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Half Day in Cudillero and Lunch in Luarca, Asturias

half-day in cudillero

Our half-day in Cudillero was a delightful part of our week-long trip to Asturias. We visited Cudillero after leaving Oviedo, on our way to spend a few days in Gijón. Colorful Cudillero is one of the best known, oft-visited, and most-Instagrammed towns along the coast of Asturias, but it is still well worth a visit. In fact, I found that the town preserved a lot of its quaint fishing-village charm. After a morning spent climbing up and down Cudillero, we visited the nearby town of Luarca for lunch! Continue reading “Half Day in Cudillero and Lunch in Luarca, Asturias”

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Day Trip to Llanes, Asturias: A Cozy Coastal Town

day trip to llanes

We took our day trip to Llanes, with Gijón as our base, during our week-long trip to Asturias. Llanes is a popular summer destination among Spaniards, but I was particularly interested in visiting because my great-great-grandparents, the parents of my Cuban great-grandfather Manolo Fernández Blanco on my maternal grandmother’s side, were from there! They likely emigrated from Llanes to Cuba in the late 19th century. It was exciting to see this little slice of my Spanish-Cuban heritage! Continue reading “Day Trip to Llanes, Asturias: A Cozy Coastal Town”

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Lunch in Lastres, Asturias: Cider and Seafood at La Rula

lunch in lastres

Lastres, or Llastres in asturiano, the Asturian language, is one of many picturesque towns in Asturias, a northern autonomous community of Spain.  Be sure not to overlook this town, though – lunch in Lastres was definitely one of my favorite experiences during our week-long stay in Asturias.

Before eating lunch in Lastres, we set off from our hotel in Oviedo and made a worthwhile pitstop at Covadonga, home to a striking 19th-century church set among the mountains. The site commemorates the Moors’ first defeat in Spain at the hands of Pelayo, an Iberian Visigoth turned Asturian king, which marked the beginning of the Reconquista in 722 AD. Near the church is a small cave with a shrine to the Virgin Mary, who, according to legend, appeared to Pelayo and his men before the battle.

Continue reading “Lunch in Lastres, Asturias: Cider and Seafood at La Rula”

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Patios de Cordoba: A Floral Feast for the Eyes

patios de cordoba

Córdoba is one of the many gems of Andalucía, the southern autonomous community of Spain, along with Sevilla, Málaga, Granada, and Cádiz, to name the most well-known. The Patios de Cordoba festival is unique to Cordoba and features what is, quite literally, a floral feast for the eyes. The festival is usually held in the first half of May, when the city’s patios burst in full bloom. Continue reading “Patios de Cordoba: A Floral Feast for the Eyes”

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Palaces in Sevilla: The Unparalleled “Casa Palacios”

palaces in sevilla

I’ll be honest: there is nowhere in the world like Sevilla. Sevilla’s most popular attractions are probably the Alcázar, the cathedral, and the Plaza de España. However, if you spend a few extra days in the city and really dig into what it has to offer, you’ll discover some lower-key sights that will rock your world, like the city’s beloved “Casa Palacios,” or palace-mansions. These palaces are perfect microcosms of the city’s cultural, historical, artistic, and architectural legacies. Some of the most beautiful of these palaces in Sevilla are Palacio de Las Dueñas and Casa de Pilatos, which I describe below; however, Palacio de la Condesa de Lebrija and Casa de Salinas are still on my list! Continue reading “Palaces in Sevilla: The Unparalleled “Casa Palacios””

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Why Segovia is Worth More Than a Day Trip

why Segovia is worth more than a day trip

Segovia is one of the most popular spots for a day trip from Madrid. However, I think poor little Segovia doesn’t get the respect it deserves – this lovely city is worth more than just a few hours! Of course, Segovia is doable as a day trip, especially if you’re tight on time, but you can easily spend a relaxing full-weekend trip there: it’s the perfect retreat if you live in Madrid and works great as a romantic getaway. Continue reading “Why Segovia is Worth More Than a Day Trip”

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10 Best Things to Do in Malaga: Moorish Castles, Modern Art, & More

Best Things to Do in Malaga

Malaga is a jewel of the Costa del Sol in Spain’s autonomous community of Andalucía. The city’s #tranquilotropical vibe had me right away: you can feel how the ocean and the warm weather energize the city, where timeworn Moorish ruins meet renowned modern art. Places like Sevilla and Granada may compete for top honors as Andalucía’s greatest city, but Malaga is definitely in the running with its compelling arts scene, culture, history, and, unlike the aforementioned cities, its BEACHES. Continue reading “10 Best Things to Do in Malaga: Moorish Castles, Modern Art, & More”