Jan. 16: A Visit to the Royal Palace

It's a pretty cold, windy day here in Madrid, high up on the plateau, and we're getting the full brunt of it while waiting for the free entry into the Royal Palace, the Palacio Real.

Walking around the central city though has been fun, seeing sights like the Puerta del Sol, Gran Via and Teatro Real. We also find some great authentic tacos for a mid-afternoon snack, a solid import from Mexico.

The Royal Palace is the largest of its kind in Europe, and certainly an impressive Baroque structure. It is a glimpse into the staid and strict lives of royalty from the early 19th century, and yet it remains in active use for state ceremonies and banquets. Surprisingly though, it could use a coat of paint in more than a few places.

We kept a relaxed pace to the day, and look forward to the bus tour tomorrow and exploring Parque de el Retiro. And hopefully finding some authentic paella! For the moment though, we made it ourselves, and found a very solid €2.60 bottle of wine to go with it.