It’s one of those majestic sights that imprinted itself indelibly on my memory forever when I first visited many years ago: a mystical, mysterious forest of columns stretching into the distance of the vast interior space that was – and is – the UNESC
Whether or not they're shoppers, most travelers love quality mementos of their trips. But "quality" is key, and there are certain items that will always be worth seeking out. Paintings and other kinds of art are a prime example – whether charming wa
Read more…I love all of the Balearic Islands for overlapping but different reasons, and there’s no question that the third-largest is definitely a change of pace from Majorca and certainly Ibiza. Not that there isn’t nightlife, as well as luxury and touches of
Something big is underway in Seville this week: the Flamenco Biennial, the 17th edition of the world's biggest flamenco event, including the greatest living artists of a centuries-old art form inextricably linked with the culture of Spain's south. It
Stunning architecture, sea views, and sandy beaches, vivid and passionate culture, superb cuisine — hese are just some of the many reasons why Spain's second-largest city is a wonderful place to live. And to study, as Barcelona is home to some of
Each year since 1976, Spain's Ministry of Culture has awarded the country's equivalent of the Booker or the Nobel Prize for Literature to one of the world's most distinguished living Spanish-language writers. Past laureates have included not jus
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Across the world, throughout the spring of 2020 we've all been living through a global public-health emergency unprecedented in our lifetimes. But now, after the extraordinary measures due to the coronavirus and COVID-19 which closed borders and
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“There are no unsacred places; there are only sacred places and desecrated places.”
― U.S. novelist, poet, essayist, environmental activist, & cultural critic Wendell Berry
If you’re a "seeker," who travels in part to
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Spain's third largest city (with a population of just under 800,000) is situated halfway down Spain's eastern Mediterranean coast, in between Barcelona and Murcia. It's easygoing, easy to get to (with links from all over Europe), and easy to get
The pre-Lenten season is upon us once again, and although the Carnaval in Rio de Janeiro is the most famous, many other fun, fantastic examples abound across the Americas and Europe - including, of course, right here in Spain. Allow me to introduce
Read more…Like so many European cities and towns, as of the last week in November, Catalonia's capital dons its Yuletide best and does its best to transform the dark, chilly days of winter into a festive celebration, lasting through January 6 (the "12th day
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Dank chill, drizzle, and streetlamps shrouded in fog are bad weather? A bad time for touring? Depends! In fact, they were just perfect for a nocturnal outing I had in Barcelona last winter that was hair raising – in a good way. And what better day
Millions of visitors flock to Catalonia in Spain's northeast each year, lured especially by its marvelous beaches and spectacular capital Barcelona. But there's a lot more to this varied land, from medieval towns to wine to ecotourism, all flavour
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The last decade of the 19th century and the first of the 20th saw a spate of big cities - mostly in Europe and the USA - launch a new era of urban transit by opening underground rail systems. And we as travellers can be extremely grateful, as the
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Today on the feast day of St. James it's worth noting that the Camino de Santiago (Way of St. James), the famed mediaeval pilgrimage route from Paris down to Galicia's capital Santiago de Compostela, is famous for not just its spirituality but its
The year 1819 was part of a turbulent time in Spanish history.. Just five years earlier, the country had thrown off its occupation by the empire of Napoleon Bonaparte but the Bourbon Dynasty's restored King Ferdinand VII had caused outrage by abro
Read more…As people start to think about fun getaways for the summer, it's worth noting that a number of key spots all across Europe draw multicultural people and gays/lesbians to unwind, let their hair down, and party their butts off, whether they're backpac
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If you’re heading to Spain’s famous Costa del Sol, you’re likely to visit Málaga, its capital. This city has a rich history in which you’ll want to immerse yourself. Art enthusiasts will be pleased to know that this was the birthplace of Pablo Picas
Barcelona never fails to excite, particularly in the summer, when it boasts one of Europe’s liveliest big-city beach scenes (and with a bit of sizzle, too, including not just family zones but also gay and even nude sections). And ground zero for a
Exploring a country's cinema is a great window into its contemporary culture, and the best of 2018's Spanish movies, were honoured this past Saturday in Seville when the Academy of the Cinema Arts and Sciences of Spain held its 33rd Premios Goya g
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