We started out this morning with a bus tour of the historic precincts of Madrid. And, contrary to yesterday's impression there are some lovely areas of the city. We finished off with a visit to the Palacio Real de Madrid. The Spanish Royal Family no longer use this impressive 2,800 room palace as a residence. However it is used for state occasions such as entertaining foreign heads of state. I loved seeing the collection of beautiful violins and cellos made by Stradavarius that are housed in the palace. The inlaid marquetry on each piece is so intricate and so lovely.