24 Hours In Madrid: Foodie’s Whirlwind Feast
We’re embarking on the González Byass Press Trip, curated by The Tourism Lab—24 immersive hours in Madrid, priming our palates before diving into the sherry and brandy heritage of González Byass, Harvey’s, and Fundador. Touch down with just one day to savor the city’s vibrant soul through exceptional cuisine. This isn’t a typical tour—it’s our exhilarating gastronomic journey across seven standout destinations: the timeless Chocolatería San Ginés for churros, a lively stop at Plaza Mayor beneath the iconic Tío Pepe sign, tapas delights at Mercado de San Miguel, an elevated lunch at Élkar on the 33rd floor, classic cocktails at Viva Madrid, and a refreshing close at Kala Greek Frozen Yogurt, with optional evening views from on high. Perfectly positioned in the historic center and business district (near Puerta del Sol, Gran Vía, and Paseo de la Castellana), these spots connect seamlessly via walks, metros, or quick taxis for an energizing, flavor-filled 24 hours. Get ready, food enthusiasts—Madrid’s culinary heights are calling us! Morning Kickoff: Sweet Start at Chocolatería San Ginés (9 AM – 11 AM) Kick off your adventure (or wrap up a late night—it’s open almost round-the-clock!) at this beloved 1894 gem hidden in Pasadizo de San Ginés, steps from Puerta del Sol. Indulge in crisp churros (or hearty porras) dunked in rich, pudding-like hot chocolate—a true Madrid essential. With marble tables and tiled charm, it’s a favorite for locals and visitors alike. Pro tip: The classic combo costs under €5 and provides the perfect fuel. Stroll 5 minutes west to Plaza Mayor next. Late Morning Highlight: Plaza Mayor Magic (11 AM – 11:30 AM) Pause in Madrid’s historic core at Plaza Mayor, a 17th-century masterpiece of arcades, frescoes, and energy. Capture the glowing Tío Pepe neon sign (a sherry icon since 1935) alongside the King Philip III statue. Enjoy street performers and a quick café con leche from a terrace—it’s free, fabulous for photos, and appetite-building. Head north 15 minutes on foot (or by metro/taxi) for more. Mid-Morning Grazing: Mercado de San Miguel (11:45 AM – 12:45 PM) Step into the elegant iron-and-glass haven of Mercado de San Miguel, a 1916 landmark turned premier food hall. Explore 30+ stalls brimming with Spanish gems: paper-thin jamón ibérico, calamari, olives of every kind, fresh oysters, regional cheeses, paella nibbles, and vermouth pours. Keep it light with calamares bocata or croquetas (€15-25). Vibrant yet top-quality—stand and savor. Then, taxi 10 minutes north along Gran Vía to soar upward. Sky-High Lunch: Élkar Excellence (1 PM – 3:30 PM) Ascend to the 33rd floor of Torre Emperador Castellana (over 160m up—Spain’s highest restaurant!) for Élkar’s “Gastronomía de Altura.” Panoramic windows reveal stunning 360° vistas of the Sierra, Bernabéu, and cityscape. Chef Fran Vicente’s Mediterranean menu dazzles: Parmesan mousse with pesto, premium bellota ham, pistachio ajo blanco with tuna and Jerez pearls, sea bass with beurre blanc and caviar, Ibérico presa with demi-glace and kumquat, or the exquisite Tarta Ópera. Enhance with Fundador infusions or cellar wines. Choose the executive menu or à la carte; book ahead. Sophisticated and inspiring—taxi 15 minutes south afterward. Early Afternoon Aperitivo: Viva Madrid (4 PM – 7 PM) Dive into Barrio de las Letras at Viva Madrid, a 1856 tavern reborn with flair by mixologist Diego Cabrera. Vintage tiles meet ‘20s tango ambiance as jazz hums in the background. Sip gin classics or try the standout Honey Moon cocktail—Pisco 1615 blended with spiced liquor, elderflower, lemon juice, and a whisper of smoked orange tree honey that adds a delightful, aromatic sweetness. Pair with upscale tapas such as truffle croquetas or vermouth olives. It’s the ideal relaxed aperitivo spot to unwind. Evening Finale: Kala Greek Frozen Yogurt (7 PM Onward) End on a fresh note at Kala on Calle de las Huertas: authentic Greek yogurt in creamy pistachio or fruit bases, topped with compote, berries, or crunch. Probiotic and portion-packed—perfect for strolling or bench-sitting. For night owls: Revisit San Ginés or taxi to Élkar’s bar for starry views and cocktails. In just 24 hours, experience Madrid’s core: timeless treats, plaza charm, market buzz, elevated feasts with Fundador elegance, spirited tapas, and cool refreshment. Arrive eager, depart delighted—¡Buen provecho! These gems glow anytime in this vibrant city, day or night.
