Granada Spain Vlog
Take An Alhambra Tour
It’s a long video, but it’s the next best thing to actually going yourself!
Barcelona Spain Vlog
A 3 Day Tour of Barcelona
Action-packed, follow us as we tour the Sagrada Familia, a Barcelona Soccer game, and find an enormous vending machine!
Tarifa Spain And Tangier Morocco Vlog
Join Us On Our Tour of Tangier
It was a short visit but definitely made our list of places that we want to return to.
Top 10 Reasons To Visit Spain
Trip Planning Highlights
If you plan trips the way I do, you find a few things that you might want to see or do and then you plan a trip around those things. To hopefully save you some research time, here’s a short list of my top ten favorite things from my trip to Spain.
Granada Spain
(Click on image to read more about my time in Granada)
#1 - Granada
This city was hands-down my favorite city in Spain. Full of color, energy, and historical charm, Granada is somewhere worth spending four our more days.
Granada Spain
#2 - The Alhambra
Located in the already lovely city of Granada, the Alhambra Palace is a visually stunning walk through history. Be sure to designate an entire day to walking though this place, because it’s massive and you’ll not want to miss a single square inch!
Granada Spain
#3 - Traditional Flamenco Show
Taking a page from the late travel guru Anthony Bourdain, we took in a traditional flamenco show while in Granada. Shows are readily available, but decided to see one held in the historical cave buildings in the hillside above Granada.
Barcelona Spain
(Click the image to read more about my experience in Barcelona)
#4 - The Sagrada Familia
I’ve been fortunate to tour some of the most beautiful churches in Europe, but THIS one will take your breath away. I recommend the guided tour as well as booking several months in advance of your arrival.
Day Trip From Tarifa Spain
Tangier Morocco is just 45 min away by high-speed ferry from Tarifa Spain!
#5 - Day Trip to Tangier Morocco
As lovely as the southern coast of Spain is, the draw of Morocco was too much for us to resist. just a short boat trip away, organized day trips of Tangier are a great way to spend a day!
Seville Spain
#6 - Chocolate Churro’s
As odd as it may sound, churro’s with chocolate are a favorite treat in Spain. We noticed a considerable number of churro places in Seville, so I would suggest taking the time to try one while there rather than waiting to try one in another city.
Seville Spain
(Click on image to read more about my time in Seville)
#7 - Plaza de España
You might recognize this place if you were a fan of the HBO series Game of Thrones, or have researched the locations of the Worlds Fair. It’s a beautiful place to walk around, doesn’t cost anything, and is surrounded by nice parks and gardens to stroll through.
Everywhere in Spain
(We tried it for the first time in Seville)
#8 - Paella
Available all over Spain and in an endless number of different combinations and flavors, paella was a highlight of our food journey.
Everywhere in Spain
#9 - Helado (ice cream)
I’ll admit to having not been a big ice cream eater before this trip, but somewhere in the combination of the heat, the variety of flavors, and the appealing vendors everywhere you look, I got on board and haven’t looked back.
Barcelona Spain
#10 - Park Güell
Barcelona has some of the most unique architecture of anywhere i’ve ever been, and a walk through this park in Barcelona is NOT to be missed.
Seville Spain Vlog
Video Diary Of Two Days Spent in Seville Spain
Follow our family tour of Seville and experience our first attempt at eating snails.
The Shape of Barcelona Spain
One word, Gaudi.
After having visited Barcelona, I now think of it in terms of a single man, Antoni Gaudi. Before visiting some of his more famous buildings, I knew nothing about him and didn’t recognize how often I see references to his work in my everyday life. Architecture buff or not, his distinctive design style has a quality to it that everyone can find something to be interested in.
But first, the park.
Taking the lead on attractions to visit in Barcelona, was my dear friend, Lyndsey. She said, “we’re going to Park Güell,” and I simply said that I didn’t understand what she was saying, but onward ho!
*Park Güell - sounds like “Park Way”
Intended to be a “designer home” neighborhood with lots of dwellings, this pet project designed by Gaudi, was a flop, and only a few model units were built. However, it was later dedicated as a park, and it’s the best place for views of Barcelona!
Be advised, that they don’t allow food inside the park, so you’ll have to scrap that picnic lunch (as we discovered the hard way).
When in Rome, or something like that.
While visiting the grand cities of the world, we try to participate in activities that aren’t what you would typically participate in as an international tourist. Meaning, that if you’re a California resident, and you see someone swimming in the ocean in December, you know immediately that they're a visiting tourist.
