29 Comments

This was so fun to read as I just came back from a trip to northern Spain in April with my mom. Went to 10 cities, including Madrid and San Sebastián, which I loved, and am already itching to go back.

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This sounds so amazing! My husband and I went to Barcelona for a week last year on a bit of a whim (AKA, randomly cheap flights!) and absolutely fell in love. Sounds like we need to take this trip next!

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loved reading all about your trip so much!! I fell in love with San Sebastian 12 years ago on a Madrid, Barcelona, San Seb trip. I'm thrilled when people discover the magic of a pintxos crawl + txakoli. Hiking the Camino trail sounds incredibly cool. what did you do with your luggage as you hiked?

My friends and I just got back from our annual euro moms! I wrote a little about it today :) We did Budapest and Vienna, I loved these cities and am excited to recap.

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So much fun!! Pinxtos are the best! Did you make it to Basque Country in France?

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I did not! have you been?

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Ah next time add it to your list!! Yes I actually moved to Biarritz because I loved it so much. The meals are a little but fresher/lighter here than in Spain. But both are awesome. 🤩 great inspiration for recipe development!

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sounds incredible. I love that you moved there! Adding Biarritz to the ever growing travel list....

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Put it towards the top and let me know when you come. I’ll give you the best recs!!

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I’d love to hear more about the Camino - especially about bags and gear! (I’m a bit of an outdoor-gear-nut)

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Gure Toki in Bilbao is extraordinary! It's on the Plaza Barria and a local favorite. I went a few years ago and hope to get back - I still dream about their layered treat of queso de cabra with thin slices of green apple & mango, and then rose petal jam to finish. I was in Bilbao before starting the Camino! Went from St Jean Pied de Port to Santiago in 34 days...with a long pause in Logrono due to tendonitis and a bad cold. It's an amazing journey and highly recommend doing more!

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Can I shamelessly (and selfishly) crowdsource recs for Barcelona and Madrid from this amazing community in the comments?? Going for the first time in two weeks, and this post has me SO EXCITED!!

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For Madrid... i haven't been there in many years but i loved it so so much. I've got a Spain post in my drafts and for my research it appears 3 of my favorite spots are still open, i think that says a lot! Chocolateria san Gines a must. For humble but hip Tapas bars: Taberna Tempranillo + Casa Lucas. Let me know what other recs (museums, to do's) might be helpful....

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Wow! Thank you! Tbh, food is my main priority, so restaurant recs and bars are greatly appreciated! I'm fortunate enough to be traveling with my parents who are full-time travel vloggers/YouTubers (@Retirementtravelers), and they've been to both places several times. I just want to explore and eat/drink my way around - while also seeing some great art and architecture!

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sounds pretty perfect. Have THE BEST time!!

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We loooooved Barcelona. The highlights: tapas - bar mut; paella - can fisher; private walking tours - Barcelona in and out (also use them to take a tour of costa bravo / pals / girona); fun / awesome cocktail spot - old fashioned; hotel - cotton house or mandarin oriental; easy & cheap way to get a lay of the land - hop on hop off bus ticket; easy and simple airport transfer - the airport bus (I am NOT a bus person but this was so clean and simple and drops off in many areas close to hotels)

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Thank youuu!!!

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Ah yes! My favorite Barcelona restaurant: La Sosenga!

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Of course!!! If you end up loving Spain I’m going to highly recommend you go to Portugal at some point as well. It’s neck and neck between Portugal and Spain of my favorite European countries. I’ve got recs galore for Portugal too!

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I concur. Spain + Portugal are both outstanding. :)

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Wonderful trip. I was just there as well and actually did all the sights you did. Fell in love with San Sebastian. Was there for 8 days. We also did the French Coast, Biarritz, Acouchon , St. Jean de Luz, and a few beautiful Citys along the route. Could do it all again in a heartbeat. Love the Txakoli & Pinxos. VIVA Espagña 😍😍

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Did you enjoy Biarritz? I loved it so much on my coast of France/spain trip that I moved there! :)

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Really? I Loved Biarritz. Do you still live there now? I am originally from San Francisco but live in Salzburg Austria for the last 42 years. So hoping around Europe isbso easy. Lucky you to be in Biarritz. I am Frenchy in my heart. Love the country😍

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Thanks for letting us travel along with you.

We are going to Alaska this summer and would happily accept all recommendations. We fly into Anchorage and have a week. It will be my husband, two daughters (11 and 16) and me.

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Put Portland Maine on your book tour!!

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I studied abroad in Valencia, Spain while in college and absolutely loved it. It gets overshadowed by Barcelona, which is about 4 hours further up the Mediterranean coast, but I really recommend even ten years later. Also enjoyed Granada in southern Spain - such a cool combination of Spanish and Arabic cultures.

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Debordieu! THE BEST. We go every year. You are having the summer of dreams!

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Oh Txacoli will do that! Love your round up of San Sebastián brought back some great memories. Foodie heaven!

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What a great time you girls had. We have visited Spain twice, but only on cruises, my sister on the other hand did the Camino walk with friends ending at at the Cathedral Santiago de Compostela. We visited there as well as Cartegena then onto Murcia. We loved Barcelona and all of its ‘get lost’ streets, and my favourite food memory was so simple being grated puréed tomatoes on grilled toast rubbed with garlic and topped with soft goats cheese. Yum! Thank you for your recipes also.

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Love this and sooo cute! You had perfect weather. I live just north in Biarritz France and was waving from across the bay!

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