About Chus

Chus Blázquez is the founder and project coordinator of Rutas Pangea, a Madrid-based cycling travel agency operating since 1993. A pioneer of organized cycle tourism in Spain, he has spent over 30 years designing and leading routes across four continents and more than 50 countries. As a consultant specializing in itinerary design, destination specialization, and tourism product development, he has worked with numerous autonomous communities and regions throughout Spain and collaborated with international destination management companies. He is a regular participant in industry fairs, conferences, workshops, and seminars, both in Spain and abroad, where he speaks about bicycle tourism as an economic activity and a driver of rural development. He is the creator of the podcast Viajando Despacio (Traveling Slowly) and a leading voice in specialized and general media outlets, including Ciclosfera, Cadena SER, Radio Viajera, El País, El Asombrario, and others. Through Rutas Pangea, he promotes initiatives for active tourism, sustainability, and rural culture through cycling.

Spanish Theater

By |2015-05-12T23:11:25+02:00May 12th, 2015|365 days in Madrid, BLOG, HIGHLIGHTS|

It seems that the Teatro Español is the only theatre still in operation today, whose location coincides with the one that was used as a corral de comedias. It was in 1565, when Philip II and the Council of Castile granted permission for the creation of the Cofradía de la Sagrada Pasión (Brotherhood of the Holy Passion). With the privilege of maintaining a place where comedies could be performed and dedicating a percentage of the proceeds (what was known as the sisa) to its charitable purposes.

Boys on Sorolla Beach

By |2015-05-10T17:03:05+02:00May 11th, 2015|365 days in Madrid, BLOG, HIGHLIGHTS|

The Valencian was one of the most prolific Spanish painters, with more than 2.000 catalogued canvases. His style is personal and unmistakable. The characteristics of his painting make it difficult to pigeonhole him into one artistic movement. He has been labelled as an impressionist, post-impressionist and luminist.

Church of San Manuel and San Benito, neo-Byzantine architecture in Madrid

By |2015-05-10T16:16:21+02:00May 10th, 2015|365 days in Madrid, BLOG, HIGHLIGHTS|

The work of architect Fernando Arbós y Tremanti was dedicated to the residence and church of the Augustinian Fathers. The Catalan businessman Manuel Caviggioli and his wife Benita Maurici were the patrons of the work and also donated the land where it is located.

The Caryatids building, headquarters of the Cervantes Institute

By |2015-05-09T00:03:51+02:00May 8th, 2015|365 days in Madrid, BLOG, HIGHLIGHTS|

Its headquarters in Madrid are located in the Cariátides building, originally known as Banco Español del Río de la Plata. It is a beautiful chamfered building located at number 49 on Calle de Alcalá, on the corner of Calle Barquillo. An eclectic style building with a monumental character: Greek neoclassicism.

Café Central, a venue with more than 30 years of concerts

By |2015-05-08T01:09:01+02:00May 8th, 2015|365 days in Madrid, BLOG, HIGHLIGHTS|

Located in a former frame and glass shop in Plaza del Ángel, Café Central has become a world-renowned jazz venue, recognised on many lists as one of the hot spots of European and world jazz.

The House of Cervantes in Madrid

By |2015-05-07T00:47:50+02:00May 7th, 2015|365 days in Madrid, BLOG, HIGHLIGHTS|

The neighbourhood that we now call Las Letras was called Las Musas in the time of Cervantes, as it was the area of ​​Madrid that was preferred by writers, actors and actresses in the 1567th century. We know that Miguel de Cervantes lived in Madrid in different places. In XNUMX he was already a resident of this city and attended classes at the Estudio de la Villa, whose director was the teacher Juan López de Hoyos.

The Senate, from a convent school to a plenary hall

By |2015-05-06T00:15:37+02:00May 6th, 2015|365 days in Madrid, BLOG, HIGHLIGHTS|

The Senate building occupies the former college and convent of the Calced Augustinian Fathers, founded in the 16th century by Doña María de Córdoba y Aragón, lady-in-waiting to Queen Anne and daughter of Álvaro de Córdoba, who was chief equerry to Philip II.

Pious Schools of San Fernando

By |2015-05-04T01:38:06+02:00May 4th, 2015|365 days in Madrid, BLOG, HIGHLIGHTS|

The ruins of the church of the convent of the Pious Schools of San Fernando are the protagonists of today. Between the streets of Mesón de Paredes and Sombrerete, in one of the most traditional neighborhoods of Madrid, Lavapiés, today they are the headquarters of a Library and an Associate Center of the Distance University.