Euro League basketball match: Real Madrid vs. Fenerbahce

 

I am a big time basketball fan (Bucks in 6!) and although Spanish sports are typically dominated by football, basketball has a huge following and I was fortunate enough to attend a game to get a taste of the experience. 

There was a EuroLeague game scheduled for a Thursday night with an 8:45pm tip off. I bought tickets the day before, noting the limited availability, and expected a solid turnout. The team plays their games at El Palacio de Deportes de la Comunidad de Madrid, commercially known as the Wiznik Center, which is located in downtown Madrid. It was very easy for me to take a quick Metro ride to Goya Station, a short walk from the venue. The pedestrian walkway leading up to the stadium added a nice touch to the pre-game atmosphere.

The stadium is tucked into dense urban development. Even just a block away, it was surprisingly inconspicuous! This setup led to a strict entry policy, you could only enter through the side corresponding to your seating section. Once inside, I was struck by how cramped and utilitarian the interior felt. That said, navigating the stadium was straightforward, and it wasn’t overly crowded. Aside from a small photo gallery showcasing concerts and sporting events over the years, the interior felt spartan, especially compared to sporting venues in the USA.

But stepping into the arena itself was a whole different story. The clear sightlines to the court, combined with the size and energy of the space, made for an incredible first impression. The crowd was huge, yet the arena didn’t feel cavernous, it somehow managed to maintain an intimate vibe. Behind one backboard was a group of dedicated Real Madrid fans, complete with a megaphone-wielding leader and members pounding on large drums to keep the energy alive throughout the game.

EuroLeague’s FIBA rules make for a much smoother-flowing game compared to the NBA, and the lack of commercial breaks only adds to the fan experience. True to schedule, the jump ball went up right at 8:45 PM, and the game wrapped up by 10:30 PM, a perfect timeline for Spaniards to still make it home for dinner at a reasonable hour!

I also have to give props to the lone concession stand. Water was reasonably priced at 2 Euros, with beers and soft drinks at 4 Euros, hot dogs for 5 Euros, and small jamón sandwiches for 7 Euros. While not exactly cheap, for stadium prices, it felt more than fair.

Overall, I had an amazing time. While the game wasn’t super competitive, it never felt like a complete blowout either. I was surprised by how many former NBA players were on the rosters with names like Boban Marjanović, Facundo Campazzo, Mario Hezonja, and Serge Ibaka. The quality of play was impressive, with Fenerbahçe putting on a solid performance while Real Madrid struggled to generate much offense.

Attending a EuroLeague game at the WiZink Center was an amazing experience that blended the passion of European basketball fans with the charm of Madrid’s urban setting. From the electric atmosphere created by the Real Madrid supporters to the seamless flow of the game itself, it was a fantastic way to spend a Thursday night. Whether you’re a die-hard basketball fan or just looking for an authentic slice of local culture, catching a game here is well worth it. 

A very cool gallery featuring huge artists and teams

I was in row 6 and had a great view, I thought this photo was cool with the overhang

Madrid: Gran Via

 

Gran Via is an impressive street in downtown Madrid, sometimes referred to as the, "Spanish Broadway". I love to wander around downtown Madrid as its very conducive to walking and the dense development gives a vibrant and bustling vibe. Gran Via is a term used in cities and towns throughout Spain to indicate the main road of the city. The Gran Via of Madrid, the capital of Spain, represents the Gran Via's of the country well with wide pedestrian walkways lined with massive buildings and bustling businesses. There is everything from broadway venues to American fastfood to shops selling Spanish tourist trinkets. 

I initially thought the great road was an artifact of the old monarchy times with parades and horses so I was surprised to learn it was constructed in the early 1900s. Apparently hundreds of homes and dozens of roads needed to be demolished to literally pave the way for the road. The road is 1.3km long with a few metro stops along the way with plenty of lanes for vehicle traffic as well. 

Walking along Gran Via is a must for any visitor to Madrid. Walking from Sol to Plaza de Espana via Gran Via gives a nice feel for the downtown of Madrid albeit there are plenty of businesses that are pandering to the tourists so it's not exactly the most authentic. I love to hear all the different languages and see the excitement of people in the big city taking selfies and soaking in the atmosphere. 

Autonomous Community Castile La Mancha: Toledo spring trip

Puente de Alcántara

 

I had visited Toledo over ten years ago (time flies!) and returned with my brother, this time playing the role of guide for a noob in Spain, oh how the turn tables turn.

