Two-minute city guide: Madrid

SEE
Markets: Mercado de San Miguel for its name and history; Mercado de Antón Martín (mercadoantonmartin.com) for its calmer, traditional feel; Mercado de la Paz (mercadolapaz.es) for locals.

SLEEP
Dear Madrid Hotel is located at the end of Grand Via, has street-views from all bedrooms and a roof-top plunge pool and bar that are the perfect place to write "Dear mom" on your postcard (dearhotelmadrid.com, from €95 a night).

SAVOUR
Clothes-line sardines at Chiringuito Del Señor Martin (chiringuitosrmartin.es), ramen at Chuka (chukaramenbar.com), tomato tartare at the bar in Laredo (tabernalaredo.com), pimiento pardon in Casa Toni and spend Sunday at Asturianos (yelp.ie/biz/asturianos-madrid). Then savour the museums. All of them.

SUP
Sherry in La Venencia, not far from Plaza Santa Ana (Calle de Echegaray 7). Yes, Hemingway drank here too but you wouldn't know it.

Cycle series: A scenic trip suitable for all abilities

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Walk for the weekend: Strolling by the Suir

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So you think skiing isn’t for you? Eight reasons why it's for everyone

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SHOP
At 44 Store (44store.es) for independent clothes designers, at La Integral (laintegral25.com) local modern products and at Jorge Portuondo Wakonigg (jorgeportuondo.com) for antiques.

SKIP
The Segway tour. Yes, the streets are too narrow, too cobbled and too unforgiving. And any restaurant on Grand Via (sorry).