Madrid Xanadu is a mall with more than just shopping. This facility is what Americans would call a…read moresuburban shopping and entertainment center. Complete with an array of restaurants at varying price levels, this is where locals seem to go to get away from the throngs of tourists in Madrid. Mostoles is a smaller city/town south of Madrid and easily accessed from Madrid by the highway and a bus that goes directly from Príncipe Pío to the mall. Take advantage of the late hours for one section of the mall where most of the restaurants are located along with a movie theater showing the latest American movies and yes, the indoor skiing attraction. Even in the deathly hot days of summer it is reported that you can don your winter coat and snow pants and romp around on the side of a man-made mountain. It's nothing compared to the alps... Or the Adirondacks... Or even my very own Bristol Mountain... But when you're on the plains of Spain, this is the perfect place to get some winter fun in. Actually given the mild winter I've experienced, I'd welcome the opportunity to ski at any time of year.
Lastly, it is worth mentioning that you can get just about anything you need at Xanadu. Shopping for a pre-paid SIM card for your cheap European phone? Check out the The Phone House. Need a higher quality Wal-Mart experience while abroad? El Corte Ingles is on site. Want to jump around on a trampoline tethered to bungee cords?....Yeah, they've got that too! It's all you could ever need or want in the style of the American Mall so you don't feel quite so far from home.
