Archive for August 19th, 2022

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August 19, 2022

Wines news of France XXVIIII !!

Well, after some heat wave scares Summer is moving right along nicely, and we enjoy it. Anyway, always good to bring the best of Wine news of France. First ,thanks to all my readers and/or followers! We have done quite a bit of work around the house, and still some more until early September. Oh yeah, the wines of France are just super simply awesome and a great tradition. Often imitated, some time equaled ,but never surpass! Let me give some news shall we; hope you enjoy it as I.

The first secateurs were given this past Tuesday in the Bordeaux vineyards on dry whites, the most “early” harvest ever known in the region due to the heat wave and the drought, In Bordeaux, as in many wine-growing areas In France, the high temperatures of June, July and August accelerated the ripening of the grapes, forcing winegrowers to bring the harvest forward by several days, even several weeks. Thus, some Languedoc-Roussillon winegrowers were already giving their first pruning strokes at the end of July. As for Bordeaux crémants, which traditionally kick off the harvest, nearly 400 pickers are hard at work to start this past Wednesday for three weeks of harvest. For the reds, I see the start of the harvest on September. But we have to see how things will evolve after the rains of the coming weekend, The harvest is officially launched in Beaujolais ahead of time, this past Wednesday, August 17, in accordance with the date set by prefectural decree. Winegrowers expect an overall yield that is 23% lower for the 2022 vintage, compared to the last five harvests. In question: the localized hailstorms which affected 400 hectares of vines last June, and of course the waves of drought and strong summer heat, 2022 is the second earliest vintage since 1992, the date of creation of the maturation network, after 2003.

Passing through Nice, the United States Ambassador Thomas Jefferson fell under the spell of the local cuvées. In his notes, the traveling ambassador sketched an even more astonishing nomenclature of French wines. This one reserves a place of choice for a wine revealed to amateurs only: the Nice vintage called Bellet. “’It’s the most elegant of all the wines in the world and it costs thirty-one cents a bottle. The production being limited, it is very little known in general”. At the time of Jefferson’s visit to the Baie des Anges, the whites and reds produced around the hamlet of Saint-Roman-de-Bellet, on the heights of Nice, were certainly not French wines. Annexed by the Convention (French revolution) within the Alpes-Maritimes department in 1793, Nice freely joined the kingdom of Piedmont-Sardinia in 1814, despite Massena, the child of the country who became Marshal of the Empire, rallied to the Bourbons back in Paris. It was therefore necessary to wait until 1860 for Bellet to become one of the most beautiful ornaments of the French vineyard, A plaque inaugurated in Nice in 2009 on the Quai des Etats-Unis, not far from a replica of the Statue of Liberty, recalls, however,the arrival of Thomas Jefferson in the city. From April 9 to 12, 1787, the former governor of Virginia stayed at the present-day 5, rue de la Préfecture, in the former Hotel Spitiali de Cessole. Today, prestigious American travelers more readily establish their quarters at the Negresco, where everyone is aware of the qualities of Bellet wines. The hotel gourmet restaurant Le Chantecler has on some evenings, three-quarters of the customers at Le Chantecler restaurant come from the United States. Thirty-third President of the United States, elected in 1945, Harry Truman think of the Bellet wines that his illustrious predecessor loved so much when he stayed at the Negresco in June 1958 ! The AOC Bellet area is vast, encompassing 600 hectares, but only a tenth of it is farmed down from 1,000 when Thomas Jefferson visited ! Today enjoy here some favorites such as the fresh fruit and sea breeze notes of the 2020 vintage of Le Clos du Clos Saint-Vincent red (90% Folle Noire, 10% Grenache). Thus, the 2014 vintage of Le Clos rosé (100% braquet), fresh as the water of the hills, haughty as a hussar on the roof. Red or rosé, whatever. Webpage : https://www.clos-st-vincent.fr/nos-produits/

If the name of this Hotel-Restaurant in Avize skilfully plays on the double meaning, it is clear that it wears it wonderfully, since throughout the year there is a clientele of well-informed amateurs. ! Erected in the heart of this charming town on the Cote des Blancs, this bright building installed above the old cellars of Maison Bricout-Delbec , now belonging to the Selosse family, a famous Champagne wine-growing family , It remains one of the of our favorite stopovers in the region, and one of the finest champagne lists from winegrowers in the region such as Selosse cuvées, alas at the prices charged elsewhere, but also Bérèche & Fils, Frédéric Savart, Jacques Lassaigne, Pierre Gerbais en Champagne , but also natural references gleaned from all four corners French vineyards: Thomas Pico, Philippe Pacalet, Antoine Jobard in Burgundy, Domaine Tempier and Domaine de Trevallon in Provence, as well as a few nuggets from the Jura, Alsace or Savoie. While staying at the hotel, it will be possible to go down to the cellar for a tasting of the estate’s cuvées, for the modest sum of 30 €. A godsend, when you know the price of Selosse champagnes today. Located at 59 rue de Cramant, 51190 Avize, webpage : https://www.selosse-lesavises.com/en/

