Living In Sunny Spain As Digital Nomads

BY  Ankita Jun 19, 2024

The Camino de Santiago tour can be a life-changing experience for many, attracting new adventurers yearly. If you, too, are planning to take it for the first time, we have some tips on how to make your journey both smooth and enjoyable. So, here are our Camino de Santiago beginner tips without further ado. Tips for a Great Camino de Santiago Experience Now that you have a little idea about what Camino de Santiago is about, you might feel excited for your first tour! But it is more challenging than it sounds, you see. Because it takes nearly 33 days for the pilgrims to reach there, most people search for ways in which they would be able to make their journey pleasant and memorable! If you have been thinking of your first Camino de Santiago, we have you covered! Here are some of the tips that you need to keep in mind: Choosing your route Selecting the right route will be the first step to a successful trip. The most popular routes include Camino Francés, Camino Portugues, Camino del Norte, and Camino Inglés. Multiple starting points are available for each, depending on the length and difficulty level you seek. Besides the popular trails, a few lesser-known routes can be great if you want to avoid crowds. Therefore, doing your research and comparing different routes will be key here.  Packing smart During the Camino de Santiago, you will be carrying all of your belongings with you, so it should come as no surprise that packing light will be paramount. Try to stick only to the essentials, focusing on high-quality and lightweight materials. Of course, your backpack should be comfortable enough to help you with your weight as much as possible. Packaging under 10% of your body weight is a good rule of thumb.  Physical preparation Physically preparing for the Camino might be needed depending on how much you walk in your everyday life. Walking long distances for 7–14 days can be challenging, particularly towards the second half of your trip. Conditioning your body and growing your stamina will be helpful and make your journey more enjoyable. Start doing so by simply going on more and longer walks a few months before your Camino adventure.  Accommodation and planning Booking your accommodation in advance is always recommended, but it's particularly the case during peak season.  Many pilgrim hotels and hostels will be along the way, some offering affordable options. Suppose you need more confidence in planning everything yourself. In that case, many Camino agencies can do it all for you.  Health and Safety Your safety always comes first, so look after yourself and your companions. Take all the necessary safety precautions, such as drinking plenty of water, keeping energy with healthy snacks, wearing sun cream, and taking rest days if necessary. It would be best to have good travel insurance for your holiday.  Cultural etiquette Respecting local customs and traditions is always important. Learn basic phrases in Spanish to communicate with locals. Follow all the signs and rules, particularly the "Leave no Trace." Most importantly, a positive and respectful atmosphere should always be fostered along the Camino.   Navigating the Camino Most of the Camino routes are well-marked. Look for yellow arrows or scallop shell signs to guide you. However, if you need help, having a guidebook or a navigation map is still a good idea if you get lost. You can always ask fellow pilgrims or locals for directions if in doubt.  Things to Know About Camino de Santiago The Camino de Santiago is something that trekkers, as well as pilgrims, are fond of. A lot of them search for what it is. Therefore, let us explain what it is! The meaning of the word 'Camino' is 'the way.' This sums up the meaning of the phrase: Camino de Santiago, or the way to Santiago. Now, why Santiago? Let me tell you why! It is said that the remains of St. James are enshrined in the St. James Cathedral, located in Santiago. This makes the entire pilgrimage much sought after. During the Middle Ages, pilgrims traveled to Santiago by foot and visited the Cathedral for miracles or penance. This pilgrimage has become increasingly popular since its inception in the 9th century. For instance, in 2019, the authorities issued almost 350,000 Compostela certificates for the pilgrims. At present, this pilgrimage is a trail that UNESCO has listed. Moreover, people from across the world often visit this trail! What are the Best Routes for the Camino de Santiago? When people start talking about the Camino, they usually think of only one route— Camino Francés. However, this is not the ONLY option that you have. While there are several routes that you can try depending on your time and personal preference, there are a few that you MUST know about. Let us explain each of them! 1. Camino Francés (800km, St-Jean-Pied-de-Port to Santiago) For a good reason, this is the most popular route—it's stunning! This is your go-to if you want to meet fellow pilgrims and form lasting friendships. The journey takes you through picturesque villages, rolling hills, and historic towns.  2. Camino Portugués (610km, Lisboa to Santiago) This path is slightly less crowded but equally mesmerizing. It balances solitude and companionship. You'll enjoy coastal views, lush forests, and charming towns.  