4 days in Madrid (Day 3)

In the early morning, travel out to Plaza de Toros de las Ventas, off the Ventas. This is one of the major bull rings in Spain and the only one in Madrid. They do hold bull fights each night (or almost every night) that you can attend.

During the day, you can pay a few Euro to get a guided tour of the bull ring. The tour is done in both English and Spanish and is very interesting.

During the tour, you are taken to the to of the ring and shown the architecture of the ring. There is gorgeous tile work down on the outside of the stadium. Within the mosaics, there are seals for each of the Providences of Spain.

From here you are taken into the actual bull ring. From here you can see the royal box and the difference in seating. You are also taken down to the very bottom of the ring where the bull fighters, press, doctors, photographers and more sit during the fights.

Once inside the stadium, you are shown where they take the bull after the match to clean it. The meat is then sold to local restaurants and markets. The skin is sold to leather makers. And, if the bull was brave or exquisite, the head is sold to museums or private collectors.

From here, you can purchase tickets to see that evening's bullfight, if you so choose or, hop on the train to Atocha to see the Reina Sofía.

The Renia Sofía is the Madrid museum of Modern and Contemporary art.

Now, I like the modern stuff and I'm not a huge fan of landscapes and portraiture. However, this museum even pushes my limits of what is and is not art.

However, the staple piece in the collection is the Guerinca by Pablo Picasso. It takes up almost an entire wall and, because of the crowds that gather in this room, there are no other pieces of art hanging.

The Renia Sofía also has a vast collection of Picasso and other cubists and modern artists, as well.

From the Reina Sofía, walk up to Parque del Retiro - a great park to get lost in for the day.

On the way from the Reina Sofía to the park, there is a great little shopping are, with outdoor stands and very good prices. Here you will find great deals on jewelry, scarves, books and more.

At the top of this center is Parque del Retiro. In the center of the park is a huge lake and monument of Alfonzo XII from 1901. Here you can rent paddle boats and paddle around the lake and enjoy the monument. There are also stands to purchase food, drinks and snacks (mostly snacks but you might find a hot dog or two).

From here grab lunch in the Plaza del Colón (get off at the Colón station from the Metro). Here you will find the Madrid monument to Christopher Columbus. While it is in the center of a roundabout, there is a great little plaza on the one side to get a good view and great photos.

Hop back on the Metro to the Chueca station for tapas. Chueca is considered the "gay district" of Madrid, but has many great restaurants and shops along its streets. With all the restaurants and bars in this area, it is the perfect area to do a tapas crawl.

What is a tapas crawl? Well, its a lot like a pub crawl, but instead of drinking, you're eating. Order the house specialties or try different tapas at each bar or restaurant. Do this in the early evening for the best deals and atmosphere.

There is a Cafe & Té in Chueca for a geat cup of coffee and pastry before heading in for the night or enjoying Madrid's night life.