“Every curious traveler keeps Granada in his heart, even without having visited”. That’s what William Shakespeare had to say about this enchanting city.

That vision of the famous Alhambra, majestically poised on the hill, glowing in the evening light is something we all have in our mind’s eye, having been to Granada or not. And everyone should visit this treasure, but today we are going in search of some lesser known spots.

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Carmen de los Mártires

Our first one is a “secret” garden, a hidden treasure nestled in a neighboring hill near the Alhambra. A great place to take a break and cool off on a hot day. It’s called the Carmen de los Mártires, and because it’s tucked away there aren’t so many people. This two-level garden has amazing fountains and a beautiful house, open to the public. A perfect place to get away from the crowds and enjoy the tranquility. (You didn’t forget your camera, did you?)

The word Carmen is used in Granada to describe more than a garden. It’s a typical style of a granadina house, surrounded by walls around two meters high, which hide the pleasures of the garden with vegetables, trees, fountains…a paradise in the heart of the city.

For our next spot, let’s walk down the hill and along the river Darro to the Albaicín neighborhood.  Here we can look for another oft passed-by gem. It’s a convent, near the end of the street which has a sweet surprise for you. The sign on the door says “Dulces”, and they sure are a welcome pause in our search. Dulce means sweet, and these delicious, powdered sugar covered donut-like confections sure hit the spot. The intriguing part is that they are sold through a rotating door, so that the cloistered nuns who make and sell them can’t be seen by the public.

Rio Darro

Now that we have rested and refilled a bit, it’s time to search for our next hidden spot in the Albaicín. The Carmen de la Victoria (Cuesta del Chapiz, 9), even more secret than the last.

To get in, you must ring a bell by the door. Maintained by the University of Granada, you will find a wonderful garden with a spectacular view of the Alhambra that you can take in while having something to drink at the pleasant café.

Ok, we’ve hidden ourselves away in some fabulously relaxing gardens, so now it’s time to come out into the light. Since you are in the Albaicín, the best way to take advantage of being in this UNESCO World Heritage site, is to wander around its winding cobblestone streets, and just get lost! You will come across many beautiful sights, and glimpses of the Alhambra again through the buildings clinging to the hills. As you wind your way around these charming streets, you can start asking for the Mirador de San Cristóbal, an inspiring, lesser known lookout at the Alhambra across the valley from you.

Plaza Nueva

Hungry after all that walking? What isn’t a secret in Granada is that the tapas are free with your drink almost everywhere! And one of the best places for that, also a non-secret, is the area around the Plaza Nueva and Elvira Street. Your legs will be happy to know it’s downhill from the Mirador de San Cristóbal.

And as you sit in one of the bars or terraces, now bustling with people, savoring the tapas and the busy atmosphere, you’ll look back at the varied experiences you’ve had in Granada, and keep them in your heart, as Shakespeare said…with the advantage that now you have been there.

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Many cities in the world are described in superlatives with the intention of being grandiose, until they seem almost inaccessible: the tallest building, the largest stadium, the largest statue, the most extensive museum ... highlights that astound and overwhelm us, make us feel small. Fortunately, however, there are other cities where those superlatives are cozier, more welcoming, make life easier for us and make us yet another citizen. One of these cities is Quito.

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For example, do you know that Quito has the most pleasant temperature in the world? With an average of 20ºC during the year, it has earned the nickname "city of eternal spring".

This temperature invites you to go for a walk ... and why not do it in the best preserved historic center of America? And that’s according to UNESCO.

In addition, to reinforce this idea of cozy grandeur, we must tell you that you will find low, multicolored houses, wide and shady streets, refreshing and charming gardens ... The only building that dares to defy the sky is the neo-Gothic Basilica of The National Vow; and does it with humility, at only 115 tall.

Quito is the second most populated city in Ecuador, with 2,671,191 inhabitants. Think of other cities like Mexico City or Bogota that have more than 8 million. So you will find the dynamism of a great capital without the agglomerations of a megalopolis.

But Quito has that flavor of the big cities, especially at night. It’s a festive city, full of places to have a good time, of joyful hubbub, of a great diversity in which we find venues specializing in Latin rhythms next to others where rock is a religion, restaurants that range from traditional Ecuadorian cuisine to that of Mongolia... a tapestry that filters the many vivid colors of light and delicately illuminates the monuments we pass.

Quito is at the center of the world, and knows it. Maybe that's why it does not make the fuss that other so-called "world" cities do. It does not need skyscrapers or disproportionate monuments ... only a road that leads precisely to the center of the world.

We have talked about Quito as the center of the world and so we would have to talk about what the true center of Quito is, and perhaps of all Latin America, its Independence square. The place to see and to be seen, the place of the cry that gave provenance to independence... was a square in which there was a humble fountain. It’s food for thought, a David and Goliath, but a David faithful to his roots, a square in which the Goddess of Freedom is always close, and accessible.

As you can see everything in Quito is pure simplicity, hospitality, warmth ... a place where a Spanish class is as close as a chat between friends.

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Legend has it, that since 1894, a mouse runs through the streets of Madrid every night. This legend also tells us that it is not just any mouse, but one with gold rimmed glasses and a red purse on his back. Every night since then, all children who have had a tooth fall out place it under their pillow to receive a visit from the elegant Perez the Little Mouse (Ratoncito Pérez).