It happened in 1912 for the adventurer of Belgian origin François-Joseph Fournier with Porquerolles. The story is known to those familiar with this Golden Island deposited as an offering on the Mediterranean off the southern tip of Provence. The two wine estates that today share the magical terroir of Porquerolles : Domaine de l’Île, owned by Chanel, and Domaine de La Courtade, owned by businessman Édouard Carmignac are part of the memory of this crush felt one hundred and ten years ago by François-Joseph Fournier and his young wife Sylvia, born Johnston-Lavis in Naples in 1887 from a doctor father. After many adventures from Paris to the United States via Mexico where he made his fortune in the gold mines, François-Joseph Fournier, the son of a boatman born in poverty in Clabecq, Belgium, has just married for the third time. The couple are staying on the Côte d’Azur on their honeymoon. Monsieur reads the local newspaper. A small advertisement announces the sale of the island which has just been devastated by a fire ,Three quarters of an hour of winter crossing from the Tour Fondue aboard the Léon, a rough pointed boat, and here they are landing on this piece of land of 11.54 km2 off Hyères and Toulon. Porquerolles is a crescent-shaped rock facing towards the peninsula of Gien. François-Joseph died prematurely at the age of 77, in 1935, the Nazis occupation emptied the island of its population, the succession was difficult, the island was shared between four of the Fournier girls, sold to the State of France in 1971 to become Parc national and National Mediterranean Botanical Conservatory in 1979, There are 40 hectares of vineyards (including 35 in production), 30 hectares of forest and 5 of olive trees of the Domaine de l’Île, of which is managed on the name of the Wertheimer Du Rolle family, of course , king of white. But also syrah, mourvèdre, cinsault, grenache and tibouren which plunge their roots through the crumbly sheets of rock to fetch water. The 35 hectares of the Domaine de la Courtade over which he has been watching over with passion since 2015. A white house with clean lines transformed into an exhibition space for contemporary works of art from the Carmignac Foundation and open to visitors since 2018. Domaine de l’Île, 2021, webpage : https://domainedelile.com/ And Rosés Les Terrasses, Domaine de La Courtade webpage : https://lacourtade.com/

Here is a wine tourism address displaying superb wine lists, my choice. The superb art center designed by the Japanese architect Tadao Ando, halfway between Aix-en-Provence and the Luberon Natural Park, Château Lacoste extends over an area of 200 ha including 125 ha of vines, exclusively grown organically since 2009, and which will proudly display the Demeter certification on some of its cuvées in 2021 until September (an extension is under discussion, notice to latecomers), You can admire Bob Dylan’s paintings made during these tours between Europe and America from the 1970s to the 1990s, skillfully put into perspective works by Picasso, Monet, Chagall, etc. Villa La Coste 2750, route de La Cride 13610 Le Puy-Sainte-Réparade, webpage: https://chateau-la-coste.com/fr/domaine-viticole/le-domaine-viticole.html

The unity makes the strength, in this case those of 13 winegrowers from the Moulin-à-Vent cru. United by the same love of their terroirs , they represent 69 of them together, the members of the Cap Moulin-à-Vent association have therefore created an event that is both oenophile and cultural. I have two old times favorite properties here known to me since the 80’s, These are my choices to you from this area,

The Château du Moulin-à-Vent, In the middle of the estate stands a chapel. Emblem of the history of the vineyard and its localities, it is the ideal starting point for visitors who wish to enter the intimacy of the estate. Visit of the vines and the cellar, but above all tasting of old vintages: this is an opportunity to discover the richness of the parcels and their evolution. Like the Champ de Cour cuvées, for its elegance and finesse, or the Thorins, for its velvety texture and marked fruit. (Visits by appointment), webpage : https://www.chateaudumoulinavent.com/

The Château de la Chaize is reborn like a phoenix, with the ambitions of a golden eagle. After enormous work, the entire estate has returned to its former glory. Complete restoration of the 1771 cellar, buildings designed by the architect of Louis XIV, restructuring of the estate for ecological management, as well as the vineyard with a switch to organic. Visits are by appointment only, for the guarantee of a privileged moment steeped in history, tastings, and excellence. Webpage : https://www.chateaudelachaize.fr/fr

The presentation of the 2022 Wine Tourism Trophies took place a few weeks ago. One of my favorites over the year won !! In the Category: Architecture & Landscapes were rewarded: Remarkable Offer Château Bellefont-Belcier , Saint-Laurent-Des-Combes 33330 (Bordeaux wine region), webpage : https://www.bellefont-belcier.com/

