If anyone mentions ‘pirates’ to me it immediately piques my interest. So when a travel-writer friend suggested that I might like to visit the pirate island of Tabarca off the Costa Blanca in Spain, I was more than interested. Tabarca History The tiny islet once known as Illa de Sant Pau (Saint Paul’s Island) is […]
Lanzarote: An Island to Match Your Travel Interests
The Spanish island of Lanzarote forms part of the beautiful Canary Islands. Boasting hilly regions and a coastline teeming with wildlife, visitors to Lanzarote are rewarded with scenery of unbelievable beauty. No matter what type of traveler you are, you’ll find something to suit your tastes, whether that’s exploring nature, relaxing on the beach or […]
Six of the Sunniest European Winter Destinations
Yes, the fairytale-like German Christmas Markets are magical, but also cold. Let’s take a look at some of the most desirable, sought after and sunniest European winter destinations. Those accustomed to stunning sunsets and balmy eves during their European getaways might balk at the thought of traveling to the Old World during the long, cold winter. But […]
Finding Paradise: Spain’s Cies Islands
The Cies Islands are a hidden treasure; a 45-minute boat ride from the bustling city of Vigo in the northwestern province of Galicia, Spain, the islands have pristine beaches and rugged cliffs, a network of quiet hiking trails and a stunning coastline. I couldn’t quite believe what I had stumbled upon: my legs stretched out […]
Toledo, Spain – The Top 7 Unforgettable Attractions
Once an unassuming centrally located city, Toledo, Spain has now become one of the country’s main attractions—and rightly so. It is filled to the brim with historic buildings, a collection of religious structures and interesting museums. In the town center, a maze of narrow streets makes getting around both a challenge and a wonderful experience. […]
Burning Down the House (Literally!): Celebrating Valencia’s Las Fallas Festival
The Spanish city of Valencia is a fun place to visit at any time of year. But for five days in March, something extra special takes place. Processions wind through the city streets, with thousands of locals dressed in gorgeous traditional costumes. Parties and concerts begin at 1:30am and last until the next day. Parades […]
Valencia, a City in Seven Markets
If you’ve been to Spain, you’ll know that life there is lived by night: evening strolls, late dinners and drinks in the cafés, tapas bars and nightclubs. To feel the real spirit of Spain, you must stay out late. However, there is one thing that gets even the latest night owls out of bed before […]
My Favorite Foods of Europe
To travel is to taste the world. And Europe presents a particularly eclectic hotchpotch of flavours. From the strange to the sublime, I’ve sampled various dishes and foodstuffs throughout my jaunts across the continent and here (in no particular order) are some of my personal favourites: Gran Canaria Though the Atlantic archipelago presents a popular […]
Five Movies to Watch before your Next European Vacation
If you’re planning your next holiday in Europe but don’t know how you’ll get through the time before you leave, it’s a good idea to get settled on the couch with a travel-based film. Make some popcorn, put your comfy pants on, and indulge in a weekend movie marathon — only those shot in Europe […]
A Brief History of Spain
Before embarking on a trip to Spain, learning a bit about its history can make your trip more meaningful. The Iberian Peninsula was first inhabited around 800,000 BC and proved to be a much-desired piece of real estate through the centuries, as evidenced by the large number of foreign invaders that chart Spain’s history. First […]