Visa Process:
I definitely needed a visa for this trip. I had to complete an online application and present myself to the Spanish consulate in Boston. The interview at the embassy was pretty standard. Europeans in my opinion, tend to be very straightforward – I find that their interviews are fair and they are really just trying to make sure that you will have a place to stay when you visit and that you are definitely going back to your country of residence. So, for me, the process wasn’t overly complicated.
Overall:
- I enjoyed Spain – especially Ibiza. We danced in the streets to Afrobeats and blasted the music to the max!
- Spain was a very strange experience for me as the number of times people stopped my friends and I for photographs (as in to take photographs with us) was alarming. I’m open to taking photographs but things got very weird when people started taking photos without asking. I mean where they do that at?
- The nightlife in Barcelona was ok. Our night was tainted by the many club promoters harassingly promising a fun night. I know that you may think it’s a good experience but believe me when six or seven promoters are in your face promising drinks and the best night of your life all while talking at you – it gets very uncomfortable, very quickly.
- The food was average. I mean I tried ordering local delicacies but was disappointed by the fact that only twice in our week long stay did we get decent pallela and delicious cheese. The rest of our meals left much to be desired.
- The sweets and ice cream were all great!
- The charcuterie was out of this world. Hands down best cheese of my life and best slices of meat I’ve had in a while.
- The shopping was amazing! Zara is a Spanish company and when we were in Barcelona, I definitely enjoyed being at the flagship locations.
Would I go back?
- The scenery, the monuments, the beaches, the people (despite the crazies) all made Spain worth another visit. I think next time I go to Spain, I will head back to Ibiza. I had the best cheese of my life here folks!
- I would go back to Madrid. I’ve been told that if I love Vienna, which I do (see post here), I will love Madrid. So I would visit Madrid next.
Recommendations:
- Submit your visa application at least 3 weeks before departure. I can’t tell you the heart attack that I almost had waiting for my passport to arrive three days before the trip! The earlier the better people!
- Talk to the locals and eat where they recommend.
- Get lost – I know the instinct when traveling is to have set locations and ‘know where you are going’ but I say get lost. When we got lost we found the best boutiques and ice cream shops!
- Get an Airbnb. We stayed at a hotel and if I were to do this again, I would find a place where I could make all my own meals or at least breakfast minimally to save money on food.
- To save on a trip to Spain, book your flights three months out for more affordable rates or book right before tourist season starts.
