Fodor’s has been a well-respected publisher of travel guides for more than seventy years, and is spearheaded by a team of over 700 professional writers. The vision of founder Eugene Fodor was to “bring to life the people and customs” of a destination, rather than spouting dry facts and figures. At www.fodors.com/world/europe/spain/madrid, you will find topics like “Top Reasons To Go,” “Getting Oriented,” “Where to Go,” “Planning Your Time” and “Spain’s Top 15 Values For Travelers on a Budget.” You can also read about their top recommended restaurants, the most popular hotels and learn some additional travel tips. At a glance, you’ll have a good idea of why people are drawn to Madrid.

The Lonely Planet travel guide company is a newcomer to the scene, but appeals for a youthful, budget-conscious audience. These Madrid travel books are for the people who just want to do everything, meet everyone and wind up anywhere worthwhile. “There will come a moment while you’re in Madrid when you will fall irreversibly in love with this beguiling city and wonder how you can bear to live elsewhere,” writes Lonely Planet author Anthony Ham. Across the well-written page of this spunky narrative, you’ll be able to gather what the pulse of the city is like. You’ll learn about the people and the culture, as well as the off-the-beaten-path adventures. To learn more about Lonely Planet, visit www.lonelyplanet.com.

Not surprisingly, newspapers often have excellent travel guide sections if you can find what you’re looking for. The UK Telegraph and NY Times are especially noted for their in-depth travel information. At the UK Telegraph’s page (www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/europe/spain/madrid/4433755/Spain-An-Insiders-Guide-to-Madrid-and-Central-Spain.html), Annie Bennett has a wonderful (and recent) insider’s guide to Madrid, with links to travel information resources. For instance, she recommends specialists Madrid & Beyond for arranging your tapas tours, winery tours, culinary classes, museum visits and other activities. She tells you where to taste wine, where to see wildlife and how to get around. You’ll find that these guides are a great way to stay sane while planning your bountiful adventure.

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It’s useful to have travel guides in the city, if for no other reason than to cart you around. Traffic in the city centre is unreal at times, with cars swerving, honking, parking and tailgating all over the place. While many museums, restaurants and monuments are within walking distance, you’ll miss out on the historic background, the colorful stories and the travel information that really brings this Spanish city to life. Your freedom might be somewhat hindered on a tour, but you will get an overview of many different places all in one day, so you’ll have a better idea where you’d like to spend more time once you’re back on your own again. A Madrid Vision city bus tour (www.madridvision.es) might take you to Royal Palace, the Paseo del Prado, the Puerta de Alcal

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One of Madrid’s cheap hotels, Hostal Armesto, goes for around $73/night and offers six rooms in a classic 19th-century building of the Huertas neighborhood. You’ll enjoy three museums, restaurants and bars all within walking distance. Though Madrid isn’t known for its quiet nights, the early-to-bed/early-to-rise crowd will appreciate this hostel’s location down a strangely quiet residential street. The bedrooms have tiled floors, wrought-iron beds and vintage style bathrooms. The rear rooms also overlook a beautiful Spanish garden. You can book your room at www.hostalarmesto.com.

Another one of Madrid’s cheap hotels is the Hostal Oriente, which runs for $53 – $79/night. While it’s less homey than Hostal Armesto, the 34 rooms are clean and in good condition with nice traditional Spanish paintings. The recently renovated bathrooms are a relief and the chandeliers add a nice elegant touch. The location is what draws most people to this Madrid hotel. Just steps from the city centre, you can walk to the opera house, the metro, Plaza Mayor and Puerta del Sol. You can learn more at www.hostaloriente.es.

