When I visited Mallorca a couple of weeks ago, every guide said the exact same thing: you have to go to Sóller.

So I did. I had hoped to take the historic wooden train from Palma, but tickets were sold out, so I hopped on the bus instead. Luckily, I still got to ride the vintage tram down from the town to the port, which was a highlight of the trip.

The port sits in a nearly perfect horseshoe bay framed by the Serra de Tramuntana mountains, keeping the water calm, clear, and vivid blue. Whitewashed houses climb the surrounding hillsides, and the bay is dotted with sailboats.

I got incredibly lucky with the weather, as you can see in the photo above. If you only have time for one day trip outside of Palma, make it Port de Sóller. I can’t wait to return the next time I’m in Mallorca.

I remember a few years back in Berlin, when locals would ask a Spanish colleague and friend of mine where he was from. Whenever he mentioned he was from the island of Mallorca, the reaction was almost always the same: a look of disbelief, followed by the inevitable question, “So what are you doing here, man?” I’d always been curious about the island and wanted to understand the appeal of the Balearics, and a few days ago I finally got the chance to see it for myself on a visit to Mallorca. It truly is beautiful, just as my friend had told me.

One of the activities I enjoy most when visiting a city is cycling, whenever possible, and on this trip, staying in Can Pastilla, I found that the hotel offered affordable full-day bike rentals. So I set off to visit the cathedral and its surroundings, as well as Bellver Castle, where I took the photo you can see above. I really enjoyed this visit, and I can’t wait to go back!

A few days ago, I had the opportunity to visit the city of Tarragona for the second time, and I remembered why I liked it so much the first time I visited several years ago. Since moving to Europe, I have always been fascinated whenever I have the chance to visit Roman ruins, and Tarragona (called Tarraco in Roman times) is a city with a great number of them, including an amphitheater, a circus, and an aqueduct.

Specifically, this Roman amphitheater, dating back to the 2nd century AD, is one of the main tourist attractions of the city, and it is impressive to see how well it has been preserved over the centuries, as you can see in the photo above. The city of Tarragona is a place full of history and culture, and without a doubt, it is a destination worth visiting if you are in Catalunya.

Sixteen years ago, while I was living in Dublin, I experienced the electricity of the 2010 World Cup when Spain clinched their first title. Working for the Spanish Search Quality Team gave me a unique perspective; I felt an immediate and profound connection to that victory. The celebrations in Dublin were truly unforgettable. It was a moment of immense pride, and it was wonderful to step out into the streets and celebrate with friends with whom I am still close today.

Fast forward to 2026, and they have done it all again! This time around, Spain proved themselves once more, fielding an absolutely superb team that appeared even stronger than their 2010 counterparts. The final match, which I had the privilege to watch from Catalonian territory, was intensely competitive: a nail-biting showdown against Argentina, a side already under widespread scrutiny for their behavior both on and off the field. In extra time, Spain secured a well-deserved 1-0 victory.

And honestly, today those memories from 2010 are so vivid, and I’m happy again for my Spanish friends for such a well-deserved victory with such an amazing team. Campeones campeones, Oe oe oe, Campeones campeones, Oe oe oe…! 🇪🇸

A couple of days ago, I found myself back in Sitges! While strolling through the narrow streets of the charming city center, I took a picture of the iconic cathedral overlooking the sea, and it made me remember why I loved this town the first time I visited many years ago. There is such a unique vibe here—a perfect blend of Catalan tradition and Mediterranean warmth; it feels like a place that forces you to slow down and savor every moment.

We ended up having lunch at a yummy Italian restaurant on the seafront called La Terraza, then we got some nice ice cream from a local gelateria, and spent some time just sitting on the promenade watching people go by.

I was curious about why this town is such a lovely place and has become such a beacon of tolerance for the LGBTQ+ community. I read up on it this morning and found out that Sitges has always been a haven for artists, writers, and free spirits—which explains its totally open-minded atmosphere!

They host so many cultural events and festivals throughout the year, like the famous Sitges Film Festival. Already counting down to my next visit!

