Hola

I'm hoping to get to the following shop in Madrid to get a large scale map suitable for walking in the mountains inland from area near Comillas (roughly!).

I have been recommended a shop called La Tienda Verde, Maudes, 23 - 38, and wondered if anyone knew where it was and also, importantly, if it is open on Sundays as this is the only day we will have in Madrid. (Actually arriving Sat night and leaving Mon morning, so those times could be possible too).

Thanks.

Jo-Anne

Hi Jo-Anne, jer here. Once again I shall come to your rescue. It just so happens that when I was studying here years back I used to go to that shop to browse the amazing amount of maps that they have of EVERYTHING! It is not very central but is one of the best stores in Madrid for Maps and has been there since 1950. It is a bookstore devoted to travel, topographical maps and guides to Spain's mountain ranges, national parks, etc. The "Calle Maudes" is up north near the "Glorieta de Cuatro Caminos" (METRO stop "Cuatro Caminos", lines 1,2, or 6). Once you get off the METRO, just head south down the "Calle Santa Engracia" (Opposite McDonalds) and "Maudes" is the first street on your left. If memory serves me, they have 2 stores, one at # 23 and the other on the other side of the street at # 38 (not #23-38 which would ba impossibel). It is a pretty big store with a green sign that says "Tienda Verde" and has a drawing of a globe on it as well. Sorry, no photo this time . Oh yeah, good joke that open Sunday comment , we are in Spain my dear. Last I knew, hours were 9:30am-2pm and 4:30pm-8:30pm Mon-Fri and they may also open on Saturday mornings. Your best bet is Monday morning since they probably close on midday Saturday and don't open until Monday morning. Their phone #s are (34) 91 533 07 91 and (34) 91 533 64 54.
Happy shopping,
jer...
p.s. Just one day in Madrid, you must be nuts!

Anyone knows what happened with "Editorial San Mart�n", a bookstore that used to be at the corner of Puerta del Sol and calle Carretas? There's a store that sells tourist trinkets there now plus other things, but i tried looking in the phone book and yellow pages to see if they had moved and to no avail. I know they were there '94/'95, but in 1999 they were gone...

Saludos,

Rafa

Hey Rafa, jer here. Wow! an editorial lasted till 1999 in the Puerta del Sol, what a kick in the "culo" (ass). I knew it as well (Editorial San Mart�n Libreros Reunidos, SL) but it has since gone out of business, their website used to be at www.barataria.com/sanmartin.html but is no more, nor are they . Shame because they had great books at the right price. Sol and the whole center of Madrid has become way too touristy and those old quaint small bookshops have gone out of business (San Mart�n was there since the 1880s!). I am not sure if the editorial is still around but it does not look good. Last mailing address for them I knew was "Editorial San Mart�n S.L., Apartado 97 28080-Madrid", could drop them a letter and see if it gets there.
Saludos,
jer...

Yes, Jer, I know, one day in Madrid We are staying another day on the way home too, but that will be too late for the map!

The reason we are only there Sat night to Mon morning, is that it was cheaper to get flights to Madrid from UK and drive up to Cantabria than to catch the boat from UK straight to the North coast.

I spent a week in Madrid last May with my husband, and it was the best week I have ever had.

I know it will be frustrating this time, but I am counting my blessings that we are able to spend the two nights at the beginning and the end of the holiday in Madrid, and will be making the most of every single minute I assure you. After all, if we had taken the other option, we would not have been in Madrid at all.

Thanks for your help. Looks like it might be better for me to locate a map over here in UK rather than spending precious time looking for the store in Madrid.

By the way, I was a little disappointed that you did't offer to try the dancing dresses on for me and get the assistant to take photos - just think how time-saving that could have been for me! - to have been able to make a selection here at home!

Thanks again.

Jo-Anne

Jer: As usual you are a "castizo" gentleman. Thanks for the great info. For some reason I never thought a quaint little bookstore like Editorial San Mart�n would go out of business at the very center of Madrid. At least they may have moved, but it doesn't look good. I've tried my best to find them...however if anyone can find out it's you. My hat off to you!

Saludos,

Rafa

Thanks Rafa, I do what I can . Actually, I love this city soooooo much that itr does not take much arm twisting to get me to go out into the city and investigate! I also looked online for that editorial once I posted that respons and it is nowhere to be found. You are right, it is a real shame about the most traditional and old parts of Madrid (and many other world cities) losing their charm and the big multinational companies and touristy stores taking over. If more tourists had bought books at San Mart�n, perhaps it would still be with us today .
Oh well, times they are a changin'
Saludos,
jer...

p.s. Hey Jo-Anne, too bad about the Tienda Verde not being a possibility for you, hope you find what you are looking for at home. As for the trying on of Flamenco dresses, I am dedicated to my site, but last time I pulled a stunt like that I nearly got arrested for indecent exposure, you do NOT want to see my in a dress! I assure you!

Jo-Anne, have you tried Waterstones bookshop, they carry a very large range and you can order one over the phone. Also how about W H Smith's? Other than that you could try your local library and photocopy what you need.
Hope this helps.

Thanks Sue

That's more or less what I intend doing, but just wondered if anyone had any experience of any particular map they found especially good.

Most places don't seem to carry stock, but would order them, that's why I wondered about anyone else's opinion.

Thanks again.

Jo-Anne