To "do as the locals do,” we have attended a variety of different events and shows, and while visiting Barcelona, my husband, and his sister, attended a significant “football match,” called The Kings Cup.
If “sportsball” isn’t your thing, there’s MORE!
Barcelona is a big, busy, modern city, akin to places like Chicago or New York. If you’re looking for “romantic Spain,” this is not the city for you. However, not without charms of its own, there’s something for everyone here.
I recall the evening that Sam and Megan went to the game, Lyndsey and I decided to go to a champagne and crepe bar, just down the street from our hotel, which was a party of a different kind.
It’s like an onion, it has layers…
I think that the more time you spend here, the more things you find to do.
You can entertain yourself with just walking around and doing some shopping, or perhaps wander over to the Picasso Museum, hours and ticket info HERE.
If food is your drug of choice, you’ll be in good company, because there’s something for everyone here, even Gandhi! If you’re in a rush to catch the metro, you might stumble upon one of these MASSIVE vending machines, where you should be able to find just what you’re looking for.
If you go to Barcelona without visiting La Sagrada Familia, you’ve failed at Barcelona.
I’ve seen a lot of beautiful churches, and historical sites in Europe, but La Sagrada Familia is something fully, deeply, and uniquely it's own. I have to take my hat off again to my friend Lyndsey, as it was her initiative and forethought, that booked the tickets in advance (a MUST do, HERE) and booked us on an English speaking tour.
Maybe I’m just sensitive, but the experience of standing in the center of this place, amidst all the color… it moved me to tears. I was truly beyond words.
Before leaving, we agreed that we would be returning to see it when it is finally completed in 2026.
Feeling greedy?
Barcelona also has beaches! I found it funny that the locals think that the beaches are terrible and dirty, but we had a lovely experience.
Keep in mind, you’re probably gonna see some nudity. Boardwalk bars, or directly on the sand, people will always be nearby, ready to sell you cans of “Cerveza” (beer), or other items.
I think that’s about as much as could be packed into 16 days, so if you haven’t checked out the other posts in this Iberian Peninsula series, be sure to check them all out!
Questions? Leave them in the comments.
Time in Tarifa Spain
Tarifa, a refreshing departure from the hustle and bustle of large cities.
Not just a postcard stop
We didn’t spend hardly any time at all in Tarifa, but it’s a refreshing departure from the hustle and bustle of large cities. We came with the intent of taking a day trip to Morocco and only spent two nights in Tarifa to sandwich the tour.
Limited as it was, the charms of this little community, with all of the whitewashed buildings and narrow cobbled lanes, it still managed to make an impression on me. I had one of my most memorable pub experiences I’ve had in all of Europe, and all it took was a power outage and some strangers.
What the Greek?
As I mentioned, we spent VERY little time in Tarifa, but in the evening we arrived in town, we also discovered a great little tavern called the Moby Dick. Tucked away in the center of old town, we wandered into this rather elaborately themed bar and proceeded to make some great travel memories. For whatever reason, the power kept turning on and off, and rather than leaving all the patrons sitting in pure darkness, the staff lit candles on all the tables, which set a “mood” that helped to cement the evening in my memory.
Adding to the charm, was the fact that many of the other guests that night, all broke out into song, which while in Spanish, still produced a smile on the faces of everyone sitting close enough to the candles at our table, to be seen.
That same evening, we were joined by three, random Greek twenty-something men, that were wanting to practice their English skills. Being that you can hear Americans in Europe from a mile away (or at least you can hear me), they sought us out and we proceeded to have a lively conversation, mixed with a few shots of who knows what.
Ahh, travel memory magic.
Let's get old…
Typically when traveling abroad, we choose accommodations in the older parts of whatever city we’re in. Particularly in Europe, this translates to staying in buildings older than our own country (weird to think about)! We do this partly to experience the traditional culture and architecture of a place, and partly because it tends to yield a higher concentration of things we want to do.
While the little hostel (or Guest House) we stayed in during our time here was rather non-distinct, the Pensión Correo, was still a gem of old-world Spanish charm. If you’re ever looking for a little place to stay in Tarifa, perhaps to do some Kite Surfing, or to take a day trip to Tangier, you should book a night with them, HERE.
My Spanish Sleeper Train Experience
First of all, I want to go on record as having said how much I enjoy train travel in Europe.
It’s what old Hollywood films are made of…almost.