If you’re looking for cheap hotels in Barcelona, then you’ll find a number of lodges for under $100 at www.venere.com. Hotel Atenea, for example, enjoys high guest ratings for its delicious breakfast buffet, its simple modern decor and its business travel facilities. The location is also convenient for business professionals because it’s located right in the business district, although it is also not far from football stadiums, beaches and shopping districts. If you’re looking for someplace close to the airport, you might like Hotel Porta Barcelona, a three-star hotel that is just 10 minutes from your flights, but also close to tourist destinations like Gaud

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Hotel Ritz is perhaps the most booked Madrid hotel. This elaborate building has housed the likes of His Majesty King Alfonso XIII, but today it’s heralded for its excellent location, as it is mere steps from Retiro Park, Teatro de la Zarzuela, the Prado museum, the Thyssen Bornemisza and the Centro de Arte Monderno Reina Sofia. Hotel Ritz offers all the modern amenities, with marble bathrooms, hand-woven carpets, embroidered linen sheets and stunning views of the garden hotel, the lealtad square or The Prado. You can also feast until your heart’s content at Goya, which dishes out local favorites and international cuisine alike. For more information, visit www.ritzmadrid.com.

When it comes to beach hotels around Costa del Sol, the best nearby Madrid hotel is Gran Costa Del Sol Hotel Mijas. Guests at www.hotelclub.net gave the hotel in Madrid a 4/5 rating. Guests love the spacious outdoor pool, the Jacuzzi suites, the sea views, the majestic palms swaying in the breeze, the modern decor, the buffet style restaurant featuring local cuisine and the short walk to the beach. Horse racing, golf and theme parks are all nearby. Patrons can also walk to the local town center, which has a number of boutiques, restaurants and bars.

There is yet another type of Madrid hotel to choose, and that is the bed and breakfast. At www.madridbandb.com, you will find a directory of charming, historic properties that serve sumptuous feasts each morning and offer more privacy than a typical hotel. Typically, guests will enjoy large beds, tranquil gardens, luxurious bathrooms and access to common areas and an outdoor swimming pool. Many of these bed and breakfast establishments even have dogs or cats on the property, so you can soothe some of your animal homesickness while you’re away. Most B&Bs are conveniently situated down quiet streets near the city centers. Why try to find hotels when you can stay in an elegant Spanish mansion?

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To obtain a car rental, you must have a valid passport and driver’s license issued by your home state. You must also have insurance, which is usually negotiated by the travel professionals at the rent-a-car office. On the autopista toll roads, the maximum speed is 75 mph. On the autovia, they can range from 50 to 75, depending on where you are. Carretera local highways are as signed, but do not exceed 60 mph. The main roads are between 40 and 60 mph, generally speaking. The laws benefit motorists more than pedestrians, so exercise extreme caution when crossing an intersection by foot, even if you are at a designated crosswalk. On the highways, passing on the right is illegal unless you are exiting. If there is a solid line in the road, do not pull into the intersection to make a left; instead, look for special lanes that aid your turn. Everyone in your car should wear a seat belt and do not drink and drive. The blood alcohol limits are about half those in other parts of Europe. If you get busted for a traffic offense, you will not be allowed to leave the country until you pay your fine or appear in court. In fact, many fines need to be paid right on the spot!

You will find there are ample parking lots for your car rental around the downtown city centre. As a general rule, you may not park where the curbs are painted yellow or where “no parking” signs are posted. There are blue parking spaces and meters located in many places around town, although there is usually a two-hour maximum here. You may find it extremely aggravating when someone blocks you into your spot, but this happens commonly. The proper protocol is to sit in your car and honk your horn until the owner comes out and moves. While this may seem terribly rude, it’s just part of every day life in this busy city. Be especially careful when parking in Madrid because the “grua” — local tow truck drivers — will charge you an arm and a leg to get your car back. If you can’t speak any Spanish, then you may have an exceptionally hard time negotiating with them. When in doubt, look for underground parking with security.

An excellent road trip for you and your car rental is the hour drive to Toledo, a town with over 2,000 years of history. Toledo was once inhabited by members of three major religions — Islam, Christianity and Judaism — which are evidenced by the local architecture. Most visitors stop at Baroque and medieval churches like the Toledo Cathedral, for instance. The army museum at Alcazar is also worth a visit. Travel packages to Toledo often include admission to the Museo de Santa Cruz, which houses some impressive medieval and Renaissance artwork. The quaint town itself is a sight to behold, with narrow cobbled streets, Spanish style houses and picturesque hills. You’ll be glad you took the time to visit some of Spain’s historic past.

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