FROM MADRID TO THE WORLD

December, 2018   Christmas in Madrid Madrid will be decked out with lights and colour as it celebrates one of the happiest and most heart-warming times of the year. It does so in a very special way, always in good company and with a first-class cultural and leisure programme. Streets decorated with lights in an array of designs, street markets, nativity scene displays, typical sweets, the twelve chimes of the clock tower in Puerta del Sol and a wide range of offerings in theatres, museums and cultural centres that complement Madrid’s extensive programme of events. Come experience Christmas in Madrid. [+]     Madrid Destino Activities The Happy Hotel Award Madrid City Council's Tourism Department has announced the first edition of the Happy Hotel (Hotel Feliz) Award, which will recognise the hotel in Madrid that’s most committed to nurturing and supporting the personal and professional development of its employees. The award will be delivered at the next edition of Fitur (content only available in Spanish). [+] The Madrid of Dalí, Lorca and Buñuel This new brochure explores the artistic and cultural legacy left in the city of Madrid by these three great 20th century Spanish artists. The guide, the first in a new series of informative brochures published by the City Council's Tourism Department, showcases Madrid’s importance as a city that embraces cultural talent. [+] Participation in the World Travel Market Once again, the city of Madrid took part in this major event to promote the quality and diversity of its range of tourist and cultural attractions in the United Kingdom. The City Council's Tourism Department was accompanied by two companies from Madrid which provided an example of the professionalism of the city’s tourism sector (content only available in Spanish). [+] 17 international awards for the video Flamenco Madrid Produced by Madrid Destino to promote the capital’s tourist attractions and the Flamenco Madrid Festival, this video has garnered 17 international awards on the CIFTT tourism film festival circuit. The latest award secured the film second place in the ranking of the world’s best tourism videos, and first place in the ranking of the best urban tourism videos (content only available in Spanish). [+] What’s new in Madrid New Michelin-star restaurants in Madrid Five new restaurants in Madrid have been included in the 2019 Michelin Guide, bringing the total of Michelin-star restaurants in the capital to 21. Yugo The Bunker, La Tasquería, Clos Madrid and El Corral de la Morería Gastronómico have all earned their first stars, and El Invernadero, which had a star before moving to the city centre, has secured a star again at its new location. This interesting set of restaurants joins the ranks of those which have already received the coveted accolade:  DiverXO (three stars), Santceloni, La Terraza del Casino, Ramón Freixa Madrid, DSTAgE and Coque (two stars), and El Club Allard, Kabuki, Kabuki Wellington, Álbora, Punto MX, Lúa, A'Barra, Gaytán, La Candela Restó and Cebo (one star). [+] Flamenco Real This surprising new space in Teatro Real combines the art of flamenco with the finest gastronomy in an extraordinary setting. Madrid's opera house has opened a new space in its Ballroom devoted to flamenco. Until 17 July it will host nearly twenty flamenco song and dance performances by prestigious artists from various schools, all with different styles. These unique stage performances will be accompanied by some of Spain’s finest culinary offerings, as well as a chance to meet the artists after the show. [+]   Madrid in numbers According to data from the Hotel Occupancy Survey conducted by the National Statistics Institute (INE), in the month of October the city of Madrid welcomed 904,400 travellers, 5.5% more than in the same month last year, and recorded 1,833,999 overnight stays, a year-on-year increase of 4.6%. Over the past twelve months the capital has received a total of 9,702,832 travellers (content only available in Spanish).   [+]   Monthly calendar of events Circo Price at Christmas The Circo Price will host Cuento de Navidad, a spectacular stage adaptation of Charles Dickens’ famous tale A Christmas Carol which combines circus, theatre and gospel. The thrilling show, recommended for audiences of all ages, will feature a unique visual display, live music, a choir, all kinds of circus performers and choreo-mapping. [+]   La Navideña Fair From 14 to 23 December Matadero Madrid will host the fourth edition of La Navideña International Fair of Cultures. This year the main theme will be games and toys. The initiative, organised in collaboration with embassies from 56 countries and multiple international institutions, will feature over 300 activities and 70 stalls from all over the world that will showcase the different ways that Christmas is celebrated. [+]   Madrid Gospel Greats Festival A Christmas event not to be missed. The Gospel Greats (Grandes del Gospel) Festival, now in its 24th edition, returns this year for an edition that will be more personal and intimate.  In addition to performances by big names and choirs representing the genre, the event will feature some interesting parallel activities, including everything from master classes to a chance to meet the artists. Until 16 December. [+]   Van Gogh Alive  Van Gogh Alive, the most frequently visited multimedia exhibition in the world, will arrive in Madrid after touring 40 cities on 4 different continents. The exhibition features over 3,000 large-scale images that immerse observers in the Impressionist painter’s universe, enabling them to interact with his work. The exhibition can be visited from 26 December at Círculo de Bellas Artes. [+] Vuelve a Madrid Programme   If you come back to Madrid this Christmas, the city’s loyalty programme will offer you the best deals and exclusive promotions to help you make the most of your trip. View the city's Christmas lights from its best terraces, such as the rooftop at Círculo de Bellas Artes or Picalagartos Skybar, enjoy thrilling shows like the Gospel Greats Festival at Fernán Gómez - Centro Cultural de la Villa, get ready to be surprised at restaurants like NuBel or Hard Rock Cafe Madrid and discover cultural activities that the whole family will love, like The Robot Museum in Juguetrónica or the Wax Museum. And you can do it all at a discount, taking advantage of exclusive deals. You only need to register at www.vuelveamadrid.com. This Christmas, Madrid is waiting for you! [+]   Officials products T-shirts featuring iconic places in Madrid's 21 districts Have you heard about the T-shirts featuring key places and iconic sights in the city of Madrid’s various districts? There are 21 different designs, including everything from the corrala, a type of residential building that embodies the traditional face of Madrid (City Centre), to cultural centres like Matadero Madrid (Arganzuela), football stadiums such as Santiago Bernabéu (Chamartín) and green spaces like El Retiro Park (Retiro) and Cerro del Tío Pío Park (Puente de Vallecas). The T-shirts, created by the City Council's Tourism Department for visitors well as residents of Madrid, are sold in Plaza Mayor Tourist Centre for 14.90 euros each. [+]   In The Press Radio Foshan WeChat (Guangzhou) [+]   Anniversary celebrations Centenary of Metro Madrid 2019 marks the 100th anniversary of Madrid’s metro, and the city will celebrate the occasion wholeheartedly with an extensive programme of events and activities. Those confirmed so far include the exhibition Historic Trains at Chamartín station and the Centenary Race (Carrera del Centenario), whose circuit will follow the route of the first metro line (Cuatro Caminos-Sol). A range of cultural and leisure offerings will showcase this important transport network, which has firmly established itself as one of the best in Europe and in the world. [+]