When I was in Madrid, I saw it all--from the Goyas at the Museo del Prado to the colorful cafe umbrellas lining Plaza Mayor--all within 48 hours. But the best thing I saw? The back of my eyelids as I dozed off in Buen Retiro Park. Sure, you can pack all the sights into one non-stop itinerary, but nothing compares to the relaxing pleasure of a sweet siesta. Travel napping is underrated--do it in the right places and you can take in a little culture while you soak up some rays. The following are a few of my favorite napping spots in Europe. Buen Retiro Park
Madrid, Spain
Spend a few afternoon hours in Buen Retiro Park and you'll understand why the Spanish came up with the whole siesta concept. This huge green space, just east of central Madrid, has so much to do and see that you can easily lose track of time and forget about your busy life. My favorite area is the breathtaking Rosaleda rose garden, with its maze of paths and rose-rambled arches. There are a handful of good nap sites surrounding the garden. When you wake up, follow the large road to the west that leads you to the slightly unsettling fountain of El Angel Ca�do, one of only a very few public monuments to Satan in the world. Napping near Lucifer is not recommended, due to unconfirmed reports of nightmares and madness caused by the statue.
Boboli Gardens
Florence, Italy
The gardens behind the Palazzo Pitti were the site of my first great European nap. Up the hill from the garden's central amphitheater you'll find a giant stone head and a patch of open grass with breathtaking vistas of Florence. When you're done here, follow the shaded path down the hill to the west and you'll find a pair of sculptures that look like two giant Mentos candies in the forest. The mammoth granite discs stay remarkably cooler than the surrounding air and make a great place to rest on a hot summer day in Tuscany.
Source: http://blogs.nationalgeographic.com/blogs/intelligenttravel/2011/02/where-to-nap-in-europe.html
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