KarenKFla writes:
My Sister and I will be in Madrid from 4/22 - 4/26 ... we want to ... experience some countryside. Which place would you recommend? and should we spend a night in any of them or return to Madrid?
Is that five FULL days you have in Madrid?? If you're flying in from the U.S. day-1 (22 Apr) could be a 'jetlag washout.'
Madrid and environs are NOT the most scenic part of Spain - maybe that's why they it's called la Mancha.
I like both Toledo and Segovia for daytrips from Madrid; but with as little time as you have, I wouldn't recommend sleeping two nights there and two nights here.
Many people will tell you to go to
el Rastro Sunday, but not me! I particularly enjoy Retiro Park on a Sunday morning (that's 4/23). There are many 'street' entertainers, and sometimes you're lucky enough to encounter a
Cantaor de Flamenco con Guitarrista.
We want to experience site-seeing but also good cafes, wine, charming towns, and to mingle with locals. We don't need wild nightlife, just hanging out people watching type stuff and Flamenco!
Flamenco is a late night (early AM) activity at most
Tablaos Flamencos. Don't expect to find it in early evening.
As for all that other stuff you want to do in 5-days (like mingling with the locals): Lots of luck!