First of all, I want to go on record as having said how much I enjoy train travel in Europe. It’s cost-effective, it’s comfortable, and much more liberating than being stuck in your seat on an airplane. You could argue that even with the utilization of a high-speed train, it’s still not as fast as flying, but the main difference is that you can still create memorable experiences while on a train.
No matter what, you’re gonna have to pay to sleep somewhere.
Yes, a sleeper train might sound a little pricey at first glance, but if you then consider that you would have to pay for a night at a hotel or Airbnb, I think you’ll find that whatever that cost might be, coupled with the cost of a traditional train ticket the following day, it will ultimately add up to be the same or less money.
Further, a traditional train journey, during the day, means that you’re spending the day traveling, rather than on the ground exploring an area. What if you could kill two birds with one stone, meaning that you could sleep in a bed, and wake-up where you want to be? Sleeper trains for the win!
We booked the Trenhotel provided via the Renfe service, found HERE.
A train trip includes more than your cabin or seat.
After our journey got underway, and our lengthy cabin tour (shown above), we migrated through some of the other cars on the train, until we made our way to the dining car. I don’t know why I didn’t take any pictures, but we proceeded to spend an evening that the four of us argue about to this day.
In the dining car, we set up camp in a four-person booth and proceeded to bust out a couple decks of playing cards. I thought it would be a great idea to implement a rule, where whoever won the hand we were playing, would also be saddled with buying a snack for losers of the hand, that way even if you lost, you still won a snack and therefore everyone wins. Alas, despite having a wonderful evening of snacking and playing games, the ensuing arguments about my snack purchasing rule, have been a legacy that plagues me to this day.
All is well and good until the snacks run out.
We woke up in Barcelona
We were already in Barcelona when we woke the next morning, and with all the traveling already out of the way, we were free to spend the entire day exploring the city! Well rested, and without the typical anxieties associated with jumping from city to city within a day, taking a sleeper train is something I’ll definitely do again.
Questions or Comments?
3 Grand Days in Granada Spain
I distinctly recall an evening, probably our second day, sitting on the rooftop terrace of our Airbnb. The sun was starting to set, the colors of the city were vibrant, and birds were swooping in the air snatching up their dinners. Somewhere in the city, someone was playing a guitar and singing songs, and while I don’t know what they were singing about, I remember thinking that they must have been happy.
Dreams of Spain, are all made in Granada.
It’s a rare and beautiful thing when your hopes and expectations of what a place will “feel” like, actually materialize into reality.
I didn’t choose to visit Granada because I had any real experience with that particular city, but research seemed to conclude that it might be a nice place to visit. Little did I know, that Granada would prove to embody the experience of Spain as a whole, that I had hoped to obtain. Intangible to be sure, and different for everyone, but Granada was perfect to me.
Additionally, did I mention that it is customary in Granada ONLY, to provide a complimentary tapas when you order a drink? Yep, you heard me correctly, they just bring you something to eat, for FREE. That said, you don’t get to choose what it is, so it might be a bowl of snails, or it might be sardines in oil, but it’s all yummy, and part of the experience.
That lofty Airbnb life…
We stayed in the Albaicin neighborhood, in the central old town, which was the perfect home base, for easy walking access to all the sites. Not to mention, that if there was ever a place that you want to walk everywhere, lest you miss a single square inch of the city, it’s Granada.
Our Airbnb, while small, was super charming, and the host available to us whenever we called (we had trouble with the lock on the door). It had two lofted beds and a sleeper sofa, a cute little kitchen, and a rooftop patio that we GREATLY enjoyed. Not only did this place meet our needs in every way, but it was very cost-effective.
It’s a Flamenco way of life…
I’m a huge fan of Anthony Bourdain (R.I.P. Tony), and when planning a trip, I often refer back to episodes of one of his shows, for tips and inspiration. With that in mind, in his Granada episode, he visited a flamenco club set inside of a cave-dwelling, of which there are many surrounding Granada, and so I set my heart on doing the same.
Flamenco was born here, out of a cultural “blending'“ (people known as Gypsies) that were at the time, not well-liked. To escape some of the hostilities, they took to the hillsides, where they carved out whole communities into the rocky cliffs above the city. Gypsies are still prevalent in Granada, albeit more made up of young Europeans, even to this day.
Whatever the nationality, Granada is home to artists, musicians, and students, a recipe for simmering energy, which can be both seen and heard. Due to the landscape of Andalusia, which is very rocky and hilly, Granada sits in a bowl, providing natural amplification to the music being played by the gypsies throughout the day.
