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…
Category: Beyond BCN
Travel in other parts of Spain.
Vall de Núria, Spain: A Guide to this Magical Valley in the Mountains
Vall de Núria, l Spain: A Guide to this Beautiful Mountainous Destination Imagine taking a 40-minute train ride in the mountains, then arriving at a rolling, lush, green valley. It has a beautiful building complex, a large lake, and is surrounded by rolling grass and towering Pyrenees mountains. One of the most stunning landscapes in…
Wandering the Whitewashed Streets of Sitges
Just 35 kilometers from Barcelona, Sitges is that ideal not-too-far-away escape from the city. Because of its microclimate, there are 300 sunny days of the year. And I can say that I’ve never witnessed a bad day at Sitges. Perhaps because the town is painted white and sucks up all that gorgeous light. (Yes, it does…
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…
Why You Should Visit Cadaques
Described by Salvador Dalí as “the most beautiful village in the world”, Cadaqués has proven to be that charming seaside town with a refreshing feel. This well-preserved town has attracted other past artists such as Marc Chagall, Pablo Picasso, and Henri Matisse and continues to enchant 30,000 visiting tourists every summer. Wanting to get away…
Kid-Friendly Day Trips from Barcelona
Kid-Friendly Day Trips from Barcelona While Barcelona is a destination that has it all, you’d be surprised to find out about the richness and variety of places outside the city. Whether it’s castles, caves, or beaches, there is so much more beyond Barcelona’s borders. As a resident of 12 years, I still don’t feel like…
3 days in Seville: Things to Do and See
Seville is the birthplace of Spanish stereotypes: fruity sangria, passionate bullfights, and fiery flamenco. But it’s more than that. It’s the Sevillanos’ spirited nature, their never-changing Andalusian traditions, and the way they enjoy every day, not just the weekends. Those are the reasons that captured my heart when I came to Seville as a wanderlust-y exchange student…
Supersize It: Playing Big at Parc de Francesc Macià
Let’s say you want to feel tiny — just for fun. I’m talking “Honey I Shrunk the Kids” tiny. Well there’s a spectacular park in Catalonia where little ones (and big ones) can pretend they’re as big as their thumb. It’s at the Parc de Francesc Macià in Malgrat de Mar. It’s just one hour away…
My Dream Food Road Trip in Spain
Imagine this — taking a relaxing road trip around Spain, looking at the olive trees on the scenery, and stopping by historic towns with thousands-year-old cathedrals. AND eating the delicacy of the city. This, my friends, is my travel dream. (Which WILL be fulfilled one day.) While I can’t really do this right now, I’m a…
What to eat in Madrid: A Food Guide for First-Time Visitors
From its dark, rustic taverns to the new wave of creative dessert joints, Madrid has an exciting foodscape of Mediterranean flavors and beyond. If you’re a first-time visitor, you’re about learn what to eat in Madrid from an expert guest blogger… Enter Madrid resident and Spain blogger, Perri from Seeking the Spanish Sun! Perri is from Kent,…