Upcoming Travels: I’m Headed South!
I’ve gotten into this great & lazy habit of sucking out all the information I can from my blog readers about things to do when I travel! Before I went to Norway and Prague, I asked y’all for your advice and you did not disappoint, so here I am… being lazy and doing it again 😉
It turns out that I’m *actually* keeping to my 2017 travel bucket list pretty well so far, and in just a couple weeks I will be heading off on my newest adventure…
Here’s the plan (let’s see if things actually happen according to it), and if you have any knowledge or advice (including your own experiences, your friends/family’s experiences, posts I should read, etc.) please let me know in the comments below.
The adventure will be starting off in GIRONA, SPAIN! This is a little city not too far from Barcelona, where I will be meeting up with some of my international student buddies from last year. We told each other we would visit each other in all our foreign countries, which at the time seemed like a distant dream, so I can’t believe it’s actually happening!!
I honestly know nothing about Girona (apart from the fact I visited family friends there when I was 8 years old and have a giant scar on my knee to show for it, lol…), and my friends will be busy during the day with classes, so *please* send any advice my way on the best things to do!!
Next up is BARCELONA, SPAIN. I haven’t been back to Barcelona since aforementioned knee-destroying childhood vacation (story for a separate time, my friends). I remember LOVING the aquarium but that’s essentially it. I will actually be going to Barcelona twice (with a trip back to Girona in between), once with my friends and once on my own. So especially if you know of any solo-lady things to do in Barcelona, hit me up! My interests include: coffee, gluten free tapas, coffee.
The second leg of my ~southern spring break adventure~ will find me jetting off to ORLANDO, USA. Actually, like, ORLANDO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT (MCO), USA, because after that I’m promptly headed to a little town on the western side of the state for………….. drum roll ……….. swimming with manatees!! This is my childhood dream, and of the countless times I’ve visited the fam in FL I have never done this, so to say I’m excited is an understatement.
I really, really wasn’t planning on going back to the USA for my spring break, as I’ve been all like *oooh must take advantage of being in Europe before visa expiry* but we found some super, super, super cheap flights and made it happen! I’m so excited to see my grandparents, parents, great aunt and uncle, especially as 1) it’s been AGES since we’ve all been together, and 2) if I hadn’t gone back to the USA now, it would’ve been a straight 9 months without seeing any family, longer than I’ve ever gone.
From SMALLTOWN WESTERN FLORIDA, USA, we are heading to my grandparents’ home. So please hit me up with any advice for Northwest Florida!! I don’t really need advice for Vero Beach as I plan on doing *nothing*. (Other than eating, beaching, and playing cards with my Grandma, that is…Hi GJ if you’re reading!!).
And then…. well, I’m hopping back on a plane to the UK, where I begin the last segment of my Masters degree! (I’m not hyperventilating, you’re hyperventilating!!).
Anyway, friends, that’s the plan at least! Hit me up with all your advice, and of course your own spring break plans. Make me jealous! I love a good spring break (here’s my post on the best. one. ever.).
Sarah xx
I’m linking up with Lauren of Lauren on Location, Van of Snow in Tromso, Isabel of The Sunny Side of This (who just had a freakin’ baby go congratulate her!!) and Marcella of What a Wonderful World for Wanderlust Wednesday!
How exciting! I love when you get to visit friends in their home cities, it’s the perfect travel excuse!
I haven’t been, so I can’t offer any tips, but I’m excited to read all about it from you!
It’s my absolute favorite way to travel! I’m sure I’ll be writing about it all on here through April (and let’s be honest probably May too ahha)
YAY!!! Have the best time ever! I’m so excited for your travels AND for your last MA year! 🙂
I will! Just have to get through all these final essays first!!
Oh my goodness!! Yay for fun travels and cheers for heading to Florida and swimming with sea cows!! We did that not long ago and LOVED it! I really want to do it again soon. If you need tips on other things to see while you are there I actually did a post about our trip and where we eat, etc. https://www.lifessweetwords.com/2015/11/florida-road-adventure-to-crystal-river.html
Have such a great time!!
Oooh I haven’t known anybody who has swum with them before, did you do it in Crystal River? I can’t wait!!! Thanks for your post, I will check it out!
Yep, Crystal River is actually the only place that you can legally do it! There’s tons of great charters you can take, plus if you choose to rent a kayak or paddle board you can also get in with them that way.