Gypsies and dancing aside, Granada is a vibrant place, filled with colors and pleasant sounds. The history is rich, and it’s reflected in the ornamentation of not just the historical sights and grand buildings, but also in the homes of the people that live there. Elaborate flower boxes, porcelain tiles or even plates, all show a love for the place they live.
The Alhambra
There’s very little I can say about the Alhambra which would do it any justice. The history is very interesting, but to see it in person…it’ll change you.
We were VERY lucky, we were able to scoop up some tickets by arriving at the entrance at the butt crack of dawn, but had I known, I would have booked well in advance of our arrival. We lucked out, but I wouldn’t advise anyone to try our method, rather, you should book several months in advance, and get an audio guide with your ticket, HERE.
Also, some people will tell you to budget 4 hours to tour it, but if you really want to see and appreciate it, take your time, it took us about 8 hours and I can’t imagine having done it in less.
About the Gypsies, a word of advice.
Unlike displaced people in America, you’ll encounter two distinctly different groups of transient people in Spain. Specific to Granada, are the gypsies. Gypsies are nomadic artists, seeking to earn income through the playing of music, selling jewelry, or telling of fortunes. The latter can happen without your consent, so if they grab your hand or arm, don’t hesitate to pull away with a firm “no thank you,” and keep moving, or they will demand that you pay them for the service they provide without your having asked for it. However, the jewelry is not bad quality (at least the jewelry that I purchased), and they are largely harmless.
The second group of people is more akin to what we call “panhandlers.” This group is much more aggressive than what we experience in the US. People from this group will come up to your table while eating at outdoor restaurants and shove a cup in your face. Typically the restaurant staff watches out for you, but sometimes you’re on your own. I’m not going to tell you what to do, in terms of giving them what they are pressing you for, but I am just telling you that it took me by surprise the first time it happened.
One evening in Granada
I distinctly recall an evening, probably our second day, sitting on the rooftop terrace of our Airbnb. The sun was starting to set, the colors of the city were vibrant, and birds were swooping in the air snatching up their dinners. Somewhere in the city, someone was playing a guitar and singing songs, and while I don’t know what they were singing about, I remember thinking that they must have been happy. This is how I will remember my time in Granada.
Questions or Comments? Leave them in the comments below.
From Spain to Morocco A Day Trip
I can’t stress enough, how odd it is to be standing on the beach, and literally be able to SEE Africa. A mere 45 minutes via high-speed ferry, the opportunity to set foot on the continent, was simply too good to pass up.
There and back again, a tale of two continents.
It’s a common misconception, that the Rock of Gibraltar is the southernmost point of the Iberian Peninsula. An oddity in it of itself, we were tempted to go see it, but instead opted for the actual southernmost point of Spain, Tarifa.
A lazy beach town, Tarifa is a popular destination for kite surfing, and ferry crossings over to Morocco. I can’t stress enough, how odd it is to be standing on the beach, and be able to SEE Africa. A mere 45 minutes via high-speed ferry, the opportunity to set foot on the continent, was simply too good to pass up.
With the assistance of the staff at our hotel, we booked a One Day Cultural Tour of Tangier, through FRS. It was very reasonably priced, at just €66, it included our passage via high-speed ferry, tour guide, and transportation, as well as lunch.
A few things to know about Tangier…
Morocco is a Muslim country, and while it is very welcoming to tourists, it is recommended that women wear conservative clothing, i.e. no tank tops or shorts.
The people of Tangier DO NOT like to be in photos, particularly in the bazaars.
Tangier has left its glory days behind it, so expect to see a lot of crumbling infrastructure and trash, as well as stray cats.
Shopping in Tangier
I did a LOT of research on “how” to shop for rugs, before our visit. That said, I still found it overwhelming when it came right down to it. The city of Tangier depends on tourism, and as most tourists are just day visitors (as we were), expect to be relentlessly hounded from the time you arrive, until the time you leave.
Adding to the stress of the rug hunt is the fact that we were only there on a cultural tour, and had only an hour and a half of allocated time for shopping. The rug situation is not an experience you can just breeze through, and very few of the shop keepers spoke good English, so finding the style of rug that I wanted, was even more challenging.
With all that said, I found a rug and commenced with the haggling process (not a fan). It’s important to consider a few factors when haggling:
Sellers inflate the prices to start with, and if they know you’re an American, they start even higher (this is true in a lot of places).
