Oh España…where do I start? Let’s just say I fell hard for the country and it will for sure not be my last trip there. The thing that makes it so interesting that we felt this way is that Spain was never high on our list. When people would ask us where we wanted to head to next, they would always say, why haven’t you been to Spain? I know it’s always been popular, but for me, it just wasn’t ever that high up on our list. I guess I pictured more of a party country, a warm spot for a beach…both of which aren’t really me. But oh how I was wrong.
Spain first popped up on Nick and I’s radar about a year ago when a Spanish restaurant opened in Portland and we first tried the cuisine of España. We were blown away and immediately started opening up to the idea of Spain for our Spring trip. We were previously looking at the Amalfi Coast of Italy as an option but moved our focus West to Spain and Portugal. Long story short, we are incredibly grateful that we did.
Spain is an incredibly diverse country, from the playful Catalonian atmosphere of Barcelona to the more grounded central part of the country including Madrid, to the Moorish Southern section of Spain to the Basque North. Each part is truly very unique and it is incredible as you travel around how much you notice a difference in language, in food, in architecture throughout the different parts of the country. Those cultural diversities make for an incredible mixture throughout the country, adding texture and diversity to everything. All together, Spain is a beautiful and magical country filled with cheerful people, fantastic food and a landscape that rivals the most beautiful in the world.
Spain for me was everything that I always expected from Italy but never really got. While much of Italy seems to be falling apart around you, with run down buildings and littered streets, Spain keeps the magic alive with impeccable ancient streets and buildings, incredible clean atmospheres and a magic all its own. From the whimsy of Barcelona to the organized charm of Madrid, from the orange groves of Sevilla to the Moorish charm in Granada, Spain is a country that I will now forever hold dear to my heart in more ways than one.
There is magic in Spain, a feeling that will linger with me for a long time to come. There are certain places in this world that we feel a connection to, places that we really do have a sort of a love affair with, that create in us this feeling that we belong, that we can’t wait to see again and that we find ourselves thinking about months and years later. I have a handful of places that I feel that way about, and now I will be adding Spain to that list, in particular Sevilla which I fell entirely in love with. So my advice to you: get yourself to Spain and let its magic envelop you.
Traveling to Spain?
See all of my posts on the country!
Daisy @ Simplicity Relished says
That street does look magical! I really want to go to Spain to experience everything you’ve written about!
Casey says
It’s so magical there! The streets, the people, the food, everything!!!
Kristin says
I absolutely loved Barcelona – the food, the architecture, the people, everything! – and would love to go again. I also have a hankering to see Madrid, and you’ve definitely put Sevilla on my list!
Casey says
Oh you have to do Sevilla… it was seriously up there with Paris on my fave list 🙂
Kaelene @ Unlocking Kiki says
I am the same, Spain was never high on my list, but the more I learn and hear about Spain the higher it is getting!
Casey says
It’s interesting how that works isn’t it? Such a gorgeous country though!
Sara says
This makes me so excited to go to Barcelona this summer. I really want to see more of Spain, but that’ll have to be another trip for me!
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Casey says
Oh that’s wonderful! You’ll love Barcelona!
Julia says
Wowowow, this post is getting me so excited for my upcoming trip to Barcelona! Can’t wait to see what this country is all about 🙂 And to eat the yummy food!!
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Casey says
Oh so glad you’re heading to Barcelona! Such a fantastic city! 🙂
Ashley says
I am so excited to visit Spain this year and experience that magic!
Casey says
I hope you love it just as much as I did!
Marta García says
Hi! I agree, there’s something for everyone, you can ski, go to the beach, see Ancient Roman or Greek ruins, or castles and churches from the Middle Ages… Next on my wishlist is Lanzarote, in the Canary Islands. Just google Jameos del agua, I absolutely need to go there, the mixture of art and nature is stunning. Best regards from Barcelona,
Marta
http://abilingualbb.blogspot.com.es/
Casey says
Totally! The country is so diverse that there is so much! We were making a mental list of all the rest of the places we want to go back and see and do while there! Gorgeous country!
Christine says
Spain did the same thing to me…that’s why I came 5 years ago and never left! Glad you took a chance on this amazing country.
Casey says
Oh wow! I have a feeling Sevilla will someday be on my “I’ve lived there” list… just so magical, I could see why you would never want to leave Spain!
Mere Salazar says
Ooh, I love your intro to the magic of Spain! I can’t wait to travel to Spain someday!
Casey says
Thank you!!! It’s seriously such a magical place!
Estrella says
Lovely post about the magic of Spain! I kinda fell in love with Spain by accident. I really wanted to live in Europe, but I didn’t qualify for teaching programs in my first choice countries, so I ended up here. I’ve been here for almost three years and have never regretted my decision.
Casey says
I hear that story from people a lot!! It’s one of those places that you might not necessarily be drawn to, but pulls you in all the same!