By Jill Goldsberry
The year I decided to go to Spain alone was a challenging one. Work was great, but I’d just come out of a horrendous relationship and I needed to emotionally recharge. I had been studying Spanish with a tutor for a year when I took my new language skills on the road, carefully planning out a month of exploring what I call “the recharge trip.”
GET YOUR RESOURCES TOGETHER
Pulling off a 30-day solo Espana adventure requires strategic skills, resources, and planning. When I speak of resources, I am referring to a network of contacts, places to visit and knowing where NOT to go. Being that my tutor was from Spain, she was my first source. She suggested visiting her hometown of Valencia, Barcelona and Alicante in Spain’s southern region. I also reached out for suggestions from friends who had previously visited the country. Lonely Planet had just released an updated book on Spain that became my trip bible.
PLANNING THE TRIP – ALWAYS HAVE A PLAN
With a month of research checked off, I planned the weeks of exploring week by week (as highlighted below). I planned on staying in a variety of hotels and bed & breakfast inns recommended by my resources. With my passport in tow, ticket and bags packed I was off to my first stop on the Iberian Peninsula!
Week 1: Barcelona
Week 2: Valencia and Alicante
Week 3: Majorca
Week 4: Andalucia
THE UNPLANNING – BE OPEN TO THE UNEXPECTED
Changing flights at LAX left me seated next to a woman slightly younger than me. We struck up a conversation and turned out she was also going to Barcelona for a week before entering a 1-year study abroad program. By the end of the flight we were friends and decided to share a room. This was not the plan at all, but who was I to argue with the universe when it sent me a travel buddy to explore Barcelona with.
Even better than what I had planned; my new buddy, Dani, and I met another set of female travelers who introduced us to some locals that ran a lounge. Our nights were filled with live music from Spaniard and South American musicians. I wound up staying in Barcelona two days longer than expected before Dani and I parted ways.
Through recommendations from my initial resources and newfound contacts, I eventually landed in the beautiful beach town of Almunecar in the province of Granada. Almunecar was not part of the original plan, but I was given the name of a woman that rents out part of her home. There was a farmers market up the street where I bought fresh produce daily to prepare meals in the kitchen facilities that came with the rental. Fresh food, beaches, music and new friends was pure magic in being exactly what I needed and never expected all at the same time.
Thinking about a solo adventure? If your spirit calls for it go for it! You will not be bored.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Jill Goldsberry is a freelance beauty and lifestyle contributing writer. Her work has been seen in Women’s Health.com, Vue.com, DivaGalsDaily.com, and Bella Magazine. She has been a host on Style Music TV and a guest on #1 wellness podcast “Just Ask David”. She enjoys exploring new places alone or with a friend. When she is not traveling she is often knee deep in exploring the best in beauty products, wellness and foods. Check out her blog BeautylicousLifestyle