3. Camino del Norte (825km, Irún to Santiago) This route is perfect for serious hikers seeking a challenge. It's considered the most difficult due to its multiple ascents and descents. But the rugged beauty of the northern coast makes it worthwhile.  4. Via de la Plata (1000km, Sevilla to Santiago) If you crave serenity, explore this lesser-known route. It connects intimately with nature, passing through quiet landscapes and historic sites.  Buen Camino! The Camino de Santiago is a journey of a lifetime… Once you feel well-prepared for it, you can enjoy yourself and your beautiful surroundings! However, if you are traveling on the route, ensure you carry everything you need. If traveling here for the first time, research properly to ensure the best experience. Read More...First-Time In Spain? Try These 5 Insider Tips To Enjoy The ExperienceLiving In Sunny Spain As Digital NomadsTraveling On A Budget: Tips For Affordable Adventures

BY  Ankita Oct 7, 2023

The beautiful island of Mallorca is one of the most popular attractions for visitors in Spain. Its beaches, cliffs, coves, winding roads, and places of historical interest attract tourists throughout the year, with September being the peak month for tourism on this island. Renting a car is a great way to get around on this island; it frees you from private taxis' and public transport costs and constraints, respectively. A car hire Mallorca lets you visit famous sites before the crowds arrive. Your best bet for a gratifying experience in the Formentor peninsula and the old villages of Majorca is to reach these places early to commune with nature, take in the sights, and click the best photos. It's worth noting that while the official driving age in Mallorca is 18, most Mallorca car hire businesses like mallorcacarhirecompany rent out their vehicles to drivers 21 or older. You'll be expected to furnish a driving license from your home country at least a year old. Some Mallorca hire car companies may levy additional charges if you're below 25 or over a certain age. The Benefits Of Booking Early Tourists come to sunny Mallorca in the summers, when the prices of everything related to tourism go up, including car rentals. You can save money and get a vehicle of your choice if you book early. As with all aspects of vacationing, planning helps with hiring car rentals, too. Many things fall into place when you decide to book early. Your car rental bookings will depend upon your itinerary, hotel stays, eating places you've earmarked, and must-do activities. Once you've planned these things, you can book in advance for most of these activities and save a decent amount. The airport is the best place to rent a car; you can also rent them from the beachside towns that host holidayers. For longer stays on the island, of a week or more, you should consider a car hire from Mallorca from the airport because of the operators' reliability, fair prices, and vehicle choice. The best months for the best rates are February and March. You can compare rates for car hire companies operating in Mallorca online and read reviews. Ascertain that there are no hidden costs and surcharges. Check the cancellation fees. Rental car services on the island offer a choice between unlimited mileage or a daily defined mileage. Your rental vehicle may have geographical restrictions; for example, if you plan to visit Menorca, check if that's allowed with your rental vehicle. Do You Need A 4WD? Narrow roads on the island add to the already considerable charms of the place but are not ideal for wider vehicles. Consider narrower cars to best navigate the roads leading to mountain tops, beaches, and the countryside. The roads in Mallorca are paved, and you won't be climbing on extreme gradients, so you don't need vehicles with powerful engines. You will need a 4WD to access certain coves and beaches. Know that insurance coverage extended by the rental applies only for incidents on paved roads; if you get off the beaten track, you're most likely not covered by insurance any longer. Some beaches/coves along the southeast coast are only accessible by tracks. But even if you have a 4WD, the insurance protection associated with the rental does not cover using the car out of paved roads. Vehicle Type Considerations It is a norm in Majorca to group cars alphabetically. Rental vehicles equipped with only essential utilities are classed as A, and the grading progresses to B, C, and D such that a Z-category vehicle is a high-end one with enough and more utilities and amenities but will also cost more. Cost is an essential consideration for many visitors to the islands of Majorca, Menorca, and Ibiza. Book as early as possible to keep costs down, avoid booking larger vehicles, and adhere to the drop-off and pick-up terms. Check if the rental service offers a discount on car rentals beyond a week. Would you save and enjoy more by extending your stay by a few days? Hotels, too, offer similar discounts for extended stays. While the car rental business in Mallorca is relatively scam-free, you should remember that If The Prices For A Car Rental Sound Too Good To Be True, They Probably Are. Find Out A Company's Terms For Damages To The Vehicle. Rental Companies That Rent Cars For Low Costs May Try To Make Money by charging stiff amounts for repairs. Click photos of the car, its sides, bonnet, roof, and interiors at the pick-up and drop-off. Insurance And GPS Educate yourself on the different choices in insurance available. Unlimited third-party liability insurance is the mandatory