{"id":122402,"date":"2023-12-15T18:39:18","date_gmt":"2023-12-15T18:39:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cottontailsonline.com\/?p=122402"},"modified":"2023-12-15T18:39:18","modified_gmt":"2023-12-15T18:39:18","slug":"i-visited-europes-most-crowded-city-and-had-a-brilliant-experience","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cottontailsonline.com\/world-news\/i-visited-europes-most-crowded-city-and-had-a-brilliant-experience\/","title":{"rendered":"\u2018I visited Europe\u2019s \u2018most crowded\u2019 city and had a brilliant experience"},"content":{"rendered":"

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As we get increasingly close to Christmas, there have been fresh warnings about health and safety from festive event organisers in the UK as everything from food markets to carol services become overcrowded with swarms of visitors. <\/p>\n

York\u2019s St Nicholas Fair, which attracts visitors from the UK and beyond, is undergoing a revised market layout with people being encouraged to visit during quieter periods.<\/p>\n

London\u2019s Columbia Road Christmas carols events have also been cancelled after TikTok uploads consequently drew in huge crowds.<\/p>\n

It is a similar situation across Europe, as people visit cities abroad to soak up the festive atmosphere in the lead up to Christmas.<\/p>\n

Authorities in Madrid, Spain, have drawn up plans to shut down streets and public transport if traffic increases and pedestrian congestion becomes too high.<\/p>\n

I visited the city on Constitution Day just before authorities issued warnings of a ‘black level’ alert due to the substantial influx of visitors.<\/p>\n

READ MORE: <\/strong> POLL – Would you pay to holiday in the EU[LATEST] <\/strong><\/p>\n

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Constitution Day is a public holiday in Spain, and is a day off for the general population with most schools and businesses closed.<\/p>\n

The holiday marks the day when the country\u2019s constitution was approved by the Spanish people via a referendum on December 6, 1978, and essentially marks the beginning of Spain\u2019s new era as a democratic nation.<\/p>\n

The city felt jam-packed with families walking around the streets of Madrid and both locals and tourists had visited from different towns far and wide across the country.<\/p>\n

Outside the Royal Palace of Madrid, crowds gathered peacefully and watched on as a parade in procession to the sound of drums and trumpets marched across the palace grounds.<\/p>\n

On a sunny but crisp and cold day, huge crowds of visitors cheered and clapped as they edged as close to the Royal Palace.<\/p>\n

The Royal Palace of Madrid is regal and grand it contains a huge 3,418 rooms. It is the official residence of the Spanish Royal Family, although it is mainly used for state ceremonies.<\/p>\n

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Walking from the palace grounds to the Plaza Mayor (town square), you had to weave in and out of crowds, and city did feel slightly congested. I can only imagine, closer to Christmas when the city has more visitors, it could feel quite claustrophobic.<\/p>\n

Spanish authorities have said drones might be used to watch crowds from the skies and when numbers reach unacceptable levels, measures might be put in place. <\/p>\n

There was a small amount of police presence on main streets and squares, which I believe was important for congestion safety. <\/p>\n

Each year, Madrid\u2019s main Plaza Mayor turns into a Christmas market with a huge number of stalls selling ceramics, wooden toys and local delicacies.<\/p>\n

It is known to be one of the best markets in Spain. On this national holiday, compared to a normal working day, the plaza felt particularly busy with families and young children celebrating together.<\/p>\n

However, because of the plentiful caf\u00e9s near the square, queues for coffee and churros had lots of space for seating and customer service was rapid, attentive, and friendly in most places.<\/p>\n

It was a joyous, kid-friendly atmosphere, with bright lights, and local Christmas music being played throughout the city.<\/p>\n