A Spanish Summer The air was full of promises and sun and the smell of lavender was sticking to your skin and hair like an expensive perfume. The road to the middle of nowhere in Brihuega had been crowded; it seemed that all city folks had found out about the secret at the same time, … More The Secret Lavender Fields of Spain
An Anticlimatic Start It takes more than a case of lumbar hernia and a piece of falling toenail to put us off this hike! Still, after diligent preparations to hike in La Gomera, after preparations going back months in advance, ferry tickets paid and guide booked, and of course building expectations, whoever would have imagined … More La Gomera – The Land That Time Forgot
Casa Batllo Magic Nights – An evening concert on Gaudi’s Dragon rooftop Casa Batllo Magic Nights. Paseo de Gracia 43. The address of tonight’s rather exclusive gig. The organizers had been really nice to accommodate a last minute change of date to our tickets, so that I could have my cake and eat it too. … More Casa Batllo Magic Nights, or How to Barcelona Differently
Ever since I moved to Barcelona almost two years ago, I have made it my own personal challenge to uncover as many Spanish hidden gems as it’s humanly possible while still working a full-time job (something’s gotta pay for my travels!). And while I could tell you all about Montserrat, Sitges, Girona and Tarragona – and … More Beyond Barcelona: 5 Amazing Day Trips Worth Taking
Every July for 7 years now, the lavender fields of Brihuega, Spain become a natural stage for sunset concerts. Festival de La Lavanda is possibly one of my greatest Secret Spain tips yet. When I came up with my little Secret Spain idea, I had set out to become an explorer in my new home away … More Secret Spain: Concert in the Lavender Fields of Brihuega
Barcelona Local Gems: Fiesta de Gracia Fiesta de Gracia, one of Barcelona’s iconic neighborhood events, is one of the city’s best-known Summer Fiestas: a Definite Don’t Miss. The summer fiesta has been around for 200 years and celebrated its bicentennial in 2017. Starting mid-August and lasting for a full week, the fiesta transforms some twenty … More How to Barcelona in Summer: Fiesta de Gracia in Images
Barcelona celebrates the shortest night of the year in big style! The night of June 23 to 24, San Juan is celebrated across Spain in a most festive way: there is music in the streets, firecrackers and fireworks everywhere, and lots of people in the mood to party. Since the entire city will be full … More Spain Midsummer Fiestas: How to San Juan in Barcelona
On foot Through Barcelona: El Born Quarter I’m wearing glasses and a green jacket. OK! I’ll be waiting next to the Carmela. Interested in testing out CityUnscripted and find out if they’re true to their promise to turn travelers into discoverers, and after several failed attempts (blame the rain, the allergies, and office work in … More Exploring Barcelona’s El Born Quarter with City Unscripted
Remember Fifty Weeks of Spain? Remember how you found out all about sleeping in a 9 Century Castle where to see Europe’s Best Million Cherry Tree Hanami Spanish Fiestas you didn’t know existed and more? As I delve deeper and deeper into Secret Spain, summer comes with an even more promising collection of hidden gems you should … More My Fifty Weeks of Spain & What to Expect This Summer
Best Barcelona Bar Crawl Discover Barcelona’s Best Gin Tonic Bar Crawl as vetted by Damia Mula, professor of cocteleria at CETT. While my list is much longer, the selection below will make sure you get your gin fix (or otherwise finely crafted cocktails) and make the most out of your trip to Barcelona, and still get home in one … More Guide for the Ultimate Barcelona Gin Tonic Bar Crawl