Christine.in.Spain: Spain Travel Blog

Bilbao's Best Pintxo

Tue, 22 May 2012 23:41:27 +0200

There’s a Basque saying that succiently sums up the culture:

Nola jan jakitea, nahikoa jakitea da.

To know how to eat is to know enough.

If you’ve ever been to Basque Country, or met a Basque person, chances are, you’ve discovered they’re super passionate about food. Everyone’s a foodie. Conversations about food come up regularly, and social gatherings aren’t complete without an array of pintxos (the Basque bigger-and-better version of tapas) within close grasp.

When I head to Bilbao, I make a bee-line for Café Iruña.

When you walk through the door of this ample space, an establishment of over 100 years old, you’ll notice it’s tiled wall-to-wall with gorgeous tile-work of surprisingly (very non-Basque) sherry from Jerez.

Though it’s beautiful, your attention (and sense of smell) will soon guide you to the corner where you’ll find someone manning the grill, underneath a sign that claims these are the best pintxos of their kind the whole world over. How very Basque to make a claim like that!

But, as exaggerated as the Basques may be, they’re not kidding around when they’re talking about this pintxo. Called the Pincho Moruno, it’s a perfectly seasoned, perfectly tender lamb kebab, grilled to, well, perfection!

I take all of my guests here. And if you’re ever in Bilbao, take yourself to Café Iruña (Calle Berástegui 4), order the Pincho Moruno and thank me later.

(My 2nd place pinxto award goes to the grilled and seasoned mushrooms at Bar Motrikes (Somera 41) in the Casco Viejo. You’re welcome!)

Bilbao (or as the locals say: El Centro del Mundo)

Wed, 16 May 2012 14:38:36 +0200

There’s many reasons to love Bilbao. Some surrender themselves to the famous Basque cuisine served up all over town, while others are enchanted by the rolling green hills that surround the city or its brown-sugar sand beaches.

I personally love Bilbao because in some ways it reminds me of Seattle with its moody weather, proud locals and abundant greenery…but with much, MUCH better public transportation. Seriously. The subway system in Bilbao is so efficient, my car-less, bus-riding self would move there for that reason alone.

It also doesn’t hurt that this city is full of great shopping, home to two of the best pintxos I’ve tried in my life thus far (which is a shockingly high number by now) and is freakishly clean.

Living in a city in Spain where many of the locals are too lazy to pick up their dog’s sh*t, I appreciate a clean city when I see one. So thank you, Bilbao.

Of course, the Guggenheim is always a highlight when stopping in Bilbao. Just don’t judge me that I’ve never actually entered the place…

Café con leche is a must on an overcast (read: typical) day in Basque Country.

The red and white-striped banners are in support of the local football (soccer for my fellow Amerrricans) team: Athletic Bilbao. They recently made an appearance in the UEFA Finals and are set to play against F.C. Barcelona in the Copa del Rey in Madrid in 2 weeks—which I’m going to!

This is the Río Nervion which cuts through the city. Another reason why I love Bilbao: close to the water!

Green space is another vital necessity to city living.

More Athletic support.

And you already know, I can’t resist pretty doors.

Travel Photo Editing For Absolute Beginners

Sat, 12 May 2012 16:29:29 +0200

My photos of the places I’ve traveled to will always remain among my most treasured souvenirs of a place. They’re unique to me, as the photos reflect the places and people I’ve seen through my eye alone. When I get home, I’m excited to go through them, and hand-pick the shots I want to edit. This process of looking back on them never fails to bring me right back to the moment I took the shot; it’s an amazing way to relive a memory you’re not sure you’re going to have again.

I don’t claim to be an expert photographer, au contraire, I’m still learning LOTS about photography. However, I do have the basics down, and I think if you own a camera, whether it be a DSLR or a point-and-shoot, you should know the basics of editing your photos.

Here’s what you need to do:

First, arm yourself with photo editing software. For beginners I’d recommend starting with free software like Picasa, PicMonkey or Aviary before investing in more advanced programs like Adobe Lightroom or Photoshop.

