Vacation in Spain

Last article (Vacations) I was venting about the fact that I couldn’t relax and I always pinpointed the root of the problem but the information in that article did not do the title justice so here is a part two. (Don´t worry it is not about my vacation vicissitude.)

This year for my summer vacation, I travelled to Spain. However, it is not the first time. Last time I went to Barcelona with my family on a rather experiencing trip and this time I went to Mallorca for my little beach vacation.

From what I have experienced, Spain is a beautiful country in the south of Europe with breathtaking architecture, diverse communities and marvellous traditions. It is a beautiful country that you can get away to unless you already live there. 

Spain just seems very lively from an outside perspective. People, there are just extremely warm and welcoming. It seems as if even though you can´t speak the local language you will still understand everything that is being said.

The cuisine is extraordinarily simple yet so unique. Since some cities of Spain are along the coast, a lot of its cuisine is inspired by the local seafood. Even if seafood is not to your taste there sure is something to pique your culinary interests.

When travelling, I generally love to try out new things especially the local cuisine since it expands my horizons. However, since most dishes (in my experience) vary from restaurant to restaurant, I don’t feel encouraged to make any suggestions. 

Nevertheless, there is one provincial dish that I adore and that dish is Paella. It is certainly worth a try since Paella comes in so many varieties and it tastes so exotic yet familiar at the same time. It is a quite simple dish concept yet I could never resist the option of having a Paella for a hearty lunch.

There is also nothing I adore more than a Sangria on the beach in the evening. Just hearing the waves with a cold alcoholic beverage in my hand with plenty of fruit is my idea of the perfect way to end a day.

The suggestions, I made may sound so clique since everyone who knows Spain will know that those options are Spain´s speciality. However, I would like to argue that I wouldn’t be making recommendations if I don’t believe they are good.

Frankly, I didn’t see much of Spain since I am on vacation and not on an expedition tour of the whole country (even though that sound like a lovely trip idea) so I only know two places in Spain. As already mentioned, Barcelona and Mallorca.

 

I was in Barcelona during spring before the pandemic hit and my very first expression was of how alive Barcelona felt in comparison to Germany. People, there are so passionate and that is just a very welcome change. It would almost make me seem rude if I behaved the way I do in Germany.

What I enjoyed most, and this could make me sound old or like someone making conversation in the elevator, was the weather. It is a welcome change from Germany's dark and cold days. It was just so warm and nothing felt too cold or too uncomfortable.

Personally, I find springtime to be the ideal time to travel to Barcelona. It wouldn’t be uncomfortably hot like during the hot summer days and it is not too cold either. It is the perfect weather to roam around with just a light jacket.

However, if you are looking forward to a beach vacation in Barcelona then summer is the time to do so since during spring the water is a tad cold (at least in my opinion). You can go to the beach but that is all you can do there.

In Barcelona, my mother made a lot of arrangements for us to visit all the sites there. If I wasn’t forced to be there I think I might have enjoyed it. The culture. The architecture. The cuisine. Everything felt so familiar in Barcelona but it was so different at the same time. 

I think what makes Barcelona unique is its architecture. Antoni Gaudi had a very unique approach to his work and it shows. The wavy colourful design makes the city light up in the best way. The way he works with his environment is just awe-inspiring.

Can´t say that I will ever design anything coming close to what Antoni Gaudi did but his projects just spark inspiration. Whenever I see his work, I am just itching to do something creative. I would want to write, draw, paint or however else I could make my ideas reality.

However, not only was their architecture magnificent, their other attractions are delightful as well. For instance, the family trip to Barcelona included a visit to the theatre. Frankly, that sounds like torture for someone who can´t sit still like me.

Nevertheless, it all turned around when the dancers went onstage. The rhythmic movement. The passion and emotions of the dancer. The acoustic guitar rang through the whole theatre. I adore dance for a reason and that flamingo dance just made me revive the reason I adore dance.

Then there are some other attractions such as museums displaying works from Pablo Picasso and many other artists if you prefer that. I guess what I am trying to say is that there is a little bit for everyone in Barcelona.

Obviously, there are some tourist traps spread throughout the whole of Barcelona but there are also some really genuine quaint (and not to mention cheap) restaurants all throughout the city. Nevertheless, it would take some time to find those hidden gems.

There are also some parts of Barcelona that are not so pleasant. For instance, there are pickpockets. However, I must give it to them since their tactic is not stupid. They tend to strike on crowded trains when people are exiting the trains. Just a small note for any potential Barcelona traveller.

I don’t quite know what more I need to say besides it is a lovely travel destination for anyone who needs a break from their regular cold day. Not only does it have a little bit of everything for everyone but it also has so much more than that.

In all honesty, despite how much I tend to dislike stuff, I really like Barcelona. And I would really recommend it to anyone who needs a little change in their life and anyone who needs a new perspective and experiences.

Mallorca is known for its lovely beaches and summer weather. There are some towns closely resembling Barcelona like Palma. Then there are some towns mainly focused on their beaches like Can Picafort.

Frankly, I have no intention of finding out where the party towns are located. Not only am I not a big party girl but I heard rumours that those towns are completely destroyed by the partying tourists visiting by the dozens each day.

There are some exotic sightseeing spots in Mallorca since who doesn’t like a cliffside town or an ancient town? Then there are some other sights that one can catch sight of on their walks along the beach. There are artworks on the side of buildings and statues scattered all over that island.

I think weather-wise, it is ideal to travel during the summer months since everyone just wants to get their sunburn and enjoy their beaches. However, if you are looking for the time to avoid people, then I would suggest anytime other than Summer. Just avoid school vacations if you want to avoid crowds.

However, to be perfectly candid, nobody really goes to Mallorca to go sightseeing or exploring. Most people go there to go to the beach and perfect their tans. Maybe enjoy a Pina Colada at the pool and the infinite food at the buffet while they are at it.

Don’t get me wrong, I like a beach vacation just as much as the next girl but in my opinion, Mallorca became such a tourist destination that things just spiral out of control. There seem to be no locals living on Mallorca and that is just the start of it.

Not only are the streets flooded with tourists, but so are the pools, beaches and restaurants. It is a diverse crowd from all over the place. France, Germany, Netherlands, England and Spain. A certainly interesting crowd but a crowd nonetheless.

With this influx of tourists, the restaurants are encouraged to pile on the already high prices. If you want to have a cheap dinner at a local restaurant in any of Mallorca´s towns then you would be searching the whole night because you won´t that sort of thing.

Given that Mallorca is an island, the products sold there are also expensive because everything is imported from Spain which makes everything pricier than things already are in this economy. However, you can´t really stay in Mallorca without needing to buy anything from stores.

There is also a water issue on the island. Their tap water is undrinkable, which means that you need to buy water from the store and those only come in plastic, which is a completely separate issue on its own but it was bothering me the whole time I was there.

Even though I pointed out some of Mallorca´s flaws, I would also like to point out that despite everything I enjoyed it there. If you want a beach vacation, you get what you want. There are also plenty of hotels to choose from.

People, there are sometimes very helpful and some other times rather on edge. I would like to blame the hot summer days for the edginess. If it is of any consolation everyone is on edge when the temperature rises. We are all humans after all.

If you do decide to go to Mallorca during the hot summer months, I would suggest bringing a lot of sunscreens. A sunburn is unavoidable with that kind of weather but you can do your best to protect yourself from the sun and its burning effects.

Since Mallorca is also bloody hot during the summer months, I would suggest anything that would prevent a heat stroke. Drink plenty of water. Try to stay inside or in the shade. Use tons of sunscreen. Wear light clothing. Avoid going out during the midday hours.

Depending on what sort of vacation you like, you can choose from the many towns in Mallorca. Do you prefer crowded city-like beaches or rather small town beaches with fewer high rises? There are also plenty of attractions in Mallorca. I am sure you can find a little bit for everyone.

All in all, I just enjoy my vacations in Spain since it is just a change from Germany and it is so similar to Taiwan. If I have the option, I would like the chance to go back there for vacation again since there is just so much to see and so much more to experience.

Of course, I also have a rather selfish reason I want to go to Spain again and that is to practice my Spanish. I have been learning for some time now and from personal experience, the best way to learn is to use. What better way to do so than go to a Spanish-speaking county?

Just like any country, Spain has its flaws but it also has its extraordinarily unique way of life that is just so exciting to experience. There is just so much there that it is hard to put everything into words. However, I promise that it would be a wonderful experience that you won´t regret.

I like Spain for its culture and cuisine since it reminds me of the place where I was born. I like Spain for its creativity and construction since it inspires me to do more. I like Spain for its crowds and contingencies since it seems anything could happen and it is just so different from what I am used to.

If you ever get a chance to visit any city or town in Spain, I would suggest to take that opportunity since it is an opportunity you won´t regret. There is always something going on and there is always something for everyone.