Europe Up Close

My Own Private Ibiza

Published/Revised July 15, 2015 By This post may contain promotional and affiliate links. EuropeUpClose may receive commissions for purchases made through links in this post. Please read our disclosure for more info.

It can hit you upon arrival, or sneak up after a few days; the realization that you have found one of the most exciting places of your life. For me that was Spain's Ibiza. You know right away when it happens. It’s something more than just liking the looks of a new destination. It’s when something in the spirit of a place speaks directly to you, where you walk around with eyes wide open in ... Read Full Article

Where to Stay in Ibiza, Spain

Published/Revised June 12, 2014 By This post may contain promotional and affiliate links. EuropeUpClose may receive commissions for purchases made through links in this post. Please read our disclosure for more info.

The island of Ibiza has a limited number of hotel options, so we’ve compiled a list of our favorite  ‘where to stay’ recommendations. When choosing where to stay in Ibiza, it helps to know whether you want to enjoy peace and quiet or party all night in world-famous clubs. We have given preference to hotels in the town center as well as the club area to the west, and we also include two exceptional ... Read Full Article

Spain: From Madrid to Benidorm

Published/Revised June 12, 2014 By This post may contain promotional and affiliate links. EuropeUpClose may receive commissions for purchases made through links in this post. Please read our disclosure for more info.

 We couldn't have had a better first few days in Spain. After a 9 am landing on a cool, late-February morning at Madrid's Barajas International Airport, our trip was about to go much better than we had expected. Arriving in relatively good spirits from Portland, my girlfriend Kate and I hopped on the Madrid Metro for a quick ride to our hotel in the Puerto del Sol, the heart of the city ... Read Full Article