Next, put the software to use and start making basic fixes. Let’s start with Auto Levels/Auto Color. A quick click of the mouse can warm up or cool down your image, slightly enhancing it for an overall more appealing look.

Also play around with Hue/Saturation. Saturation will inject more color into the image and hue will change the color. In the image above, I hit the Auto Adjust button, which is an overall fix to the image, and upped the saturation. Talk about quick fix!

Another simple way to take your photo from drab to fab is to play with Brightness/Contrast settings. A lot of beginners’ photos straight out of the camera will be underexposed and dull. Play around with exposure and liven up your image!

The more photos you take, the more your eye for framing and composition will develop.However, sometimes we just don’t get it right when we take the picture, so that’s when Cropping/Rotating will be of use. What should you crop out of photos? Anything that is distracting from the focus of the image.

I made just a slight crop on this image because the person on the right is distracting.

Though these techniques are basic, if you employ these slight alterations to your photos, you’ll have something to look back on that you’ll be proud of long after your vacation is over.

How To Learn English (and Other Foreign Languages)

Sat, 12 May 2012 16:19:22 +0200

As someone who has been running what I call my “one-woman English academy” for the past two years, I’ve learned not only how to teach my native language to others of all levels, I’ve also learned the techniques to learning a second language. I always tell my students not to be shy in front of me, because I’m a student myself—learning their language, Spanish.

So when Kaplan asked me to share what I think are the best ways to learn English, I related it to my experience not only as a teacher, but also as one of a student, learning a language myself.

In order to learn English (or any foreign language) you need a few key elements:

Lots and LOTS of motivation. You need to have a very clear-cut reason for learning a language because this reason is going to be what carries you through your studies. In language learning one day you’ll feel like you’re making leaps and bounds, while other days you’ll feel like you’ve regressed terribly. It’s easy to get down on yourself, and for that, motivation is of the upmost importance.
Natives to practice with. There are so many resources online that make native speakers of nearly any given language available to practice with. Better yet, travel abroad to the country that speaks your target language. Being immersed in the language makes everything an opportunity to learn new vocabulary or practice a new tense.
Thick skin. Learning a language is a humbling experience. You’ll likely embarrass yourself often mixing up words and locals will probably laugh at your expense more than once. Though your first reaction may be to curl up in the fetal position and ask yourself why you’re putting yourself through this, the much more reasonable option is to simply build up some tough skin—you’ll need it!

When Kaplan polled English language students on their preferred ways to learning English, this is what they said:

Infographic: How to learn English via Kaplan Blog

No matter what language you’re learning, listening to music/podcasts and watching TV/films in the language is a great way to boost comprehension. To practice speaking, a language exchange (in-person, via Skype) with a native is your best bet.

Whatever you do, experiment with lots of different methods, and you’ll find one that works for you. Everyone is different and learns at a different pace, so what worked for your friend may or may not work for you.

Why Basque Country Needs to Be on Your Itinerary

Tue, 08 May 2012 00:18:00 +0200

Playa La Concha in San Sebastián, Basque Country

I often get e-mails from readers asking for my Spain travel advice. They give me a run-down of their itinerary and it always looks something like this: Madrid, Barcelona and somewhere in Andalucía (usually Sevilla or Granada). Once in awhile I might see a trip planned around a famous festival—like San Fermines (The Running of the Bulls) in Pamplona or Tomatina in tiny Buñol, but usually they just stick to this tried-and-true sun and sangria trail.

Plaza Nueva, Bilbao, Basque Country

Sounds like a pretty solid travel itinerary, right? Barcelona is a city I could never tire of and Andalucía is a must for a glimpse of the romantic Spain we dream of. But, I can’t help but add my two cents and tell them they should really try to make it up north during their time in Spain. And by “really try” I actually mean if you don’t include it you’re making a big mistake.

Yup, I said it.

San Sebastián

The mysterious north of Spain seems to be the country’s best-kept secret. From the wild coast and fresh seafood of Galicia, to the crisp cider and snow-capped mountains of Asturias and the rolling green hills and Michelin-starred restaurants of Basque Country, the north of Spain is by no means untouched by tourism. But, it offers a completely different Spain than the one you’ve envisioned.

And Basque Country, a region special to me for several reasons, will be worth every penny it takes you to include it in your travel plans. Different people feel differently about well, different, places but—I’ve yet to meet a person who has been to Basque Country and didn’t love the place. I’m not a gambler, but I’d be willing to bet Basque Country will have the same effect on you too.

You’ll eat delicious pintxos, which kick tapas a$$ any day:

You’ll wash it down with Txakoli, a crisp, white wine:

You’ll admire how Bilbao balances its industrial past with its modern present

You’ll walk mouth agape in San Sebastián

…but most of all you’ll wonder why a place so beautiful is one many seem to have never even heard of. So, I’m feeling generous and I’m letting the secret out. Go to Basque Country, and thank me later.

Happy Friday! Here’s a peek of my life lately though...

Fri, 27 Apr 2012 13:00:00 +0200

Still can't believe Morocco is so close!

I think I qualify by now :)

Sunset over Tarifa

Bougainvillea in my neighborhood.

Spring=lots of fresh fruit!

Bridge from Spain to Portugal

Iberian ham + beer

Aqueduct in Lisbon

Roses in bloom :)

Road trip through Portugal

Happy Friday! Here’s a peek of my life lately though Instagram. Click on the link for the first week, which I did awhile back. Click on the photos above to see them enlarged+captions.

I’m off today on a road trip through the entirety of Spain from south to north (Andalucía to País Vasco!). It seems in Spain we can’t go a couple of weeks without having an extended weekend, or some holiday—but, I’m not complaining!

I won’t be posting here on the blog until late next week, so in the meantime, follow my road-trip on my Facebook fan page or over on Twitter!

Have a wonderful weekend!

Lisbon vs. San Francisco: Are the Comparisons True?

Fri, 20 Apr 2012 15:05:38 +0200

If you’ve heard someone talk about Lisbon, you’ve probably heard them compare it to San Francisco. But, is it true? Could Lisbon, founded in 1255, really have that much in common with San Francisco, founded hundreds of years later?

In short, yes. Lisbon and San Francisco do have some striking similarities:

1) The cable cars

2) They were both built atop seven hills

3) They’re both situated on the water

4) They both have an orange suspension bridge

6) An affinity for colorful apartment buildings

7) Cool street art

But between the two, I left my heart in San Francisco.

Have you been to both SF and Lisbon? What do you think about the comparisons?

Memorable vs. Mediocre Meals While Traveling

Mon, 16 Apr 2012 13:58:29 +0200

Though Lisbon itself wasn’t my favorite, I did have a great dining experience there that I won’t forget soon.

It came the day after a mediocre meal accompanied by pretty terrible service. Now trust me, I understand that not everywhere else in the world has a tipping culture like my home country, (thanks for that lesson, Spain!) but tips aside, nothing excuses being downright rude. *steps off soapbox*

I was determined to not just settle for a place out of hunger and waning patience. So, I applied a little theory I have developed as the result of despising eating at tourist traps.

Never eat at restaurants that are in central plazas. You’re asking for high prices and low quality.
Never eat at a restaurant that has its menu translated into several different languages. If that doesn’t say “Tourist Restaurant” I don’t know what does.
Never eat at restaurants that have their waiters outside begging for you to come in. If they need the business that badly, obviously the food can’t be too good.

So what did I look for that lead me to find this restaurant where above-mentioned awesome dining experience was had? I went to the trendy Barrio Alto, known for its nightlife and chic boutiques. Here, away from the touristic center, good Portuguese food had to be found. (I initially came with a recommendation to eat at Restaurante 560, a dining establishment in the neighborhood, but it was closed-down!)

I had in mind what I was looking for. I wanted to dine al fresco, away from a busy street that took a little exploring to get to, and find a menu that would finally let me sample some authentic Portuguese cuisine.

What did I find?

The lovely Floresta da Cidade (located here: Travessa Poco da Cidade)—a French-Portuguese fusion restaurant with a menu that married the fresh seafood of Portugal with hearty, buttery sauces and cheeses of France. Mmm!

Here’s their interpretation of a croque monsieur that was recommend by my waiter:

and an octupus rice stew:

and dessert, toucinho do ceu, made of almond and eggs:

From the generous portions of this French twist on Portuguese comfort food, to crisp, sparkling white wine that was reminiscent of a favorite (Basque txakoli) to the excellent service that turned around my earlier bad experiences in Lisbon, I highly recommend Floresta da Cidade in Barrio Alto.

What’s a memorable dining experience you’ve had? How do you avoid tourist traps?

Curated Links Week 4

Sun, 15 Apr 2012 13:36:39 +0200

Photo: Taken in the white-washed seaside village of Asilah, Morocco in 2010.

Hope your weekend has been lovely, readers! My apologies for the quietness around here lately. As you know, I just got back from Portugal, and I’m trying to get reorganized.

After a hiatus last week, here’s more curated links!

It’s Sunday. In Spain, that means almost everything is shut down. So, I’m making these Oreo cookies today.

Have you heard about Google’s Project Glass? Can you imagine the future being like this?

Are you an Adobe Lightroom user? I found this online boutique of different presets you can buy to enhance your images.

Chris Arnade’s Faces of Addiction photography project is best explained by seeing, not explaining.

If you click on any link this week, make it this one! I’m trying to get votes to send my aunt and I to Australia. She’s a big inspiration of mine and has always supported my desire to travel. She’s currently battling cancer and I want to give her an unforgettable trip to celebrate her beating it, and to motivate her as she fights through. Thanks! :)

Lisbon: Not What I Expected

Fri, 13 Apr 2012 12:30:44 +0200

I look at visiting new cities as one may look at going on a blind date. Some cities you connect with and want to see again, while others leave little to be desired. Unfortunately for me, Lisbon, Portugal was the latter.

I usually never completely write off places and vow to never return, but honestly, I’d be hard-pressed to find a reason to return to Lisbon. It wasn’t horrible, and there wasn’t one particular bad experience that left a sour taste in my mouth, it was more like a series of small disappointments.

I’m not going to go into details, but it was far too many encounters with terrible service and rude people (and one instance of excellent service I’ll tell you about later), underwhelming Portugese food, and a fairly dirty, run-down city.

But, I’m not going to dwell on the bad stuff.

Instead, I’m going to say what I liked about Lisbon, because I understand everyone experiences things different and I definitely don’t want to prevent you from visiting Lisbon just because it wasn’t my cup of tea.

The People

Just as much as my encounters with the locals made any chance for loving Lisbon impossible, there’s always just as many nice people to balance things out. From the sweet old couple who gave me directions in their patient Portuguese, while I replied in Spanish, to an awesome waiter who hand-picked my meal, the people I met both made my day, and pissed me off all in one fell swoop!

The (Small) Resemblance to San Francisco

From the trams zipping around the city, to the slightly-less-impressive Golden Gate lookalike, there were little reminders of San Francisco around Lisbon. I can dig that.

The Cupcakes?

The whole cupcake craze just hasn’t hit Spain as hard as in other places. The major cities may have a shop or two, but since I’m not in Barcelona or Madrid too terribly often, I turned to my friend Google to see if Lisbon had cupcakes, since I was visiting. I found this most adorable cupcake shop that reminds you of a continuous giant tea party. I may or may not have tried Red Velvet, Coconut AND Strawberry Cheesecake in one weekend. They were to die for!

The Neighborhoods

Thanks to the advice of fans over on my Facebook Page, I was able to narrow down the best neighborhoods to spend my time in Lisbon. Barrio Alto and Chiado was where I spent most of my time, dining at little hole-in-the-wall establishments, wandering through the parks and plazas and snapping away with my camera.

I’ve been to my fair share of European capital cities, and Lisbon, I’m sorry, but you’re just not my type.

Salamanca is one of those cities I wish I could live and study...

Wed, 04 Apr 2012 13:47:00 +0200

Salamanca is one of those cities I wish I could live and study in for awhile. It’s big enough to keep you entertained, but not overwhelming in its size. It’s packed with students during most of the year, which equals lively nightlife, diversity and student-friendly prices in housing and bars. It’s a breeze to navigate, and absolutely easy on the eyes.

It’s known as “The Golden City” for good reason: many of its buildings are constructed of yellow Villamayor sandstone, which makes the buildings in Salamanca seem like they’re utterly glowing. The architecture is gorgeous (see above!) and the cobblestone streets and arcaded Plaza Mayor are perfect for people-watching and paseando.

But, it’s not all romance and UNESCO Heritage Sites in Salamanca. This slice of Spanish life comes at a price, and not one I’m sure I’d want to trade my Andalusian sun for. You see, they have a saying when it comes to Salamanca (and other cities like Madrid that are on the central plateau known as La Meseta):

“Nueve meses de invierno, tres meses de infierno.”

“Nine months of winter, three months of hell.”

When I visited this past summer, I was clearly in the hellish part of the year. The sun beat down relentlessly, rendering sightseeing an arduous task. Unfortunately, Salamanca was just a stop on my way from Basque Country back down to Andalucía, but from the short time I was there, I wish I had stayed longer, especially to see Plaza Mayor lit up at night.

The short time I was there, walking the same streets that the 3 Big C’s of Spanish History (Cortés, Cervantes and Columbus) once did, was enough to make me envision studying at the once highly-esteemed University of Salamanca, grabbing pinchos and cervezas for lunch in its mysterious side-streets and soaking in the pure Castellano.

But then I remember how that saying goes, and realize maybe it’s just better I forget my daydreams and plan a longer visit next time—in between winter and hell of course!

In Lieu of Words...

Tue, 27 Mar 2012 12:44:22 +0200

…more photos of my hike to the narrowest point between Spain and Morocco.

Curated Links Week 3

Sun, 25 Mar 2012 23:53:50 +0200

Photo: Beautiful Bilbao, Spain

That summer-like weather I described in my last post? I kinda spoke too soon. As luck would have it, Friday ushered in rain, high winds and all-together crappiness. Hopefully it turns around soon, as Semana Santa is the week after next which equals no work+a trip to Lisbon, Portugal!

Have a good week!

—-

Need to learn DSLR camera functions? Try out this simulator.

I’ve been living the Mediterranean Diet for 2+ years now and studies say, you should too.

I’m trying to learn HTML and coding. This is a great tool.

Art and fashion truly intersect in this Polyvore collection.

I loved this article about how one woman learned about her biracial existence by cooking Mexican food. Mmm, pass the frijoles!

This will make you smile. A collection of things I’m finding cute lately.

Man-pleasing chicken? Forget the silly name, this chicken isn’t sexist. Extra points for being easy AND delish.

Hiking to Morocco?

Sat, 24 Mar 2012 23:41:48 +0100

In the remaining days of winter last weekend, the sun shone brightly, the beachfront promenade was packed with people, and a few brave souls were already dunking themselves into the Mediterranean.

I’m all for staycations and exploring locally so I don’t have to worry about things like backpacker insurance and what to wear to the airport. So, I set off into the sunshine, and I opted to hike to Punta Carnero, a picturesque point with a lighthouse that I’ve heard locals talk up excitedly, but a local attraction I’d never made it to.

At a mere 15km, Punta Carnero is the narrowest point between Europe and Africa. Making it to the end of the hike meant to be rewarded with panoramic views of the Strait of Gibraltar: watching the ships chug along in waters composed of the Mediterranean and Atlantic, birds circling overhead, and marveling at the fact that Morocco seemed only a stone’s throw away.

The vast continent of Africa spread out before my eyes. My feet planted firmly in the soil of a first world country, my mind absorbing that the land laid out before me is in many ways, so different from where I stood.

Here’s what I saw:

Coastline hiking!

Poppies

El Faro (The Lighthouse)

Signs of Spring :)

The lighthouse with Morocco/Ceuta in the back

Hiking through countryside

Gibraltar

More flowers!

That’s Morocco behind the tree!

Disclosure: This post was made possible by moneysupermarket.com

Airport Style

Fri, 23 Mar 2012 13:53:00 +0100

I believe that your personal style should never be sacrificed for an airplane ride. Whether I’m at the airport at 6AM or mid-day, I keep my sweatpants and slippers tucked away in my bag. However, I don’t go to extremes, and the airport isn’t my personal runway as it seems to be for some women (I will never understand wearing high-heels to get on a plane!).

I tend to meet in the middle between a comfortable and stylish ensemble. My key elements? Layers, flats, a roomy bag, sunglasses, minimal jewelry and of course, my Kindle, which unfortunately needs a replacement (R.I.P.).

With Spring finally here, but temps all over the place here in Europe I’m opting for an outfit like the one above that will keep me warm, but can stand up to the heat (if I’m so lucky to find any in my upcoming trip to Lisbon!)

Need more airport style inspiration? Look no further than the stars themselves. Sure they have extensive wardrobes and stylists, but these looks can easily be recreated to fit your budget and ensure your still have money left over for cocktails and museum tickets!

Happy Friday! xx

(Images: Lauren Rosie Sara Miranda Jessica Minka Whitney Eva)

Guest Post--Benidorm: Not Just Mobility Scooters!

Wed, 21 Mar 2012 12:14:18 +0100

Benidorm. Wait! Don’t judge a book by its well-publicised cover. Thanks to the popular ITV show, this Costa Blanca resort has been given a slightly wronged name. Yes, it’s brash, at times it can be a little tacky, but it’s also full of beautiful beaches, with a year round mild climate and boasts a huge range of activities.

The famous high-rise skyline is the postcard picture of Benidorm. Despite a reputation of being all about the older generation, this famous resort has undergone something of a regeneration over recent years and now plays host to all age groups, and an increasing amount of families every summer. Fiestas are a huge pull, with many tourists grabbing the castanets and partying with the locals in a celebration of Spanish heritage, with a little flamenco thrown in for good measure.

Benidorm can be reached relatively cheaply from UK airports. In these days of belt-tightening, any opportunity to save money is welcome, and Gatwick parking is a convenient way to save time and money, with great rates available all year round. Most regional airports offer holiday extras, including Airport parking, with frequent shuttles direct to the terminal, perfect when you have tired kids in tow.

Benidorm boasts two large Blue Flag beaches, Poniente and Levante. To chill out and avoid the crowds, head to Poniente. For the popular beach, Levante is your destination. Water sports, jet skiing, paragliding, scuba diving and even reading daily newspapers at the Biblioplaya, are on offer on this vibrant beach, with a long promenade, perfect for gentle strolls and people watching.

If the beach doesn’t offer enough splash for the kids, Aqualandia is the resident water park and at just around 100€ for a family of four, it’s an affordable and fun way to cool off. Another popular park is Mundomar with sea lion shows and a large aquarium.

If action is your cup of tea, Benidorm has a surprising number of activities to meet your tastes. Paintballing is a fun and exhilarating way to burn off extra energy, meaning a good night’s sleep for mum and dad! If that doesn’t do it, then mountain biking is worth a try, or head into the mountains on a jeep safari, taking in stunning scenery and wildlife. A popular stop is Fuentes Del Algar, the famous waterfalls, as seen on the TV show. Admission is usually included in the price of your jeep safari, a bargain when taking in such beautiful visions of nature. See, I told you Benidorm wasn’t all about mobility scooters!

If relaxation is on your list, the resort boasts golf courses and several pretty parks for chilling out and soaking up the sun. The Old Town is certainly a must visit, with its cobbled, winding streets and calm atmosphere. This part of town has certainly retained its old Spanish charm with white-washed houses and small churches.

When the sun sets, Benidorm’s famous cabaret comes alive. There are many nightclubs, bars and discos around the town, many in Levante, but for the ultimate Benidorm experience, head to Rincon de Loix and the Benidorm Palace. Here you will see sequins, feathers, tricks and singers, all in a Las Vegas-style show, done in a way only Benidorm knows how. No trip is complete without a visit.

With eating out, shopping and entertainment relatively cheap in this popular resort, it’s no surprise that couples, families and singles are flocking to the Costa Blanca sun. Book your airport parking through airparks to save even more money and guarantee your summer holiday won’t break the bank.

Disclosure: This post was made possible by Airparks.co.uk.

Why I Prefer To Be Rich in Experiences

Mon, 19 Mar 2012 12:23:49 +0100

Before I graduated from university, I envisioned my post-grad life to be somewhat of the following: successful career in PR, apartment in the city, happy hours with my girlfriends, etc. After I studied abroad, as cliché as “I found myself in Europe” may be, I did absolutely discover that travel was going to be a priority in my life and the aforementioned vision of what I though being a young adult entailed was getting blurred.

As graduation neared and it came time to start looking for a job, I couldn’t help but question if I really ‘had to’ jump right into my career. Thankfully, the bad economy was on my side, and try as I might (though half-heartedly) I wasn’t met with any offers. Instead of being disappointed, I saw it as an amazing opportunity to ditch the path laid before me by so many others and create my very own.

Most of my fellow middle-class Americans are set on the road to success: go to college, graduate, find a ‘real’ job, marry, have kids…rinse, repeat. This is a perfectly respectable path, handed down from the hard-working generations before us. It’s a path many of my countrymen before me have taken; and most when met with old age, can reflect on life and be thankful for taking this secure route.

But for me, there was something crucial missing in this cookie-cutter plan. I realized it’s easy to get sucked into a life of climbing corporate ladders and before you know it, you’ve worked your life away and aren’t free to explore the world until you’re 65. It both broke my heart and made me utterly happy to see old couples hand-in-hand amongst the ruins of the Acropolis, or the majestic Alhambra.

It broke my heart because I could only imagine how hard it must be to get around and spend a day on your feet sightseeing when you’re old, but it made me happy that they were out there anyway, enjoying their retirement that they’ve worked so hard for.

It made me realize that while the rest of the world works to live, my hard-working fellow Americans live to work, and that I never want to live like that. I never wanted to wait until I’m old to start seeing the world. So whether you have 2 weeks of vacation a year, or 3 months, use it wisely. Make travel a priority.

And though my post-grad life looks nothing like I imagined it would, I’m doing what I love and I’m seeing the world while I’m still young. It’s not because I’m lucky, or rich. It’s because I prefer to be rich in experiences and made it a priority to do so. It’s because learning a new language and experiencing a different culture was something I wanted to do, so I found a way to do it.

It wasn’t easy to get here though. It took a lot of self-doubt and “what the heck am I doing?!” to get where I am and realize I’m exactly where I need to be. For right now. :)

I’ll leave you with this: “The tragedy of life is not that it ends so soon, but that we wait so long to begin it.”- Anonymous So, what are you waiting for?

Curated Links Week 2

Sun, 18 Mar 2012 23:32:29 +0100

Photo: San Francisco, 2011

I hope you’re all recovering well from St. Paddy’s Day! I had a great day—went to Tarifa for a beachside walk at sunset, out for drinks in the center, then out again for tapas and beers at one of my favorite local restaurants. We finished the meal with a shot of ron miel (honey rum, mmm!) from the bar, that our waiter so nicely decided to give us. Not exactly a digestivo, but who am I to refuse?

The weather is warming up quickly here and I’m so excited to break out my dresses and sandals…but not quite yet. On the travel agenda, I’m tying up loose ends for Semana Santa in Lisbon, Portugal, planning a road-trip to Madrid to see the Copa del Rey final, and might throw in a weekend to Bilbao/San Seb since we have a long weekend in May coming up.

Without further ado, here’s a round-up of links for this week:

I am completely wishing they sold edible peanut butter here in Spain because these peanut butter and jelly bars look to-die-for!

Are Americans letting their polite ways fall to the way-side? Sounds like they’re turning into Spaniards!

Awesome story about a woman who backpacked through Europe and the Middle East in the 1950’s, lost her passport and was recently reunited with it.

Hello, creative-types! Host your portfolio online for free here.

I enjoyed this post on learning to live with your wanderlust.

Need ideas for photography? Check this PDF list, sorted by month.

Have a great week!

Santorini: The Stuff Dreams Are Made Of

Mon, 12 Mar 2012 12:10:52 +0100

Going through my Santorini pictures always makes me happy. I feel so blessed to have been able to visit this famous Greek isle, not once, not twice, but THREE times! It’s truly a magical place, and even though it’s overrun by cruise ship groups come high-season, I recommend it to everyone, as it’s an island with something to please everyone.

Though Santorini promises to be an incredibly romantic island, it’s also perfect for sun-worshippers and back-packers seeking beach parties by day, and dance clubs by night. Families, foodies, history-buffs and retirees will enjoy the island too—you just need to know in which area to stay according to your interests:

Fira is the center of Santorini’s action. Though it can be touristy, you can find some excellent family-run hotels further back from the pricey caldera-view hotels. In 1956, there was a devastating earthquake that destroyed half of Fira town which has since been rebuilt. Stay here if you want the best of everything: a quiet place to sleep, excellent nightlife based in the Erythroú Stavroú central square and no shortage of restaurants (however with price tags to match this highly-trafficked area).

Akrotiri is the site of the Minoan ruins that the history-lover in me is fascinated by. The advanced Minoan civilization lived here on Santorini until 1450 B.C. (scholars debate exactly when) when the volcano exploded in one of history’s most violent explosions ever.

Present-day Akrotiri is located in a very peaceful part of the island, near the Red Beach (where the volcanic sand really is red!) and in an area where many locals live. Be sure to check locally if the ruins are open—they’ve been closed since 2005 when a roof collapse killed a tourist.

Oía is stunning. It’s called the Paris of the Aegean and is famous for its must-see sunsets. This part of the island is perfect for couples on a romantic getaway and those seeking a peaceful, relaxing vacation. Even if you’re not staying in this part of the island, take the bus out there and make time for the sunset—it’s magical!

Kamari For families I recommend the resorts on Kamari. This area has access to the black volcano beaches, many Greek tavernas and isn’t rowdy like Perissa and Fira can be.

Imerovigli is another quiet option which can be thought of as an extension of Fira. Its location offers lots of small hotels and apartments with caldera views, not to mention plenty of Greek Orthodox churches to explore by day.

Perissa is a backpacker’s haven. Think cheap, clean hostels for as low as 10 Euros/night, a long strip of beach bars, restaurants and cafés and lots of sunburnt foreigners and young Greeks playing beach volleyball and sipping on cocktails in the sand.

So now that you know where to stay in Santorini, here’s what to expect: sheer beauty.

When I first traveled to Santorini in summer of 2008, I was floored by it. Perched precariously on dramatic cliffs overlooking the Aegean, words hardly do this place justice. It’s on the top of many a bucket list for good reason and is easily one of the most stunning places I’ve ever seen.

During my visits to Santorini, I would get lost for hours wandering the streets of Fira, having long chats with friends over frappes and snapping away with my camera before hopping on my motorbike to the next part of the island.

See a peek of what I saw…

Curated Links.

Sun, 11 Mar 2012 14:12:00 +0100

Notre Dame at dusk. Paris, 2011.

Believe it or not, my only interests do not just consist of travel and Spain. Here’s my list of favorite assorted links and reads from this week; accompanied by one of my travel photos from the archives. Curated Links are to be updated every Sunday and best read in your PJ’s. Cup of café con leche optional. ❤Christine

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