insurance for rental vehicles in Spain. Optional cover includes collision damage waiver theft protection. If you opt for no insurance except the mandatory one, you could face a hefty out-of-pocket cost if something happens to the vehicle. Many credit cards offer insurance that covers rental vehicles. Regular car insurance, which you might be availing of for your car back home, may also cover rental cars. A GPS makes navigation easier. Please bring your own. It's a big help in locating fueling stations, hotels, motels, auto mechanics, police stations, landmarks, and more. Use your phone to connect to a paid GPS, but check the costs. If you want to do things the old-fashioned way, bring a map or download one to your tablet or phone. This will save you expenses that a GPS may incur. Additional Driver And Child Safety Laws Will you be doing all the driving, or will you need the assistance of an additional driver? Rental agencies charge extra for a driver's services; compare agencies for costs and the terms of hiring a rental car with a driver. Brief yourself on traffic safety laws in Mallorca and also child safety rules. On this island, children weighing below 18 kg must sit in child seats, and those under 4.4 ft tall should sit on boosters in the rear seats. Factor in these points when planning a Mallorca vacation so that you can enjoy your stay on the island stress-free. Read Also: Living In Sunny Spain As Digital Nomads The 5 Most Historically Significant Buildings 5 Ideas For Wine Tours In Barcelona- Make It Happen

BY  Mashum Jul 26, 2018

Barcelona is one of the cities that will appeal to you in all senses. You will find some tapas for gobbling and wines for swirling. As a visitor, you can also explore some passageways and ponder the availability of great paintings.  Barcelona is an excellent sightseeing destination. The people are amazing and have a very rich culture. Further, there is an endless list of things to do in Barcelona.  You will always get a few interesting things irrespective of your tastes and preferences. In this context, we will only examine the 10 best things to do in Barcelona. We want you to have an amazing moment while touring this great destination. 10 Best Things to Do in Barcelona  The Olympic Games in 1992 were a big turning point in the tourism of Barcelona. With cultural heritage, amazing architecture, and a spirited atmosphere, it never lacked the prospect of being a tourism hotspot.  In fact, Statista's report suggests that Barcelona has been among the top ten European destinations to “have the highest number of overnights” in 2022. So, your European tour must include Barcelona for the most fulfilling experience.  Let’s set the itinerary for your trip right!  1. Exploring Barri Gotic : The breadth and concentration of the Barri Gotic hold a candle like no other place in the world. It is the oldest section of the city in which the labyrinthine streets empty into medieval places. It has some of the best shopping places in the city.  You can find some handmade espadrilles and affordable souvenirs, as well as cherries from some of the shops. The stock-to-ceiling stacks are marvelous, making it worth your visit. The Gothic and old charm of Barri Gotic is hard to ignore, and the place where Barri Gotic is today is, in fact, the place where the history of Barcelona began. With the cathedral La Seu at the heart, the winding alleys of the old city today tell the tales of Roman dominion here for 500 years. Further, the city came under the spotlight after the Olympics in 1992.  2. Visiting El Palau de la Musica Catalana : Gaudi is the most detectable face of Catalan Moderniste, but most of his contemporaries also left a mark on Barcelona. Lluís Domenech Monster was one of them, and this was a Barcelona architect who was behind the construction of the Palace of Catalan Music in 1908.  It is a chosen UNESCO site for world heritage. The interior of this auditorium bursts with texture, pattern, and color. It culminates in the skylight during the day, and the performance will occur without switching on even a single light.  “Palau de la Música Catalana and Hospital de Sant Pau are two of the finest contributions to Barcelona’s architecture by the Catalan Modernista architect Lluís Domènech i Montaner. The Palau de la Música Catalana is an exuberant steel-framed structure full of light and space, decorated by the leading artists of the period. It has uniqueness, authenticity, and beauty and is an unparalleled Modernista example of a public concert hall whose symbolic, artistic, and historical value is universal.”UNESCO World Heritage Convention Opera, orchestral, and choral music reign in this place and also features mainstream artists like Pace de Lucia, Norah Jones, and Fitzgerald. 3. Paying A Visit To Fundacio Joan Miro : https://www.instagram.com/p/CpYPwSeo4BW/?img_index=1 This hill rises behind the city center, and a Catalan artist founded it in 1968. His primary intention was to make his artwork more accessible to the general public. Currently, over 10,000 masterpieces that he has made are on display, from the early surrealist paintings to the later works that Dada inspired.  Make sure you don’t miss the Man and Woman that is in front of the excrement pile, even if you are in for only 30 minutes. 4. Exploring La Boqueria : This gastronomic mecca attracts over 45,000 visitors daily. La Boqueria is one of the most popular food markets globally for all the good reasons. The Food & Wine Magazine has called La Boqueria the best market in the world this year.  