GETTING DRUNK ON ART AND THE ART OF GETTING DRUNK, MADRID HAS BOTH FIGURED. AND AMIT DIXIT FIGURED THAT DRINKING FIRST VASTLY IMPROVED HIS APPRECIATION OF ART
![A City Of Two Tales](https://magarticles.magzter.com/articles/245/249690/5a1bb89d6733f/A-City-Of-Two-Tales.jpg)
A couple of hours after landing in Madrid, I clinked my first caña, that less-than-half pint ice-cold portion of beer that is the soul of a Spanish tapas bar. It was local favourite Mahou, proudly produced in Madrid since 1890. Since it takes two to tango (and clink cañas), I had a companion in crime: Enrique Gonzalez Mendizabal, a warm, hulking Madrileño and the absolute, best guide I could have hoped for on my whirlwind tour of the Spanish capital.
Speedy Gonzalez walked with disarming vigour and I inevitably trailed him at my desi pace. He downed two drinks while I guarded my first. His knowledge of Madrid’s watering holes was as wide as it was deep. He was generous with his knowledge and he dispensed it speedily. This is the first pearl of wisdom he shared: “Tapas should always be free. You buy a drink, you get a tapa. You buy another drink, you get another tapa.” It’s another matter that we were paying for the excellent mussel croquetas accompanying our drinks, but then every house has its rules. The bar was inside the Mercado de San Antón, a historic market that first arose in 1945 and which was restored and reopened in 2002. It’s a posh place now, purveying exotic produce and ingredients and is lined with bars and restaurants offering an impressive variety of international cuisines. There’s even a terrace bar, offering splendid views of the Madrid skyline.
The Mercado is emblematic of the wave of gentrification gently sweeping Madrid’s old neighbourhoods. Chueca, the barrio we were in, is flirty, fashionable and openly gay, as the square-jawed guys in tight shorts distributing leaflets corroborated. It’s home to the Madrid Pride which, with its 1.5 million visitors, is the biggest gay party on earth.
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة November 2017 من Outlook Traveller.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك ? تسجيل الدخول
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة November 2017 من Outlook Traveller.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك? تسجيل الدخول
![JHARKHAND IN A SIP](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/245/1729516/H1sCi3Vy81718092383558/JHARKHAND-IN-A-SIP.jpg)
JHARKHAND IN A SIP
IN VAST URBAN SPRAWLS where life pulsates frenetically, we often surrender to the convenience of pre-packaged sustenance.
![SWEET SIN](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/245/1729516/mm-o_iecT1718092545908/SWEET-SIN.jpg)
SWEET SIN
FROM THE LEGENDARY STORES IN OLD TOWN TO THE WORLD'S LARGEST CHOCOLATE MUSEUM, FOLLOW THIS CHOCOLATE TRAIL THROUGH ZÜRICH TO DISCOVER HOW A MISTAKE GAVE THE WORLD THE IRRESISTIBLE SWISS MILK CHOCOLATE
![FROM INTENT TO ACTION](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/245/1729516/y4MOkJqi91718091818076/FROM-INTENT-TO-ACTION.jpg)
FROM INTENT TO ACTION
IT'S DIFFICULT TO CONVINCE TRAVELLERS AND INDUSTRY PLAYERS TO PRACTICE SUSTAINABILITY. CAN THE FIELD OF BEHAVIOURAL SCIENCE SHIFT INDUSTRY-WIDE ATTITUDES TO MAKE SUSTAINABLE TOURISM THE NORM?
![LAND OF THE SKY](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/245/1729516/RhIjy5YOO1718088415019/LAND-OF-THE-SKY.jpg)
LAND OF THE SKY
MONGOLIA'S VAST LANDSCAPES BECKON WITH SWEEPING STEPPES AND RUGGED BEAUTY, WHERE NOMADIC TRADITIONS HARMONISE WITH UNTOUCHED WILDERNESS
![Of Mountains And Lakes](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/245/1729516/DM88I9ZK81718091203732/crp_OF-MOUNTAINS-AND-LAKES.jpg)
Of Mountains And Lakes
Slovenia Is A Charming European Getaway With Lovely Cities, Spa Towns, Nature Parks And Cool Party Hotspots At A Price That Won't Make You Bankrupt
![Can Travel Insurance Be Your Friend?](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/245/1729516/pWfdrYZ0s1718092818849/crp_CAN-TRAVEL-INSURANCE-BE-YOUR-FRIEND.jpg)
Can Travel Insurance Be Your Friend?
Tapan Singhel, Md And CEO Of Bajaj Allianz General Insurance, Talks About The Importance Of Buying A Comprehensive Travel Insurance Policy And How It Can Ensure Your Mental Peace
![KENYA](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/245/1729516/238hKCqo01718093270027/KENYA.jpg)
KENYA
If you want to experience a diversity of environments, visiting Kenya should be on your bucket list.
![PEARL OF THE DANUBE](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/245/1729516/PP4nDYqbs1718093070069/PEARL-OF-THE-DANUBE.jpg)
PEARL OF THE DANUBE
WITH AFFORDABLE ATTRACTIONS, IMPOSING ARCHITECTURE, EXCELLENT STREET FOOD AND VIBRANT NIGHTLIFE, BUDAPEST MAKES FOR A VALUE-FOR-MONEY EUROPEAN DESTINATION
![SECRETS OF SIRPUR](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/245/1729516/-gvcYGyuv1718092164000/SECRETS-OF-SIRPUR.jpg)
SECRETS OF SIRPUR
STEPPING OFF THE PLANE in Raipur, the sweltering sun greeted me with a stifling embrace.
![A SLICE OF ITALY](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/245/1729516/rMnJsvk8B1718092074401/A-SLICE-OF-ITALY.jpg)
A SLICE OF ITALY
THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE in Naples is Diego Maradona. His face appears as graffiti on the walls under bridges, as murals covering the side of buildings, painted on café chairs, imprinted on bedroom sheets, and even marketed on energy drinks.