Yes, they are poor, but unless the product is truly of good craftsmanship, you saw it being made, or have a way to verify authenticity, don’t be a sucker for a sad story.
Discuss your haggling strategy beforehand with your travel buddy, so they don’t think you’re either a rageaholic or undermine you unknowingly.
Don’t be afraid to walk away.
My shopping summary
In the end, I purchased my rug at 45% below the initial asking price. I started at offering 50% of their asking price and had decided before starting, what my limit was. I’m glad I did because haggling can go ON and ON…
However, in some of the smaller item stores, it’s safe to say that everyone in our party got thoroughly ripped off. With all the same haggling strategies in play, we all still ended-up way overpaying for “silver” jewelry that quickly proved to not be real silver, and “handmade” carvings that we later found to have been made in China, and being sold at a fraction of the “good price” we had achieved during our haggle sessions.
While the stories and experiences ultimately made all that junk worth the price, I’ll know better the next time I’m in Morocco, probably for purchasing more rugs (which is hanging on my wall to this day) ;)
Highlight of Tangier
As silly as it may sound, our brief camel ride on the side of the road, was the M.V.M. (most valuable moment) of our time in Tangier. At just 3€, it was also the best money I’ve ever spent on a novelty experience.
Iberian Peninsula: Post 4 of 7
Questions or Comments? Leave me a note in the comments section :)
Two Sweet Days in Seville Spain
If you’ve ever been to Kansas City Missouri, chances are good that you visited the Country Club Plaza, a treasured outdoor shopping district, modeled upon the one and only, Seville Spain.
Did you know, that Seville smells like citrus?
I’ll never forget the smell of Seville, either because I had just spent multiple hours on a bus and was desperate to be anywhere other than that bus, or because the city smelled as strongly of citrus as how I remember.
Arriving in Seville, was an odd mix of relief, excitement, and familiarity. If you’ve ever been to Kansas City Missouri, chances are good that you visited the Country Club Plaza, a treasured outdoor shopping district, modeled upon the one and only, Seville Spain. A mere shadow of the real thing, it still elicited a feeling of unconscious familiarity, walking past the actual structures themselves, for the very first time.
But back to the citrus. Lining the streets of Seville, are orange trees, oranges not for eating, but commonly used for making marmalade as they are considered too bitter for eating. The trees provide shade to the buildings and sidewalks, from the relentless Spanish sun, with the bonus of a sweet citrus smell wafting through the air.
Sometimes, less is more.
If you ever attempt to plan a trip for more than two people in Europe, you’ll quickly discover the challenge of finding multi-person rooms. Additional challenges might also be for stays of less than three nights, which was a hugely limiting factor for us while in Seville.
However, all things being equal, we opted for a four-person room at a hostile, in the area which we hoped to concentrate our limited time. Some rooms had private bathrooms, while ours only had communal, but all had access to laundry service and the location was AMAZING. If you need to save a few bucks, and still want that gold star location, I’d suggest giving them a try.
*Point of fact, we were still able to book this hostile room through Airbnb (HERE)
My experience of Seville, albeit limited by time, was very pleasant. Something I observed, was how clean the core of the city was, no trash or foul odors to be found. Trash was collected each day, and the trash trucks were followed by cleaning crews which would wash the dumpsters and surrounding areas. I’ve never observed something like this in any other place I’ve ever visited.
This is not a game.
But parts of Game of Thrones were filmed here.
Built for the Worlds Fair in 1929, the Plaza de España is a wonder to behold, and I can’t recommend it highly enough, taking the time to tour it.
Gotta get some of that church…
The Seville Cathedral, still a functioning church, regularly holds services which you might observe while wandering through its chambers. More than just a church, it’s also the final resting place of Christopher Columbus, which is available to view from an exterior entrance.
It was short but sweet, and I would consider returning to Seville. I would choose it again over visiting a larger city, such as Madrid.
Iberian Peninsula: Post 2 of 6
Questions or comments, leave them below!
Basque Piperade
Memories live in food, and Basque country makes for sweet sweet dreams in deed. Try this recipe that I’ve come to know and love, and let me know what you think!
Memories live in food.
Have you ever eaten a meal that can transport you to a specific place in your memory? This dish does it for me every time.
Full of savory, sweetness, I love this dish with toast.
The first time I had this, I was in Spain, but being that it’s a Basque dish, have also served with French dishes.
The best recipe I’ve found, and have used several times, can be found HERE.
Give it a try and let me know what you think :)