Here’s my guide to the lovely town of Santillana del Mar. It’s an idyllic town that’s an easy day trip from Bilbao. This guide covers the best things see and do in and around Santillana del Mar. Santillana del Mar is the jewel of Cantabria and must visit destination in northern Spain. With its rolling … Read more
Lying at the at the intersection of Paseo de Gracia and Consell de Cent is a true Spanish treasure, Casa Lleó Morera. The Art Nouveau mansion is often overshadowed by its showy neighbor Casa Batlló. But it shouldn’t be. It’s lovely and vastly under appreciated. When the tourists clamor to Gaudi’s Casa Batlló or La Pedrera, … Read more
I return, once again, to my Game of Thrones’ obsession. Greetings fellow Game of Thrones nerds, sullied and unsullied, Stark or Targaryen devotees. Here’s my guide to the stunning and craggy castles in Europe that have been filming locations for HBO’s Game of Thrones. Who doesn’t love Game of Thrones, George R.R. Martin’s romantic medieval … Read more
I’m not terribly fond of snapping photos of myself. I’m not precisely sure of the cause. I’m not photogenic for one thing. For another, I’m usually compulsively taking pictures of the beautiful buildings or landscapes around me. I mean just look at my iPhone photo of Nerja below. I’m thankful there are no people in … Read more
If you’re planning a trip to Seville, you’ll need some essential tips for visiting. While the city offers sunlit bliss, the key to a successful trip lies in knowing both the highlights and challenges. Seville is a gem of Andalusia. It holds a special allure, radiating joy with its sunny ambiance, lively streets, and soul-stirring … Read more
“There are no straight lines or sharp corners in nature. Therefore, buildings must have no straight lines or sharp corners. — Antoni Gaudí Here’s my guide to visiting Antoni Gaudi’s El Capricho in Comillas Spain. The mansion is a must see site and attraction in northern Spain, especially if you’re a lover of dramatic architecture. … Read more
“I came from a family of repairers. The spider is a repairer. If you bash into the web of a spider, she doesn’t get mad. She weaves and repairs it.” — Louise Bourgeois It was the winter of my discontent. Well, actually, it was the winter of my daughter’s discontent. She had been unceremoniously dumped by … Read more
Planning a trip in southern Spain? If you can’t resist an imposing Moorish fortress, here’s my guide to the Almeria Alcazaba.Snuggled away on the southeast corner of Spain’s Mediterranean coast, Almeria is a hidden gem in Andalucia. It’s a rough Andalusian beauty with a magnificent well-preserved fortress. The 1430 meter walled fortress is part of … Read more
There’s no shortage of metaphorical ways to become unmoored in life — lost souls, lost hope, lost causes, lost love. I’ve suffered from all of them at some point. But what I particularly specialize in is just getting lost. Anywhere. Anytime. I have zero sense of direction. I suspect it’s a genetic mutation, the problem … Read more
Here’s my ultimate guide to experiencing the enchanting Casa de Pilatos in Seville. This elegant aristocratic palace is a true hidden gem that often goes unnoticed amid the city’s bustling crowds. Tucked away in Seville’s historic district, about a 15 minute stroll from the Cathedral, Casa de Pilatos offers a serene escape from the city’s … Read more