Inside the Susana Balbo’s Unique Stays
Imagine this: sun-drenched vineyards unfurling like a Malbec tapestry at the foot of the Andes, the air humming with the scent of ripening Torrontés, and a concrete “egg” tub cradling you like a vintage in repose—its curves echoing the very vats where Argentina’s wine revolution was born. This isn’t just another Andean escape. It’s Susana Balbo Unique Stays, the trailblazing haven where Argentina’s first female winemaker, Susana Balbo, and her daughter Ana Lovaglio Balbo have transformed their family home into a 7-suite sanctuary of wine, wellness, and whispered legacy. Susana Balbo didn’t just break barriers; she bottled them. Graduating as Argentina’s inaugural female oenologist in 1981, she defied the red-wine redoubt of Mendoza by championing elegant whites like Torrontés—earning her the crown “Queen of Torrontés.” After nine years elevating Cafayate’s high-altitude valleys, she returned in 1991 to found her eponymous winery in Agrelo, crafting high-scoring vintages exported to 42 countries. But why branch into hospitality? It’s pure evolution: a mother-daughter bid to share their “buen vivir”—that artful blend of wine culture, family stories, and soul-stirring wellness. What started as Ana’s vision to expand enotourism at the winery bloomed into transforming their Chacras de Coria family villa into this adults-only boutique (now a Relais & Châteaux darling since 2024). It’s not about scaling; it’s about intimacy—inviting guests into their world, where every vine-tended detail whispers, This is Mendoza through our eyes. Nestled in leafy Chacras de Coria (20 minutes from downtown Mendoza, 40 from the airport), the estate unfolds like a private dream: a centenary mansion ringed by seven standalone Spa Suites, each a low-slung chalet blending into lush gardens. No towering Andes vista here—instead, it’s an urban-oasis vibe, with linden-lined lanes leading to a saltwater infinity pool that shimmers like liquid quartz. Sustainability pulses through: native flora only, upcycled olive-wood front desk, biodegradable soaps in refillable vessels, and water-saving tech that honors the arid Andean ethos. The Art That Whispers Legacy: A Gallery in Disguise Step through the gates, and art doesn’t just decorate—it narrates. Over 15 local and international creators (Sergio Roggerone, Julio Le Parc, Sebastião Salgado, Martín Villalonga) have woven Susana’s saga into every corner, turning the house into a living gallery. But the showstopper? The monumental “Tree of Life” installation by Sergio Roggerone in the entryway—a towering, kinetic sculpture of twisted iron, glowing resins, and vine-like tendrils that spirals upward like a Malbec barrel stave reaching for the sun. It’s no mere motif; it embodies Susana’s philosophy of growth, resilience, and interconnectedness—mirroring her journey from oenology pioneer to hospitality visionary. Branches fan out like family lineages, etched with subtle nods to Torrontés grapes and Andean peaks, casting dappled shadows that dance with the light. It’s the emotional anchor: As Ana says, “Our story is what makes us unique.” Gaze up, and you’re not just checking in—you’re grafted into the Balbo legacy. Ana herself guided us through the hotel’s three vertical pillars—Wellness, Wine, and Art—revealing how the Tree of Life is more than sculpture; it’s the blueprint. Each of the seven suites corresponds to one of the painting’s seven symbolic elements: earth, water, fire, air, root, trunk, and crown. From the grounding clay tones of Templo (earth) to the ethereal skylights of Corona (crown), every space is a chapter in the same living story. Suite 7—Raíz (Root)—my sanctuary—was the crown jewel of the lineup, the largest and most secluded, tucked at the garden’s far edge like a secret barrel room. It embodies the “root” element: deep, anchoring, foundational. Inside, the space breathes: soaring ceilings with exposed beams, a living area anchored by a suspended fireplace that crackles like a Malbec reduction, and floor-to-ceiling glass sliding doors that erase the line between indoors and out. The egg tub sits on a raised cedar platform, overlooking the private heated plunge pool—a sleek rectangle of turquoise framed by native chañar and carob trees, perfect for midnight dips under star-drenched skies. The dry sauna is a cedar cocoon with a porthole to the garden; step out onto heated stone for a cold-plunge contrast that jolts the senses awake. The bed? A cloud of Egyptian cotton facing a private vineyard sliver—wake to the soft rustle of leaves. A hidden outdoor shower under a pergola of climbing jasmine, a yoga deck with cushioned mats, and a wine fridge stocked with Susana’s Signature wines sealed the deal. It’s not a room. It’s a retreat within a retreat. The Night Begins: A Signature Cocktail to Set the Tone Our evening ignited with Ana’s welcome ritual: a signature cocktail served fireside surrounded by other Mendozian works of art in the cocktail bar. Picture this—grappa infused with clarified butter, toasted hazelnuts, and poached pears, shaken over ice and strained into a chilled coupe. The nose? Warm pastry and orchard fruit. The sip? Silky, nutty, with a whisper of pear sweetness and a clean, spirit-driven finish. It wasn’t just a drink—it was a preview of Mendoza’s soul: bold, layered, unexpectedly refined. One sip, and the Andes felt closer. La Vida by Flavia Amad: A Chef’s Ode to Mendoza’s Soul Dining here is a revelation, helmed by Mendoza-born wunderkind executive chef, Flavia Amad Di Leo—a Michelin-apprenticed force (stages with Anthony Bourdain and Daniel Boulud, New York stardom under her belt). At La Vida, the in-house restaurant, Flavia reinvents regional lore with local, organic bounty: bold, flame-kissed plates that marry molecular wizardry to Andean heart. Chef Flavia’s magical 7-course Tree of Life tasting menu paired with Susana’s curated wines. Throughout the meal, we pieced together puzzle cards revealing ingredients tied to each element of the tree – Roots with redish, cashew, corn, beet, and ponzu; Stem featuring buckwheat and beet; Fruits layering puff pastry with butter-capers, lemon mirin olive, bitter cocoa raspberry, and a cheese & artisanal sweets cart were some of the courses. Flavia’s flavors telling Mendoza’s story, one element at a time. By the finale, we assembled a double-sided image: one side, the full menu in elegant calligraphy; the other, a photographic replica of the Tree of Life,