Spending more than 20 years in the British Army means I’d already seen a lot of the world by the time I was 40 years old.
And since then, I’ve continued to enjoy traveling, reaching 140 countries (and counting).
Out of all the places I’ve been, though, only one keeps me coming back for annual visits: Spain. I’ve traveled there at least once a year for the past 15 years and am still captivated by its food, history, and more.
The quality of the food is fantastic.
From delicious street food to incredible restaurants, the meals in Spain never disappoint.
When visiting San Sebastián, I love having the pintxos — bite-sized snacks traditionally found in the Basque Country of northern Spain. One of my favorites is gildas, small skewers of green olives, anchovies, and pickled Guindilla peppers.
Meanwhile, the best pimientos de padrón (cooked Padrón peppers) I’ve ever eaten were at the Mercado de San Miguel in Madrid.
And my favorite restaurant in the world, Alfarería 21 Casa Montalván, is in Seville. The food there is great, but what really makes me love it is the staff. In my experience, everyone has always been attentive and incredibly friendly.
My favorite beer, Alhambra 1925, is also Spanish, and having it is always a special treat.
I love immersing myself in the country’s history.
One of the most-visited tourist sites in Spain is the Alhambra, a medieval palace and fortress in Granada, renowned for its complex designs and Islamic architecture.
I especially love visiting the “whispering gallery,” an effect found in the Hall of the Abencerrajes. A local explained it to me during one of my many visits to the Alhambra: Essentially, the architecture allows a whisper to be heard on the other side of the room.
And just nearby is the Patio de Los Leones (Patio of the Lions), a courtyard featuring a fountain complete with 12 marble lions. I recommend booking tickets as early as possible, as they tend to sell quickly.
Other sites I recommend visiting are the Museo Reina Sofía in Madrid, which houses the famous Picasso painting “Guernica,” and the Museo de la Paz de Guernica, which depicts the story of the bombing of the city during the Spanish Civil War.
The local festivals are unmatched.
Almost every town, city, and village in Spain has an annual feria (festival), and my favorite is undoubtedly La Feria del Caballo (The Horse Fair) in Jerez de la Frontera.
Held every May at the González Hontoria fairground, the festival features plenty of food, drinks, dancing, and a program of equestrian events.
It’s beautiful during the day, but at night, the grounds are lit up in a spectacular way that makes everything look magical.
Another festival I enjoy attending is Las Fallas, held annually in March in Valencia. Hundreds of wooden and papier-mâché monuments called fallas are constructed around the city, and then, to conclude the festival, they’re burned.
These structures often portray local and world dignitaries or critique current events, creating a blend of art, satire, and tradition that’s really worth watching.
In my experience, the public transportation system has been very accessible.
Cities like Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, and Seville have public transportation systems that cover a lot of ground and are reasonably priced. Some single-ride bus tickets cost as little as €1.50 ($1.75).
Plus, throughout the country, I’ve consistently found the public transportation to be reliable, clean, and affordable.
On my last visit to Valencia, I easily took the metro and a bus to the beach, before heading to the Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias (City of Arts and Sciences) again by metro and bus — a door-to-door experience without a problem.
Plus, the country is home to my favorite city in Europe — and maybe the world — Seville.
From the street art and Flamenco dancing in the Plaza de España to square trees and unique architecture, Seville has so much to offer.
But above all, what I love most about the city is its people. They’re some of the friendliest folk I’ve ever come across. Whenever I sit in a bar or a restaurant there for half an hour, I leave with new friends.
I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve been invited (and gone) to parties or events held by someone I met just two hours prior in Seville.
I can’t wait to visit Spain again.
Overall, everything in this country has a charm unmatched by anywhere else I’ve been.
Though I’ve been to Spain over a dozen times, I never tire of savoring the local cuisine, taking in the beautiful views, and exploring its incredible architecture.
I’m already looking forward to returning next year to see La Sagrada Familia finally completed after more than 140 years of construction. While there, I’m sure I’ll enjoy plenty of other new adventures, too.
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