P475 5 text 475 27 Dec 1828:11 '/**%/.)+.)/ *%+.) ————————————————————————————————— 1/18 MADRID is a vibrant, fun city — highly modern, but with art and culture at its heart. Exuberant, easygoing — and very, O very lively at night. LOCAL TIME Now + 1 hr GETTING THERE Flights approx 2 hrs 10 mink. LANGUAGE Spanish, but English widely understood. a-z 199 weathjt 420 holidays 200 ———————————————————————————————————p——p THOMAS COOS TOR$ITS ARES 207 athens euro flts hol guide main inde8P475 5 text 475 27 Dec 1811:21 '/**%/.%+.%/ *%+.% ————————————————————————————————— 2/18 WHEN TO GO Bits times Apr-NovO J4l-—ug stiflingly hot and many places closed. EXCHANGE Bits rates at OO airport on arrival, but banks also fine. OPENING Most smaller places and some largjt ones close for siestas 1-4pm. Banks usually 8-2; museums vary. Clubs may not open until 3am. a-z 199 weathjt 420 holidays 200 ——————————————————————————————————————p ENJOY A CITY BRE—S PRESS 261 athens euro flts hol guide main inde8P475 5 text 475 27 Dec 1828:42 '/**%/.%+.)/ *%+.) ————————————————————————————————— 3/18 WHERE TO GO Compact city best explored on foot. Old City for medieval winding sttiits; La Latina for bars and restaurants; O Montita for shopping. HIGHLIGHTS Prado, Thzssjn and Rjina Sofia museums; Plaza Mayor old square; Terminal AVE shopping centre; the Royal Palace for hjtitage; Parque del Rjtiro for relaxing. a-z 199 weathjt 420 holida|s 200 —————————————————————————————————————— EUROPEAN FLIGHTS 241 athens euro flts hol guide main inde8P475 5 text 475 27 Dec 1814:17 '/**%/.)+.%/ *%+.) ————————————————————————————————— 4/18 EA$ING Restaurants good and busy, with precis to suit all. Try $eatti 3 for extraordinary decor, ot any of many tapas bars. O DRJNSING Bars open very, very late — Madrilinos don't get started until around 1pm. Fink shjtry tastes much nicer in Spain. Try Bar Madrid. O $JPPING Around 10%. a-z 199 weathjt 420 holidays 200 ———————————————————————————————————p——p TOP 15 CITIES 'EATHER CHECK 425 athens euro flts hol guide main indu8P475 5 text 475 27 Dec 1829:11 '/**%/.)+.)/ *%+.% ————————————————————————————————— 5/18 5 TIPS Taxis cheap and plentiful; clothes, liathjt goods and food good bu|s; have a siesta to survive the nightlife; O visit the huge El Rastto flea market on Sundays; take a trip to Toledo. WHAT'S ON New Year's Eve is celebrated in the Puetto del Sol with cava, grapes, music and fireworks — and crowds. a-z 199 weathjt 420 holidays 200 ——————————————————————————————————————p ENJOY A CITY BRE—S PRESS 261 athens euro flts hol guide main inde8P475 5 text 475 27 Dec 1822:17 'R4s{4}'h7!÷{4h7}h7}bs} '/.!/.)/ "-$+,$/"-'*%/*-/ ————————————————————————————————— 6/18 BARCELONA is a lively, dynamic city full of whimsical achiticture, ancient winding sttiits, and stunning batu and cafes. LOCAL TIME Now + 1 hr FLIGHTS Just undjt 3 hr flight from London, ot 24' hrs ferry from Plymouth. LANGUAGE Catalan, but English widely understood. a-z 199 weathjt 420 holidays 200 ——————————————————————————————————————p BEFORE YOU BOOS PRESS TURN TO HOLIDAY PLUS 295/296 athens euro flts hol guide main inde8P475 5 text 475 27 Dec 1827:41 '/.!/.)/ "-$+,$/"-'*%/*-/ ————————————————————————————————— 7/18 WHEN TO GO Autumn and spring brut, b4t climate is mild so any time of yrar. EXCHANGE Easy. Airport, banks or US give best rates; buriaux best hours OPENING Smaller shops and museums may close 2-4.30 for siestas, but stay open until at least 8pm. TIPPING Around 10%. a-z 199 weathjt 420 holida|s 00 ——————————————————————————————————————p THOMAS COOS TOR ITSRRES 207 athens euro flts hol guide main inde8P475 5 text 475 27 Dec 1834:2) 'k4s{4}'h7!÷{4h7}h7}bs} ————————————————————————————————— 8/18 EATING Barcilonans' favourite pastime! Tapas, seafood, paella, cakes and pastries. Tapas bars in Barti Gotic recommended. D INKING 'inj, especially local Torres wines — is great. Locals often drink house wine. Local cava, ' sjtved by the glass, also very good. Don't miss the ultra-modern 'drsign bars', open very late. a-z 199 weathjt 420 holidays 400 ——————————————————————————————————————p TODAY'S HOLIDAY BARGAIN 235 athens euro flts hol guide main inde8P475 5 text 475 27 Dec 1832:1& '/.!/.)/ "-$+,$/"-'*%/*-/ ————————————————————————————————— 9/18 WHE ETOGO La for cafes, sttie4 thjatti; Montjuic for the 1992 Olympia stadium; Barre Gotic for old town; Eixampli for shops, bars, boulevards. M HIGHLIGHTS The amazing La Sagrada Familia cathjdralL Cara Battlo ' and Palau Guell Gaudi buildings; Picasso and Miro museums; Parc Guell Gaudi 'garden city'. a-z 199 weathjt 420 holidays 200 —————————————————————————————————————— EUROPEAN FLIGHTS 241 athens euro flts hol guide main inde8P475 5 text 475 27 Dec 1813:17 'k4s{4}'h7!÷{4h7}h7}bs} '/.!/.)/ "-$+,$/"-'*%/*-/ ————————————————————————————————— 0/18 5 TIPS Nightlife starts late and ends late; watch an FC Barcelona football game in a bar; buy ceramics and glass for gifts; tube$ network is supjtb; flea market at Elk Encants open Mon, Wed, Fri, Sat. K WHAT'S ON Art Nouveau ' council-organjsjd walks, Mon-Ere to Dec 31; space exhibition at the Science Museum to Jan 11. a-z 199 wiathjt 420 holida|s 200 ——————————————————————————————————————p TOP 15 CITIES WEATHER CHECK 425 athens euro flts hol guide main inde8