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And so, for the children of Madrid it’s a cause for joy to lose a tooth, because they know they will receive a little treasure. They themselves clean it and leave it under their pillow, so that when night falls, Ratoncito Pérez will pay a visit and leave coins, or a small toy. This half legend, half story, has been passed down through many generations and is, today, one of the most widespread traditions throughout Spain.

It all began when King Alfonso XIII as a child lost his first tooth. So that he wouldn’t be sad, his mother, the queen, had Father Luis Coloma write a story about the tooth. And he, without knowing the tale would live on in history, invented Ratoncito Pérez, the story of a mouse that collects fallen childrens’ teeth and lived in 8 Arenal Street, Madrid. So next time you’re walking through the center of Madrid, remember to go to the house and discover this great tale.

When leaving the Ratoncito Pérez house/museum, take a walk to Álvarez Gato Street. You may not recognize the name, but if I tell you that it’s where one of the most important works of Spanish literature was born, surely that will intrigue you. Better known as “The Cat’s Alley” (el Callejón del Gato), this is where the famous Spanish writer Valle-Inclán had the protagonist of his renowned book “Bohemian Lights” (Luces de Bohemia) stroll. And this alley is not just any alley. Everyone who passes through will stop before reaching the end. Why? It’s because of a series of curved mirrors that deforms the image of those who look into them. These mirrors are precisely those responsible for Valle Inclán's invention of Esperpento, a literary style in which reality is deformed. A style that was born in Madrid and extended to the rest of the world.

And after all this walking around the city, so enchanting with its culture, literature… why not stop and have something to eat? Without needing to leave the center, you could stop at the Guiness Book of Records’ oldest restaurant in the world. Restaurante Botín, at 17 Cuchilleros Street, was founded in 1725. It’s the perfect place to discover the true flavor of Madrid, and enjoy the typical recipes and the people who gather at the tables. The importance of this place was not lost on authors such as Serna and Benito Pérez Galdós who included it in their works. Even Hemingway, Fitzgerald and Dos Passos, to name just a few, came to enjoy these delicacies of Madrid first hand.

Now you know. Madrid is a city to discover. A city in which, while learning Spanish, you will live one of the most important experiences of your life. Or as Hemingway said, “It is the most Spanish of all cities.”

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All cities have their charm. Granada has its own, and that of all the others. That’s what the poet Antonio Machado said, but, is there any another city in the world in which the same thing happens? We think so: Guanajuato.

Both cities share a spirit, an atmosphere that unites them. In Granada and Guanajuato, you will find narrow cobbled streets, picturesque architecture, lots of history ... and even a university environment! Ideal if you want to learn Spanish.

If in Granada a palace, La Alhambra, dominates the horizon; in Guanajuato it’s the Basilica de Nuestra Señora. A detail that also links this Mexican basilica to the Spanish city is that inside it is a sculpture of the Virgin brought from Granada in 1577!

If we go beyond history and focus on legend, a curious detail stands out. Both cities have a street named after a kiss, the Calle del Beso. While in Guanajuato it pays homage to a tragic love story, in Granada the legend tells us of a young deceased woman who is resurrected by her mother’s kiss. The important thing is that you can walk through a colorful, traditional and romantic street.

And after some walking, one begins to have an appetite. You already know the good dishes of the Spanish city, well the Mexican one does not lag far behind: its gastronomy is one of the most delicious in the country. Typical dishes of tamales, chalupas, enchiladas, empanadas… but made with such care and pampering, like good home cooking, that they are leagues beyond the fast food taco restaurant fare. And best of all, you will find these delicacies at good prices.

Perhaps the reason Guanajuato is one of the cheapest cities to live in is because, like Granada, it’s a university city. Half of the Guanajuato population is under 30 years old, which also means that there are numerous entertainment options. Who knows better that a student how to have fun on a modest budget? A movie ticket costs 60 MXN (not quite 3€), a beer 30 MXN (1.4€), a refreshment 12 MXN (less than € 0.60), a dinner in a restaurant 150 MXN (almost 8€) ... You can enjoy and have fun without scaring your wallet!

And if you want to tour spots full of history in Guanajuato, just like Granada, it’s full of them. If the Spanish city has the Nasrid legacy, medieval Christian, the Renaissance ... in Guanajuato you will see prehispanic constructions like Cañada de la Virgen or Peralta; and inside the city you will be surrounded by monuments and baroque buildings such as the San Diego Temple or the Basilica itself; Colonial style, as in the Plaza del Baratillo; Neoclassical style, like the Juárez theater ... It should not surprise you that this beautiful city has been declared a "World Heritage Site".

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Fine Dinning to Cheap Eats  |  Desde cenas lujosas, hasta comidas económicas

In Spain, they say that they eat every part of the animal “even the walk”. This country is a meat-lovers paradise, including delicacies like cured ham from special Iberian pigs and blood sausages. And it goes beyond just meat-centric dishes, this is an “it” destination for anyone who considers themselves a foodie, including many vegetarian options. Discovering the country by its food is fun too, because every region offers something different. Today we are highlighting Salamanca, one of the capital cities in Castilla-Leon and a great destination for amazing food.

