Carmona: The Most Charming Town of the Dead

A town with Roman and Moorish roots, Carmona is a special Andalusian gem with its rolling hills and medieval city walls. This town which lived Roman and Moorish civilizations has a haunting association with the necropolis, an ancient cemetery. But it’s a quaint city that paradoxically offers a serene, small-town retreat for visitors. Popularly known…

Montserrat: A Must-See Trip Outside Barcelona

Just 30 minutes outside of Barcelona by car, Montserrat is a tranquil, low-key getaway for locals, tourists, pilgrims, and nature lovers. Known as the heart of the Catalan people, the craggy mountain range not only offers an incredible landscape outside Barcelona, but it’s also a peaceful place for reflection and refuge. In IMHO, it’s the…

The Romantic Medieval Town of Besalú

It’s amazing that Besalú — a town of weaving cobblestoned streets —  has managed to stay so intact since the Middle Ages. Its Romanesque bridge dates back to 1075. And although it’s been reconstructed twice after that, it’s still a well-preserved piece of medieval history. I dropped by this little charmer in December when there were…