Travelogues

10 Creative Things to Do in Madrid Day or Night

Day or night, you'll never run out of fun and creative things to do in Madrid. Image is Madrid by Jose Maria Cuellar.

Cities, like cats, will reveal themselves at night. ~ Rupert Brooke

Whatever time of year you choose to visit Madrid, you’ll run into the same problem: Having to decide what to do first from all the fun and artsy activities available there.

Spaniards, you see, are sociable people and those who live in its capital truly enJoy going out with friends, so there’s always something for a creative person to get into in Madrid, day or night.

First off, Madrid is an art lovers dream. From performance art like flamenco to painting and other visual arts, the city has much to offer. Yet, as a visitor, your time there is limited.

So below is a list of venues, specifically curated with you and your interests as a creative in mind. Using it will help ensure you make the most of the time you do have in the Spanish capital.

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Unexpected Paris: Gardens, Art, & Tasty Edibles Galore

Nearly all the best things . . . have been unexpected, unplanned by me. ~ Carl Sandburg

The last gold rush began in 1896 when George Cormack went fishing for salmon but found gold nuggets instead. Or so the story goes.

Just like that prospector, you often come upon some of the best things when you’re looking for something else, especially while traveling.

Here are a few “gold nuggets” I stumbled upon in unexpected Paris you might like to find “on purpose:”

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5 (+1) Northern California Places & Plates for Your Road Trip

Golden Gate Bridge (viewed from Marin Headlands), one of several Northern California places you'll want to photograph again and again.

“Such was life in the Golden Gate: Gold dusted all we drank and ate…” — Robert Frost

QUESTION: Is or isn’t California in the Southwest?

ANSWER: Yes.

Depends on who you talk to. According to the map alone, California is in the southwest.

Yet when you consider the characteristics California shares with states undeniably southwest such as Arizona and New Mexico ~ warm and dry climate, relatively sparse population ~ only the southeastern portion of the state qualifies.

Nevertheless, your Western road-trip could take you through Northern California, so YOU’VE GOT TO KNOW about the terrific food waiting for you there. …

Paris Off the Beaten Path: 3 You Must See

François Gérard's 1801 portrait of Joséphine on view at her estate in Rueil-Malmaison, a suburb in Paris off the beaten path.

Paris is always a good idea. ~ Audrey Hepburn as the title character in the movie, “Sabrina.”

Yesterday, today, and tomorrow, Paris is one of the most beautiful cities on earth.

So even in places far from the bustle of the city’s “top attractions” you’ll find locations worthy of your time in the “City of Lights.” Here are three out of the way gems for you to consider:…

3 Italian Sweets for Your Next Celebration

Serve Italian sweets for your next special occasion. Fireworks, Celebration of Lights-Italy by colink.

“Good food is a celebration of life.” — Sophia Loren, actress

Uh-oh! What do you do when that special event is now just around the corner and you’re sure of only one thing:

That you want to serve a dessert that’s anything but ordinary?

Celebrating with some popular Italian sweets is a good idea.

Of course, the Italian sweets we’re talking about here are beyond the ever-popular tiramisu, fabulous butter cookies, and the creamy inside, crunchy outside phenomena known as cannoli.

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