The park's highlight was definitely a couple of old Victorian era greenhouses, much like Kew Gardens in London, which are quite an architectural spectacle. But the action revolves around the large lake and the overwrought memorial to somebody lording over the lake. The shores are teeming with teenagers, the lake full of couples rowing, and there was a big concert going on behind the memorial. It was probably the most crowded place we've been in all of Madrid.

We went back to the hotel for a grand brunch. Much of Madrileno society comes here for the Sunday brunch, and it's a most elegant affair, but you can still pig out just like any Vegas buffet, just with panache. We then spent the rest of the day at the nearby Buen Retiro park. The park is huge, along the lines of New York's Central Park, which is a good thing because all of Madrid comes here on the weekend. It's a very pretty park, although very manicured and filled with lots of monuments and grand buildings, so you don't really feel like you're escaping from the city.