourists by way of culture, cuisine, and lifestyle. So it is only natural that the Iberian urban flair has made quite an impression on our Spanish colleagues, who are now also urging SOLUTION readers to go there for a short break.
If you like hustle and bustle and want to be carried away by the city ambiance over a drink, a stroll along the „Gran Vía“ is a must. Not only are there boutiques, restaurants, and nightclubs, but you will also find imposing, historic building façades. The impressive and vibrant square, the „Puerta del Sol“ – one of the busiest hubs in Madrid – is not far away. An annual highlight takes place when the bell in the clock tower rings in the New Year at midnight on New Year‘s Eve, the Spanish devour a grape each time the bell chimes.
GLORIOUS AND GRAND
Things are quieter, however, in the wonderful „Retiro Park“. Originally conceived as gardens for royalty, the green oasis and its botanical garden are now open to the public and make an inviting place to relax at the heart of the city center, with a large lake, the glass palace, and countless trees.
The magnificent palace of the Spanish royal family is located about 45 kilometers outside Madrid. The 14th century Renaissance structure is no longer a royal residence, however, and these days is open to everyone. Another highlight is the imposing „Las Ventas“ bullring. It is the second-largest in the world, after Mexico City. Today it is not just a bullfighting arena, as many other sports and music events are also held there.
SIGHTSEEING MAKES YOU HUNGRY
We have a culinary tip to deal with this. That is to say, the „Mercado De San Miguel“ is not just a treat for your taste buds, it is also a treat for your eyes. Behind the walls of this unique iron and glass edifice is a unique food market with Spanish delicacies – all at affordable prices. From tapas, seafood and cheese, to ham, wine and countless other gourmet treats, there is certainly something for everyone in a market hall that is more than a hundred years old.
Carlos Perez | Service Engineer
IMA Schelling España
The little town of Alcalá de Henares – a World Heritage Site and the place where Cervantes, the author of Don Quixote was born – invites you to stroll through its streets and squares, and visit its museums and monuments. Then you can fortify yourself on the terrace of one of the good restaurants, while watching the storks. My recommendation would be the “Champiñones y Torreznos” in the “Bar Nino” with its typical tapas, at the heart of the Calle Mayor. In the bars of Alcalá, the custom is to provide a free tapa with a beer. If you are yearning for nature, there are many paths and mountain bike routes through the national park – the green lungs of the city.