Madrid! When you arrive at Barajas International Airport, you'll notice that your luggage tag has MAD as the airport code... Well that sums it up for the capital of Spain. The city that does not sleep.

You can be sure of experiencing a diverse array of cultural indulgence. Although Madrid has experienced major growth and expansion over the last decade, it has kept the look and feel of many of its historic neighbourhoods and streets.

I first came to Madrid in 1990 for a weekend escape from London. Sleep was not on the agenda. Madrid host a potpourri of Museums, Cathedrals and Churches, Art Galleries, tapas bars and the local plazas.

Madrid has a host of museums including Museo del Prado, Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofia, Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza, Museum of the Americas

I liked the city so much that I decided to live there in 1999. It is one of my favourite cities but does lack a nice sandy coast beach.

The Madrilenos really enjoy their city and it is rare to walk in to a bar at any night of the week and find yourself drinking alone.

Chueca is the gay area of Madrid, here, you'll find bookshops, boutique clothes shops, the best shoe shops and ofcourse the local gay bars and clubs. Occasionally, the night markets occur on the main Plaza of Chueca.

La Latina just behind Plaza Major is also a vibrant, popular area for tapas bars and restaurants. Walk down Calle Cava Baja and Calle del Almendro for all the popular watering holes.

Los Viajeros and Corazon Loco are my two favourite bars.

One hour's drive out of Madrid, you have the "La Sierra" mountains. You can either ski during Winter or bushwalk, horseride or just bring some food and a good book and enjoy a well earnt rest during summer.

El Escorial is also only 45km (30 miles) northwest of Madrid and was residence of the king of Spain. It is now a monastery, royal palace and museum.

More information on my later blogs... in the meantime, enjoy a mix of photos.