Petrabax, supplier of inexpensive tours to the Iberian Peninsula and Morocco, is back, this time with a $799 summer bargain to Madrid. The package includes airfare from New York and six nights at a first-class hotel in the capital of Spain throughout July and August, with departures every Thursday. The only drawback is that you reach Madrid via a non-stop flight from the Big Apple to Malaga, then double back a bit to the Spanish capital.
Flights are on AirPlus, a subsidiary of SpanAir, whose majority shareholder is SAS (Scandinavian Airlines System). You can enjoy Madrid's many museums, including the world-famous Prado (with dozens of paintings by the great masters, including Velazquez, Goya and El Greco) and the new Thyssen collection in the Palacio de Villahermosa (chock a block with impressionists and even later works). From the capital, it's an easy day trip to many historic Castilian cities, such as Avila, Segovia and Escorial, in any one of which you may bump into droves of summer school students. All can be reached by train, bus or rental car in a half day, while Toledo (home to El Greco) offers its marvelous cathedral and combination Jewish and Moorish history to anyone on a full day's outing.
In Madrid itself, you can explore antique stores in the old Rastro quarter or look for boutiques on Calle Serrano. You don't have to drool over local and regional specialties, just pop into the restaurants (many with open-air seating) to experience them, as well as the fine wines or tapas available in bars surrounding the Plaza Mayor.
The $799 air and hotel package does not include hotel taxes or breakfasts. Airport departure taxes and fees of approximately $75 are extra.
For complete details and reservations on the Madrid Special, contact Petrabax at 800/634-1188. It is also available on-line at www.petrabaxusa.com.
