¡Viva España!
Summer has really hit Holland, and for once it’s real summer. It’s hot, hot, hot and I suddenly find myself without a proper summer working waredrobe. If it wasn’t for an account in C minus I would’ve gone on a shopping spree, because it’s sales. Instead I find myself planning a weekend of dinner and salsa dancing with a friend of mine. Not too bad either, if it wasn’t for the fashion malfunction.
To take my mind off my sorry bank balance and subsequent (lack of) much needed fashion injection, I start thinking of our upcoming holidays. Reinout is really busy so a holiday doesn’t look very likely until the end of August. We’ve been talking about the south of France but as of late I’ve started to swing in opinion. I’ve entered a period of total dedication to Spain, its history, literature, films, music you name it. It all started with – for a to me – obscure author named Carlos Ruiz Zafon . After having read the first book (not his debut) the Shadow of the Wind, and later The Angel’s Game, I was hooked.
I dusted off an old Swedish book about the history of Spain, and started to pour over YouTube documentaries of the Spanish Inquisition (their admittedly darker period), the Moorish era, Isabella and Ferdinand, to the invasion of Napoleon. I rented Goya’s Ghost and Vicky Christina Barcelona and fell in love with Javier Bardem. I copied all my Cafe del Mar music on my iPod and looped Paco de Lucia’s Entre dos Agua (amazing flamenco!) until I knew every note and beat by heart.
So I’ve decided, this year it won’t be Juan les Pins. It will be Spanish Tapas and Rioja in some obscure Spanish village (trust me I’m not the resort kind). Now the only question is, will my husband agree if Spain wins the World Cup? I sense another domestic battle coming on…
Try Ibiza as a compromise
reply to this commentGreat tune indeed. Have it on our wedding website. One of G’s favorites. How will you manage to be in two places at once though if Reinout is not having his holiday until the end of August? Are you not coming to Greece?
reply to this commentWhen bank balance sinks always turn to salsa and dance. It’s good for the soul
reply to this commentYour Message@Mike:
reply to this commentYes, Reinout and MJ keeps saying so, but I’m not the one for compromises. I’m looking for some quiet hacienda with a pool, exploring church villages and local wineries
Your Message@C:
reply to this commentHey sweetie, I am definetly coming to Greece, but I will take a flight from either France or Spain depending on where we are. Most likely it will only be for the wedding cermony but I will know more in a week or so when our schedule is more clear. xxx
Your Message@Lisa at Wanderlust Women:
x
reply to this commentYes, I deperately need soul food, so salsa it is
Try Andalucia, like Sevilla or Salamanca. Avoid it in august, september or october is much better:).
reply to this commentYour Message@Dirk:
reply to this commentThanks Dirk, would you know of any quite, secluded hotel/B&B with swimming pool that you would recommend?
I’d recommend the lovely town of Sitges, near Barcelona. Great starting point for cultural trips to Barcelona, as well as the wine area (Cava, the Spanish champagne).
reply to this commentYour Message@Inez:
reply to this commentThanks Inez, I was checking it out last night and it looks perfect, being so close to Barcelona and day trip excursions. Would you know of any hotel that is more genuine, homely (not big complex) but with a pool?
Spain is a great country. very nice to have fun and enjoy. I went to valencia, it s really nice there, different from Barcelona. btw to always tell the truth is really hard, I can recommend OnlySin.com to share the truth. good luck http://onlysin.com/7sins
reply to this commentYour Message@nico:
reply to this commentThanks for the tip. I think I need to do some more research here after all the tips. If you know of a good place (village/hotel) please let me know, We are most likely driving there, so quite flexible, Intersting site btw. It reminds me of a concept I came across some time ago…simplyconfess.com
I can’t help you with a hotel, sorry. We rented an apartment via Friendlyrentals.com. They also have apartments with pools. Just make sure you find a place in or near the (old) town centre, after siesta Sitges comes to life.
reply to this commentYour Message@Inez:
reply to this commentThanks for the tip! Will check it out. Sx