The Foire aux vins 2022 or Wine Fair in my favorite stores :

Géant Casino: August 30 to September 12, 2022, Lavinia: September 5 to October 3, 2022, Intermarché: September 6 to 25, 2022, La Grande Épicerie de Paris: September 7 to October 5, 2022, Nicolas: September 7 to October 4, 2022 : Cora: September 13 to October 1, 2022, Eataly Paris Marais: September 14 to October 16, 2022 ; Monoprix: September 16 to October 2, 2022, Auchan Hypermarkets: September 27 to October 11, 2022, U Stores: September 27 to October 8, 2022, Carrefour hypermarket: September 27 to October 10, 2022 and E.Leclerc: October 4-15, 2022.

The Foire aux vins 2022 on the internet in my favorite sites :

Wineandco: August 30 to October 4, 2022, Vinatis: September 2 to October 9, 2022, Ma Cave Leclerc: from September 5, 2022 (exclusive offer) then September 20 (pre-booking)
Savourclub.fr: September 7 to September 25, 2022, Millesimes: from September 14 to October 5, 2022, and My Cellar Carrefour: September 15 to October 30, 2022,

Here are 10 wise tips for getting your bearings on the wine fairs. 1. Decipher the label
2. Bet on good vintages 3. Source lesser-known appellations, guaranteeing attractive prices 4. Beware of superfluous or pompous mentions 5. Take tweezers with labels 6. Follow expert advice (specialized press) 7. Be wary of batch sales 8. Taste wines 9. Prepare for purchases using promotional catalogs , and 10. Take advantage of attractive prices on large bottles, Hope it helps.

In last but not least, a sad news in the wine world and I have tried his wines, very good, The Hugel family announced on Monday August 15 2022 the disappearance of André Hugel at the age of 92. succumbed to “complications related to Covid” specifies his relatives. Figure of the Alsatian vineyard, he represented the eleventh generation of this family rooted in the Riquewihr vineyard since 1639. After training in Beaune and Geisenheim, André Hugel joined the family business very early, he helped developped with his two brothers. He never left it until his last days and has considerably contributed to the dynamism of the house in recent years, being a fervent defender of two emblematic cuvées with a strong Alsatian accent , the “Grossi Laüe” cuvées which means “the best vineyards” in the Alsatian dialect and “Schoelhammer” , which are today spearheads of the house alongside the iconic Vendanges Tardives and Sélections de Grains Nobles. Also president of the archeology society of Riquewihr since 1978 and president of the Museum of vineyards and wines of Alsace since 1979, he also assumed the functions of grand master of the Saint-Etienne brotherhood in 1985 then those of deputy mayor de Riquewihr from 1989 to 1995 and municipal councilor from 1995 to 2001, RIP for reference their wines, webpage : http://www.hugel.com/fr/

There you go folks, another wine episode of my belle France! The wines of France that is, superbe, sublime, wonderful, gorgeous, enjoy without moderation but accompanying a meal, family table just perfect. See you in the vineyards of France.

And remember, happy travels, good health, and many cheers to all !!!

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August 19, 2022

Public transports in Madrid !!!

This is my Madrid , a city that I came to know in 1970 and have not stop visiting whenever and wherever I am, I first drove on the city in 1982 , and then with what would be my wife took her for a spin in 1990 to show off ! She was impressed ! . Yes you can drive in Madrid as in any other major city if you are used to coming from driving in big cities. Madrid is no different than any others. I have many posts on Madrid and different transport ways so this post will be on my black and white series, no pictures, Hope you enjoy it as I.

I had for a while in my other life in travel forums folks telling me of my fascination with driving, Needless to tell them ,that if you live in Europe, you will do a lot of public transports ! I fact, I was a Grand Voyageur train frequent travelers while in my working life ! While in Madrid, I have come by airplane and car, into the city ; thereafter I have used public transports and doing a lot of walking ; the best way to see a city, I said, However, let me tell you a bit more in a general way on public transports in Madrid !!!

The wonderful metro/tube/subway of Madrid, openned in 1919 and already with 301 stations and 13 lines. The network has 12 regular lines and the section Opera to Principe Pio as well as 3 lines of light metro with 38 additional stations. The beltway lines are MetroSur (Line 12) passing by Alcorcón, Móstoles, Fuenlabrada, Getafe, and Leganés; MetroNorte (Line 10) passing Alcobendas and San Sebastián de los Reyes; MetroEste (Line 7) reaching to  Coslada and San Fernando de Henares; TFM (Line 9)  connecting  Rivas Vaciamadrid and Arganda del Rey, as well as Metro Ligero Oeste (Lines 2 and 3), there is a tramway network at Pozuelo to Boadilla del Monte.

