Spain...feel alive

Tripoto
26th Aug 2019
Photo of Spain...feel alive by aditi

Like the Spanish dream our trip was full of beautiful landscapes, soul tingling music, amazing cocktails, heart stirring flamenco performances, mouth watering cuisine and experiences that make you feel alive. Our trip was planned keeping in mind the famous La Tomatina festival as the highlight. Like true Indian millennial, it would be unfair if we do not give credit to Bollywood in this, afterall our itinerary was inspired by the epic Indian movie Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara. Starting our journey in the silk centre of Spain, Valencia we devoured on the party spirit of Spaniards, went mad in the epic tomato fight in Bunol, danced the flamenco in the romantic orange laden alleyways of Seville, tasted the original Tio Pepe sherry in Jerez and roamed the romantic white and blue cobbled streets of Cordoba. When the soulful and romantic side was about to seep in, we were hit by the invigorating side of this country when we literally fell out of the sky at Skydive Spain realizing how amazing it is to live on the edge. The finale was a road trip to mesmerizing La Escala, while hiring a convertible did not fit into our budget but we made sure to drive across the beautiful landscapes of Catalonia with the classical Spanish romance riff playing in the background. To top it all was Barcelona, city where the party never ends, from the marvels of Gaudi, the magic music fountain of Montjuic to tapping our feet at the La Rambla Street was the ultimate high of this trip of a lifetime.

Spain was always on our go to list since we saw the movie and once we started reading about this land of explorers we couldn’t help but dream of exploring this kaleidoscope of colors, cultures and cuisine. We were convinced that Spain deserved a dedicated trip . So, we decided to soak ourselves completely in the Spanish romantic summer with a 14 day trip taking us all across the various parts of the country from the Balearic to the Atlantic coast we let our souls flow.

The trip started in Valencia, a major city of Spain and once a major centre of silk trade. Today it boasts of beautiful architecture with the silk centre at the helm. The highlight of the city is the City of Arts and Science, a gateway to the future, standing where you will feel as if you were living in the real time sci fiction futuristic city. If the architecture couldn’t overwhelm you, wait for the Agua De Valencia to blow your minds off, a must try cocktail specialty of Valencia it is ready to go in every Tapas bar. Valencia also serves as the base for La Tomatina due to its proximity to Bunol; the venue of the epic tomato fight festival.

Photo of Valencia, Spain by aditi
Photo of Valencia, Spain by aditi
Photo of Valencia, Spain by aditi
Photo of Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias, Avinguda del Professor López Piñero, Valencia, Spain by aditi
Photo of Gulliver park, Jardín del Turia, Valencia, Spain by aditi

La tomatina takes place on the last Wednesday of August every year in a small town of Bunol where for sixty minutes the main street changes into a huge tomato puree pool and people forget that they were unknown to each other a moment back but that lone tomato was enough to break the ice. It is an experience of a lifetime but be sure to book your passes in advance and be early at the railway station to catch the transit to Bunol, because it is going to be crowded and limited. Also, do carry a change otherwise you’ll be smelling of tomatoes on your way back.

Photo of La Tomatina, Calle Iglesia, Santa Ana, Spain by aditi
Photo of La Tomatina, Calle Iglesia, Santa Ana, Spain by aditi

Sevilla with its orange laden alley ways and the beautiful Moorish architecture made us fall in love with the place. We spent six days in Sevilla with day trips to Cordoba, Jerez and Cadiz. Sevilla is a real bouquet of everything a traveler needs to quench his/ her thirst. From beautiful architecture to sumptuous meals to the undying beats of flamenco which will compel you to dance to the magical beats of this city. You can wake up to the tempting aroma of Catunambu cafe, absorb the magic of the architecture, gastronomy and ceramic and finally settle down in a cozy & vibrant Tapas bar sipping Sangria letting this dream turn into a picture postcard. The best part is you can make this city your base and explore the entire Andalucia. Get lost while exploring the beautiful streets of Cordoba, experience the marvels of Jerez in The Royal Andalusian School of Equestrian Art and world renowned winery of Tio Pepe, enjoy the summer Cun and beaches of Cadiz, a quaint beautiful town on the Atlantic coast. If you think this was enough just wait, there is one more arrow in this city’s arsenal. It is also the hub of skydiving, Skydive Spain gives you an experience of a lifetime jumping into the beautiful Spanish sunrise.

Wine Tasting at Tio Pepe Winery

Photo of Sevilla, Spain by aditi

Glitters of Night

Photo of Sevilla, Spain by aditi
Photo of Sevilla, Spain by aditi
Photo of Sevilla, Spain by aditi
Photo of Sevilla, Spain by aditi

Tapping Heels with Flamenco

Photo of Sevilla, Spain by aditi
Photo of Sevilla, Spain by aditi
Photo of Plaza de España, Av de Isabel la Católica, Seville, Spain by aditi

Well the next leg of our journey took us north; it was something we were very excited about. The destination La Escala, a resort town on the Balearic coast of Costa Brava and the journey was the epic road trip with a pit stop at Old Jewish quarters of Girona. The drive was way serene as was the destination. The small cute studio apartment was enough to fill us with the beach vibes topped with a picture postcard sunset in Cala Montgo Bay.

Photo of Pont de les Peixateries Velles, Carrer del Riu Onyar, Girona, Spain by aditi
Photo of Cala Montgó, Spain by aditi

Finally we reached the last stop of our journey, Barcelona. The ultimate high of our trip, it was very difficult to envelope everything this city has to offer in three days but we just managed to do justice to the place where party never ends. The city boasts of Architectural wonders of Gaudi including La Sagrada Familia incomplete yet overwhelming. The city will force you to drown in its vibe till you stare in amazement at its magical sight of the music fountain , a ride on the ropeway overlooking the bay till you finally end up window shopping in the streets and marveling at out of the league Museums. Don't forget piping Churros with hot chocolate because you can never have enough of it . This city has something for everyone to fulfill their souls.

Photo of Barcelona, Spain by aditi
Photo of Barcelona, Spain by aditi
Photo of Barcelona, Spain by aditi

Taste some Sweetness

Photo of Barcelona, Spain by aditi

Overall Spain is a surprise awaiting you to open it and live to the fullest. So pack your bags and practice your Hola, Muchas Gracias till you finally live it and savor for a life time. Adios Amigos.