This world-renowned university city offers a bit of everything from high-end, world famous Michelin starred restaurants to mouthwatering cheap eats to free tapas with your cerveza.  Here are our top six favorite restaurants in Salamanca.

En España, se suele decir que de cualquier animal se aprovechan “hasta los andares”. Este país es un verdadero paraíso para los comedores de carne y sus especialidades van desde el jamón curado de cerdo ibérico hasta las morcillas. Más allá de los platos de carne, diremos que España también es un destino perfecto para todo aquel que se considere un “foodie”, incluso para los vegetarianos. Descubrir el país a través de su comida también es muy divertido, porque cada región tiene algo diferente. En esta ocasión nos vamos fijar en Salamanca, una de las capitales de Castilla-León y un gran destino para encontrar buena comida.

Esta renombrada y reputada ciudad universitaria ofrece un poco de todo. Desde restaurantes destacados por la famosa guía Michelin hasta locales económicos en la que nos sirven con nuestra cerveza tapas gratis, que nos harán la boca agua. Aquí tienes nuestros seis restaurantes favoritos en Salamanca.

Víctor Gutiérrez

This modern restaurant is well-known throughout Salamanca and offers excellent contemporary food with a local Spanish flare. The entrance floor is bright and modern and there is a charmingly rustic basement. This restaurant tops our list and boasts a Michelin Star.

• Address: Calle Empedrada 4, 37007 Salamanca.
• Price Range: €€€ - €€€€
• Specialty: Ox. Tapa with matcha tea and mojito. Cocoa beans and lúcuma (a pulpy Andean fruit).
• Why we love it: A truly special treat with a creative menu and a Michelin star.

Víctor Gutiérrez

Este moderno restaurante es conocido en toda Salamanca por su excelente oferta de gastronomía contemporánea con toques locales. La entrada es brillante, moderna y, si nos adentramos en él, veremos su sótano encantadoramente rústico. Este restaurante está en lo más alto de nuestra lista y también tiene una estrella Michelin.

• Dirección: Calle Empedrada 4, 37007 Salamanca.
• Rango de precios: €€€ - €€€€
• Especialidad: tapa de pichón con té matcha y mojito. Cacao mental y lúcuma (una fruta andina).
• Nos gusta porque: es un lugar verdaderamente especial con un menú creativo y una estrella Michelín.

Ruta de la Plata       

If you are looking for restaurants with the best quality to price ratio, just follow the local university students, they always know where to go! Ruta de la Plata is located in the center of Salamanca and has been a neighborhood favorite for over 34 years. It has a fun and lively atmosphere, always full of students and they even have foosball and billiards. This is an excellent spot for groups and they offer great options for a menu del día (prix fixe menu).

• Address: Calle Meléndez, 13, Salamanca
• Price Range: €€
• Specialty: Grilled meats in oak charcoal. Try traditional dishes such as the “Chanfaina” and “Farinato”.
• Why we love it: Spacious outdoor seating, typical indoor decoration and great for groups.

Ruta de la Plata       

Si estás buscando restaurantes con una buena relación calidad-precio, solo tienes que seguir a los universitarios de la ciudad. ¡Siempre saben dónde ir! Ruta de la Plata está situado en el centro de Salamanca y es el favorito de los vecinos desde hace 34 años. Su ambiente es vivo, muy divertido y siempre está lleno de estudiantes jugando al futbolín o al billar. Es un lugar excelente para grupos y ofrece numerosas opciones por el precio de un menú del día.

• Dirección: Calle Meléndez, 13, Salamanca
• Rango de precio: €€
• Especialidades: carne a la brasa de roble. Prueba los tradicionales “farinato” y “chanfaina”
• Nos gusta porque: tiene una extensa terraza, un interior típicamente decorado y es estupendo para grupos.

Restaurante Don Quijote

Don Quijote offers something for everyone at great prices in a lovely setting inside a traditional brick-walled restaurant or outside on a cozy terrace. It is great for groups and offer many options of tapas, bar food, lunch, dinner and drinks.

• Address: Calle Serranos 28, 37008 Salamanca
• Price Range: €€
• Specialty: Menu of the Day fo €9.50 (before 1:30 p.m.) including three courses, wine and dessert.
• Why we love it: Outdoor seating, free Wi-Fi, vegetarian options and great prix-fixe menus.

Restaurante Don Quijote

Don Quijote ofrece de todo para todos a buenos precios en un encantador lugar con tradicionales paredes de ladrillo y una acogedora terraza. Es estupendo para grupos y ofrece numerosas tapas, almuerzos, cenas y bebidas.

• Dirección: Calle Serranos 28, 37008 Salamanca
• Rango de precios: €€
• Especialidades: menú del día por 9’50€ (antes de las 13:30) que incluye tres platos, vino y postre.
• Nos gusta porque: tiene una bonita terraza, dispone de Wi-Fi gratuita, opciones para vegetarianos y buenos menús a buen precio.

Café Corrillo

Café Corrillo is an artsy destination just two minutes from Plaza Mayor, boasting two floors and a lively patio that extends into the Plaza San Benito. You are sure to be in great company surrounded by musicians, artists, tourists, locals and of course, new friends. The café opens early at 8:30 a.m. and goes late into the night as live concerts play and more people gather.

• Address: Calle Meléndez, 18, 37002 Salamanca
• Price Range: €€
• Specialty: Any of their 35 different tapas.
• Why we love it: Live jazz music, opens early and closes late, vegetarian friendly, relaxing atmosphere and prix-fixe menu options.

Café Corrillo

El Café Corrillo es un artístico destino a apenas dos minutos de la Plaza Mayor. Dispone de dos plantas y un animado patio que se extiende hacia la Plaza de San Benito. Si quieres asegurarte de estar en buena compañía rodeado de músicos, artistas, turistas, gente local y nuevos amigos este es el sitio. El café abre a las 8:30 y su horario se extiende durante la noche ofreciendo conciertos y un buen lugar de reunión.

• Dirección: Calle Meléndez, 18, 37002 Salamanca
• Rango de precios: €€
• Especialidad: cualquiera de sus 35 tapas distintas.
• Nos gusta porque : tiene jazz en vivo, abre pronto y cierra tarde, es un buen lugar para vegatarianos, por su tranquila atmósfera y sus buenos precios.

Meson Cervantes

To enjoy tapas with a view of Plaza Mayor, Meson Cervantes is the perfect place. With plenty of tapas and a pleasant atmosphere, it’s no wonder it’s one of the most recommended tapa bars. Steal a spot by the window and take it all in. The historic building is full of vintage paraphernalia and antique gadgets. This is a stop to put on any itinerary!

• Address: Plaza del Poeta Iglesias, 6, 37001 Salamanca
• Price Range: €
• Specialty: Tapas and wine
• Why we love it: Cheap eats, open late, great view of Plaza Mayor, historic building, friendly staff and vegetarian options.

Mesón Cervantes

Para disfrutar de unas tapas con una excelente vista de la Plaza Mayor, el Mesón Cervantes es el lugar perfecto. Con muchísimas tapas y un buen ambiente, no hace falta preguntarse por qué es uno de los bares de tapas más recomendados. Acércate a su ventanal y echa un vistazo. Es un edificio histórico lleno de antiguos cachivaches. ¡Un sitio que no debe faltar en tu itinerario!

• Dirección: Plaza del Poeta Iglesias, 6, 37001 Salamanca
• Rango de precios: €
• Especialidad: tapas y vino
• Nos gusta porque: es barato, abre hasta tarde, ofrece unas maravillosas vistas de la Plaza Mayor, está en un edificio histórico, su personal es muy amable y ofrece opciones para vegetarianos.  

Las Tapas de Gonzalo

Get ready to enjoy the slow side of Spain, sit back with good company and savor mouthwatering tapas that are a creative fusion of contemporary cooking mixed with local traditional food. The service is slow, but that is the beauty of this tapas restaurant. Enjoy great food in a historic building with wonderful views over Plaza Mayor.

• Address: Plaza Mayor, 23, 37002 Salamanca
• Price Range: €€ - €€€
• Specialty: Their Patas Bravas are considered to be one of the top 10 in all of Spain.
• Why we love it: Outdoor seating, great views, many options and relaxed atmosphere with slow service.

Las Tapas de Gonzalo

Prepárate para disfrutar del lado tranquilo de España, siéntate en buena compañía y saborea deliciosas tapas que fusionan la cocina contemporánea con la tradicional comida local. El servicio es lento, pero este es el encanto de este restaurante. Disfruta de buena comida en un edificio histórico con una de las mejores vistas de la Plaza Mayor.

• Dirección: Plaza Mayor, 23, 37002 Salamanca
• Rango de precios: €€ - €€€
• Especialidad: sus patatas bravas están consideradas unas de las 10 mejores ¡de toda España!
• Nos gusta porque: tiene una estupenda terraza, buenísimas vistas, muchos y buenos platos, un ambiente relajante y un servicio tranquilo.

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TYPICAL CANDY FROM SALAMANCA: LAS OBLEAS

Make your stay in Salamanca even sweeter by trying one of the city’s most typical candies! The traditional obleas are artisanal and has over three centuries of history behind it. It’s made from natural ingredients: flour, egg and sugar. Although it’s origin, like many Spanish candies, can be traced back to convents, the recipe made its way out of the monastic walls and eventually became part of a normal diet for many families. This is why today it’s common to eat them with breakfast, as dessert or guilty pleasure, or at any time of the day, along with honey, soft cheese, marmalade, chocolate or ice cream.

The creation of obleas is a common topic of conversation in Salamanca thanks to a traditional and family-run company, “Pan de Ángel”, better known as Obleas de Cipérez. The name is derived from a little town, located in the natural park Arribes del Duero, where the family of Fabian Martin has been kneading and baking this special pastry of just 10 grams and 20 centimeters in diameter for over 160 years.

Its design has barely changed since the great-grandfather of the current owner Fabian Martin began his business selling and baking obleas. He and his wife had traveled all around the province of Salamanca, from village to village selling obleas that were even more artisanal than they are now. Back then, they used a cast iron mold, which Fabian Martin still has saved as a memento. Nowadays the process has been automated.

They are excellent gifts to bring back after your stay in Salamanca, especially the candies that are decorated with silhouettes of monuments, such as the two Cathedrals or the iconic Botón Charro symbol.  And, of course, they also have the Martin family name printed on them and the village where they created this delicious product. Take advantage of your stay in Salamanca to discover the obleas, try all of its combinations and discover your favorite – make it a sweet reminder of your stay!

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Think you know Salamanca already? Think again! Salamanca is full of surprises that take lifetimes to uncover. It’s one of Europe’s cultural capitals, it’s the Oxford of Spain, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with outstanding universal value. A city so historic and unique as Salamanca deserves to be discovered in historic and unique ways. Go off the beaten track and discover the city’s hidden gems on boat, bike or horseback! Read below to learn about the best touristic routes.

By Boat

Hop on a pedal boat or kayak to explore Salamanca in style. Take a peaceful ride on traditional “barcas del Tormes” for stunning views of the city including la Clerecía (a Jesuit church), Casa Lis (a fine arts museum focused on Art Nouveau and Art Déco), a stunning cathedral y several other interesting temples.

Practical information:

• Schedule: 11 a.m. – 9:30 pm Abril through September
• Price: Between €6-€15 depending on what kind of boat you rent and the number of people in each boat.
• Contact: Bar la Pachamama, Paseo Progreso, 1 Salamanca; Reservations: (+34)  636 82 56 14

By Bike

Bikes are always a great way to see a new city: you have the ability to see things up close and personal while covering more ground than you might be able to on foot! Salamanca is always expanding its network of bike paths and offers plenty of ways to rent bikes at your convenience including with SALenBICI (a city-owned bike share), the association Amigos de la Bici and the University of Salamanca.

Practical information to rent bikes from Bikecicletas Salamanca:

• Price: Starting at €5 per hour.
• Contact: Bikecicletas Calle Traviesa, 18-20 Salamanca; Reservations: (+34) 923 216 940

Parks and Neighborhood Tour by Bike

Discover the various neighborhoods and parks of Salamanca. You will be surprised as you find hidden oases in the city.  Enjoy pleasant sites lined by curious trees and riverbanks. On bike, you have the ability to not only see the parks within the city, but to also explore the districts just outside of the historic center.

Tour duration: 3 hours.           

Romantic Salamanca

Discover the most romantic areas of Salamanca. You are sure to find yourself daydreaming and sighing out loud as you listen to inspiring legends. Go beyond the city walls to discover the mysteries and romance of Salamanca.

Tour duration: 3 hours.

Camino de Santiago and Rural Salamanca

A guided bike tour takes you to the meadows and natural parks surrounding the city of Salamanca. Find yourself in green fields full of wildlife. Under the shade of big oak trees, you will probably see bulls, cows, Iberian pigs, sheep and quaint hamlets. Many of the towns here welcome pilgrims weary from the Camino of Santiago (St. Jame’s Way), via the Silver Route, as they did hundreds of years ago during the time of the Romans. If you are lucky, you might even see storks, deer, rabbits, fox and various types of birds. Enjoy nature up close and personal!

Tour duration: 4 hours.

By Horse

Riding a horse through Salamanca is a wonderful experience that makes you reminiscent of a past era. If you are looking for something different and exciting - tour the city on horseback! Choose between various routes, we recommend riding along the Tormes River. For more experienced riders, tours also go to the beautiful Finca Montegallardo or Finca Rodasviejas, approximately 25 miles outside of the city.

Practical information:

• Transportation to and from Salamanca included
• Tour duration: 1.5+ hours.
• Levels: Beginner to experienced riders.
• Price: Varies depending on the season, group size and tour duration.
• Contact: Lugar Aceña, S/N, 37336 Huerta, Salamanca; Reservations: 646 46 80 03

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‘If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk to him in his own language, that goes to his heart.’ - Nelson Mandela. 

Over 400 million native Spanish speakers world-wide would probably agree that Spanish is the best! We think so too, and here are a few reasons why you should learn Spanish as your second language.

1. It’s a global language.

If you want to visit beautiful destinations and understand the culture on a deeper level, Spanish will give you that ability in at least 21 countries where it is the official language. Imagine traveling to Ecuador or Mexico or even Spain, and being able to get around and meet local residence on your own, without a guide!

2. Spanish opens a whole world of interesting activities.

It is the root of many beautiful dances like tango, salsa and flamenco, all of which have their own specific Spanish music and associated unique instruments. Learning the language will help you understand their meaning, cultural roots and historic background. Equally fascinating are the classic Spanish writers like Cervantes, Gabriel Garcia Marquez, Federico Garcia Lorca and Pablo Neruda. All of a sudden, you have new literature to read, Spanish blogs to discover, news with different perspectives to read and great songs to sing.

3. Spanish is ranked #1 on Britain’s Languages For the Future report.

This report was specifically created to rank the most important languages for UK citizens to learn after English, but the information is universal – Spanish is the language of the future! Spanish is indispensable for any global business and opens many doors for workers across all industries.

4. It's one of the most spoken languages in the world, as well as the most used on the Internet.

There are more than 400 million native Spanish speakers worldwide and many more who speak Spanish as a second language. Although there is some argument, Spanish is largely regarded as the third most used language on the Internet.

5. Spanish is closely linked with other Romance languages like French, Italian and Portuguese.

That means that once you have some knowledge of Spanish, you will most likely find that learning another Romance language is much easier. For example, Spanish and Portuguese have 89% lexical similarity and according to a study, it is possible to a certain extent to understand each other.

6. Spanish is 100% phonetic.

Compared to many other languages, Spanish is quite easy to learn! It follows rules for the most part, it sounds like it is written and written how it’s pronounced. That’s a relief!

7. Spanish will open doors for you academically and professionally.

Spanish is an official language of the United Nations, International Criminal Court, World Trade Organization, International Labor Organization, International Telecommunications Union, Latin Union, African Union, Central American Common Market, European Union, Mercosur, North American Free Trade Agreement, Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, Organization of American States  and the Union of South American Nations.
 

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Although Tenerife is quite a remote destination in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, and geographically nearer to Africa than Europe, it’s no stranger to tourism. Tourist flock to the largest Canary Island year-round for its great weather, even naming it the “Island of Eternal Spring”. So why did I go there? Well, for starters, it was an easy flight (yes, I mean cheap and only three hours) from my home in Madrid. I prefer to avoid crowds, talk to locals, go hiking and see the island, so I booked a hotel in Puerto de la Cruz near don Quijote Spanish School and rented a car. My mission (I always have a mission when I travel): find the prettiest beach...or forest…or both (spoiler, I found both).   

Aunque Tenerife nos puede parecer una isla remota por su situación en el centro del Atlántico, más cercana a África que Europa, es un destino turístico muy popular. Enormes grupos de turistas acuden durante todo el año a la mayor de las Islas Canarias por su excelente tiempo. De hecho Tenerife recibe el apodo de “Isla de la eterna primavera”. ¿Por qué fui hasta allí? Bien, para empezar porque es sencillo (sí, quiero decir también “barato” y solo tres horas) volar hasta allí desde mi casa, en Madrid. Mi intención era evitar las multitudes, hablar con la gente local, hacer senderismo y ver la isla, así que reservé mi habitación en un hotel del Puerto de la Cruz cerca de la escuela de español don Quijote y alquilé un coche. Mi misión (siempre me impongo una misión cuando viajo): encontrar la playa más bonita… o el bosque… (os lo destriparé, encontré ambos).

A journey through this unique Spanish island was a great start to spring 2017. Follow my journey through some favorite photos below and leave comments or any questions you might have about traveling Spain or learning Spanish in Tenerife!

Un viaje por esta isla fue una estupenda manera de comenzar la primavera de 2017. Acompáñame en mi viaje fotográfico por Tenerife ¡y no dudes en dejar tus comentarios o preguntas sobre viajar por españa y cómo aprender español en Tenerife!

We landed at Tenerife-North Airport at 10 a.m., picked up a rental car and head for Parque Natural de Anaga, the most tropical, green area of the island. Every time we hiked around or over a hill, we found ourselves in an even more impressive landscape.

Aterrizamos en el Aeropuerto de Tenerife Norte, alquilamos un coche y nos dirigimos al Parque Natural de Anaga, el más tropical y verde de la isla. Cada vez que rodeábamos una colina encontrábamos un paisaje más impresionante que el anterior.

The hike starts inland and takes you to a stunning beach. The rocks and sand are black from volcanic rock. The hike is fun, but very steep.

El camino comienza tierra adentro y te llevará a una playa impresionante. Las rocas y la arena son negras debido a su origen volcánico. El paseo es divertido, pero un tanto empinado. 

Cómo llegar: conduce o toma una Guagua (autobús público) a Afur. Si conduces tú, aparca en Taganana y camina hasta Playa de Tamadiste. Tiempo: 3 horas. Dificultad: moderada. 

Tenerife is full of great “natural pools”, which are swimming areas in the ocean protected from the waves with either rocks or cement.

Tenerife está llena de grandes “piscinas naturales”, áreas adaptadas para la natación en el mismo océano protegidas de las olas por rocas o un muro de cemento. 

Where to go: The above photo was taken at the Piscinas Naturales in Punta del Hidalgo, just a 45-minute drive.

We also highly recommend the Piscinas Naturales in Garachico El Caletón farther south and easier to reach by bus. It is a 30 minute drive or less than an hour by bus (Guagua line 363).

Dónde ir: la foto de arriba fue tomada en las Piscinas Naturales de Punta del Hidalgo, solo a 45 minutos en coche. 

También te recomendamos las Piscinas Naturales El Calentón (Garachico) al sur y muy fácilmente accesibles en autobús. Es un trayecto de unos 30 minutos o menos conduciendo y, aproximadamente, una hora en autobús (Guagua 363).

Walking down a steep hill to a hidden beach.

Bajando la colina para encontrar una playa oculta.

Where to go: Playa El Bollullo. Drive or take a Guagua (both take about 15 minutes), follow the signs to the beach, the walk will take about 30-45 minutes to the beach.

Dónde ir: playa el Bollullo. Conduce o toma una Guagua (ambos tardan unos 15 minutos), sigue las indicaciones para llegar a la playa. El paseo hasta ella te llevará unos 30-45 minutos.

Sunset from this side of the island is beautiful any night. We recommend finding a good spot to watch the show while sipping tea or virgin mojitos from Puerto de la Cruz or venture just outside the city to watch from a hillside terrace.

El atardecer desde este lado de la isla es precioso. Recomendamos encontrar un buen sitio para verlo y disfrutar del espectáculo mientras tomas un té o un mojito sin alcohol en el Puerto de la Cruz o aventurarse fuera de la ciudad para verlo desde una terraza natural. 

Where to go: Terraza Sunset 290, La Orotava, Santa Cruz de Tenerife. 15 minutes by car from Puerto de la Cruz and 40 minutes by bus (line 101).

Dónde ir: Terraza Sunset 290, La Orotava, Santa Cruz de Tenerife. 15 minutos en coche desde Puerto de la Cruz y 40 minutos en autobús (línea 101).

Black sand and lava rocks everywhere!

¡Arena negra y rocas volcánicas por todas partes!

The island is full of exotic plants, shady palm trees and geometric cactus. Flowers as big as my head and African plants had me entertained all weekend.

La isla está llena de plantas exóticas, frondosas palmeras y cactus geométricos. Flores tan grandes como una cabeza y plantas de origen africano que me tuvieron entretenida todo el fin de semana.

Mount Teide, an active volcano and highest point in Spain, looms over the entire island. As you explore the island the volcano peeks out and makes for a spectacular backdrop.

El Teide, un volcán activo y la cima más alta de España, se cierne sobre toda la isla. Mientras exploras la isla verás recortado contra el cielo, ¡un impresionante telón de fondo! 

How to get there: Some adventurous people like to hike it or take the cable car to the top. Make sure to pack some warm weather clothing, as it’s usually snowy at the top and very cold. Drive 1 hour or take the Guagua (line 348) 1.5 hours to the cable car entrance.

Cómo llegar: a algunos aventureros les gusta caminar o tomar el teleférico hasta la cima. Si también quieres hacerlo, asegúrate de llevar ropa de abrigo pues la cima permanece nevada. Conduce 1 hora o toma la Guagua 348, que llevará a la estación del teleférico en una hora y media. 

Los Gigantes are famous cliffs that can be seen from various beaches in the southern end of the island. Los Gigantes is a must-see for photographers (and Instagramers)!

Los Gigantes son unos famosos acantilados que pueden verse desde varias playas del sur de la isla. ¡Una foto obligada para fotógrafos (e Instagramers)!

Where to go: Acantilados de los Gigantes, Santa Cruz de Tenerife. Take the Guagua (line 325) for a 1 hr. 40 min. ride or drive 1 hr. 15 min. to the town.

Dónde ir: Acantilados de los Gigantes, Santa Cruz de Tenerife. Toma la Guagua 325 durante 1 hora y 40 minutos o conduce durante 1 hora y 15 minutos desde la ciudad. 

On our way to Masca, a quaint village snuggled in the mountains, where we hiked down a ravine to the sea and took a boat back to town. Warning! This route is not for the faint of heart, but well worth the trip! The road to reach Masca is on the edge of a mountain and the hike is about 5 miles.

Atravesamos un barranco hasta llegar al mar y tomamos una lancha para llegar a Masca, una preciosa villa acurrucada entre montañas. ¡Aviso! La ruta que sigue no es para los débiles de corazón, ¡pero el viaje merece la pena! La carretera para llegar finalmente a Masca bordea una montaña y tiene una longitud de unos 8 kilómetros. 

How to get there: Take a Guagua to Masca, hike the gorge to Masca Bay, where you can take a boat to Los Gigantes (€10, reservations recommended). Bring water, good hiking shoes, light jacket, water, snacks and of course your camera.

Cómo llegar: toma una Guagua a Masca, camina hasta la garganta de la bahía de Masca, donde podrás tomar una lancha hasta Los Gigantes (10€ de reserva). Lleva agua, un buen calzado de senderismo, una chaqueta ligera, algo para comer y, por supuesto, tu cámara. 

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We met Rita in Salamanca at don Quijote Spanish School and were instantly drawn to her charismatic charm. She is a playful, friendly woman full of love for life and travel. When she told us her story featuring her big yellow truck we just had to know more. Read below for our interview with Rita and discover why she left home for the road with her trusty yellow truck.

Conocimos a Rita en la escuela de español don Quijote de Salamanca y nos encantó su carisma. Es una persona alegre y amistosa, llena de amor por la vida y por viajar. Cuando nos contó su historia y la de su camión amarillo gigante quisimos saber más. Lee esta entrevista y descubre por qué Rita dejó su casa y empezó su viaje.

So tell us your story. How did you get here?
¡Cuéntanos tu historia! ¿Cómo llegaste hasta aquí?

I had a typical life, a daughter and a full time job back in Amsterdam. At one point I had kind of a rough time which included divorce, I was bored with my job and my daughter moved out – well, this is a good thing but still hard! I was 50 years old and I just kept thinking that I want to give more meaning to my life. The world is burning and I just really want to find a way to do something that helps in a positive way. I just couldn’t stay at my job doing the same thing. So, a friend suggested we drive to Mongolia. We talked about getting a camper but we knew we would have to change the wheels too often. So we somehow found this giant truck and bought it! I rented out my apartment for two years and we drove to Morocco together. Now I am traveling on my own in Spain to get more practice. I really love it, I am free and just really enjoying my own company.  You know you always have choices, especially at certain times of your life you can start new, people push you this way and that way, but ultimately you have to decide for yourself.
Tenía una vida típica, una hija y un trabajo a tiempo completo en Amsterdam, pero tuve una época difícil: me divorcié, estaba aburrida de mi trabajo y mi hija se mudó de casa. Bueno… esto último fue bueno, pero fue duro. Tenía 50 años y quería darle sentido a mi vida. El mundo se venía abajo y quería hacer algo positivo que ayudase a la gente. Sencillamente, no podía estar en mi trabajo haciendo siempre lo mismo. Así que un amigo me sugirió conducir hasta Mongolia. Hablamos de comprar una caravana, pero sabíamos que habría que cambiar muchas veces las ruedas. Así que encontramos este camión gigante y lo compramos. Alquilé mi aparmento por dos años y fuimos juntos a Marruecos. Ahora estoy viajando yo sola por España. Me encanta, soy libre y estoy disfrutando de mi propia compañía. Sabes que siempre tendrás que hacer elecciones, especialmente en los momentos de tu vida en los que tienes que empezar de nuevo, la gente puede decirte qué camino tomar, pero tú tienes que decidirlo por ti mismo.