The Madrid Metro lines in Madrid that I have used or/and are best for visitors are:

1 Pinar de Chamartín – Valdecarros
2 Las Rosas – Cuatro Caminos
3 Villaverde Alto – Moncloa
4 Pinar de Chamartín – Argüelles
5 Alameda de Osuna – Casa de Campo
6 Circular ,around circle line.
8 Nuevos Ministerios – Airport T4
9 Herrera Oria – Arganda del Rey
10 Infanta Sofia Hospital – Puerta del Sur
11 Plaza Eliptica – La Fortuna
R Opera – Principe Pio

The Madrid metro ligero or light rail lines in Madrid that I have used or/and best for visitors are:

ML1 Las Tablas – Pinar de Chamartín
ML2 Colonia Jardín – Estacion de Aravaca
ML3 Colonia Jardin – Puerta de Boadilla

The metro of Madrid: https://www.metromadrid.es/en

It connects in 21 metro stations with the suburban train network Cercanicas of Madrid managed by RENFE. Cercanías is a suburbian train service having 10 lines . They connect all the lines by the Atocha train station that allows you to go to San Lorenzo de El Escorial, Aranjuez, mountain towns in the Sierra de Guadarrama (C-8 and C9 to Cercedilla and Cotos) ,and Alcala de Henares  as well as reaching rapidly the T4 terminal at Adolfo Suarez Barajas airport  The C-2 and C-7 to Alcala de Henares and C-3 to Aranjuez and El Escorial. The line C-1 is the one very fast from T4 to the city as well as connecting Atocha with Chamartin main train stations. 

The RENFE Cercanias Lines in Madrid that I have used o/and serve for visitors are!

C-1 Princepe Pio – Atocha – Recoletos – Chamartín – Airport T4
C-2 Guadalajara – Alcala de Henares – Atocha – Chamartín
C-3 Aranjuez – Atocha – Sol – Chamartín
C-3a Aranjuez – Atocha – Sol – Chamartín – El Escorial
C-4b Parla – Atocha – Sol – Chamartín – Cantoblanco – Colmenar Viejo
C-7 Alcala de Henares – Atocha – Chamartín – Principe Pio
C-8 Guadalajara – Alcalá de Henares – Atocha – Chamartín – Villalba – Cercedilla
C-10 Villalba – Principe Pio – Atocha – Recoletos – Chamartín – Airport T4

The RENFE Cercanias trains in Madrid: https://www.renfe.com/es/en/suburban/suburban-madrid

There is a huge bus network runs by CRTM (comunidad de Madrid) and the EMT(Madrid city) with 2000 buses and 200 lines . The principal terminals are at Avenida de America, Mendez Alvaro, and Plaza de Castilla, there are other smaller ones such as Moncloa, Principe Pio, and Plaza Eliptica. There is a night bus or Bùhos lines known by their N number. There is a express bus line 203 from the airport T1, T2, and T4 terminals to stops in 0’Donnell, Cibeles, and Atocha (where I have taken it ) , There is a regular bus line 200 from T1, T2, and T4 to Avenida de America connect Canillejas on metro line 5 (my line!) and the interchange terminal at Avenida de America to connect with metro lines 4 6 7 and 9.

Madrid EMT Bus Lines in Madrid that I have used or/and they serve for tourists are: And visitors should use more, they are great above ground!!

2 Plaza Manuel Becerra – Avenida Reina Victoria

5 Puerta del Sol – Estacion de Chamartin
10 Plaza de Cibeles – Palomeras
14 Plaza Conde de Casal – Avenida Pío XII
15 Puerta del Sol – La Elipa
16 Moncloa – Avenida Pío XII
17 Plaza Mayor – Colonia Parque Europa
20 Puerta del Sol – Pavones
21 Paseo del Pintor Rosales – Barrio del Salvador
23 Plaza Mayor – El Espinillo
24 Atocha – Pozo del Tio Raimundo
25 Opera – Casa de Campo
26 Plaza Tirso de Molina – Diego de León
27 Glorieta de Embajadores – Plaza de Castilla
28 Puerta de Alcalá – Canillejas
33 Principe Pío – Casa de Campo
37 Glorieta Cuatro Caminos -Puente de Vallecas
38 Plaza Manuel Becerra – Las Rosas
40 Tribunal- Alfonso XIII
42 Plaza de Castilla – Peñagrande
44 Plaza del Callao- Marques de Viana
46 Gran Via – Moncloa
48 Plaza Manuel Becerra – Canillejas
49 Plaza de Castilla – Arroyo del Fresno
50 Puerta del Sol – Avenida Manzanares
51 Puerta del Sol – Plaza del Perú
52 Puerta del Sol – Santamarca
53 Puerta del Sol – Parque San Juan Bautista
55 Atocha – Batan
57 Atocha – Altos de Arenal
60 Plaza de la Cebada – Orcasitas
61 Moncloa – Narvaez
66 Glorieta de Cuatro Caminos- Fuencarral
71 Plaza Manuel Becerra – Puerta Arganda
72 Diego de Leon – Hortaleza
73 Diego de Leon – Canillas
74 Paseo del Pintor Rosales – Parque de las Avenidas
83 Moncloa – Pilar

