As Spain begins to open its doors to tourists once again, some of my favorite restaurants in Sanlúcar de Barrameda are opening their doors too! Most people have heard about the classics like Casa Bigote, Barbiana and Casa Balbino…but Sanlúcar’s gastronomic scene offers a plethora of delicious destinations. Below you’ll find 10 restaurants (in no particular…
My favorite beauty and hair salons in Sanlúcar de Barrameda
Want to know where to get your hair, nails and eyebrows done in Sanlúcar? Allow me to share some recommendations. 😉 I’ve lived in Sanlúcar de Barrameda for 10 years and below you’ll find a list of my favorite stylists and estheticians in town (in no particular order). I love getting treatments at the following businesses…
10 Things I wish I’d known before having a baby in Spain (during COVID-19)
Bringing life into the world is a beautiful experience…but it’s also slightly terrifying, especially for first-time moms. Dealing with a high-risk pregnancy in a foreign country, without my family, and during a global pandemic was stressful to say the least. Despite my fears I never doubted the quality of Spain’s healthcare system and public hospitals….
How to register a birth abroad (and get your child’s U.S. passport) in Spain
This past August I gave birth to twins (Leo and Noa) in Spain. Because I’m American and Javi is Spanish our babies get to enjoy the benefits of dual citizenship. 🙌 To make their American nationality official I needed to submit a Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA) before the twins’ 18th birthday. This required…
How to travel to Spain as a U.S. citizen during COVID-19
With the Spanish border currently closed to the United States, Americans must meet certain criteria to travel to Spain. At 32 weeks pregnant with twins, I was determined to get my parents (who live in Florida) into Spanish territory for the birth of their grandchildren. Because my pregnancy was considered high risk, they could apply…
10 rules you need to know to be the perfect wedding guest in Spain (2020)
Are you attending a wedding in Spain and not sure what to expect? Don’t worry, I’ve got the tips to help you be the perfect wedding guest! After attending numerous weddings over the years (including my own), I’ve collected a list of the top 10 rules that every guest should know before attending their first…
Crossing Italy: Milan, Verona, Portovenere, Cinque Terre, Pisa & Florence
I’ve just spent ten days exploring nine destinations across Italy! It sounds like a lot but I promise it was easier than you think. 😉 Last year we had a blast visiting Italy’s Amalfi Coast and this time around I was determined to cross Cinque Terre off my list. My family also wanted to see famous attractions…
How to get the cheapest flights in Europe
When I first moved to Spain in 2011 my teaching scholarship paid €700 a month. After covering the cost of rent and food that left me with an itsy bitsy travel budget…but even so I still managed to visit 9 countries in 9 months. The secret? Super cheap flights! In the last 8 years I’ve…
4 Day road trip through Extremadura: Mérida, Trujillo, Cáceres, Elvas, Zafra
I’ve just returned from a road trip through Extremadura with my family. We planned our visit during Holy Week (Easter) and were able to see religious processions in several different cities. The weather is unpredictable in spring but we got lucky with clouds and cool temperatures—perfect for exploring! The trip lasted 4 days, 3 nights…
What you need to know before getting a mortgage in Spain
In 2015 Javi and I bought land in his hometown, Sanlúcar de Barrameda, with a plan to build our dream home there one day. This year we’re ready to take the plunge! We’ve designed the house, chosen a builder, and secured a self build mortgage (hipoteca autopromotor). It’s an exciting (and slightly terrifying) time in…