Exploring España

In a bid to justify its European funding, my university insisted that I take a class in either Spanish or Italian, neither of which are obvious add-ons to a graphic design course. I had my long had my heart set on Italian, but at the very last moment I found myself putting my name down for Spanish. And so began my obsession with Spain. But strangely, when I moved here many years later in September 2012, I had only visited four places – Barcelona, Granollers (where I did my CELTA), Madrid and Tui.

In my first year in Madrid, burned out from two years of frequent travel, I was content to simply be, and so – two day trips aside – I saw nothing more of the country. But in early 2014, as the weather started to improve, I rediscovered my love of travel and of my host country. Consequently, I found myself booking trips to cities all over the country. Now into my fourth year here, I've seen a little more of the country, although there are still plenty of places I'd like to see. Eventually, I hope to have visited all 17 autonomous communities so I can truly say I've had a taste of everything Spain has to offer.

WHERE I'VE BEEN

Places I've visited (map adapted from aboutromania.com – no, I don't get the connection either!)

ANDALUCÍA
* Granada
* Málaga
* Sevilla

CANTABRIA
* San Vicente de la Barquera
* Santander
* Santillana del Mar

CASTILLA-LA MANCHA
* Campo de Criptana
* Consuegra
* Toledo

CASTILLA Y LEÓN
* Ávila
* San Ildefonso
* Segovia

CATALUNYA
* Barcelona
* Castelldefels
* Colònia Güell
* Granollers
* Santa Coloma de Cervelló
* Sant Cugat

GALICIA
* Santiago de Compostela
* Tui

ISLAS BALEARES
* Palma de Mallorca

MADRID
* Alcalá de Henares
* Aranjuez
* Madrid
* San Lorenzo de El Escorial

VALENCIA
* Alicante
* Altea
* El Campello
* Elche
* Santa Pola
* Valencia
* Villajoyosa


Last updated: 28/05/2016