PLACES TO EAT CLOSE TO HYDE PARK CORNER
Spain’s capital, Madrid, is just huge. It’s the second largest city in the European Union (after Berlin) with seven million people in its wider metropolitan area. It has the fourth largest GDP in the European Union, and is a centre for education, entertainment, media, fashion, science, culture and the arts.
Every Year, the City Transforms into a Winter Wonderland
So, it should come as no surprise that in this busy and bustling city they do Christmas properly. Every year, the city transforms into a winter wonderland with shops and main streets blazing and elaborate displays of lights everywhere.
THE WINTER WONDERLAND FAIR IN HYDE PARK
There are lots of Christmas markets – the Mercado de Navidad de la Plaza Mayor, is the most famous – enticing visitors to buy holiday decorations, sweets and handmade crafts. Traditional Christmas foods, like turrón – a nougat made with almonds, honey and sugar – are sold everywhere, and on Christmas Eve families gather for huge meals around midnight.
But the highlight is saved for January 6, and the celebration of Los Reyes Magos (The Three Kings) with huge parades celebrated with enthusiasm – especially by children, because The Three Kings are the gift givers in Spanish mediterranean culture.
Christmas Mediterranean Spanish Menu
Londoners do Christmas pretty well too, with the huge Winter Wonderland fair in Hyde Park and the main streets glittering with Christmas lights and decorations. For a taste of Madrid in Mayfair, you could stay in London and check into El Pirata in Down Street, where a special Christmas mediterranean Spanish menu is on offer – starting with Spain’s ‘national treasure’ acorn fed Jamón Ibérico. And if you have 109 friends and colleagues you can even hire the whole restaurant for a private celebration.
