Madrid Gay Pride

June 27 to July 2, 2012
6 days from $2499
5 Star Accommodations and over-the-top events!

Zoom Vacations® MADRID GAY PRIDE ITINERARY

Day One ~ Arrive in Madrid
2:00 PM:  Official guest check-in at the AC Palacio Del Retiro Hotel.  Rooms will be assigned early, if possible. 

Evening: Welcome Cocktail Excursion,Dinner and Flamenco Show
After our welcome cocktail excursion, we will proceed directly to dinner and a fabulous Flamenco Show.  Flamenco embodies a complex musical and cultural tradition and is considered part of the culture of Spain.  It is generally acknowledged that flamenco grew out of the unique interplay of native Arabic, Andalusian, Sephardic, and Gypsy cultures that existed in Andalusia prior to and after the Reconquest.

Accommodations: The AC Palacio del Retiro Hotel
Meals Included: Dinner with Spanish wine

Day Two ~ Madrid
8:00 AM to 12:00 PM:  Champagne Buffet Breakfast, served in the AC Palacio Del Retiro Hotel restaurant.

Morning: A “Taste of Madrid” City Walking Tour
Departs from the hotel lobby.  Madrid will truly come alive before your eyes as our native Madrid gay guide gives us the insider’s edge to this famous city.  Experience the rich history of Madrid, hear about the city highlights, and learn what led to its becoming Spain’s capital.  On this tour you will learn about the history of Madrid and how it emerged as one of the most gay-friendly cities in Europe and what made Spain into one of the most liberal countries in the world with legalized gay marriages, gay adoptions etc.  Wear comfortable walking shoes. 

Rest of the day is at your leisure to shop, visit the one of Madrid’s incredible museums, enjoy a long lunch, and so much more. Our Zoom Concierge is on hand to help you make the most out of your day.

Accommodations: The AC Palacio del Retiro Hotel
Meals Included: Buffet Champagne Breakfast

Day Three ~ Madrid and Toledo
8:00 AM to 12:00 PM:  Champagne Buffet Breakfast, served in the AC Palacio Del Retiro Hotel restaurant.

Morning/afternoon: Medieval Walled City of Toledo Excursion:
Depart the hotel lobby for our train to the Toledo.  We will return at approximately 3:30 PM.
Today, we visit one of Spain’s most captivating cities, Toledo, a UNESCO World Heritage site.  Toledo was the capital of Spain from the Gothic period until 1560, which explains its impressive medieval architecture.  Walking through its streets you feel as though you have stepped back into the Middle-Ages.  It remains one of the most intriguing Medieval walled cities in all of Europe.  We will take a train to Toledo, and then a 5-10 minute bus to the heart of the city.

Possible Private Party at a beautiful loft in Madrid.  This private party will be the place to be tonight, and Zoom Vacations® will have you on the guest list.  After the party, you may wish to go to Fantasy at the Circulo de Bellas Artes (amazing place) & Space (Bravo).  Or, you may wish to hit the regular bar scene. 

Accommodations: The AC Palacio del Retiro Hotel
Meals Included: Buffet Champagne Breakfast and Lunch

Day Four ~ Madrid
8:00 AM to 12:00 PM:  Champagne Buffet Breakfast, served in the AC Palacio Del Retiro Hotel restaurant.

Morning: Morning at Leisure to relax after a busy yesterday.  Explore the city, do a little shopping, people-watch in Chueca, and more.

4:30 PM:  Madrid Gay Pride Parade
Departs from the hotel lobby. View the famous Madrid Gay Pride Parade. We will depart the lobby to view the parade, which starts at 5 PM.  For eight days, the neighborhood of Chueca turns into what has to be one of the most inclusive and quirky Gay Pride festivals in the world. The fiesta culminates on the first Saturday in July with a huge parade down the Gran Vía. A truly crazy pastiche of Madrileños show up to march or simply to kick off the summer party season: grannies in their retro housedresses, families, old gay (legally since 2006!) married couples, young hipsters, straight folks... As soon as the sun starts to go down, the plazas and streets turn into outdoor dance parties with DJs spinning until the sun comes up.

Accommodations: The AC Palacio del Retiro Hotel
Meals Included: Buffet Champagne Breakfast

Day 5
8:00 AM to 12:00 PM:  Champagne Buffet Breakfast, served in the AC Palacio Del Retiro Hotel restaurant.

Morning/afternoon: Day at leisure to “recover” from Saturday night.  There will also be several parties taking place tonight, and Zoom Vacations® will assist you in finding the perfect way to spend your Sunday.

Accommodations: The AC Palacio del Retiro Hotel
Meals Included: Buffet Champagne Breakfast

Day 6
7:30 AM to 11:00 AM:  Champagne Buffet Breakfast, served in the AC Palacio Del Retiro Hotel restaurant.

12:00 PM:  Official guest check-out at the AC Palacio Del Retiro Hotel

Meals Included: Buffet Champagne Breakfast

Luxury Accommodations:

The AC Palacio del Retiro Hotel, 5 stars

This Hotel was a mansion built at the beginning of the 20th Century, converted into a discreet luxury hotel in October, 2004. Its unique location offers magnificent views of Retiro Park.

It occupies the center of the magical Art Triangle, Prado Museum, the Tyssen-Bornemisza Collection and Reina Sofiía National Art Museum. Ideally located in the center of the cultural area, and just a short walk to the adjacent gay area, Chueca.

The AC Palacio del Retiro Hotel offers the pleasure of resting in one of the monuments of the historic city center with the luxury of a great hotel. A Mansion of fifty-one bedrooms where both discretion and tranquility reign at all times. You will also enjoy the exclusive Complementary SPA, well-appointed gym, restaurant, and bar.

When you cross the threshold of your room you will feel you are in a space that is all yours, full of the exclusive details:

free Mini-Bar
Special reading light
Personalized air-conditioning
Plasma TV (High brightness panel TV, PC Monitor compatible)
TV with more than 20 channels
High-speed Wi-Fi Internet access
in-room safe
24 hour laundry service
Complimentary Shoe Shine
24 hour Room Service
Bathrobes and slippers

Air: International and domestic airfare not included. Zoom Vacations® has negotiated a 5% off your fare with American Airlines on this trip.  Go to aa.com/rainbow, type in your departure city and arrival city and don’t forget to enter the Promotion Code: A3361BT. Click " Get Fare".

*Land only Introductory rate, based on double occupancy. Prices are subject to change.

Need a roommate? Zoom Vacations® is happy to match you with someone, at no additional charge. Or, you may pay a single supplement and go as a single.

Please read Terms and Conditions prior to booking.