April 25, 2019

Asturias, Spain: Five Fabulous Things

coast at sunset

There is one certainty to keep in mind above all else while planning a vacation to Asturias, Spain: You can’t control the weather. That’s not to say I didn’t try. But as my boyfriend and I planned our Easter vacation to this a small region of northern Spain that clings to the Atlantic Coast, I realized that it rains 150+ days a year. Instead of stressing about the weather, we planned a blend of activities that allowed for some indoor days. It was probably healthy for me to give an obsessive-compulsive side a break, anyway. Below are five fabulous things to do in Asturias, Spain: 1 Hiking One of the…

March 9, 2019

Rincon, Puerto Rico: Five Fabulous Things

flag on a door

Read the article for all the fabulous things to do in Rincon, Puerto Rico. But first check out the view! There are lots of things you can do to prepare for winter in Manhattan. In no particular order, it’s important to have: liquor, face masks, heavy slippers, large books, cozy blankets and plane tickets. The plane tickets are the most sure-fire solution. With my 2019 warm weather escape, I decided to kill two birds with one stone. 1. Escape the drudgery of cold Manhattan. There is only so much time a girl can devote to shivering and playing with the steam heat radiator.2. Rediscover Puerto Rico! Since Hurricane Maria I…

February 2, 2019

Quito, Ecuador: Five fabulous things

Hola de Quito!  I haven’t been to South America in a long time, and haven’t ever been to Quito before.  I wanted to write this post for two reasons. 1: Fabulous things in Quito. Duh. 2. For me, there is something intimidating about a major city in South America, especially as a woman traveling alone.  In Europe and the USA, I generally feel safe prancing around, getting lost on dreamy little streets or striding with purpose down major boulevards.  In New York or Madrid, I don’t think twice about going out late at night (point of clarification: 9 PM.  Generally if I’m not out by then, I’m fast asleep.) Anyway,…

June 28, 2018

Cadiz: Five Fabulous Things

Summer begins with a trip to Cadiz! This year my boyfriend and I waited two whole days after work ended before absconding to the coast of Spain. We landed in Cadiz, an Andalusian town famous for it’s Teatro Falla Opera house, its Roman Catholic Cathedral and its parador hotel. Right. That stuff is awesome. We didn’t do any of it. Here is the insiders list. Five Fabulous Things to Do In Cadiz 1. Eat molletes. Different parts of Spain are famous for different breads and pastries. In Valencia it’s fartons, in Cadiz it’s molletes. Mollete is apparently Spanish for gigantic, delicious English muffin. It’s most typical to eat as many…

June 14, 2018

The Importance of Valencia

Here is how my boyfriend gets me to go on an easy weekend trip to Valencia: Step 1: One month prior Bring it up and dutifully listen to me as I spend two hours debating if “we” (read: I) have enough time to go. Step 2: Two weeks prior Wait for me to bring it up again and change my mind about if “we” (see above) have enough time to go. Suggest we look at train tickets at some point just to get an idea of price. Step 3: One week prior Look at train tickets. Remain patiently waiting as I change my mind between two and six more times….

August 22, 2015

Hello from Bilbao

Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao

Hello from Bilbao! I am back in the land of small meals, copious wine and terrible coffee.   Spain! It feels wonderful to be home. More accurately, it feels wonderful to be holed up in a 4-star hotel room at Abando Bilbao, where I have been placidly binge-reading on my Kindle, drinking powdered cappuccino and half-heartedly considering if there is anything else I would rather be doing with my time.  Conclusion: there is not. That is not to say I have not explored the town.   Bilbao Explorations: First, I went to the Guggenheim Bilbao and met Puppy (picture below).  Second, I strolled through a captivating exhibit on the life, times and art of Jean-Michel…

July 31, 2015

Hello from New York!

Empire State Building New York

Now that I have successfully redecorated my bookshelves in my current home, I am thrilled to be writing from my forever home, New York City. Details on my flight below.   The flight from Madrid Barajas to New York John F Kennedy takes approximately 7 hours (longer on the way back going against the wind). I have broken the experience into time intervals for easier reporting.   Minutes -30 to 125 Minute -30: Spanish nationals start lining up for the plane. Spanish people simply adore standing in line–it’s very puzzling.  Minutes 0-45: Board and promptly fall asleep. All going well according to ‘napping and reading’ flight plan. Minute 46: Helpful…

July 26, 2015

How to Make Vacation Longer

Sometimes, the secret of how to make vacation longer is all about your mindset. For example, I have been back from my latest trip for approximately 36 hours.  I have already: Gone out to an amazing dinner with my boyfriend, read a book, ran 4..ish… miles in Retiro Park, written a blog post, caught up on my e-mail and started harassing my friends about our NEXT destination.   At around 7 PM I realized-I needed to get my head back in vacation mode.  I immediately booked an appointment at the Hammam Arab Baths.  By 8 PM I was floating blissfully in a pool of hot water, debating the merits of…

July 18, 2015

Stupid Things that Happen at the Airport

Person standing in the ariport

Why are there so many stupid things that happen at the airport?! Overall, I would say I love flying the same way I love the 2nd floor changing rooms at Bloomingdales. An annoying experience, cramped and a bit miserable that must be endured in order to possess something wonderful. Here is the difference: If you are at Bloomingdales, get your ass up to the 4th floor, pronto. Much roomier and better mirrors. You’re welcome. If you are flying…what’s that? Daddy canceled the private jet credit card? Yeah, me too. So if you are flying, make lists of the annoying things that happen at the airport to pass the time. Mine…

May 29, 2015

Primavera Sound Festival, Barcelona

person taking video of music

Congratulations! If you read the title of this post, you now know how to say “Coachella” in Spanish. Primavera Sound Festival is going strong this weekend in Barcelona.  Quickly becoming one of the biggest music festival in Europe, the headliners for 2015 include Interpol, Ratatat, Belle & Sebastian and Babes in Toyland.  With more than 100,000 people in attendance, the weekend is epic.  I’m sure. Personally, I am enjoying the epic nature of Primavera Sound Festival live-streaming on my laptop in my pajamas.  But I did go to Barcelona LAST weekend and was thinking of all the party happy anddrunk serious and dedicated music fans the whole time.  I came up…