One of the locations very few would want to miss while visiting Madrid, Spain is the Puerta del Sol, or ‘Gate of the Sun’. This is a roadwork system that looks much like the sun. It starts with a slab outside the Casa de Correos, and going out from that slab are the set of six roads that make up the highways of Spain. As you begin your holiday of exploring Madrid, this is the place to begin.

At one time, the gates were the entryway into Madrid. Back in the 15th century it was important to be fortified and the city was encompassed by a protective wall.

Now your holiday to this area will find less in the arena of military fortifications and more in the arena of interesting attractions. Among them, a massive bear sculpture. He is eating fruit from a madrone tree. The tree is where the city gets it’s name, and the Bear is a symbol of strength for the people of the city.

As you continue your travel into the city down Alcala Street, stop at the Regina Hotel. From this location you can see the unique statues on top of the banks before your continue your trip.

One of Madrid’s most important sites is not far away. It is the House of the Post Office. You will spot this building as the one with the large clock face on the side of the tower. It was built in 1768, and if you happen to be in the area around the New Year Holiday, this will be the location of the major celebrations. The holiday celebration is the traditional festival eating of Twelve Grapes. When the clock chimes, all will cheer in celebration of the New Year.

In addition to being a location for celebration and merriment during holiday times, the Puerta del Sol is also a location that has more serious moments as well. It is commonly a location where political demonstrations and protests are held. It is very possible you will see one during your travels.

Also in this area are all the other things you will be looking for on your vacation. There are a large number of shops that offer anything from department store shopping to specialty shops, antique shops and other venues. There are also a number of attractions to view, as well as a great supply of restaurants so you can try out a lot of the local fare.

You will not be at a loss for night life when you visit Madrid. Often some areas just start kicking into high gear after midnight. There are street musicians, and a festive attitude as well as a number of bars and dance establishments to keep you busy until the wee hours of the morning. And when morning comes and you are ready to take up touring again, you are just a short distance from the Royal Palace or Palacio Real, parliament, Plaza Mayor, and many more shops and restaurants waiting for you along the way.

About the Author

Greg Muldec continually pens news stories on information related to Madrid and Barcelona. His writings on Spain are published on his site .

One of my favorite pleasures when I am in Paris is to take some time off, pick up a good book, and hole up some place where I can be left alone with my old self. If you feel the same, these are three of my fave spots to do just that.

The China House

In America when we think of a social venue where to spend a couple of hours reading and sipping on some hot beverage, the local Starbucks shop comes to mind almost immediately. Starbucks is slowly building a beach head in Europe where Italian coffee dominates the espresso market, leaving very little room for the kind of brew Starbucks sells.

In other words, Starbucks shops do not abound in Paris. But there are many other venues of the sort, and sometimes much better ones. The China House (La Maison de la Chine) belongs to this latter category.

Standing at 76 rue Bonaparte, in the Saint Germain des Pres area, La Maison de la Chine offers tea lovers a perfect haven to taste various teas and nibble at a couple of 'macarons' (small cookies with a light cream spread within) and other pastries. The 'tea house' is open from 3:00 to 7:00 pm Monday to Saturday. Tasting sessions give you an opportunity to sip on some of the finest Chinese teas: Tieguanyin, Longjing, Yinzhen, and Shuixian. The tea is prepared along the lines of an ancient tradition with special bamboo utensils, clay teapot and water pot, a 'cup for smelling' and a 'cup for sipping'.

Should you also wish to have lunch there, their Shanghaï Cafe opens between 12:30 and 2:30 pm. Their courses are a mix between Chinese and Thai food, with some interesting flavors. The food doesn't come cheap (there are two options, one for €22, the other for €28) but quality is good.

The Luxembourg Gardens

Definitely one of my favorite areas in my teenage years. The Luxembourg Gardens are the Parisian version of London's Hyde Park and NYC's Central Park. It extends across a large section of the city, spreading over parts of several districts. The French Senate House was built along one of its sides.

Monikered 'le Luco' by the youth of the 6th district (a well-to-do crowd with its own social codes and exclusive parties), the Luxembourg Gardens are informally divided into sections.

In one of these, children can ride an old wooden-horse merry-go-round, and catch metal rings with short wooden sticks. Further away, there are a few tennis courts, and a puppet theater. The vast expanse of land facing the French Senate House features a water basin where youngsters float model sailboats.

One of the quietest spots of the Gardens borders the Rue d'Assas. It is shaded by old trees around which narrow alleys wrap up. Metal chairs line up the alleys, and it may become hard to find one unoccupied during summer as students love to hang around and study in this area. A perfect place for a quiet afternoon of reading or romantic strolling.

Meet Louis the 13th at Place des Vosges

Ensconced by four rows of 17th century mansions, Place des Vosges is probably best known for its art galleries. Those exhibit artworks of a more modern breed that the galleries which line up the famed Rue de Seine, near Saint-Germain-des-Pres.

To me however, Place de Vosges is mainly remarkable for its peaceful, miniature park. The 39 mansions around the Place shelter it from the traffic rumble coming from the Rue Saint Antoine (Southern side) and the Boulevard Beaumarchais (Eastern side). This sort of a rampart also serves as a wind-cutter during fall and springtime.

Mid-sized trees line up the fence around the symmetrically built park. At its center, a tree-circle in which stands a bronze statue of Louis the 13th who, we learn, died at age 33. Around the central circle, my target: one of four green lawns where I can unfold a spread, lay down, and read.

During summer, there are always a couple of classical and jazz formations playing under the nearby arcades. They play at a pretty good level which gives a nice touch to the local vibe.

Among the restaurants around the Place, I personally like 'Ma Bourgogne' at No. 19. They serve hearty meals for €25-35.

But that's just a few spots

There is no shortage of quiet spots where to kill a couple of delicious hours in Paris. In fact I'll write about some more in the coming weeks. When you are in Paris, take some time off to enjoy the city vibe differently; don't just roll with the Parisian hustle-bustle. I'll see you in a while with more food for thought.

About the Author

With thirty years of on-the-ground experience, Phil Chavanne has helped many travelers to make the best of their stay in Paris and shares many useful advices on the city at http://www.paris-eiffel-tower-news.com/paris-hotels.html.