you exit the park you will nd yourself in one of Madrid’s most famous neighbour- hoods, Salamanca, which is known as the city’s most beautiful and most expensive dis- trict. If, however, you are more of an art lov- er, then you must certainly visit the arty Em- bajadores neighbourhood, which is packed with authentic bars, artworks and gra ti. She says that the city has excellent en- ergy, nightlife and delicious food, but also a big, warm soul... “Many don’t know that there is a moun- tain range close to Madrid, and that moun- taineering and hiking represent a great type of break in nature. Located an hour or two from the city by train, this is a truly ideal place to nd tranquillity and recharge your batteries. For those who like a lively rhythm and want to feel the pace of the city, there is the ‘European Broadway’, the Gran Via, which never sleeps! For me, how- ever, the most beautiful streets run paral- lel to the Gran Via. There are situated work- shops with handmade and painted clothes, unique cafés like the Café de la Luz, and plenty of high-quality restaurants o ering good food at decent prices. As a plus, they are much less crowded.” At the mentioning of traditional Span- ish cuisine, many people think of paella, but Leana reveals to us what should be eaten in Madrid... - Spanish tortillas! They are made from potatoes, eggs and fried pieces of squid. Gourmets simply must taste the famous local speciality of Callos Madrilenos, Ma- drid-style tripe, prepared in a tomato, on- ion, thyme and bay leaf sauce. For meat lovers, the local ham is a must! It occupies a special place in the hearts of Spaniards and isn’t classi ed among meats. Because ham is simply – ham.
L eana Tajkov is at rst glance just an ordinary girl, but when you ask her about her profession the answer is without end, or beginning. A gradu- ate communications expert, journalist, blog- ger and former basketball player, she is pri- marily shaped by her love of travel, which she writes about in her blog Tripsandchucks. com. She was our host in the Spanish capi- tal of Madrid, which she says won her over when she rst visited it in 2015, and where she has been resident since last year. “I already lived in Spain while I was ac- tive in basketball, but I rst visited Madrid four years ago and have since returned sev- eral times. A good climate, people with great energy and high-quality food were among the reasons why I decided to pack my bags and accept a job here last spring. You know, this city and its surroundings have all sorts to o er, whether you tour it on foot, with public transport or by bike. However, due to the diversity of the o er, I recommend a combination of all three, because it’s not possible to tour and see everything in just a few days if you only walk.” According to Leana, a sightseeing tour of the city should start from its famous green
oasis of El Retiro Park, where various con- tents for rest and enjoyment intertwine. “Within it is located the Glass Palace [conservatory], and you can often join class- es of yoga or painting, or simply enjoy a picnic and the sounds of guitars. And as
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