Now there is a difference between tasteful lighting and tacky lightning. Anything with a direct reference to Christmas or completely overdone is my idea of tacky, which is one thing that drives me nuts about the UK around this festive time. Britain doesn't do very good Chrismas lighting outside of London.
Germany was nice and most of it felt like you had walked into a Christmas postcard, but Madrid has a more of a magical feel to it. I feel I have walked into a fairy land or a dream. I was on my way home from Atocha when the lights at the roundabout between the station and the Paseo del Prado caught my eye. I saw a bunch of artificial cherry tree with blossoms in the centre, but the blossoms were lights. I was entranced and decided, sod walking home along the boring Ronda de Valencia but to walk up the Paseo del Prado to Plaza Cibeles and take the bus from there.
The lighting was stylish, elegant and beautiful. It gave a wonderful fantasy feel to the city, and was even more special to me for walking down there and I ADORE Madrid by night! The Prado was lit up beautifully and also had some of those luminescent cherry trees! I continued to stroll down on this lovely crisp, cold, refreshing winter's night till I arrived at the Ritz which was lit up so glamourously as usual. I feel the temptation to dress to the nines and just go there to partake of a drink and watch the rich and beautiful. The entrance too spares no expense in lighing decoration.
The Thyssen too is also contending for eyecatching lights with its fairy light garden around the entrance shimmering with silver light.
At Plaza Cibeles where the Paseo de Recoletos and Gran Via meet there are dazzling golden lights hovering above the streets. I highly recommend the Paseo del Prado at night, especially at Christmas.
