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International Lodging Corporation
Your One Source for Spain and Portugal
 
Established 1983                                                                 February 2010 - Issue 01
In This Issue
Time to Save...
Helpful Hints...
Checking In...
Culture Club...
On the Menu...
Road Trips...
Time to Save...
Madrid Card
 A great way to save those hard earned travel dollars is to take advantage of the Madrid Card.
 
Here are just some of the benefits the card offers:
 
Free entry to more than 40 museums
 
Unlimited journeys on the Madrid Vision tour bus
 
Discounts at shops, shows, restaurants, and leisure centers
 
Helpful Hints...for Spain and Portugal
Spain Portugal Flag
 Local currency is the Euro
 
Lunch is served from
 1:00 P.M. to 4:00 P.M.
 
Dinner is served from 8:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.
 
Electricity is 220-240V.  Bring an adapter plug (outlets are 2 round plugs) and a converter if your US appliance is not dual voltage
 
To call Spain from the U.S. dial (011) + (34) + Area Code + Phone Number

To call Portugal from the U.S. dial (011) + (351) + Area Code + Phone Number
 
To call the U.S. from either country dial (001) + Area Code + Phone Number
 
 
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Greetings!

We would like to take this opportunity to wish you a very Happy New Year and introduce you to our newsletter.

 

Journey with us every other Monday as we share with you information and travel tips that we're learned from our 27 years in the hotel business.  We certainly hope you enjoy the trip!

 

We begin the year highlighting Madrid, the beautiful capital of Spain.
Checking In...
 
AC Palacio del Retiro (Madrid, Spain)
 
AC Palacio del RetiroThis stately mansion, which overlooks the
Retiro Park, was built in 1904 as a private residence and is now a 5-star G.L. (Gran Luxe) hotel.
 
Just steps from the Prado, Reina Sofia, and Thyssen Bornemisza Museums in Madrid's "Art Triangle." The classic building boasts old world elegance, with its marble fireplaces, and hand carved walls and ceilings.
 
Culture Club...
 
Reina Sofia Museum (Madrid, Spain)
 
Reina Sofia MuseumThis magnificent museum features the greatest artists of the 20th century.  Many visitors come for iconic works by Salvador Dali and Pablo Picasso.
 
In fact, the Reina Sofia houses Picasso's Guernica - arguably his most esteemed painting. Also feel free to peruse the extensive library collection. Discover Spain's sublime contributions to 20th century art and learn about the works of the masters.
 
On the Menu...La Trainera
 
La Trainera Restaurant
Located near the Plaza Colón, in the upscale Salamanca neighborhood, La Trainera has long been a favorite of Madrileños and travelers alike. 
 
Here you will find the freshest seafood from Galicia, and an abundance of choices, including clams, mussels, oysters and percebes (goose barnacles), along with sole, turbot, and hake, to name a few.  The theme of the décor is nautical and the atmosphere is homey, which only adds to the overall dining experience.
 
Calle Lagasca, 60                       Phone - (91) 576 8035
28006 Madrid, Spain                   Web - La Trainera
Road Trips...from Madrid
 
Chinchón - charming traditional town with picturesque Plaza Mayor (35 minutes).  Tourist Office
 
Aranjuez - 18th C. palace that was one of the favorite Royal summer residences (45 minutes).  Read more
 
El Escorial - 16th C. monastery-palace and burial place of Spain's monarchs (45 minutes).  Read more
 
Palacio Real de La Granja - summer palace of the Bourbon kings (50 minutes).  Read more
 
Toledo - this walled city was home to the famous painter El Greco (1 hour).  Tourist Office 
 
Segovia - famous for its Roman aqueduct and medieval monuments (1 hour).  Tourist Office 
 
Avila - surrounded by the oldest (11th C.) and best preserved walls in Spain (80 minutes)
 
Salamanca - a great architectural city with one of Europe's oldest universities (2 hours).  Tourist Office
 
Times shown are estimated driving times from Madrid
Remember... making hotel reservations is easy with us - no deposit or prepayment is required. Just provide a credit card for guarantee and pay the hotel directly when you check-out. 
 
International Lodging Corporation (ILC)
 
Toll Free - (800) SPAIN-44
 
We have sent you this email newsletter because we believe it is of genuine interest to you. 
 
The material is intended for personal and noncommercial use, and while all reasonable efforts have been taken to ensure the accuracy of the information, we do not accept any responsibility for errors and omissions arising from the reader's use. 
 
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