Great value holiday in Madrid, option of English or Spanish tutoring

B&B or PERSONALISED HOLIDAY NEAR MADRID

Fancy a holiday in Spain with a difference? This personalised holiday is like no other you’ll see advertised commercially. Based just outside Madrid, we offer a completely flexible package for 2-3 people. (Now THAT is personal!) You stay in our beautiful home and we take you WHERE you want to go, WHEN you want to go, IF you want us to. Or we can also function as your typical B&B.

With our all-inclusive option, everything is geared to YOU and making your holiday easy, fun and tailored to YOUR tastes.

No, it’s not the sun, sea and sangria type holiday! It’s MUCH more interesting. You choose what you want to do, and we organise it, take you there and act as tour guide (if you want us to). You just relax and enjoy the countryside, the intriguing medieval towns and exciting tourist attractions in and around Madrid.

ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE (WELL, JUST ABOUT)
Airport pick up option: free if you are staying 6 nights or more)

You tell us when your flight arrives, we meet you at the airport and bring you back to our spacious, authentically-Spanish family home.

Accommodation: 

We live in a tastefully decorated, modern terraced house with a small garden in a town outside Madrid, Spain. Our spacious first-floor guest rooms have distant mountain views and one has a balcony: one is double and one is single. Your own full bathroom is only two steps outside your bedroom door. So it’s ideal for a couple, or a couple with one child, or two single adults, or one adult + one / two children. 
Plenty on-street parking available.

The family sitting room

Double room

Breakfast and supper: 

Food is a very important part of any holiday so we suggest you make the culinary experience a key part of your stay. A continental breakfast is served on the terrace overlooking the garden and is included. 
Dinners in Spain are typcially eaten late, when it's cooler, and it also gives you the chance to enjoy the day more if you are not rushing back. If you choose to include dinners, we give you a list of interesting, typical dishes to choose from. All home-cooked of course. If you prefer to eat out, there are some local eateries, within walking distance we can recommend.
Teas, coffees and water available at home at no cost.

Food in Spain is amazing, fresh, tasty, healthy and there is so much variety! As you’ll be out and about, lunches will be eaten out so you can try the local food that appeals to you at a price that you choose. At one end of the scale, you have delicious filled baguettes in a bar or coffee shop, then international cuisine or typical Spanish set menus (great value for money), or a fancy meal of roast suckling pig at one of the speciality restaurants.

Roast suckling pig in Pedraza

Day trips and guide: 

We have two spacious, comfortable, air-conditioned cars and are very experienced, safe drivers. So, if you are interested in our day trips, we can take you wherever you choose to go and show you round. We are very familiar with all the places and can share some of the key history. This service is especially advisable if you want to visit places other than the city of Madrid itself, and allows you access to many places you'd never get to without a car. 

WHERE and WHO WE ARE

Our ‘pueblo’: Algete is a quiet, residential town on the outskirts of Madrid to the north and only a 20 minute drive from the airport. There is a regular bus service to the city. The bus stop and a large supermarket are nearby and the outdoor municipal swimming pool, with its pleasant grassy area and café, is only a 10-minute-walk away from the house.
Madrid has an excellent public bus and underground transport system which is very reasonably priced. 

Your hosts: 

Alison is a 50+ English teacher of Scottish origin, married to Enrique, 50+, Spanish graphic designer, photographer and horse riding enthusiast. Other interests: our local Christian community is a big part of our life, photography, painting, reading and people in general.
We have a friendly cat who you won’t see much of (he’s shy) but you need to know about him in advance in case anyone has allergies or simply has an aversion to cats!

Language classes: 

Enrique and I both speak fluent English and Spanish, and I can survive in French. If you want to practise or learn either English or Spanish, we are very happy to speak to you in either language. I’m an English and Spanish teacher, so it’s second nature to me! If you want more formal classes, those can be arranged too.

The weather: 

It’s hot and dry in summer in Madrid (30-38ºC with very low humidity - so it's not sweaty) and we don’t have air conditioning. Our bedrooms and sitting room have ceiling fans, large windows and cool off at night. The sitting room is a pleasant temperature during the day, not that you’ll want to spend too much time ‘at home’.

WHO IS IT FOR?

