El Retiro Holiday Club, Denia

Advantages: Huge park, architectural wonders
Disadvantages: no English language signs

...Retiro Park - magnificent, historic architecture, well laid out lakes, formal gardens and all around holiday-makers and locals meander, sit awhile to appreciate this stunning park near the centre of Madrid, Spain. Parque de El Retiro, is dubbed as the cities most important historic/artistic park and a visit around its 130 hectares (320 acres) proves this just has to be so. I went on my own and spent the whole time telling myself how silly I would have been not to have included it in my Madrid ramblings. Built for Spanish King Phillip to complement his 1632 Real Sitiodel Beun Retiro Palace, Retiro Park was opened to the public in 1868. The king used the palace and the Retiro Park for his family's summer retreat, hence Retiro (retreat). Nowadays royalty don't take walks, jog, play petanque, sit to eat and drink in the cafes, watch... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: For me, that is located in Madrid
Disadvantages: For you, that is located in Madrid

...“El Retiro” or “El Buen Retiro” is to Madrid, like Hyde Park is to London and Central Park to New York. It is a big park in the heart of the town. It was built during the kingdom of Felipe IVth, but it was in the time of Carlos the IIIrd when people was allowed to visit but in a very restricted way. With the First Republic the park was property of the town, for enjoyment of all its inhabitants. You can reach it by metro “Retiro” or by buses, with numbers 1, 2, 202, 9, 15, 20, 28 and it is surrounded bay Alcala, O’Donnell, Alfonso XII streets. The main entrance is in Plaza de la Independencia just in front of the “Puerta de Alcalá” and five minute walking you reach the pool with the monument erected in memorial of Alfonso XII. You can rent a boat, or visit the “Crystal Palace” that remember a special cage of birds but now... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Many things to see, Great underground subway, Nightlife
Disadvantages: Many "risky" places,

...stadium) -Reina Sofia/El Prado (art museums) -Parque Retiro/Parque Attraciones (1 is a nice park 2 is a nice amusement park) -Zarzuela (typical spanish theatre act) Madrid ranges from Modern to Medieval buildings and very expensive hotels. Bullfighting is also amongst one of Spains and Madrids traditions, especially going to the arena and watching a live match... and lets not forget the beautiful TERMINAL 4 barajas... the architecture is simply amazing...... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful