My Spain Travel Wish List
I’ve lived in Spain for 12 years, so I’ve traveled a lot. The north, the Mediterranean, Madrid, Barcelona, Mallorca, Sevilla, Cordoba, Burgos, Rioja, Asturias, Cantabria, Ibiza, Menorca, Tenerife, Granada, Ronda, etc etc and on and on. But as I sat down to think about where I would like this year to take me, I decided I would actually like to get to the harder-to-reach corners of Spain.
Making my top list of destinations for 2023, it occurred to me that it would be fun to share it with you all. Perhaps you are a seasoned Spain traveller, looking for new inspiration. Or maybe you have never been, but you doubt if Madrid and Barcelona are really for you (or you may have seen my recent reel).
Here is my personal Spain travel wish list for this year. I hope it inspires you!
Drop me a comment if you think I’ve forgotten anything.
MARBELLA
Marbella is synonymous with sun-seeking tourists. Yes, that is a euphemism for loud Brits. However, to its credit, it is easy to get to and I’m fascinated by its cheesiness. When all else fails…sun.
RIBERA DEL DUERO
The source of my favorite Spanish reds, Ribera del Duero. I'm dying to wind my way around its vineyards, curious to see the difference between it and other winemaking regions of Spain. Also, I WILL stay here (is this how manifesting works?).
GALICIA
Haven’t been to Galicia since I hike the camino in 2005 and the coastal city of A Coruña draws me in. I've done the Camino de Santiago, but there are still corners and coasts of Galicia calling my name. I may actually make this journey as tickets from Bilbao tend to be quite inexpensive! That northern rain, it repels anyone but the most foolhardy most of the year.
LANZAROTE
I was so close to going to Lanzarote last year but had to cancel. Of the Canary Islands, I've only been to Tenerife, and I'm dying to get to know the spots that served as a bridge between the New World and Spain. Plus, it's got a Mars-like landscape that I am dying to see, which produces some wine I love to drink. Positively volcanic.
VALENCIA
I have this feeling that Valencia is one of the most underrated big cities in Spain. I feel like I've come this close to visiting at least a dozen times. To be honest, I'm ready to go for rice alone (Valencia is purportedly the birthplace of the paella), but lucky for me Valencia is known for some amazing architecture and nearby beaches, too. Also cheap to get to…but I never do! A mix of science, architecture, sun and rice. Seems like a down to earth alternative to Barcelona.
THE ALPUJARRAS
The Alpujarra is a region on the south slopes of the Sierra Nevada mountain range with a beautiful collection of villages and some of the most stunning countryside in all of Spain. In other words, a no brainer. The real reason I'm dying to go is probably really because of Chris Stewart’s books. The (well-)written word is so powerful!
FORMENTERA
Ah, Formentera. The hardest Balearic island to get to, small and seasonal. If my love for your brethren are any sign of how much I would love you, I have to go!
If any of you are Joni Mitchell fans, it's worth noting that early in the spring of 1970, she left for a trip around Europe. Some of the songs on the album BLUE were written by her while she was on Formentera, which serves as the setting for "Carey" and "California" . The relationship Mitchell had with Graham Nash from 1968 through 1970 served as inspiration for some of the songs on Blue. When she traveled for Europe, their relationship was already in jeopardy, and it was while she was on Formentera that she sent Nash the telegram informing him that their relationship was ended. Breaking up by telegram! Another life goal!
EXTREMADURA
I always say Cadiz is the Alabama of Spain—beautiful accents, friendly people, great food, and oftentimes the butt of the joke. However, Extremadura could also vie for this "honor"...why would you go there? It's so remote? Well, from what I hear, it is totally underrated, and I want to go just to see the pigs graze and hams hang happily, tbh.
You could read the full explanation of why I am dying to visit each spot if you would sign up for my free newsletter here. <3