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…
How to choose the best Sahara Desert Tour from Marrakech
This December I organized a trip for my family to Marrakech and the Sahara Desert. My goal was to camp in the desert at least one night, see Aït Benhaddou, and ensure we had private transport for our group of seven. We had a great experience with Superb Morocco Tours and I would definitely recommend…
What you need to know before visiting Marrakech
Morocco is the perfect winter destination. The weather is pleasant and there are plenty of things to see and experience! You can get cheap flights with RyanAir to Marrakech from most European cities. I would recommend staying at least 5 days (4 nights) total if you’re planning to see Marrakech and go on a tour…
2 Beautiful towns you’ve got to see in the Sierra de Cádiz (pet-friendly)
Javi and I enjoyed a weekend escape to the beautiful Sierra de Cádiz with our dog Pubma this October. Although I’ve been to El Chorro, Jubrique, Vejer, Grazalema and El Bosque there’s still so many places to see in the nearby Sierras of Malága and Cádiz! This trip we visited two new towns; Setenil de las…
Planning the perfect 10 day escape to Italy’s Amalfi Coast
I’ve just returned from a fantastic 10 day trip to Italy. We started in Rome, made a few stops along the Amalfi Coast, and ended the trip in Umbria. September is the perfect time to visit Italy because there aren’t as many tourists and you’ll get to enjoy the sunny weather. Our itinerary Rome:…
Itinerary ideas for a 4 day sailing trip from Spain to Portugal
This August I embarked on a sailing trip from Spain to Portugal with my husband and his family. The journey took four days and three nights—we traveled from Puerto de Santa Maria, Spain to Albufeira, Portugal and back. We sailed for 36 hours total and spent each night on our 37 foot sailboat. I hope…
What to do with 7 days in Iceland—exact itinerary tips!
I would highly recommend spending at least seven days in Iceland. It’s the perfect amount of time to see the southern (or northern) region of the country. Check out this post for tips on how to plan your own road trip and make sure to read up on 10 things I wish I’d known before going…
10 Things I wish I’d known before planning our Iceland road trip
This March my family spent eight days on an unforgettable Iceland road trip. Our itinerary was perfect and I can’t think of one thing I would change…well, maybe just one or two things. 😉 If you’re interested in planning your own trip to Iceland make sure to check out my tips below BEFORE getting started. 1)The…