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Welcome to Our Blog!
We craft original guides rooted in our firsthand experiences and thoughtful planning. Each article blends deep research, insider tips, and evocative imagery to inspire and inform. Whether you're mapping out your next trip or dreaming from home, there's something here for every explorer.


Madrid! Plaza Mayor Edition
Excerpt: From bullfights and public executions in its early days to tapas bars and boutique hotels today, Plaza Mayor has been the heart of Madrid for four centuries. Here's the history, the archways, and where to eat once you're there.
Jul 225 min read


Madrid! I Must Have a Bocadillo de Calamares (Squid Sandwich)!
A Madrid classic since 1986. Where to get the best bocadillo de calamares in Madrid, from El Brillante to Bar Postas, plus an easy recipe to make one at home.
Jul 214 min read


Celebrations in La Puerta del Sol: A Madrid Tradition
From a 165-year-old plaza shaped like a rising sun to a neon sign that sparked a 50,000-signature petition when it briefly disappeared, Puerta del Sol has more stories than most visitors realize. Here's the history, the food, and a few good meeting spots along the way.
Jul 186 min read


Madrid! The Emblematic Puerta de Alcalá (Alcalá Gate)
From a song that's been stuck in my head since 1986 to four mysterious child statues no one can quite agree on, the Puerta de Alcalá has more going on than a quick photo stop. Here's what to know before you go.
Jul 174 min read


Madrid! Museums that Always Amaze and Never Disappoint
From the Prado's masterpieces to the hidden Chamberí Station Museum frozen in the 1960s, Madrid's museums never run out of surprises. Here's our guide to the icons, the new arrivals, and the quiet gems worth seeking out.
Jul 149 min read


Madrid! How Do I Love Thee? Let Me Count The Ways - Our First Impressions and Overview
I first arrived in Madrid in 1986, and every visit since has made me want to stay longer. This is where our Madrid series begins, a first look at the history, museums, parks, food, and people that make this city feel like home.
Jul 144 min read


Shakira Madrid September & October 2026: Dates, Stadium Info, & How to Get Tickets
I'd been planning a Madrid trip around Shakira's residency, but the dates didn't line up for us. Here's what I learned about the shows, the temporary stadium built just for this run, and how to plan around it if your calendar works out better than mine.
Jul 73 min read


Santiago Bernabéu Stadium Guide: What to Expect and Why It Matters
Santiago Bernabéu is more than a stadium tour. Between the ongoing renovations, new dining spots, and the electric atmosphere on match day, here's everything you need to know before you go.
Jul 68 min read


Palacio de Gaviria Reopens With “Dalí Infinito”: Madrid’s New Must-See Exhibition
News of the Palacio de Gaviria's reopening caught my attention right away. A long-term exhibition dedicated to Salvador Dalí's sculptural work, housed in a restored 19th century palace steps from Puerta del Sol, is exactly the kind of stop I look for on my next Madrid visit.
Jul 63 min read


Sevilla! Day Trip to Ronda: Gorge, Bullring, Arab Baths, and Gourmet Lunch
A Couple Descending into the Tajo de Ronda Exploring the Rich History and Culture of Sevilla: A Series Previously we wrote a Sevilla, Spain travel guide and the first five articles in this series of seven, chronicling our recent visit to Sevilla (Day One, Day Two, Day Three, Day Four, Day Five). If you haven't already, you may wish to read them before this. Or maybe you're mostly interested in reading about our day trip to Ronda. Whichever the case may be, we're glad you're h
Jul 58 min read


Ronda! We're Planning a Day Trip to Ronda, Spain
We're planning a day trip to Ronda from Sevilla, and we're sharing exactly how we're doing it. From the best way to get there to the sights we don't want to miss, here is our research, our tentative plans, and a few lessons we've already picked up along the way.
Jul 510 min read


Madrid! San Lorenzo Festival: Lavapiés Lights Up Every August
Every August, Madrid celebrates three back-to-back neighborhood festivals that locals call the August trilogy. San Cayetano kicks things off in the Embajadores and Rastro area, San Lorenzo follows in Lavapiés, and La Paloma brings it home in La Latina. Each one has its own character, its own neighborhood, and its own loyal following. San Lorenzo is the one that surprises first-time visitors the most.
Jul 44 min read


Madrid! San Cayetano Festival Kicks off Summer Every August
Every August, Madrid's Embajadores neighborhood comes alive for the San Cayetano Festival, the first of three back-to-back castizo celebrations that define the city's summer. Here's what to know before you go.
Jul 44 min read


Madrid! Virgen de la Paloma Festival: La Latina's Grand Finale Every August
The Virgen de la Paloma Festival is the grand finale of Madrid's August trilogy, four days of castizo tradition, zarzuela, flamenco, and the beloved firefighter procession in the heart of La Latina. Here's what to know before you go.
Jul 44 min read


Madrid! Beautiful Blue Skies and Magnificent Sunsets
Templo de Debod, Madrid Madrid's Beautiful Blue Skies and Magnificent Sunsets Madrid Rooftops Beneath a Beautiful Sky When we think of Madrid, many things come to mind, not the least of which are the beautiful blue skies and magnificent sunsets we enjoy there when the weather is clear: which is most of the time. According to TripSavvy.com "Madrid... enjoys around 350 sunny days per year, making it Europe's sunniest capital (an honor it shares with Athens, Greece)." We pretty
Jul 35 min read


Creating Memories That Will Last a Lifetime in Madrid's Retiro Park
Monument of King Alfonso XII, East Side of the Pond in Retiro Park, Madrid, Spain Serene Retiro Park One of our favorite places to spend time in Madrid is the beautiful Retiro Park. It offers many acres of gardens, fountains, monuments, exhibit spaces, and a large pond. There are apparently more than 15,000 trees in this UNESCO World Heritage Site. So, it can be a great place to escape the sun and heat on warmer days of the year. It’s enjoyed throughout the year by locals and
Jul 36 min read


More Time in Madrid? What To Do in Madrid Beyond the Basics
Madrid, the vibrant capital of Spain, never fails to surprise and delight visitors with its rich history, stunning architecture, and cultural treasures. For those who have explored this city multiple times, there always seems to be something new waiting to be discovered.
Jul 37 min read


Saratoga Springs! History, Horse Racing, Healing and Happy Times
Looking for a place to enjoy a long weekend, relaxing and enjoying time with family or friends? Saratoga Springs really has it all!
Jun 196 min read


Barcelona! Wander Your Way through the Gothic Quarter
Pont del Bisbe In a previous piece we focused on the seven Gaudí UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Barcelona. There's so much more to see and do in this beautiful mediterranean city. Today we'll take you back to the city's Roman origins and then zero in on the Gothic Quarter, one of the most loved sections of the city. The Roman Colony of Barcino Ancient Roman Gate and Placa Nova Barcelona's history goes back to the times of the Roman Empire. Toward the end of the 1st century BC
Jun 178 min read


Toledo! The Feast of Corpus Christi (and More...)
The Custodia of Toledo carried through the streets during the Corpus Christi procession A Special Week in Toledo Most visitors to Toledo, Spain see the city in its normal state. But one week out of the year is very special and in 2026 the week-long celebration runs from May 31 through June 7, with the main procession on Thursday, June 4. If you're visiting during this time, you're in for a special celebration. Whether you are visiting this week or not, be sure to read to the
May 145 min read
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