In Spain we love to celebrate! We thus find many reasons to have a national or local holiday, which subsequently means that many restaurants are closed.But there are always those few wonderful underdogs that stay open on Sundays, Mondays, Festes Majors (like this one in Gràcia) and even during religious holidays. As a visitor to […]
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8 Unmissable Lunch Spots in Barcelona That Locals Love
Lunch in Barcelona, when done right, can be both very affordable and of tremendous quality. Here in Spain, lunch is the main meal of the day, so many restaurants offer a “menú del día”—a fixed-price lunch deal that usually includes a primero (first course), a segundo (second course) and postre (dessert) and is typically cheaper […]
6 Seville Restaurants that Are Open on Most Public Holidays
It’s often said that most Spaniards don’t live to work; they work to live. And for most, a good life usually means delicious food, great company, and plenty of free time to enjoy both. This year, Andalusia and every other region in Spain will be observing a total of 12 festivos, or holidays—more than most […]
When to Eat in Rome: Breakfast, Lunch, Aperitivo & Dinner Times
Forget your eating schedule back home—it’s time to immerse yourself in Roman culture by embracing local eating times. All European countries have different eating schedules: northern countries tend to dine earlier while southerners grab their meals later. And time is so relative: 6 p.m. is “dinner time” in London yet “aperitivo time” in Rome, which […]
Hidden Paris: Speakeasies, Hidden Bars & Where to Find Them in Paris
Enter through a laundromat, a pizza place or an Indian restaurant; the basement of a creperie, the back of a mezcaleria or through a dimly-lit red door on a street in Le Marais. Behind the graffitied facade of what seems to be a crumbling edifice in Strasbourg-Saint Denis, you’ll find one. Or in the back […]
How to Celebrate New Year’s Eve in San Sebastian: A Local’s Guide
Out with the old, in with the new—we’re celebrating New Year’s Eve in San Sebastian! With the unique Basque culture, beautiful beaches and streets filled with bars and restaurants serving some of the best food in Europe (don’t miss the most typical foods in San Sebastian), it’s no wonder why San Sebastian is the dream destination of […]
Step Back in Time at 7 Centennial Establishments in Madrid
Madrid is a fascinating mix of historic and modern. On streets such as Calle Fuencarral, you can find symbols of globalization and modernization such as Starbucks, Dunkin’ Donuts, and an Adidas shop. However, nestled amongst the commerce, you will find the small Virgen de la Soledad chapel, dating back to 1712. But the hidden gems […]
5 Great Spots to Try Vermouth in San Sebastian
Waking up your appetite like a local with a marianito among friends is a must when in the Basque Country. Trying out this controversial drink may not be the first thing on your to-do list when traveling in Spain. After all, for many of us, the word “vermouth” brings back images of that old Martini […]
Fall Fun: Things To Do In Seville In November
This blog post was originally posted on October 21, 2015 and was updated on October 2, 2019. It’s time to pack away your beach clothes and break out your most stylish coat. Fall has arrived in Seville! Now that the last heat wave of the year has finally passed, it’s time to settle in for […]
A Love Letter to Paris: Montmartre
I first fell in love with Montmartre on the big screen, thanks to its starring role in Amélie. And like my heroine’s own connection to her neighborhood, it’s the first place I started to feel at home in Paris. When I visited a shared apartment in Montmartre which came with all the basics as well […]