I'm going to Madrid for the first time just for a week-end with my two teen-ages sons (aged 15 & 17). We are going to watch Real Madrid on the 1.of December and we stay in a hotel near Plaza de Colon.

Is it a good idea to take a tourist bus tour? Where and when?
Any good restaurants in the neighbourhood of the hotel taking into consideration that i bring two teenagers?
What would You suggest for the week-end?

Well, right at Plaza de Colon you have the Hard Rock Cafe, but I don´t know if you would like that American style restaurant when you are in Spain. Maybe some other member can tell you about a nice typical restaurant in that area.

You can check the web page of the Madrid town hall, they give wonderful advice on what to see: Informacion Turisitca Ayto. de Madrid

There are touristic buses that show you Madrid and have different routes. I once found the web page for a friend who wanted to do it but I am not certain which one it was. I will try to find it out and I´ll get back to you.

I think that if you dont know anyone there, or aren't familiar with the area, a tour may be cool. But maybe try one of the walking tours, you'll see more. MM can you help here? What about the walking/tapas tours?! :p yummy!

As far as restaurants... well, right around there you don't have too much 'typical' spanish...Hard Rock Cafe, Haagen Daz...and if you head towards the Plaza Santa Barbara you have some Am. style rib place, and a hollywood on the other side of the street. However, once you pass these places, you'll start to find more spanish restaurants and stuff of the like.

At Santiago Bernabeu, there's a TGIFridays... what kind of food are you looking for? Spanish or American?

Take the MadridVision bus tour. They are the red double-decker buses that you will see constantly. The best place to begin is Puerta del Sol, because all three tour routes intersect there. It is inexpensive, interesting, and a great way to get a quick view of the City. Like many such tours you have on and off priviledges.

There are tons of restaurants in Puerta del Sol as well.

Have a good time.