Madrid, the historic capital of Spain, is located in the centre of the country on the Manzanares River. It has a population of 3.2 million. Its elevation at 2,188 feet above sea level means it has cold winters with occasional snow whilst the summers are hot, dry and sunny.  It has an attractive mix of historic streets, magnificent architecture, green parks and a modern infrastructure making it easy to get around.
The Madrid Barajas Airport is 12km from the centre of Madrid and there are regular shuttle buses and a metro system (line 8) between the city and the airport. Getting around Madrid is just as easy using the modern metro system or stroll along the tree-lined boulevards on foot. The 17^thcentury buildings in the Barrio La Latina are definitely worth browsing and the area is full of quaint cafés and tapas bars for refreshments.
Some of Madrid's most popular sights are the Cathedral and the huge Royal Palace which is full of treasures. The Parque del Retiro was formally the garden of the palace and has a large lake and a beautiful crystal palace. The Royal Theatre and Opera House offer a full schedule of cultural events. The Plaza de Toros is an impressive monument to visit and is where the local bullfights are held. The city also has several museums and three excellent art galleries containing the largest collection of Picasso's work in the world.
After dark, Madrid is buzzing with nightlife. There are plenty of restaurants and bars serving reasonably priced food and drinks or enjoy seeing traditional flamenco dancers at the Corral de la Moreria. Seafood is expensive here but the local specialities such as Callos a la Madrilena (beef tripe stew), Cocido Madrileno (chickpeas and meat) or Garlic Soup are very tasty.
Families are well catered for in Madrid with two large theme parks, the Disney-style Warner Brothers Parque and the Parque de Attracions. Combination tickets also include entry to the Zoo and Aquarium and a trip on the Teleferico cable car with great views of the historic centre on this 2.5km ride.