Besides Antonio Banderas, what makes Spain a bewitching country? It’s topped up with bouldered Roman aqueducts, golden Baroque cathedrals, elaborate Moorish fortresses, and museums full of Picassos and Dalís. Plus, Spain is a damn comfortable country to live. If you know me, you’d know that my sick obsession with Spain started after returning from studying…
Author: Justine Ancheta
California native, churro aficionado, and mom of 3, Justine Ancheta writes fervently about Barcelona and Spain. Since 2008, she's been eating burnt onions (calçots) and tripping on cobblestones in the Gothic Quarter. She shares tips on popular attractions, exposes offbeat non-touristy spots, and gives insight on exploring Barcelona with kids. Her next Catalan culture challenge: top level of a human castle (castellers).
Best Anti-Theft Backpacks for Travel 2024
BEST ANTI-THEFT BACKPACKS FOR TRAVEL 2021 Are you nervous that you’ll get your money or passport stolen on your trip? Of course, vigilance is the best way to prevent pickpockets from stealing your stuff. But it is physically impossible to be constantly focused on all your belongings all the time. (I know — pickpockets have…
Plan Your Barcelona Itinerary: 3 Days Guide, Written By a Local
You’ve got your airline tickets. Your Pinterest boards are loaded with “things to do in Barcelona”. Next up: planning! But where to start? Well, I’ve created a recommended Barcelona itinerary: 3 days in the city that I’ve called home for the past 15 years. Check out the routes and recommended places to eat on the…
Beget, Spain: A Complete Guide to a Tiny Medieval Village
Beget, Spain, is a tiny village set in the peaceful Catalan mountainside, boasting a snail’s-pace way of life. In this overconnected world, Beget’s isolation and solitude are something to envy. It’s nestled in the Pyrenees mountains in the Girona province, and its 30 stone homes surround an ancient 12th-century Romanesque church. On a normal day,…
Inside the Casa Batlló: Tips for your visit
Inside the Casa Batlló: Tips for your visit One of the secrets to happiness is visiting a building by Antoni Gaudí. Casa Batlló is one of the most significant and recognizable buildings in Barcelona, Spain. It sits on the fancy, most expensive streets in Spain, Passeig de Gracia. Recently, Casa Batlló brought its “tech A-game”,…
Buyer’s Guide: Best Anti-Theft Travel Bags 2024
BUYER’S GUIDE: BEST ANTI-THEFT TRAVEL BAGS 2022 Compare the best travel purse for Europe or Asia, or wherever you’re going. No matter how prepared you think you are for traveling, it may be difficult to outsmart pickpockets. What’s an extra measure you can take to not get robbed? Buy one of the best anti-theft travel…
Living in Barcelona as an American
So…you’re wondering what it’s like to live in Barcelona if you’re from the US. Maybe you’re a college kid who’ll study abroad for a semester, a mom looking to relocate with her family, or a retiree looking to live the good life. I can answer to what it’s like living in Barcelona as an American.…
Popular Spanish Clothing Brands to Upgrade your Spain Style
If you’re looking to add style and personality to your wardrobe, you will definitely find chic treasures in Spanish clothing brands. From well-known favorites like Zara and Mango to upscale brands like Adolfo Dominguez, you’ll get to know the famous Spanish clothing brands in this ultimate shopper’s guide. As a 15-year resident, I’ll tell you…
100+ Things to do in Barcelona with Kids
Finding things to do in Barcelona with kids is never a problem. My 3 kids and I are never bored in the city. You also don’t have to spend any money — the city’s an open-air museum in itself! In this guide, first-time visitors, repeat visitors, and expats will find a new activity for their toddlers…
Visiting the Theatre-Museum Dalí: Barcelona Day Trip
One of the most visited museums in Spain, the Teatro-Museu Dali is a bizarre, immersive journey through Salvador Dalí’s artistic and personal life. And “bizarre” barely describes it! When Dalí helped plan the museum in 1974, he wanted the spectator to experience surrealism through the visit. It is definitely surreal! It’s also magical, outrageous, and…