Let’s be honest: European heatwaves are no joke right now. After spending all these weeks bracing against the blistering sunshine and trying to work through the hot weather, it feels refreshing and invigorating to be back on the Catalan seaside.

Three years ago, I walked on this exact stretch of beach in Cubelles — same boardwalk, same view of the Mediterranean stretching flat and blue toward the horizon. I remember staring at the water and reflecting on where I was and where I was going.

Coming back now, the town hasn’t changed much. The same beach restaurants are still serving the same food at lunch. My favorite ice cream parlor has done well, and now it’s even bigger.

And of course, while ordering some splendid “arroz negro” and chatting with a friendly waiter, I remembered why I always feel closest to home when I visit this country.

Today, I’m grateful I have the opportunity to visit this spot once more.

As I mentioned in my last post, a couple of weeks ago I had the opportunity to visit the Valencian city of Alicante. One of the most interesting experiences during this trip was spending a day on Tabarca Island, located just an hour's ferry ride from Alicante (the journey can take only 20 minutes from the town of Santa Pola).

The island is tiny but incredibly beautiful. It has been declared a marine reserve due to its diverse aquatic life and is surrounded by stunning, crystal-clear blue waters. One of the activities I enjoyed during this visit was walking from the port through the small town to the end of the main street, which leads to "Porta de la Trancada" (Trancada Gate).

There, I left my clothes, put on my goggles, and easily spent an hour exploring the various fish species that can be observed, as well as swimming to the "Illot de la Cantera" (Quarry Islet), where, at that moment, there was absolutely no one else around. I have a beautiful memory of being in this amazing place, enveloped by total peace.

Later in the day, I wandered through the town, crisscrossing its narrow streets until I stumbled upon a truly authentic restaurant. There, I enjoyed the 'Menu del Día,' which included a fresh salad, crispy fried sardines and shrimp, followed by an authentic Valencian paella. The meal was so satisfying; it kept me full for the rest of the day!

Frankly, I'm very eager to return there someday.

The Castle of Santa Bárbara in Alicante is a historic fortress located on Mount Benacantil, a hill overlooking the city and the Mediterranean Sea. Today, it is one of Alicante’s most prominent landmarks and a popular tourist destination.

A couple of days ago, I had the opportunity to visit this interesting place. There are different ways to reach the castle, including taking an elevator, but I decided to walk all the way up. I passed through the beautiful old neighborhood of Santa Cruz, with its picturesque houses, then crossed the Parc de l'Ereta, and finally reached the castle. This huge complex is quite fascinating, offering plenty of information about its origins, significance, and successive renovations, destructions, and restorations. I spent a couple of hours exploring the castle, and it was totally worth it.

This morning, when the sleepy town of Cubelles was starting to come to life and I went for a walk, I was lucky enough to experience this amazing view while the first rays of sunlight started to pierce through the thin veil of clouds, creating the very interesting picture you can see above.

I recently had the pleasure of visiting Cubelles, a beautiful Catalan coastal town near Barcelona. I hit the jackpot when I found an apartment right on the beach! My time there was pure bliss; I spent almost every day soaking up the sea and cooling off in the waves.

But every time I watch the news, I realize how lucky I was to spend my days there during the heat wave that is hitting Europe. There are raging fires in many places in southern Europe, and places where the summer is not usually that hot, like the UK, are experiencing record temperatures.

No comments. The climate change problem is already here :/

I didn't update this blog last week because my GF and I went to Tenerife, and I decided to leave my computer at home to unplug for a while. We had a really amazing time on the biggest of the Canary Islands. The weather was warm but not scorching hot; the landscapes were really nice and quite different across the island; the seafood was so fresh and delicious; and finally, the people were extremely friendly. It was just great.

Some of the highlights of the trip were (besides the stunning Teide you see in the picture above):

1- The nice town of La Orotava:

2- The picturesque town of San Andrés, where we stayed, and the nearby "Playa de las Teresitas":

3- Walking around in Santa Cruz:

4- The old town of Garachico and its natural rock swimming pools: