Posted on

Weekend in Bilbao: Pintxos, Pinturas, y Paseos

weekend in bilbao

Although Bilbao is not known for its knock-out beauty, it’s def a must while in the north of Spain. The city’s appearance reflects its history as an industrial hub, but investments over the past few decades have breathed new life into the city: The Guggenheim, inaugurated in 1997, has become one of the world’s best-known museums. Below I sum up my weekend in Bilbao, featuring pintxos, pinturas (paintings), and paseos (strolls), from my visit with friends in July 2021 😍.

Continue reading “Weekend in Bilbao: Pintxos, Pinturas, y Paseos”

Posted on

Weekend in Gijon: Sip Cider, Stroll, & Swim!

Gijon is the largest city in Spain’s beautiful northern autonomous community of Asturias and was a key stop on our weeklong trip to region. The city is not exactly jam-packed with sights – I’d say there is more to do in Oviedo, but don’t tell that to someone from Gijon because the 2 cities have some beef 😜 – so I’d say a weekend in Gijon will do just fine! However, Gijon does have beaches – which you can’t say about Oviedo – so you may want to make time for that too, although we didn’t get to hit the beach when we visited.

Continue reading “Weekend in Gijon: Sip Cider, Stroll, & Swim!”

Posted on

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”

Posted on

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”

Posted on

Half Day in Sighisoara, A Colorful Transylvanian Town

Sighisoara is a little Romanian fairy tale. The vibrant colors of this cozy Transylvanian town will win over your heart. Although you could leisurely spend a day there, a half-day in Sighisoara will do just fine, especially if you’re tight on time. I highly recommend a visit if you’re in the region! Also see my posts on other cities in Romania, like Bucharest, Braşov, Sibiu, y Timişoara, here!

Continue reading “Half Day in Sighisoara, A Colorful Transylvanian Town”

Posted on

What to Do in Split: Roman Ruins, Olive Oil Tasting, & More

what to do in split

I really enjoyed Split: I kinda felt like I was in Italy due to the extensive, well-preserved Roman ruins throughout the city and the architecture that is at times reminiscent of Venice. Realistically, Split can be seen in a solid day, although a second day will allow you to enjoy the city at a more leisurely pace and squeeze in a few more activities. Below are 3 suggestions for what to do in Split! Continue reading “What to Do in Split: Roman Ruins, Olive Oil Tasting, & More”