85 Atocha – Barrio de los Rosales
101 Canillejas – Airport – Barajas
102 Atocha – Estacion El Pozo
104 Plaza Ciudad Lineal – Mar de Cristal
105 Plaza Ciudad Lineal – Barajas
106 Plaza Manuel Becerra – Vicálvaro
107 Plaza de Castilla – Hortaleza
110 Plaza Manuel Becerra – Cementerio Almudena
112 Mar de Cristal – Airport District
113 Méndez Álvaro – Plaza de Ciudad Lineal (My old line)
114 Avenida de América – Airport District
115 Avenida de America – Barajas
119 Atocha – Goya
120 Plaza Lima – Hortaleza
122 Avenida de America – Campo de Naciones
125 Mar de Cristal – Ramón y Cajal Hospital
126 Nuevos Ministerios – Pilar
128 Glorieta de Cuatro Caminos- Barrio del Pilar
129 Plaza de Castilla – Manoteras
132 Moncloa – Hospital de la Paz
133 Plaza Callao – Mirasierra
135 Plaza de Castilla – Ramón y Cajal Hospital
136 Pacifico – Madrid Sur
137 Ciudad Puerta de Hierro – Fuencarral
147 Plaza Callao – Pilar

148 Plaza Callao – Puente Vallecas
149 Tribunal- Plaza de Castilla
150 Puerta del Sol – Colonia Virgen del Cortijo
151 Canillejas – Barajas
152 Avenida Felipe II- Méndez Álvaro
153 Las Rosas – Mar de Cristal
156 Plaza Manuel Becerra – Plaza Legazpi
160 Moncloa – Aravaca
171 Mar de Cristal – Valdebebas
173 Plaza de Castilla – Sanchinarro
176 Plaza de Castilla – Las Tablas
177 Plaza de Castilla – Marques de Viana
180 Plaza Legazpi – Caja Magica
200 Avenida America – Barajas Airport
203 Barajas Airport Express
210 Plaza Manuel Becerra – La Elipa
215 Avenida Felipe -Parque Roma
001 Atocha – Moncloa
002 Puerta de Toledo – Argüelles
C1 Glorieta de Cuatro Caminos – Atocha -Glorieta de Embajadores
C2 Glorieta de Cuatro Caminos – Glorieta de Embajadores- Atocha
E1 Atocha – Glorieta de Embajadores- Plaza Eliptica
E2 Avenida Felipe II – Las Rosas
E3 Avenida Felipe II – Puerta de Arganda
F Glorieta de Cuatro Caminos – Ciudad Universitaria

G Moncloa – Ciudad Universidad
M1 Sevilla – Glorieta de Embajadores
N2 Plaza de Cibeles – Hortaleza buho
N3 Plaza de Cibeles – Canillas buho
N4 Plaza de Cibeles – Barajas buho
N6 Plaza de Cibeles – Las Rosas buho
N22 Plaza de Cibeles – Barrio del Pilar buho
N27 Barajas Airport Express buho
N28 Moncloa – Aravaca
S E Plaza Eliptica- Centro Comercial Islazul
S E Sol – Sevilla – Puerta deToledo
S E Canillejas – Estadio Metropolitano

T62 Plaza de Castilla – Estacion Chamartín

The EMT Madrid bus lines: https://www.emtmadrid.es/Bloques-EMT/EMT-BUS/Navega-por-Madrid.aspx?lang=en-GB

The Intercity Bus Lines of the Community of Madrid in Madrid that I have used or/and serve for visitors are:

