Travel in Spain

My First Solo Trip Abroad

July 24, 2012 By Danny

I needed to study Spanish and I figured there was no better place to do that than the Costa del Sol in Spain.

That was after my parents strongly objected to studying in Central America.

As part of my undergrad degree I had to learn a language. Spanish was a natural choice because I was from South Florida and already understood a good bit of the language. Naturally, I wanted to go and study in the jungles of Central America but my parents didn’t feel so good about sending their 18 year old into the jungle to learn Spanish. Instead, they paid the airfare to Malaga, Spain and so I was off.

My first morning of Spanish school I woke at 2 a.m. Not because of the excitement of class. A newbie to travel, I had plugged my alarm clock in without a converter and the different electrical currant wrecked havoc on the timepiece. Welcome to life abroad!

School was simple and I found myself picking up Spanish easily. More importantly I learned what Spain was like. We enjoyed our siestas and then went out for tapas. I tried sherry for the first time and at one restaurant I chose my fish for dinner from a bucket held by the fisherman himself. The beach was always packed and I had an awful lot of time to spend on it given that classes were part-time.

Malaga is something of a holiday town for all of Europe and lots of people flock south for holidays to Costa del Sol. I happened to choose the week of the annual Feria for my visit and a full 10 years later I can still remember the Flamenco in the street and the gypsies trying to pick the pockets of people as they passed along their way. The party literally lasted all night long and was simply unlike anything else I’d ever experienced back in the USA.

Without question, the most amazing part of my first solo trip abroad was the weekend I spent in Morocco. The weekend trip was $150 all inclusive without drinks. As a student, I agonized over the decision to spend that much money over a weekend but somehow forced myself to take the plunge. Years later I still look back on that lesson as a turning point.Money is just money, but using it to create great experiences for ourselves, that’s what counts. That weekend in Morocco was like being in another world. Walking through the markets, seeing an actual snake charmer for the first time, felt to young—naive—me just like the start of Disney’s Aladdin.

I had a great time in Malaga and all along the coast of Andulcia, but I had an even more amazing time stepping out of my comfort zone and into the great unknown. What I learned on this trip though, aside from some basic Spanish, was that it really was easy to travel to live a completely different life than the one I’d always expected to live.

On my refrigerator is a birthday card with an Abraham Lincoln quote: “It’s not the years in your life that count, it’s the life in your years.”

Summertime in Spain

June 18, 2012 By Lauren

Quick, somebody get me a pitcher of Sangria!

It’s summertime, and that’s got me dreaming of Spain – sleeping in, lolling about by the ocean, tapas in the afternoon, and late-night revelry. Of course, there’s more to summertime in Spain than being a total lush, so don’t miss out on the good stuff.

Spanish Architecture

I know virtually nothing about architecture, but I know that when it comes to Spain – and Barcelona in particular – there’s one guy that stands out.

Antoni Gaudí.

Gaudi Park, Barcelona, Spain — If elves don’t live here, my whole life has been a lie.

The highlight of my stay in Barcelona was easily Gaudí Park, which showcases his fascinating architecture and the best panoramic view in town. And after all that sightseeing, you’ve definitely earned your evening sangria.

Spanish Beaches

For sunny, clean beaches, go to the port city of Alicante in the south of Spain. Look into Alicante airport transfers so you don’t waste any time getting there. There are multiple beaches to explore, with an abundance of white sand and shady promenades.

Alicante, Spain — If sand’s not your thing, lounge around on a boat instead. Image from Flickr by decar66.

Spanish Festivals

Arguably the most famous festival in Spain, San Fermín takes place every summer in Pamplona. More commonly known as the Running of the Bulls, it is nine full days of absolute madness. Attendees dress in matching white clothes accessorized with red bandannas, and wait anxiously for the morning, when the bulls thunder down the streets.

Running of the Bulls, Pamplona, Spain — When it all gets to be too much, make a hasty exit.

Now, seriously. Where’s that sangria?

Las Ramblas in Barcelona

April 23, 2012 By Jillian

Las Ramblas might be Barcelona’s most touristy street, packed with restaurants, shops, vendors, kiosks and street performers. The tree lined avenue runs from Plaza Catalyuna to the Christopher Columbus statue along the water.

When I arrived in Barcelona on a late night flight from Italy, I was surprised to see so many people in the streets at such a late (or early depending on your thinking) hour. The street cafe’s along Las Ramblas were packed with groups of friends enjoying the cool breeze and good company. We dove right in to a large order of tapas and spent a good few hours enjoying life along the pedestrian walk.

Of course the best part of a pedestrian only walk is the people watching. Although late night Barcelona is famous, you don’t have to stay out until 5am for good people watching. With such a large crowd and so many varied stores, it doesn’t take long to find someone or something of interest. Street performers juggle, act as statues and do stand up comedy along the walk as others busy themselves by doing their weekly market shopping. Throughout the world we loved going to these centers of commerce – outdoor market streets, indoor markets, tourist markets, anywhere that locals would congregate to meet, shop, and visit old friends we found ourselves at our happiest.

