Free visits: Madrid of the pelotaris and the secret bunkers
Plans: between galleons and medals: a visit to the bowels of the Naval Museum of Madrid
In cities like Bangkok or New Delhi, tuk tuks are masters of this chaotic and exhilarating urban landscape.
But its electric and sustainable version has also conquered the European streets.
In Madrid there is a fleet of at least
a dozen of these three-wheelers
.
As green as the Bicimad or scooters, but much more friendly and family-
friendly
, tuk tuks are here to stay.
Although next to Lisbon, where the fleet reaches 400 vehicles, our capital is still anecdotal.
Ignacio Gil Mota, the businessman in charge of Tu Tuk Tuk, wants there to be many more.
In the absence of tourists, it also wants to attract locals themselves.
For that, after organizing the Christmas lights tours, it has created a circuit to rediscover Madrid through its pioneer women that will be available throughout the month of March.
The journey begins in the central Mercado de San Miguel.
"It's an ideal way to explore a place with family or friends, especially on those occasions when everyone wants to do something different," explains Gil.
Although in winter the tuk tuk is covered with an awning ("there are blankets available for cold people"), the electric tricycle is usually completely uncovered.
Perfect for taking a walk in the air with your family (the maximum is four passengers) complying with hygiene and safety measures against covid.
an 'eco' tour
Gil drives without stopping talking.
He says that the tuk tuk has a range of 100 kilometers and that it reaches a speed of up to 40 km / hour.
"It has no trick. It's like riding a motorcycle. You just have to keep in mind that the back is wider than the driver's."
And they don't come from Asia, by the way, these are made in Holland.
Ignacio Gil, in charge of Tu Tuk Tuk Madrid.JAVIER BARBANCHO
The Women's Tour (59 euros) lasts about an hour.
It intersperses a rich repertoire of women with emblematic places of the city.
We have left Madrid de los Austrias behind to enter the Barrio de las Letras.
But we do not stop at the writers of the Golden Age, today we have to talk about
Araceli González Carballo
, the Galician who deceived Hitler.
"Under the orders of MI5," says Gil, "Araceli convinced the Germans that the D-Day invasion would take place in Calais and not on the beaches of Normandy."
Apparently, the spy moved like a fish in water between diplomatic delegations staying in hotels like The Westin Palace and the Ritz.
We continue towards the Botanical Garden, sometimes asking for the way to confused passers-by: the electric tuk tuks hardly make any noise.
The Paseo del Prado garden has already recovered from the blow of the storm Filomena and serves as an excuse to talk about the figure of
Blanca Catalán de Ocón
, the first Spanish botanist.
Not far away, at the National Library, the three wheels stop to pay tribute to
Ángela García Rives
, the first Spanish librarian.
We will pass through Chueca, too, and talk about the pioneer
Matilde Ucelay
.
And about the architect we will go on to talk about the banker Ana Botín and even about a goddess, Cibeles.
The tuk tuk attracts
all eyes
.
Of all the new electrical gadgets to move around the city it is one of the most fun and original.
Perhaps too "original" for Gil who would like to see more of these vehicles in Madrid.
"The competition is good. The more that are seen, the more and the better appeal they are for tourists."
Of course, until reaching the 400 of Lisbon, our city has a lot to cover.
According to the criteria of The Trust Project
Know more
tourism
Madrid
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