Europe

Eight lessons learned (mainly the hard way) during Semana Santa

I would in no way classify my Semana Santa trip as a raving success. By the time it was over, I was exhausted, pissed at the world and in need of complete isolation.  Of course, it wasn’t all bad. I saw some beautiful places and met some amazing people...

Semana Santa 2014: A Spanish road trip!

If you’ve been reading my blog for the past year or so, you know that I love a good old-fashioned road trip.  There’s nothing like the feeling of the steering wheel in my hands and my favorite song on the radio while cruising at 70. Unfortunately, I don’t feel...

Travel goal update: The day I saw the Queen

You didn’t seriously think I was referring to the Queen of England, right?

The Weekend Files: Where to Day Trip from Madrid

Happy Friday (and bank holiday Friday to my auxiliares) everyone! I’m back with another edition of The Weekend Files with some great ideas of places to visit on a short day trip or weekend trip from Madrid. I hope you decide to hit the road this weekend!

A Literary Tour of Madrid

If you haven’t noticed already, I’m a complete nerd. I’m obsessed with history and reading, and I often fantasize about living in eras that I think are way more glamorous and artistic than our current one (um, hello 1920s!). Before I moved to Europe, all I could think about...

Where to Eat in Madrid

The fastest way for me to get to know a city is through my stomach. Yea, I know. Weird sentence. Basically what I mean is that I love to learn about a city through the food I can find there. Learning about Madrid has been…well…interesting. I have mixed feelings...

The Best Hotels of 2013

I know tons of bloggers are doing their “best of 2013” lists and I said I wouldn’t…but I just can’t resist. I love hotels. I’m a complete sucker for everything from stately, historic grande dame hotels to sleek and stylish boutique properties.  I am admittedly not a backpacker. If...

A Winter Getaway to Madrid

Man oh man can some cities whip out the charm during the holiday season…New York; Washington, DC; Ludwisberg, Germany (I’ve heard); and now Madrid! Most people think that a trip to Spain should only take place in the spring or summer and of course, I’m here to prove them...

The Weekend Files: La Vida Española in Chinchón

Sometimes living in Madrid, it’s hard for me to get the feeling that I’m actually in Spain. In my experience, most large cities have similarities: great restaurants, fashionable people, fast lifestyles, and occasionally the culture of the destination is lost. When I start to get the “get out of...

Where to see Europe’s most famous monuments without leaving Madrid

If you’re a bit strapped for cash but want to see the most famous monuments in Europe, I may have a solution for you. Parque Europa, located in Torrejon de Ardoz (a suburb of Madrid), is home to 17 replicas of European monuments, as well as an original piece...