What a fun afternoon exploring Madrid on Sunday afternoon. Everyone - players, parents and coaches - piled into the bus for a guided tour of Madrid. Our tour guide, Pete, gave us a “Football History of Madrid” combining football, history, politics and modern events to showcase the city.

For the first 90 minutes we drove through the city for the main soccer attractions - Bernabeu and Calderon stadiums, the four “galaticos” towers built up on the grounds of Real Madrid’s old training grounds, Plaza de Cibeles (where Real Madrid celebrates their victories), Fuente de Neptuno fountain (Atletico Madrid celebration site), and Plaza de Colon (where the Spanish national team celebrates).

After the bus ride, we continued on with a walking tour through some of the most famous plazas and attractions in Madrid. We started at the Royal Palace as the sun was beginning to lower in the sky, which made for some beautiful pictures. The Iglesia de San Francisco El Grande was spectacular next to the palace. When you turned the corner and saw the size and scale it was incredibly impressive.

We wound our way through the streets of Madrid. Walking over cobblestone pathways we saw beautiful buildings and churches, ornate arches and doorways and plazas that have played a significant role in Madrid’s history. Plaza Mayor was impressive with so much history (the Spanish Inquisition) having taken place there. Plaza del Sol is literally the center and hub of the city and considered the Times Square of Madrid as New Year’s celebrations ring in the new year from there.

After the tour we were on our own for dinner. Some parents and kids went off on their own. A big group of the 13s went back to Plaza Mayor for dinner. Most of the 14s went to Mercado San Miguel and its food stalls filled with local dishes - iberico jamon, paella, empanadas - as well as more modern treats, aka smoothies, that some of the boys enjoyed.

It was a long day for everyone, but really great to explore the city. I think players, parents and coaches alike were thrilled to get to know Madrid better.