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Andorra: The Small Country
Don’t Stop Until you Hike to the Top Having successfully traveled through Portugal and Spain, I looked forward to visiting France. However, before I made that happen, I did a volunteer program in the small country of Andorra. Never heard of it? You’re not the only one. Before seeing this trip online, I realized I hadn’t either. So much for 8th grade social studies coming to the rescue. Nestled in the mountains between Spain and France, is the beautiful country of Andorra. Even though it is the 16th smallest country in the world, it’s definitely not a country to overlook! There were no hostels or Airbnb stays for this girl. I went straight…
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Pamplona, Spain
Pamplona: Where the Bulls Run Wild Only a 5-6 hour bus ride from Barcelona, Pamplona can be the highlight of your trip to Spain. The San Fermin festival, which features the Running of the Bulls, was a main highlight of my time there. My AirBnB host said that Pamplona, outside of this festival, is relatively quiet. However, during the festival, this town is absolutely overflowingwith people and fun! Day 1: After a hot bus ride into Pamplona and a trek to our AirBnB, my companion and I ditched the backpacks and found some dinner in the winding streets enclosed by looming buildings. A quick German beer and discussion with other American…
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Barcelona, Spain
Barcelona: The City of Sunshine and Stairs For a larger city, Barcelona has a very relaxed feel. It mixes the beach with a booming downtown shopping area. Mix in gelato on every street, and it literally has it all. My time in Barcelona was very relaxed and unstructured. Instead of planning everything out, I slept in, leisurely hopped onto busses and subways, and wandered into local restaurants for food. It was very different from Madrid! Day 1: After hustling off of our bus and up 4 flights of stairs to our AirBnB, we walked around this bustling city. Soaking in the sights really works up an appetite, so we wandered…
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Madrid, Spain
Take the Rojo line to Madrid… I need to get one thing straight before I even discuss Madrid, Spain. When you do not book sleeping rooms on an overnight train, they are simply and without a doubt, the worst thing you will ever experienced in your life. I preferred my 24 hour flight to New Zealand, which was filled with crying children, to my 6 hour train ride to Madrid. NEVER BOOK AN OVERNIGHT TRAIN WITHOUT A SLEEPING CABIN. It is worth the extra cash! Day 1: So, after a 4 hour bus ride from Lagos to Lisbon, we caught a night train into Madrid, Spain. Madrid is not a…
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Train Ride out of Lisbon, Anyone?
You already know that Portugal is a sunny paradise. Warm temperatures, friendly locals, and cheap spirits. However, Lisbon, Portugal, also offers train routes that can literally take you anywhere! Well maybe not anywhere, Mars is a pretty long ways off. So, after a few days in central Lisbon, I wondered what else I could see. I found my answer in three different destinations, each only a short train ride away. As the saying goes, “When in Portugal..” Carcavelos: The Local Residents’ Beach of Choice This was perhaps the most tricky destination to get to because it involved taking TWO trains. We missed our connection train by 30 seconds. In case you…
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Lisbon, Portugal: Castles to My Left & Castles to my Right
A Surplus of Steps that Will Make You Sweat Unlike Lagos, Lisbon is not a beach lover’s dream destination, although you can take a train to one. Instead, Lisbon offers the chance to explore castles. In fact, if you looked to your left you would see a castle. Turn to your right and there it is, ANOTHER CASTLE. However, they also offer cheap spirits and an excellent sangria. If you combine castles, sangrias, and all the steps you’ll walk up and down, it is a perfect day. Day 1: My first few hours in Portugal were not as glorious as one might imagine. Suffering crippling jet lag and need of…
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Lagos, Portugal: A Wave Chaser’s Delight
With sprawling beaches and hidden coves, Lagos, Portugal, seemed like the perfect second destination to my European adventure. The cool breeze and sound of crashing waves wafts through the small town that’s filled with summer vendors selling cheap sunnies and overpriced floppy hats. Any fear of a language barrier quickly disappear when locals communicated with thickly accented English. The relaxed vibe of Lagos provides the perfect start to a jam-packed trip. Day 1: Throw your bulky backpacks into your hostel. or comfy AirBnB like I did and take on the town. Sunshine, seagulls, and the sound of a beach are literally this bun head’s kryptonite. Throw in a margarita (or…
