Traveling with a four-legged friends no longer necessarily means sacrificing comfort, convenience, or adventure. In many destinations, dogs are welcome in hotels, restaurants, public transportation, and even tourist attractions. Some countries have gone particularly far in making four-legged visitors feel at home.
I´ve looked into the issue and come up with six selections, all European, reflecting the continent's combination of pet-friendly hospit
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For some travelers, the ultimate vacation luxury isn't a five-star suite, private plunge pool, or Michelin-starred restaurant. It's the freedom to leave their clothes behind. Nudist—or, as enthusiasts generally prefer, naturist—travel has long been a fixture of European tourism, but today's options extend from enormous cruise ships and sophisticated Caribbean resorts to secluded Mediterranean coves. And while some destinations cater to adults seeking a more uninhibited atmo
Shoulder season is the stretch between the quiet winter months and the summer peak. In Southern Europe that usually means late April through early June, and again from mid-September through October. The weather is generally settled, the days are long enough to fill, and the main sights keep normal hours. The exact dates matter less than the pattern: demand has not yet reached its yearly high.
Summer is the weaker choice for most trips here, and the reasons are prac
Spanish food doesn't really exist as one cuisine — it's a patchwork of regional traditions shaped by geography, history, and centuries of local pride. Ask someone from the Basque Country and someone from Andalusia what "Spanish food" means, and you'll get two very different answers. For travelers who want to plan a trip around eating well, understanding that regional split matters more than any single restaurant recommendation.
A tapas crawl in Seville loo
Ever dreamt of being part of a crazy food fight with thousands of people throwing ripe tomatoes at each other — all in good fun? Welcome to La Tomatina, Spain’s most iconic and colorful street festival, where getting messy is the whole point!
Every year on the last Wednesday of August, the small Valencian town of Buñol — a half-hour drive or 50-minute train ride from Valencia city — transforms into a red sea of joy, laughter, and tomato pulp. People from all over the world gather here t
Photos by David Paul Appell unless otherwise noted
Both my husband and I have always had something of a fascination for oddities of geography, and so Spain´s two cities of Ceuta and Melilla, on the coast of North Africa, had been forever on my bucket list. Since moving to Spain, we ticked Melilla off that list three years ago, and this past spring we finally made it to sister city Ceuta for a two-night visit. Perched on a narrow peninsula where the Mediterranean Sea meets the Atlantic Ocean, th
This is a story inspired by a particular type of travel scam, but because it´s one associated with a particular ethnic group, let me start with some background and context. The Romani people, known in Spain as Gitanos (gypsies) and Calé, are one of the country’s oldest and most distinctive minority communities. Although many people think of them simply as another kind of Europeans, most experts agree that the Romani originally came from northwestern India – probably in areas corresponding to to
Spain’s coastline stretches for thousands of kilometres, offering some of the most vibrant and diverse coastal cities in Europe. From golden beaches and scenic promenades to historic landmarks and lively local culture, Spain’s coastal destinations provide a complete travel experience. Whether you are looking to relax by the sea, explore centuries-old architecture, or enjoy local food and festivals, these cities have something for every traveller.
Let’s take a closer look at some of the top coasta
Henry Vagrant/Animalia
Truly dedicated birders are known to plan travel around their obsession, and there are of course thousands of fantastic birdwatching destinations to choose from. But several stand out that should be on their lifetime bucket list. The following seven represent the highest global diversity, endemism, and spectacle in birdwatching—spanning the Amazon, Andes, wetlands, savannas, cloud forests, temperate migration corridors, and tropical rainforest, making them perennial benc
Azul
Nestled in the heart of the largest and most populous of the Canary Islands, Teide isn´t just Spain´s highest peak (3,718 meters/12,198 feet)) but also a gateway to one of the most awe-inspiring astronomical experiences in the world. With its clear skies and minimal light pollution, the night time transforms the mountain into a perfect canvas for stargazing. Whether you're a seasoned astronomer or a casual observer, a tour operator called Mount Teide Night offers invaluable information on
José Balido
In 2021, UNESCO (the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organisation) honoured Spain´s capital with its first World Heritage Site designation, elevating Madrid to the ranks of destinations with districts or monuments worth preserving for future generations (the larger Madrid community surrounding the capital already had UNESCO sites, including the royal sites of El Escorial and Aranjuez, which make marvelous day trips).
The city´s leafy Paseo del Prado boulevard,
I've always had a fascinating for things mediaeval. Would never want to have actually lived back in the Middle Ages, mind you. But the architecture and atmosphere of the Romanesque and the Gothic have always captivated me. And while my adopted country provides more than enough to delight me on this front year after year, I've been enjoying my home town Madrid more for its marvelous architecture and monuments dating from the mid-16th century onward
Spain's capital is of course magnificent and brimming with amazing stuff to see and do. But visitors should also make time for a daytrip (or if at all possible, and overnighter) to at least one of the marvelous destinations in the Madrid Community no more than an hour outside the city proper, full of history, culture, architectural gems of their own.
Its streets lined with majestic buildings and its rooftops full of stork nests, this city of 194,000
Ask many people around the world what comes to mind when they think of Spain, and chances are flamenco will land near the top of the list. The sinuous moves; the rapid, hypnotic shoe tapping; the staccato hand-clapping; the mesmerising guitarwork; the plaintive singing - if you've never witnessed a performance in person, your first time in particular will stay with you forever.
An art form and indeed a sensibility closely intertwined with the culture and traditions of Andalusia, flamenco grew o
Mariaplr
Hugging Spain's upper border with Portugal, the autonomous community of Extremadura, composed of the provinces of Cáceres and Badajoz, is well known to other Spaniards as a proud land of strong traditions; rich history; distinguished cuisine; and fascinating historic, architectural, and natural riches.
In fact, in particular this is considered one of the country's under-the-radar eco-paradises, with extensive and dramatic valleys, plains, and natural parks that attract nature-lovers
There´s no question that Spain´s cities are among its crowning glories. Barcelona, Córdoba, Granada, Madrid, Sevilla, Toledo, Valencia, and the list goes on. But let’s face it: sometimes the crowds can get overhwleming, the queues too long. And many of those beautiful beaches? Swamped.
That’s exactly why I started hunting down the hidden gems in Spain – those lesser-known Spanish spots that still feel untouched, where you can breathe easy, eat incredibly well, and explore a bit more like a lo
Picryl
This continent steeped in history offers an unparalleled architectural journey that showcases centuries of artistic evolution. From Gothic cathedrals to Renaissance palaces and modern masterpieces, each country has its own unique contribution to the world of architecture. Whether you´re an architecture geek, a history enthusiast or simply an admirer of stunning structures, traveling to Europe provides a feast for the eyes and soul.
One of the continent
Nestled on the Costa del Sol, Spain´s southern coast, in the Andalusia region, the picturesque city of Málaga beckons travellers with its unique blend of Andalusian charm and coastal beauty. From its rich history and vibrant culture to its stunning beaches and delectable cuisine, Málaga has the proverbial something for everyone. In this blog post, we will take you on a virtual journey through this captivating destination, uncovering its hidden gems and exploring the best ways to expe
