Snow in April? (not just in Britain)
by Nicki McIntyre
The usual experience from Madrid, is from the inside looking out. Head down to the Palacio Real, Moncloa, hell, even the airport, and looking out you can see the swarms of people, the cranes in the distance, building yet another something… But look a little further in the horizon- yes, those are mountains that the sun slips behind every night.
The Madrid that extends further beyond the downtown is usually overlooked. With plenty of buses out of Atocha, and smooth asphalt all the way, the trip is less than an hour from the city centre.
The winding roads take you over plains, Madrid’s water reservoirs and charming well-preserved Castilian towns. I’ve never been to the Pacific northwest USA but I imagine it looks a hell of a lot like the Sierras outside Madrid. The air is fresh, of pine and nature, it smells clean (we’re more than 2000 feet above sea level after all). It’s still the blue Madrid skies, except now the horizon is set against the mountain backdrop instead of smog. I’m sure even on a rainy day with stormy skies, the mountains must look majestic.
One of the many hidden gems of the Sierra de Guadarrama is the town of Rascafria, lying in the Valle de Lozoya. The parks and walkways, bike paths, playgrounds relate that this is a life catered to respect and enjoyment of the natural environment. There are a variety of activities available to appreciate the outdoors, including seasonal hunting, fishing, hiking and skiing.
Marvel and envy at the big free-standing stone houses and big backyards for people who choose an alternative to the chaotic city life as cattle. Arrive before lunchtime and parking in the town is simple. Take a peaceful walk from the town centre, on a path along a running stream that leads to the town’s main attraction.
Santa Maria de el Paular, is a 15th century Carthusian monastery, half still occupied by Benedictine monks, half a Sheraton. But thankfully this hotel avoids a bad conversion and cheesy, cheap décor, by maintaining and preserving the grounds exactly as they were. Here you can find easy lodgings, access to a bar, restaurant and public bathrooms, and chapels and grounds available for picnics, business functions and your own personal exploration.
The chapel is filled beautiful with ornate Baroque décor and is popular for weddings, so although you might have to stand in the back and be quiet, you’ll be able to take in the settings. Collect your bearings in the gardens across the street, which boast flowers, plants and trees from around the globe. For another breathtaking drive, take the Navacerrada route back to the city.