• This deal is ideal for anyone looking for a comfortable base from which to explore Madrid and its surroundings – history lovers – art lovers – food lovers – language learners but doesn't want the noise and pollution of the city itself all night.
•  It’s perfect for people who want to experience ‘real’ Spain and explore off the beaten track, but without any of the hassle.
•  It’s especially right for unseasoned travellers and for people who want a bit more support, have special needs or just want a bit of royal treatment!
• Older couples, two or three friends, small families.
• It's NOT geared towards those looking to 'live it up' with parties, nightlife, etc. 
• Perfect for improving your English or Spanish. Daily lessons available to help you master either of these languages.

WHAT IS THERE TO DO?

We’ll give you a list of very varied options and lots of advice and YOU design your own holiday. Using public transport is not difficult but for trips to the mountains or further away towns of interest, it's so much easier if you take our Day trip option and we take you by car. 
If you have any other suggestions or requirements, let us know and we’ll try to please.
Just to whet your appetite...

Plaza Mayor, Madrid

Taverns and bar abound - full of great food and atmosphere

• Madrid, in the centre of Spain, has so much to offer. For culture and history lovers, in the capital itself we have some of the world’s best art galleries and museums, a beautiful, royal palace and the fascinating buzz of downtown Madrid with its theatres, musical halls, cinemas (in English) or just have some fun in the bars and restaurants or do some shopping in one of the elegant shopping centres! There's a good open-top tourist bus that has lots of drop-off points and is the best way to see the city. For great family fun, don’t miss Madrid’s innovative zoo and aquarium, or choose a day out at one of the two theme parks, or even a water park. Or let your older kids try an exciting tree-top adventure.



Madrid's cathedral and Royal palace

• Near Madrid, there are some impressive medieval towns such as Toledo with its narrow winding streets where you are transported back in time to experience three cultures at once – Christian, Arabic and Jewish. Or Segovia with the world’s biggest Roman viaduct, and its Walt Disney-style castle. Or, in sharp contrast, wander through the winding slate paths of Patones, a remote mountain village or admire the ancient porticoed plaza in Pedraza. And many more.
  
  
  

  

  Alcazar de Segovia



Toledo and the river Tajo



• And in the mountains around Madrid you can enjoy horse-riding, trekking, mountain biking, or gentle strolls by the river. Or visit the summer palace of La Granja, have a picnic, swim in clear rivers or sunbathe at a mountain swimming pool. If you are a bird lover, you will see many birds of prey (hawks, eagles and vultures) and storks. You might enjoy visiting a colony of vultures in Sepulveda.

PRICE AND DATES (minimum 2 people)

• B&B: £50 per double room, per night. £75 for one double + one single.
• Airport pick up/drop off: free if you stay 6 nights or more. £25 each trip (costs 60€ by taxi)
• Day trips: £75 per trip: includes transport + driver/guide for up to 12 hours.
• Dinner: £10 per person (only available in July/August)
• Special offer: B&B, dinner, 4 day trips, airport pick up and drop off, for £795 (€1100) for 2 people, for 7 nights - that's great value. Third person only £250 (€350).
• Available dates: Special offer available only in July, August and first week of September. Other dates are available as a B&B option with day trips on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.

SO, HOW DOES IT WORK?

You contact us via email to check availability and ask any questions, or set up a time for a phone call or Skype call. Once you’ve decided, we’ll send you confirmation so you can make the deposit (20% non-returnable). 

If you have opted for airport pick up, send us your flight information.

Payment: You can pay the outstanding amount by bank transfer on or before arrival, or by cash. (Sorry but cheques and credit card payments are not accepted.) 

WHAT’S AVAILABLE:

·         Bed and continental breakfast, teas and coffees. 
·         Dinner: Good quality food tailored to your taste includes cold drinks, beer or wine.

·         Madrid Airport pick-up and drop-off.

·         An all-day (12 hr), friendly personal guide, 6 days a week.

·         A list of exciting options and advice so you can plan your holiday to suit your own speed, energy levels and interests.

·         Fast Internet access.
·         Spanish or English classes. Price depending on number of hours contracted.

WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED:

·         Air fares

·         Travel and medical insurance (obligatory)

·         Entrance fees to museums, attractions, palaces, etc.

·         Lunches (main meal)

·         Use of home phone

·         No smoking. No dogs.

We hope you’ll consider us as you make your holiday plans or language study plans. You won’t regret it.

Contact us on alisonmmckay@gmail.com