14 May MADRID : Royal Palace and Tapas and Wine Tour
In Madrid there are many royal palaces but the most important is the Royal Palace of Madrid : 2800 rooms, built in just 17 years by 3 distinguished Italian architects, in the same place where the Umayyad fortress of Madrid was founded.
After 21 years of Private Tours of the Royal Palace of Madrid, it is still difficult for us to highlight what impresses us most about its spectacular interior. The magnificent frescoes of Ghiaquinto, Tiepolo or A.R. Mengs compete with impressive Belgian tapestries by Jan Raes and superb pieces of art produced in the Royal Factories created by the first Bourbon King of Spain. Shining chandeliers, huge mirrors, thick and fireproof carpets, tapestries, gold and silver embroidery, silverware of unparalleled perfection reveal indisputably why is ‘good to be a king’.
The ‘new Gala Dining Room’, inaugurated on 29 November 1879 by King Alfonso XII to celebrate his marriage to Maria Christina of Hapsburg, is unanimously admired by visitors to the Royal Palace. This Dining Room is the perfect setting for the Gala Dinners that our King Felipe VI currently offers to the Leaders of other countries who officially visit Spain. On the long table that crosses the sumptuous Dining Room glow, in protocol order, the baccarat glassware where the scrupulously chosen wines that will delight all high diners will be served.
In today’s Madrid, outside the palatial setting, there is only one real opportunity to enjoy wines like those served in the Royal Palace. This time it is not difficult for us to name the supreme expert among the countless Tapas and Wine Tours that take place in Madrid: Andrés Jarabo, who is member of the Spanish Wine Tasting Association and the founder of a true Tapas Tours which has never been able to be emulated by the many enthusiastic, but not so knowledgeable, imitators who have come later.
In short, for all those who do not participate in a Gala Dinner at the Royal Palace, there is still the option to enjoy ‘royal wines’ on the exclusive Tour of this Madrid native, always ready to generously share his ‘Secrets of Madrid’
No Comments