Yes that’s what I thought! I’ve kayaked with manatees before in the wild but for swimming we wanted to do it in a sustainable environment 🙂 we booked our tour already, I can’t wait!
That’s really exciting, and I’m jealous of swimming with manatees!
It’s legitimately my life dream, I can’t wait!
Wow, that’s great! i’ve never been to Girona, but I’m gonna be in Madrid in May for the second time. Love Spanish food :)) Enjoy your trip!
Madrid is wonderful! I have some off the beaten path posts on it if you are interested – the street art there was amazing! I can’t wait to fill up on some Spanish/Catalan coffee and wine and tapas!
I’ve never been to any of these places but I’m certainly looking forward to your Spain posts. Could definitely need some sunshine myself 😉
Yes you certainly do after winter in Tromso! You’ll be getting those loooooong days soon, at least 🙂 Spain posts will be plentiful I am sure!
Sounds fabulous! I haven’t been to Spain yet but hope to one day. Check out the Instagram Saints of Old Florida for some Florida ideas.
Ooh thanks for the advice, I’ll check it out!
Sounds awesome! By the way, I love the look of your travel blog. Super inspiring! I’d love to know what theme you use if you’re up for sharing.
Aw thanks Javon 🙂 I use an etsy theme that I’ve somewhat edited the code for 🙂 the original creator was City House Design on etsy, her name is May and she is lovely!
I haven’t been to Europe yet, so I have no advice to offer. It sounds like a wonderful adventure though! As for Florida, head to Destin and Panama City Beach if you can! They are beautiful!
You’ll have to get yourself to Europe soon then 🙂 I will see if we have time!! We are going to be in Crystal River but maybe we can make a stop!!
GOODLuck! We are from northwest Florida (destin and Pensacola areas) that Spanish breakfast looked amazing btw.
Thank you!! Yes, Spanish breakfast is incredddddible. What’s even better is that they sleep in so late, it’s a late breakfast haha
Nice travel plans! I have heard Rocambolesc has the best ice cream in Girona! #WednesdayWanderlust
Ooooh thank you!! I will def check it out!
Wow! That’s some cool itinerary planned. I wish you have a great time and post about your travel experiences. Looking forward to it!
Thank you!! I can’t wait to write about it all too 🙂
Sounds like you have some great things planned!! Now I have the travel itch too…
Hhaha good, my job here is done then!
Sounds like you have a bunch of adventures coming up! Spain sounds amazing. You’ll have such a great time!
I’m very excited for Spain – haven’t been back to Catalan specifically for 15 years!
Such exciting travel plans and wow so many places in a short time! Can’t believe you’re making a quick hop over to the US, but trust me, I know what it’s like to miss family and just need some good rest and relaxation time. AND first SPAIN! So excited for you, you’re going to love it! I’ve never been to Girona, but I’ve heard great things and Barcelona is well, Barcelona! I’ll message you some must dos in Barca, but honestly I don’t know the city too well. I think Courtney of Adelante might have a gluten free eating post for Barcelona though …. I’ll check it out ! 😀
Okay well it’s not specifically Barcleona, but here are some things you should definitely try:
https://www.adelanteblog.com/2014/01/5-spanish-dishes-i-cant-live-without.html
Oooh yes thank you!! I’m going to feast in Spain aren’t I haha
That’s a really great/diverse spread you have for your break: friend meet up, crossing a major ocean, checking off a life goal, and family time. I wish I had that much planning foresight for my trips lol. Have a great time and go back refreshed and ready to combat that hyperventilation 😀
Hhah I think it just kinda happened like that! More luck than planning 😉
Enjoy your spring travels! I’ve just got one big load of Czech travels in my future for this spring… with possible Austria jaunt, we’ll see 😉
I can’t wait to read about your travels! Spring travels are the best 🙂
What an amazing trip! I hope you have a fantastic time! Spain is on my list of places to see someday!
Thank you! I can’t wait 🙂 I’ve been to Spain a few times and it never gets old – you will love it when you someday get there!
This sounds like a scrumptious spring break Sarah!
Ahh so many fun things! My friend went on a solo trip to Barcelona and loved it. She said wine and coffee were both cheaper than water there so really…that’s all I need to know to want to visit.
Yay! Well done on sticking to your Bucket List so far! I am surprised that I am doing the same! Sounds like an amazing trip! Have fun xx
Are you going to Homosassa, FL? I’m from Florida and my grandparents lived near there and that’s where we went swimming with the manatees!