The Girl Who Goes

independent, intentional travel

Last Updated on

A Comprehensive Guide to the Madrid Metro

madrid metro - feature image

Learn how to navigate the Madrid Metro!

The idea of public transportation can be daunting, especially if you aren’t accustomed to it. Even if you’re a frequent traveler, every city has its own system, which makes it even more confusing. Madrid is no exception; though I lived in London for a semester, the Madrid Metro is different from the London Underground in a lot of ways.

When I’m with a group of friends, I usually become the official trip navigator. My favorite app, Citymapper, helps with this important job. But I like to think I’ve got a good handle on public transportation in general. (Now, the Barcelona Metro? That’s another story. Despite my mastery of most metro systems, I managed to end up on the wrong train not once, but TWICE in three days.)

For anyone planning a visit to Madrid, I’ve put together a comprehensive guide to the metro. [Read more…]

Last Updated on

Side Trip: Madrid to Zaragoza, Spain

madrid to zaragoza - feature image

Plan your own trip from Madrid to Zaragoza and you’ll be rewarded with this view.

Since I didn’t go home to the U.S. for the holidays this year, I was lucky enough to spend Christmas in Sardinia and have visitors in Spain for New Years! One of my best friends from college, Carson, and his wife Natalie came to spend a few days with me in Madrid on their European holiday vacation. After starting their trip in Paris, they took a bus to Madrid, before continuing on to Barcelona by train. Along the way, they decided to go from Madrid to Zaragoza, which is about halfway to Barcelona.

Since I’d never been to Zaragoza before, I went along with them for a day trip. I’m so glad I did! Here’s everything you’ll need to know if you want to plan your own trip from Madrid to Zaragoza. [Read more…]

Last Updated on

A Sardinian Christmas

I’ve been living in Madrid for four months now, and I decided not to go home to Kansas City for Christmas. It was too expensive and I figured the money I would’ve spent could be saved and used for other things (read: other trips).

But that didn’t mean I particularly wanted to spend Christmas totally alone. Most of my friends in Spain were traveling – home or elsewhere – for the holidays. So I went to spend Christmas with my family on this side of the world – with our exchange student from last year, Gaia, and her family in Sardinia, Italy. [Read more…]

Last Updated on

Double Exchange: From Missouri to Barcelona

Pep and I at the famous Bár Tomas de Sarrià

If you know me or have followed this blog for any amount of time, you already know that I’m really passionate about international exchange programs. The AFS program has changed my life in so many ways – it’s responsible for the chain of events that turned me into an international traveler, and it also brought me an Italian sister last year. This year, I’m the one living abroad, and Gaia’s family has become my family on this side of the world. Next week, I’ll leave Madrid to spend Christmas in Sardinia.
[Read more…]

Last Updated on

Trip Review: St. Petersburg, Russia

In front of the Hermitage/Winter Palace

In my ultimate quest of traveling as much as possible in my life, I always assumed I’d visit Russia *someday*. I certainly never thought it would be this year – until I found out that my cousin, Gillian, would be spending this semester studying abroad in St. Petersburg. Since I would already be in Madrid, which is quite a bit closer to SPB than the U.S., I figured now was the time. [Read more…]

Last Updated on

7 Things I’ve Learned from Living in Madrid for 10 Weeks

living in madrid - feature

Sunset in my Madrid neighborhood, Prosperidad

It’s hard to believe, but I’ve been in Europe for almost three months now. After 10 days in Spain, I wrote “7 Things I’ve Learned from Living in Madrid for 10 Days.” Well, now I’m here to tell you about 7 things I’ve learned from living here for 10 weeks. (Technically I moved here 11 weeks ago, but I was in Italy for one of those weeks. 🙂 )

I think it’s interesting how much more subtle some of these things are — they probably aren’t things that I would have ever noticed without living here. So, without further ado…

[Read more…]

Last Updated on

Day Trip: Madrid to Toledo, Spain

madrid to toledo - feature image

Madrid to Toledo: One of the easiest day trips from the Spanish capital

While Madrid has plenty to keep you busy, sometimes it’s nice to get out of the city. By taking a short train or bus ride, you can be transported to a different town that will allow you to experience Spanish life in another way. And the best part: You can leave Madrid in the morning or early afternoon and still make it back to your hostel/hotel/home in Madrid by the end of the day.

Toledo is one of the most popular day trips from Madrid, due to its proximity and ease of access. Learn everything you need to know to plan your own trip!
[Read more…]

Last Updated on

Top 5 Things To Do in Retiro Park, Madrid

retiro park - feature image

A classic view of Retiro Park

Parque del Buen Retiro — or just “El Retiro” — is Madrid’s version of Central Park. Located in the southeast of the city center, this 350-acre park is one of Madrid’s must-sees. No matter what time of day you visit, you’ll see families, couples, friends, and individuals enjoying a retreat (in Spanish: retiro) from the city hustle in Retiro Park.

During two years living in Madrid, Retiro Park is one of the places I went back to again and again. Maybe it’s because the greenery felt like an oasis in the big city, or maybe it’s because I loved trying to get lost wandering down new paths.  Either way, there’s no shortage things to do, and it’s worth a visit for anyone who passes through Madrid. [Read more…]

Last Updated on

How to Get a Low Inscrita Number for the Auxiliares de Conversacion Program (Spain)

low inscrita number - feature image

Hola! I wrote this post quite a while ago, when it was all still fresh in my head from the application process. However, I decided not to share until now, because I wasn’t ready for everyone to know I was moving to Spain. 🙂
[Read more…]

Last Updated on

For the Love of Language

I’ve been in Europe for two weeks now, and I have just under two weeks until I start working. Because as much fun as it’s been, living life in Madrid without any responsibilities other than feeding myself, work is the real reason I’m here. The reason I’m able to be here. Someone’s gotta teach the Spanish children some English. [Read more…]