It has a list of endless stalls that lure buyers with plentiful displays of the finest seafood, charcuterie, cheeses, and produce that the region has to produce.  With time, some of the vendors have adapted to the demands of tourists, but you can still taste the original foods of Barcelona in this region.  Some of the delicacies like Calamarcets amb Mongetes and Citrons amb botifarra negre have been in existence for more than half a century. This should not be missed on your list of things to do in Barcelona. 5. Visiting The National Museum of Catalan Art : You can be sure that there are so many Renaissance and Baroque masterpieces in this place. It is home to one of the most famous portraits of Diego Velazquez, San Pablo.  The scope of the Romanesque of this museum is what sets it apart. It is one of the most exhaustive in the whole world. You will be sure to seek out the biblical title of Apse of Saint Clement de Taull, which is the crown jewel of the collection. The national museum is one of the best things to visit in Barcelona. 6. Visiting Santa Maria Del Mar : Visiting the Santa Maria Del Mar is one of the things to do in Barcelona, Spain, that makes your trip complete. You will gain some perspective on its antiquity and the resilient nature of the architectonic tradition of Barcelona.   You will realize that each border that was used in the construction of this church was hauled one at a time from the surrounding shoreline and mountainsides by ordinary civilians. This project was completed in 1383, 54 years after laying the first stone.  The citizens marveled at the end product, which was a soaring Gothic temple that was accented with the use of vivid stained glass panels. The temple is buttressed with sparse, illuminated with natural light, and improbably slender columns.  Most of the original structures of Barcelona remain intact to date, even though there are some interior damages that came out of the 11-day fire of the 1936 Spanish Civil War. 7. Spending Some Time At La Sagrada Familia  La Sagrada Familia is an architectural feat in Barcelona that has been and continues to be controversial. Scholars have continued to debate whether the engineers strayed so much from the original vision of architect Antoni Gaudi.  This is the biggest achievement of the Catalan building even though other residents view this resident to be an expensive, glaring parody. There is no way you will fail to get caught up with the magical appearance of this place once you put academic bickering aside. It has been under construction for the last 150 years and is pending completion in 2026. It is the tallest religious building in Europe and, hence, one of the best things to see in Barcelona. Long queues characterize the place, and hence, it’s advisable to buy your tickets in advance. 8. Strolling Through Las Ramblas : One of the top things to do in Barcelona is strolling through Las Ramblas. It is a broad, shady boulevard running via the city heart right away from Place de Catalunya to Port Vell.  It’s good for taking street performances, ambling down trees, or watching people from the terrace. You will not have any dull moments while at this place. You can also have a bird’s eye view of the city and sea at the 18th-story Columbus Monument. 9. Spending Some Time At Park Guell : This is the hugest triumph in the planning of the urban center and displays the sculptor in the most organic manner. The structures (walkways, pillars, fountains, houses) or these architectural parks are some of the best places to visit in Barcelona.  The columns of this structure shoot up like trunks of trees, its arches jam like openings of a cave, and giant lizards guard the fountains with scales that are fashioned out of mosaic tiles.  As you follow the steep while leaving this monumental area on the uphill path, you will find sweeping views that motivate you. This park only allows 400 visitors per hour. So it's advisable to book in advance. 10. Visiting The Magical Museum Picasso : https://www.instagram.com/p/DAshrO-IITI/?img_index=1 Picasso may have been from Malaga in southern Spain, but he chose Barcelona. He apprenticed as a young artist in this city.  The museum houses 4251 early works of Picasso, like engraving, painting, and sculpture, and these are some of the best things to see in Barcelona. There are so many things to do in Barcelona, and you cannot finish all of them. Do thorough research and choose what interests you so as to get the most from your trip to the area. The most important thing is to make sure that you get value from your trip to Barcelona. What Is The Best Time To Visit Barcelona?  The best time to try the top things to do In Barcelona is September to November. I know this is not a popular opinion. But trust me! The number of tourist is very less to Barcelona during this season. So, there are better chances of exploring the hand-picked destinations and outdoor pursuits. However, if you want to enjoy the best weather and festivals in Barcelona, March to June will be the ideal season. During these months, Barcelona has noted celebrations, such as Primavera Sound, Corpus Christi, Festival Of San Juan, and Barcelona Gay Pride. Read Also : 10 Best Things to Do in Dublin (Ireland) Top 10 famous Wonders of India 5 EUROPEAN DESTINATIONS NEGATIVELY IMPACTED BY ‘OVER-TOURISM