151 Madrid (Plaza Castilla) – Alcobendas
153 Madrid (Plaza Castilla) – Alcobendas – Rosa de Luxemburgo
154 Madrid (Chamartin) – San Sebastian de los Reyes
154-C Madrid (Plaza Castilla) – San Sebastián de los Reyes
157 Madrid (Plaza Castilla) – Alcobendas (Paseo de la Chopera)
191 Madrid (Plaza Castilla) – Buitrago
194 Madrid (Plaza Castilla) – Rascafria
197 Madrid (Plaza Castilla) – Torrelaguna – Uceda
211 Madrid (Ciudad lineal) – Paracuellos – Belvis
223 Madrid (Avenida de America ) – Alcalá de Henares
224 Madrid (Avenida America) – Torrejón de Ardoz
227 Madrid (Avenida America ) – Alcalá de Henares (Espartales – University)
261 Madrid (Avenida America) – New Baztan – Villar del Olmo
280 Coslada (RENFE) – Hospital – Loeches
281 Madrid (Avenida America ) – San Fernando de Henares
283 Madrid (Avenida America- Coslada – San Fernando
284 Madrid (Avenida America) – Velilla – Loeches
285 Coslada (San Fernando RENFE) – Velilla – Arganda del Rey
286 Madrid (Ciudad Lineal) – Coslada
312 Madrid (Conde Casal) – Arganda (El Mirador)
332 Madrid (Conde Casal) – Rivas (Town)
337 Madrid (Conde Casal) – Chinchón – Valdelaguna
352 Madrid (Ronda Atocha) – Fuentidueña – Tarancon
421 Madrid (Legazpi) – Pinto
422 Madrid (Legazpi) – Valdemoro
423 Madrid (Estacion del Sur) – Aranjuez
461 Madrid (Plaza Eliptica) – Parla
481 Madrid (Plaza Eliptica) – Leganés (Parquesur – Hospital)
511 Madrid (Príncipe Pío) – Alcorcón (Parque de Lisboa)
516 Madrid (Príncipe Pío) – Alcorcón (Rey Juan Carlos University)
518 Madrid (Principe Pío) – Villaviciosa de Odon
521 Madrid (Principe Pío) – Móstoles
528 Madrid (Principe Pío) – Navalcarnero
581 Madrid (Principe Pio) – Brunete – Quijorna
601 Madrid (Moncloa) – El Pardo – Mingorrubio
611 Madrid (Moncloa) – Manzanares Hole
612 Madrid (Moncloa) – Torrelodones
621 Madrid (Moncloa) – Las Rozas
627 Madrid (Moncloa) – Villanueva de la Cañada – Brunete
651 Madrid (Moncloa) – Majadahonda (Spain Avenue)
653 Madrid (Moncloa) – Majadahonda (Hospital – RENFE)
656 Madrid (Moncloa) – Pozuelo de Alarcon
657-A Madrid (Moncloa) – Pozuelo (San Juan de la Cruz)
661 Madrid (Moncloa) – San Lorenzo de El Escorial (Galapagar)
673 Madrid (Moncloa) – Collado Villalba (El Valle)
682 Madrid (Moncloa) – Villalba – Guadarrama
684 Madrid (Moncloa) – Cercedilla (Guadarrama)
686 Madrid (Moncloa) – Torrelodones (Los Peñascales)
687 Madrid (Moncloa) – Collado Villalba
691 Madrid (Moncloa) – Becerril – Navacerrada – Valdesquí
712 Madrid (Plaza Castilla) – Tres Cantos (avenida Viñuelas)
716 Madrid (Plaza Castilla) – Tres Cantos (Soto de Viñuelas)
721 Madrid (Plaza Castilla) – Colmenar Viejo
722 Madrid (Plaza Castilla) – Colmenar Viejo (Glorieta del Mediterraneo)
815 Madrid (Chamartín) – Pozuelo de Alarcón
822 Madrid (Barajas Airport) – Coslada – San Fernando de Henares
824 Madrid (Barajas Airport) – Torrejón de Ardoz
827 Madrid (Canillejas) – Alcobendas – Autonomous University – Tres Cantos
876 Madrid (Plaza Castilla) – Moralzarzal – Collado Villalba
VAC-023 Madrid (Plaza Eliptica) – Toledo
VAC-243 Route 4: Madrid – Guadalajara (direct)

The CRTM Comunity of Madrid bus lines: https://www.crtm.es/tu-transporte-publico/autobuses-interurbanos/lineas.aspx

Night bus lines of the Community of Madrid in Madrid that I have used or/and they serve for visitors are:

N-101 Madrid (Plaza Castilla) – Alcobendas
N-102 Madrid (Plaza Castilla) – San Sebastian de los Reyes
N-202 Madrid (Avenida America) – Torrejón – Alcalá
N-302 Madrid (Conde Casal) – Rivas Pueblo
N-303 Madrid (Conde Casal) – Arganda del Rey
N-401 Madrid (Atocha) – Pinto – Valdemoro
N-402 Madrid (Atocha) – Ciempozuelos – Aranjuez
N-403 Madrid (Atocha) – San Martin de la Vega
N-501 Madrid (Príncipe Pío) – Alcorcón – Móstoles
N-502 Madrid (Principe Pío) – Alcorcón
N-504 Madrid (Príncipe Pío) – Villaviciosa de Odon
N-505 Madrid (Príncipe Pío) – Navalcarnero
N-602 Madrid (Moncloa) – Torrelodones – Collado Villalba
N-604 Madrid (Moncloa) – El Escorial – San Lorenzo de El Escorial
N-701 Madrid (Plaza Castilla) -Tres Cantos
N-702 Madrid (Plaza Castilla) – Colmenar Viejo
N-802 Madrid (Atocha) – Leganés
N-803 Madrid (Atocha) – Fuenlabrada (Orange Tree District)
N-805 Madrid (Atocha) – Getafe (centro- Sector III)
N-806 Madrid (Atocha) – Parla
N-807 Madrid (Atocha) – Getafe – Humanes – Griñón
N-901 Madrid (Moncloa) – Pozuelo – Majadahonda
N-903 Madrid (Moncloa) – Las Rozas – Monte Rozas
N-905 Madrid (Moncloa) – Boadilla del Monte
N-906 Madrid (Moncloa) – Majadahonda – Pozuelo
N-907 Madrid (Moncloa) – Villanueva de la Cañada – Brunete

The list of bus companies that operate out of Madrid CRTM intercity in pdf file: https://www.crtm.es/media/323501/listadooperadoresinterurbanos.pdf

The Night bus lines of Madrid in Madrid in pdf file: https://www.crtm.es/media/148589/serie_7a_nocturnosmadrid_portada_es.pdf

There you go folks, you now have a complete picture of the best lines in metro, cercanias and bus day and night of Madrid and surrounding areas. Of course, this is a huge task and impossible to tell much about each line, however, you have the official source and always can ask me too. Hope it helps your stay in the Comunity of Madrid and city of Madrid!

And remember, happy travels, good health, and many cheers to all !!!

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August 19, 2022

The Palacio de Congresos de Madrid !

One of my icons of my dear Madrid and found me a picture ! Enough reason to have a post in my blog, This is part of my youth in the city and brings back many memories, read on, Ahh this is the Palacio de Congresos de Madrid ! Happy to have it in my blog, another spot in my life’s history and Madrid is big on that !

The Palace of Congresses is at Paseo de la Castellana 99 in the block formed by Avenida General Perón , Calle del Poeta Joan Maragall and Plaza Manolete.  It has a total area of ​​almost 40,000 m² and is intended for holding a wide variety of events. It was inaugurated on June 1, 1970 by the Prince of Spain, Juan Carlos de Borbón y Borbón (later king Juan Carlos I). The façade on Avenida General Perón has a large tile mural, the work of ceramist Llorens Artigas, according to an original design by Joan Miró, which was placed in 1980.

It has an Auditorium with stalls for up to 995 seats, and an amphitheater for 914. It also has several rooms: Sala Unesco Salas Goya, Salas Europa, Sala 9 and Sala 9 bis Six offices with 11 rooms, On November 25, 1972 it hosted the first OTI Festival. (where I sneak in to see it lol !!), OTI = The OTI Song Festival created by the Ibero-American Television Organization. During the 1982 World Cup in Spain, it was a press center. For this purpose, a walkway was built that connected the Palace over the Paseo de la Castellana to connect it with the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium. This walkway was dismantled after the World Cup and a part was installed as a pedestrian bridge on the A-3 in Madrid linking Moratalaz with Villa de Vallecas and another part on the road to Colmenar Viejo (M-607) between the Ramón y Cajal Hospital. and the neighborhood of La Paz.

Madrid palacio de congresos aug05

The Real Madrid, together with IFEMA,(org of fairs and events) is interested in incorporating the Palacio de Congresos, which has been closed to the public since 2012, into the new Bernabéu. To the Santiago Bernabéu, with its new works, commerce, leisure and even the organization of events or congresses will be added, in which this building would play a very important role. The collaboration between Real Madrid and IFEMA would guarantee the organization of events in said building. Also, Real Madrid is interested in the palace car park, which would be added to the club’s two car parks near the stadium.In another extra news , almost at the time that the workers will consider the work of the new football stadium finished, it will be when the works of the Palacio de Congresos will start, which will house the new headquarters of the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) to be finish by from 2024, To be continue….

The Madrid tourist office on the Palacio de Congresos: https://www.esmadrid.com/en/tourist-information/palacio-de-congresos-de-madrid

There you go folks, to me it will remain an icon building of my Madrid, the one of my wonderful youthful times in the city and great anecdote of my famous family story sneaking into it to see the OTI event ! This is part of what Madrid is for me, Looking forward to its new configuration as above and a visit on my next time in the city, eventually, Hope you enjoy the trivia and do walk by it at least ,it is in a prime location.

And remember, happy travels, good health, and many cheers to all !!!

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August 19, 2022

The sierras , mountains around Madrid !!