That is so true, I think a lot of people can relate. That truck is giant! What’s it like to drive that thing?
Eso es verdad, mucha gente se sentirá identificada. ¡Ese camión es gigante! ¿Cómo es conducir esa cosa?

Driving it is very nice. You are bigger and you have a big overview. It’s like I’m royalty on the road. It’s not new, it’s an old army truck from 1986. It’s hard work sometimes, especially in the city and on the mountains. On quiet roads, it’s great. I am 7 meters (23 ft) long and 2.5 meters (8.2 ft) wide, so I have to be careful.
Conducirlo es muy divertido. Eres más grande y tienes una visión más alta. Esto es como ser la realeza de la carretera. No es nuevo, es un camión del ejército antiguo de 1986. Algunas veces conducirlo es duro, especialmente por ciudad y montaña, pero en carreteras tranquilas es estupendo. Ahora tengo 7 metros de longitud y dos metros de ancho, así que tengo que ser muy cuidadosa.
What kind of truck is it?
¿Qué tipo de camión es?

It is a Steyer 12M18, which is a 4X4 Austrian army truck. It uses a lot of gas but on the other hand, I save a lot of water, heating (that I would have used in Holland) and I only use solar energy.
Es un Steyer 12M18, un camión 4x4 del ejército austríaco. Consume mucha gasolina, pero por otro lado ahorro mucho en agua, en calefacción (desde luego más lo que habría ahorrado en Holanda) y solo uso energía solar.

So why Spain?
Y, ¿por qué España?

I heard that you went to don Quijote Spanish School in Salamanca. Can you tell us about your experience learning Spanish?
He oído que fuiste a la escuela de español don Quijote de Salamanca. ¿Qué puedes contarnos de tu experiencia hablando español?

I spoke some French, but not Spanish when I got to Spain. I had this one experience where I was at a bar and there were people trying to chat with me but I wasn’t able to talk to them, I couldn’t even make small talk! I really want to learn the culture and meet people and I knew at that moment that I really needed to learn the language.

Then a few days later I was in Santiago de Compostela and I had some problems with my truck had to be fixed. I checked the weather and saw it was raining, so I decided it was the perfect moment to take a break from the road and sign up for classes. I googled a Spanish course and found don Quijote in Salamanca, which is where I went.

Spanish is going alright. (She laughs) I practice every day and I use Duolingo. I also repeat verb conjugations like como, comes, come, comemos, coméis, comen. Repeat repeat repeat!
Yo hablaba en francés, pero no en español cuando iba a España. Una vez fui a un bar donde todo el mundo quería hablar conmigo pero yo no pude tener con ellos ni una charla corta. Realmente quería aprender la cultura y conocer gente. Supe en ese momento que necesitaba aprender el idioma.

Unos días después estaba en Santiago de Compostela y tuve problemas con mi camión, que había que arreglarlo. Eché un vistazo al pronóstico del tiempo y vi que iba a llover, así que decidí que era el momento ideal para hacer un alto en el camino y apuntarme a algunas clases. Busqué en Internet un curso de español y encontré don Quijote en Salamanca, así que allí fui.

Voy bien con el español (se ríe). Ahora practico cada día y uso Duolingo. También repito conjugaciones de verbos “como, comes, come, comemos, coméis, comen”. ¡Hay que repetir, repetir y repetir!

What was your experience at don Quijote like? Did you learn a lot?
¿Cómo fue tu experiencia con don Quijote?, ¿Aprendiste mucho?

Classes were serious and I had to work really hard. I learned the basics, enough to continue practicing during the trip. Actually, yesterday I got my first compliment, an older man, who liked my truck, said I spoke good Spanish! He saw it was an army truck because he drove one himself when he was young. He was very surprised I was driving the truck by myself! 
Las clases eran serias y trabajé muy duro. Aprendí lo básico, lo suficiente para poder continuar practicando durante el viaje. ¡Ayer mismo recibí mi primer cumplido! De un hombre mayor al que le gustó mi camión. ¡Me dijo que hablaba muy bien español! Se dio cuenta de que era un camión del ejército porque él había conducido uno cuando era joven. ¡Se sorprendió mucho de que yo condujera el camión por mí misma!

Do you have any tips for Spanish learners?
¿Tienes algún consejo para alumnos de español?

Last question – what is your ultimate goal for your trip?
La última pregunta. ¿Cuál es el objetivo definitive para tu viaje?

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