MAD

Europe has many magnificent cities, but often these are crammed with tourists which can take away from the magic. One of my favourite places for escaping tourists and discovering hidden gems is the beautiful city of Madrid. With a cool yet understated vibe and many unusual things to see and do, any traveller looking to go off the beaten path will adore the Spanish capital. There are many cool experiences to immerse yourself in in Madrilenian culture, but here are a few of my favourites – remember to have your camera ready at all times! Only got 48 hours? Check

Fact: the capital of Spain is often overlooked by tourists. While Spain is one of the most visited countries in the world (only surpassed by France and the U.S.), the truth is that most of you will rather be heading to the beaches of Benidorm, Mallorca, Marbella or Tenerife… in pursuit of a holiday in the sun. For those who are looking for a city break, perhaps seeking a more cultural experience, Barcelona almost always wins. It is undeniably the most popular city to visit in Spain, evidenced by the staggering numbers of flip-flop clad tourists armed with selfie-sticks all

Madrid has bounced back from the global recession admirably, although even in the hard times it remained a popular place to do business – with a diverse range of industries from fashion and textiles to finance, telecommunications and oil and gas. Its affordability and infrastructure also contribute to its success as an international meeting place and it’s fourth in the world for hosting global commercial events.

Apart from the weather (which is a major plus in my books!) and its casual, cosmopolitan ambience, there are plenty of reasons I enjoy my corporate travel to this wonderful city. It’s still work, but not as I usually know it! I’ve gleaned some helpful information along the way, which I’m delighted to share.

So you’ve got two days to experience all that Spain’s beautiful capital has to offer? Well, the good news is that with 48 hours you’ll be able to see and do enough in Madrid to feel like you’ve really got a sense of this beautiful, lively city.