One thing that escapes many is the sierras or mountain passes and outdoors available just outside the city of Madrid.  In my youth I used to come by Navacerrada, Cercecilla,Villalba, Guadarrama, and San Lorenzo a lot with my mother Gladys , cousins, and friends. I like to update this older post that brings me many memorable moments, Hope you enjoy the post and do visit for your memorable moments….

These were nice moment spent outside the grinder of the city, and especially in summer it was great. In Winter too, but my first encounter with the snow trails at Navacerrada turn into a twisting roll down the mountain that almost cost my life, luckily came out ok, but took me away from the slopes forever. Now my boys are into it, and they have been to the Alps in France , and summer to the Navacerrada, and I have gone back to drive thru and see the beautiful scenery.  The idea of this post is to let you know a bit more of the wonderful spots in the Comunidad de Madrid and its sierras.

First the Navacerrada mountain pass and ski resort is fantastic, and the only medal winner in the Olympics games of Sapporo 1972 came from here.  The Navacerrada is a complete resort nowdays with all modern facilities.  You have “4 stations” ,9 slopes in the zona alta or high hill and 7 slopes in the zona baja or low hill; the zona baja is for beginners and such and the zona alta is for pros. It has 7 lifts to carry you all over the mountain. At this moment the station is close for maintenance but its the end of the season, really, be ready for next winter. However for summer splurges and walks into the valleys or a ride by car it is still wonderful.

puerto de navacerrada N601 road aug17

Most folks visiting arrive here by train, leaving from Estación de Chamartín in Madrid you take the cercanias or suburbian train C-8b to Cercedilla ,and the the C-9 or train of Cotos to Puerto de Navacerrada. There is a bus service as alternative but never taken it,is every day from the  intercambiador de Moncloa in  Madrid on line  691 of the Larrea group.  Then you have it by car, my way. You have two ways recommended, from Madrid on the A-6 to Collado Villalba and here take the road M-601 direccion Segovia until you reach Puerto de Navacerrada.  A better way off expressways is to take the road  M-607 (the ones from the north of Madrid direction  Colmenar Viejo, and follow the signs for Puerto de Navacerrada.

Puerto de Navacerrada

The official Puerto de Navacerrada: https://puertonavacerrada.com/en/

The other towns are smaller , and less visited over the years, However, plenty of outdoor activities around the embalse or water reservoirs especially around Cercedilla (centro Joaquin Sorolla ,Ski museum , and many churches) as well as mirador or lookout points to see farther into the Sierra. You get there on the A6 out of Madrid to continue on the M601 ,take lighly left on the M 607 to Colmenar Viejo ,same road change to M 614 and then M 622 , always direction Cercedilla, On train cercanias C 8b as well, For the more experience and with good weather the 17 km of Puerto de Navacerrada to Manzanares El Real. Not to forget Collado Villalba, All of them with plenty other things to see other than nature trails !

Puerto de Navacerrada

The official sierra de Guadarrama and the towns to visit : https://sierraguadarrama.info/nuestros-pueblos/

If you like to go further north in the Sierra Norte and reach Buitrago del Lozoya, see here the museo Picasso, and the old quarter of the town, the Mendoza Castle, the Hospital and the Walled Enclosure ,which is the most unique and best preserved fortified complex in the Community of Madrid, dating from between the 11C and 12C in which the aforementioned Castle is located , the Church of Santa María del Castillo, the medieval wall and the Clock Tower. Rascafria, with the Bosque Finlandes or Finnish forest and the Royal Monastery of Santa María de El Paular, the First Charterhouse of the kingdom of Castile, founded at the end of the 14C. You will be thrown back to medieval times in authentic Castilian towns , just perfect wonderful.

The best way to get here is by car on the highway A1 -Madrid-Burgos) out of Madrid direction Buitrago del Lozoya to the entrada 74, Also they mention a bus 191 from Plaza de Castilla in Madrid with 9 stops Buitrago is the 8th, To Rascafria you take the same A1 highway to entrada exit 69 with the M 604 road, Also, there is a bus no 194 from the Plaza de Castilla in Madrid, it is the last stop,

The official Sierra Norte and its towns: https://sierranorte.com/mapas/

You will have a wonderful open country forest, mountain, lakes, rivers, and plenty more here just as little as 25 minutes outside Madrid. The Comunidad de Madrid tourist office with info on all these towns :https://turismomadrid.es/en/to-see-and-do/active-tourism-and-nature/natural-areas.html

There you go folks, hope you enjoy the openness and natural beauty of this region all now better than ever easily reach from my Madrid. Have fun with the views and rides of the Sierras mountains around Madrid. Any further question, ask me ,,, !

And remember, happy travels, good health, and many cheers to all !!!

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