Staff Review

Madrid and Barcelona

Spain

18 Nov 2016

Kirker Holidays

I always count myself very lucky that as part of my job, I ‘have’ to go to Spain a few times a year to visit all our hotels. One of my last trips was to visit the cities of Madrid and Barcelona, two wonderful cities but both very different…. 'I flew to Barcelona on Sunday evening, getting to my hotel at around 11pm. This is normally well past my bedtime but, being Spain, the city was still busy and so I did (for the purposes of research of course) venture out for a nightcap. 'Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday morning were spent visiting our hotels. It is always great to see our hoteliers personally, some of which have now become firm friends. Without wishing to get into all the politics of Spain/Catalonia; what you cannot fail to notice is the cosmopolitan edge to the city, perhaps more European than Spanish with an interesting mix of so many different nationalities. 'Of course, one of the main advantages that Barcelona has over many other cities is its coastal location. Where else can you spend the morning visiting the delights of Gaudi, Dali and the like and the afternoon on a wonderful sandy beach? 'Wednesday evening I needed to get to Madrid and had reserved a seat on the AVE high speed train service. Spanish rail is becoming one of the most envied rail service in Europe boasting fast links and an extremely comfortable service. I was lucky enough to travel as a Kirker client would – in preferente class. This provided me with use of a lounge at the station, a comfortable large seat (with power point for my laptop to catch up on some paperwork) and a hot meal – not to mention the liquor trolley afterwards! 'Less than 3 hours later, I arrived into a busy Madrid Atocha station and was met by one of our drivers and taken to the hotel – bypassing the long queue for a taxi! Madrid has always been one of my favourite cities; nightlife and bar culture at its best. Although I have two full days of hotel visits I do have a little time to be a tourist. Whilst I have almost no knowledge of art (actually make that no knowledge of art) I do love to have a wander around a museum or two and there is no better place than Madrid to do it. The delights of the Prado, Reina Sofia and Thyssen are well known but my favourite has to be the Sorolla museum, housed in what was his home and studio. 'Friday afternoon I flew back home after a long, busy but hugely enjoyable week. All that is left for me to do is complete piles of contracts and arrange training sessions for the Kirker sales team!

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