Lina’s apartment itself was perfect for a couple: good size, well-furnished, quiet; served by an efficient elevator. She and her husband were very helpful to us, graciously accommodating our schedules whenever possible, in fact we felt more like guests than tenants!
The pleasant surprise was the neighborhood. The building faces on a small triangle of a plaza, large enough for two outdoor restaurants (we loved the Galician one) and several flower stands. On the building’s own block are two supermarkets. In the two or three blocks in any direction are innumerable cafes, bakeries and the sort of shops essential in residential neighborhoods. But then, it turns out that within walking distance are: Plaza Mayor (with its Mercato de San Miguel), Puerta Del Sol, Mercado Antón Martín, and the Prado Museum.
Unfortunately, we weren’t there long enough to explore Madrid—including using what appears to be an incredibly good subway system—so we definitely plan to return next year for a longer stay, and hope we’ll be able to do so as recipients of Lina and Joaquin’s gracious hospitality!