IF YOU GO: Barcelona is easily accessed from all over Europe and has become a favorite long weekend destination for those in Northern Europe looking for a bit of sun and fun. If you’re interested in enjoying the late night tapas bars and watering holes of Barcelona, which famously don’t get busy until an hour that most Northern European bars and restaurants are closing, some people like to book through Oh-Barcelona, so they don’t have to explain to the front door man of a hotel where they’re going at midnight!

Photo Credit: Flickr user Travelling_Artist via creative commons licensing.

Majorca: The Island of Fun

June 26, 2011 By Guest Blogger

Majorca is a firm favourite with all sorts of vactioners and rightfully so! It may not be bursting with culture and history, but it is an entertaining, relaxing and fun destination.

Adventurous Activities

Home to the largest water park in Europe, no holiday in Majorca would be complete, without a trip to Aqualand, located in El Arenal near the buzzing city of Palma. With over twenty rides to choose from visitors are literally spoilt for choice. The famous Kamikaze ride, The Harikiri, Devils Tail and the Crazy Race are the most popular amongst the daring thrill-seeking vacatuibers, but for those with a lower thriller threshold like myself, there’s nothing better than a gentle cruise down the Lazy Congo River to soak up the sun. (Just make sure you’re also protected from it – going home sun burnt is not an option!)

The Marineland Dolphin show is one of the most spectacular attractions in Majorca, with incredible sea lions, exotic birds, dancing penguins and underwater tunnels. It is also one of the few organizations taking care of the local species in danger and is a great place to learn more about Majorca wildlife.

Beaches

Not only is Majorca bursting with an incredible amount of activities, it really does cater to every type of vacationer in absolutely any way you could think possible. Beach wise, you literally are spoilt for choice. The Cala Agulla Beach is an incredibly beautiful long stretching beach surrounded by large pine forests that fill the air with a beautiful tropical aroma. Famous for its wild water activities and buzzing attractions, it is a great place if you’re looking for a fun, lively crowd to share in your holiday experiences.

If you’d rather a family friendly beach, your best bet would be to book a sun-bed along the white sandy seafront of Sa Coma, awarded the ‘blue flag’ (bandera azul) for its cleanliness and family friendly atmosphere. The beaches in Cala Do’r located in the southeast are famous for their long stretching marinas, incredible luxury yachts showcases, golden sands, restaurants, bars and cafes. A fabulous place to catch a drink over the water.

Entertainment

For entertainment, incredible beaches and exciting nightlife all rolled into one, Magaluf is definitely not a destination for the faint hearted. With an extensive number of beaches, clubs, bars, shops and an endless amount of activities, Magaluf is an 18-30’s hotspot! – a place I would absolutely recommend if you are in need of a good night out. However, If you find that clubbing is not really your scene you couldn’t go wrong with a stay in the beautiful Alcudia: a great place for the family and especially for the kids. With a range of amusement arcades, go-karting, water-parks, horse riding and it’s own array of golden beaches, Alucdia is a great place to relax and spend time with the family.

Marian is a travel writer and social media expert who enjoys writing about Majorca and beach destinations.

Thanks to Marian for today’s guest post. If you’re interested in guest blogging for IShouldLogOff, email us at info [at] ishouldlogoff.com. Thank!

A non-cliché trip to Tenerife

May 9, 2011 By Guest Blogger

When you think of a holiday to Tenerife, what comes to mind? Family holiday …beaches …karaoke??

We all know that holidays in Tenerife can get a bit stereotypical with everyone going to the same resorts and attractions. In really popular areas, the majority of people speak English and are probably British – you might even spot someone that you know! Is that really a holiday? Seeing sun burnt British tourists and eating fish and chips?

Tenerife does have so much more to offer though and there is some great advice out there about how to find the real Tenerife.

Visiting La Gomera would be a good start. It’s away from all the loud, commercialized parts of Tenerife. It’s a very historic area with steep hills and valleys, so it’s not advised to bring children along unless they are into nature and the romans. If you have kids you can bring them to Garajonay National Park where they can explore. Getting to La Gomera is pretty easy. From the airport you can drive to Los Cristianos harbour where you catch a ferry to La Gomera and on the way, who knows, you might even spot a dolphin or two!

Next up is the botanical gardens in Puerto de La Cruz. It’s a very calm environment, ideal for those who like to hear themselves think for a few hours. It’s the complete opposite to the rest of Tenerife – no out of tune karaoke singing or drunkards staggering in the streets to be found here! Just a relaxing garden, with towering trees that act as a roof and the beautiful sound of splashing water from the fountains.

If you’ve had enough of the historical and calm part of the island, then why not get involved with the locals! There are annual festivals where people celebrate various events such as religious events and ancient traditions. The theatres reflect the Spanish culture by entwining modern day traditions with the old ones so that tourists can get lost in it all.

The perfect end to your Tenerife holiday is by watching the sun set on the horizon with a loved one. Some may think it’s boring, but you will find it is a lot more therapeutic than you think.

Author: Alex is an enthusiastic travel writer who specialises in Tenerife and other Spanish destinations.

Thanks to Alex for today’s guest post. If you’re interested in guest posting with IShouldLogOff, email us at info [at] ishouldlogoff.com. Thanks!