We took the Ave high speed train from Madrid which made the trip a speedy 45 minutes. The train station in Toledo is an attraction in itself and a short walk into the heart of the city via the Puente de Alcántara. 

One of the first things I realized is how much the temperature affects the experience, especially given the hilly nature of the city. Although the city is small, part of the charm is aimlessly wandering through the labyrinth of streets. However, this can lead to some tired legs and sweaty backs if the temperature is too high. Adding to this challenge is that the historical center is so dense that it has basically no green space or parks and thus it's difficult to find a shady spot to relax. Of course most people do not come to Toledo for the parks and it is possible to minimize the walking by being dropped in the city center and then having a guide lead you to the most efficient circuit. 

The Alacazar was unfortunately closed that day but an unexpected highlight of mine was the Museo de Santa Cruz. It's an unassuming building with a unique collection of small pieces of art. The building itself is peaceful and cool and the two floors have simple though impressive art pieces. 

There is a wrist band/pass that visitors can purchase that allows access to a bunch of different popular sites. At the time of writing it was 12 euros and is a good value as most of the sites are 3-4 euros for single entry. 

I did enjoy the trip to Toledo though for most people it for sure be done in a day trip from Madrid. The Ave is super fast but even a bus is only two hours from Madrid so one wouldn't be crazy to check it out. 

It was really interesting for me because I remember being enamored by the charming city when I first visited but now having visited many other similar cities in Spain I still appreciated it but felt it was a little too touristy and crowded. Cities like Morella and Segovia have a similar feel with a kind of gran via that runs through the heart of the town but I liked their feel a little more than Toledo. I totally understand why people come to visit and would absolutely recommend it for people that might only have a day trip out of Madrid. It's also a relatively easy place to get by if your Spanish is poor with far more international tourists than the aforementioned cities that I mentioned.

Castillo de San Pedro

Rio Duratón

Castillo de San Pedro is located above the quaint village of San Miguel de Bernuy. The castle itself is nothing spectacular and the information placard was sunburned to the point it was illegible. However, the views over the river Rio Duratón were beautiful from all directions. There is a nice view from the castle looking over the town but if you take a short walk in the opposite direction you'll be greeted with an impressive canyon. We were treated with a large group of Griffon Vultures that were nesting on the cliffs and soaring by. 

The castle is completely unmarked from the road but the road is clearly marked from satellite images. 

The actual castle.

Castillo de Torregalindo

Remaining tower

Torregalindo hosts a small castlilo that is easily accessible with a beautiful panorama of wine country. The castle is in almost complete disrepair and the area was full of grass and wildflowers when we went up there. It was a little difficult to walk around but it added to the excitement of exploring an ancient ruin. There was one small information placard that we read and a short path leading up the main castle, a decent sized remnant of a wall, and then the remnant of what I presume was a torre.

It was a nice albeit short walk around the premises and we likely would have explored more at the base if there were open footpaths. A small highlight was the presence of nesting Red-billed Choughs which kept squawking at us and flying off their perch gliding gently on the updraft of the wind hitting the castle walls. They tend to have a buoyant and acrobatic flight and it appeared as if they were showing off riding the wind.

The castle was very close to the main road and a worthy stop if you're interested in the less renovated type of castles.

Castillo de Haza

 

Castle tower and remaining wall

 

The Castillo de Haza packs a lot of information and experience into a small tower. Like most castles in the region the surrounding landscape is beautiful and the strategic location of the castle provides a 360 panorama. It is visible from the main road and easily accessible though to actually enter the castle you need to follow the steps below and you will be provided a keycode to open the door. 

Once inside the automatic lights help to illuminate the first floor which provides some contextual information. There is an extremely well done movie that can be played giving a short history of the area. You can then climb to the viewing platform that gives fantastic views. 

There is not a ton to do in and around the castle but it's certainly worth the stop. It can be a quick visit with a rewarding view and the historical information that it provides is relevant to other castles in the area, some of which may only have a single placard with sparse information. 

Accessing the castle is free but not necessarily straightforward. Use this QR code (located at the entrance of the castle) to receive a code to open the castle door.

Staircases were well preserved

Torre de Hoyales de Roa

 

Visible from the main road BU-121, the Torre de Hoyales de Roa is absolutely worth stopping off to visit. Although it may first appear to be only a singular wall with a few remnants of adjoining wall, the wall retains the outline of windows on three stories and an informative placard sketches out the different floors and uses of the tower. It's about as interesting and informative as a one four story wall could be and the surrounding landscape is quintessential Castilla ya Leon with rolling hills, vineyards, and fields of wheat.