“A journey is best measured in friends, rather than miles” – Tim Cahill Murcia is one of the lesser known regions of Spain. So much so, more than one person I told I was going to Murcia to asked me what part of the States I was going to… they thought I had said ‘Merica!…
Category: Spain
IF you’ve heard myths
“I believe that imagination is stronger than knowledge. That myth is more potent than history. That dreams are more powerful than facts. That hope always triumphs over experience. That laughter is the only cure for grief. And I believe that love is stronger than death.” – Robert Fulghum I have found that after many years…
IF you do the Camino de Santiago
“Every new person you met in your life introduces you to something new!” – Mehmet Murat Ildan I walked the last 5 stages of the Camino Francés this week. I have the sore knees and many blisters to show for it. And of course, the official Compostela! Today, I want to do a diary style post…
IF Santiago summons
“Nobody ever figures out what life is all about, and it doesn’t matter. Explore the world. Nearly everything is really interesting if you go into it deeply enough.” – Richard Feynman I moved to Santiago de Compostela nine months ago this week. It seems fitting that I reflect? I’m not too sure, it seems that…
IF Barcelona beckons
“We are all travellers in the wilderness of this world and the best we can find in our travels is an honest friend” – Robert Louis Stevenson Last weekend, I flew from Santiago to Barcelona to visit my friends. I have visited Barcelona before when I was on a family holiday in Girona – but…
IF you’re taking a gander at Granada
“Give him alms, woman, for there is nothing sadder in life than being blind in Granada.” – Francisco de Icaza If you’ve ever been to Granada then you’ll know that this quote is on every piece of pottery they have – it obviously rubbed off on me when I spent two days there recently and…
The IF guide to the parks of Santiago de Compostela
“Optimists are intrinsically happier and happiness breeds further happiness. Light a candle rather than curse the darkness and do not wait for someone else to light it; do it yourself.” – Natalie Murtagh I thought it was about time I spoke about the beautiful city in which I live. If it wasn’t for Santiago de…
IF you want to be mindful in Malaga
“I felt my lungs inflate with the onrush of scenery—air, mountains, trees, people. I thought, “This is what it is to be happy.”” – Sylvia Plath I went back to Malaga during Semana Santa or Holy Week, which is a very important holiday in Spain. Easter week is celebrated here like nowhere else on the…
IF you’ve got time in The Basque Country
“Not all those who wander are lost.” – J.R.R. Tolkien The Basque Country is a stunning place. If you have more time than just a few days in Bilbao, you should consider doing some day trips. I’ve put some information together for those of you who might be interested. Oma Forest or Bosque de oma…
IF you’re in Bilbao for the first time
“Art should comfort the disturbed and disturb the comfortable.” – Cesar Cruz Having done my Erasmus in Bilbao for a year, I have too much to tell you about the Basque Country to fit it all into one blog post. Therefore, I am going to split it up into a series. Who doesn’t love a…
IF you’re managing Malaga
“The world today doesn’t make sense, so why should I paint pictures that do? – Pablo Picasso For many years, I didn’t think there was anything worth seeing in Malaga. I always assumed that everyone flew into Malaga and then got the hell out of Malaga to spend their holiday in another town or village…
IF you’re planning a sun holiday
“Limitless undying love which shines around me like a million suns it calls me on and on across the universe” – John Lennon I thought I would start this blog adventure with the first solo trip I ever ventured on. At the age of 17, I took off on a one way flight to Malaga…
IF 