LUXE has partnered with pride of guides Context Travel, who run private and small group tours led by an armed cotillion of art historians, PhDs, culture mavens + specialists. They’ll enlighten you via themed itins or bespoke jaunts, so you can spend time taking in the sights, not with your head buried in a book. What’s more, now you can book tours directly through our app. Glam gallivants ahead!
City Under Siege: Madrid in the Spanish Civil War and the Rise of Fascism
The manicured Madrid of today belies her dark past. Although all signs that this cosmo-cool capital was once a war zone have been artfully eradicated, that horrific history cannot be completely ignored.
Join a Context historian on this 3.5-hour promenade and ponder through the Civil War-era and Franco-ruled Madrid. Starting with an intro and overview of the period over un café solo, the tour will then take you down the Gran Vía, nicknamed the Avenue of the Shells due to the heavy bombardment it faced during the war, then to the working class neighbourhood of Lavapiés to reflect on the harrowing ‘Years of Hunger’ faced by Madrilenos under Franco’s regime. The walk wraps at Reina Sofía Museum with a gander and ogle at Picasso’s monochrome mural Guernica.
Book directly at contexttravel.com
Movida Madrileña: Counter-Culture in Post-Franco Madrid
Whilst the rest of the world was busy finding themselves in the ’60s, Spain was under the lock and key of Franco’s fascist regime. Following his death in 1975 the counter-culture revolution exploded, and Madrid hasn’t slept since.
The Movida Madrileno (the Madrid Movement) began with the aptly dubbed ‘destape’, or uncorking, when the Bolly popped and the fiesta began. The counter-culture celebrated homosexuality, drug use and gender equality along with their generous pours of top drops. So go on, crash the bash…
Context will take you on a 3-hour strut through the hotspots and hubs of the Movida in the hip ‘hoods of Chueca and Malasaña, starting with the Bar Museo Chicote, once the underground haunt of the brainy and beautiful (including Grace Kelly and Sinatra, if you please). Visit the Plaza Chueca, Madrid’s first gay bookstore, and the arguable counter-culture epicentre Plaza de Dos de Mayo. Movida to the music, darling!
Book directly at contexttravel.com
Prado: A Royal Collection
Can’t grasp Goya? Then say hola y muchas gracias to the clever Context clan who will set you up with someone with the art-smarts to take you through one of the world’s best collection of Renaissance-to-mod eye candy. Plus they’ll ensure you’ll spend no time in dreaded queues with skip-the-line tickets. Stick with them!
Once the private collection of the Spanish monarchs, the museum’s cache delivers lessons in history and decadence in equal measures. The collection reflects the tastes of various royals, from Isabel la Católica’s soft spot for the Flemish, to the Habsburg’s love of all things Venetian. This 3-hour trot will give you a broad contextual frame for a deeper delve into the Prado pool at your own leisure.
Book directly at contexttravel.com
Savouring Madrid: Taverns and Tapas
Tapas is a time-honoured, Spanish tradition. No Madrid meander would be complete without grasping the culinary tradition by the bull horns. Join a Context tour of the tangle of taverns in central Madrid, led by a local culinary maven. Tastings inclusive, salud to that!
From the old-school local fare, to country-wide nibbles and mod twists. Soak in the atmosphere and let the patatas bravas soak up the cañas (glasses) of beer. Guaranteed you’ll be a Spanish gastronomy gourmand by the end of the dia.
Book directly at contexttravel.com
Thyssen-Bornemisza: A Passion for Collecting
Prado’s more-mod pal, the museum hosts the Thyssen-Bornemisza family’s jaw-dropping private collection of Old Master and Modern paintings. From C.14th Euro to C.20th American via impressionism and surrealism, there is bound to be something recognisable for even the artless and heartless.
With a Context art docent you’ll traipse through this tri-floored delight. You’ll appreciate not only the artistic value of the works themselves, but also their worth as part of a carefully curated private collection, and learn the fascinating stories behind their acquisitions. Tour includes skip-the-line tickets. VIP, por favor!
Book directly at contexttravel.com
Hero image: Mastej Kastelic / Shutterstock.com
