A week is barely enough time for just Madrid and surrounding area (i.e., Toledo, Segovia, etc.). Most of the Paradores are outside of the Madrid area, so that might effectively make your plan to stay in a Parador AND see Madrid competing priorities. If it's your first visit you should tour the Palacio Real (to see excellent frescoes, tapestries and paintings and clocks and other stuff) and some of Madrid's outstanding museums. There are many other attractions that are best seen 'on foot:' Plaza de Espan~a and Plaza de Oriente (across from the Palace), Opera and the Plaza Mayor; the Paseo del Prado to Puerta de Atocha, Cibeles and the Neptune fountain in front of the Museo del Prado; El Parque del buen Retiro and the Puerta de Alcala; Colon and the Americas Monument; and on and on. Take a day tour to Segovia and another to Toledo. Retiro park on a Sunday morning - see the street performers and drop 25-pesetas into their hat. I don't know if they have horse racing in November, but the Hiprodomo used to be a nice place to spend Sunday 'tardes' (visit Ciudad Universitaria along the way). Enjoy Madrid!