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Last Updated on April 22, 2025

Side Trip: Madrid to Salamanca, Spain

madrid to salamanca - feature photo

A view of New Cathedral in Salamanca

When my friends invite me to do something, I try to say “yes” as much as I can. You Only Spain Once. (Maybe.) Anyway, my friends Sarah and Ellie decided to plan a trip from Madrid to Salamanca. With the high-speed train, it was easy enough to do as a day trip — no need to book a place to stay for the night — so when they invited me, I said yes.

Here’s everything you need to know to plan your own trip to Salamanca, whether you go for the day or the weekend. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Destinations, Europe, Spain Tagged With: bus, bus travel, bus trip, cathedral, day trip, day trip from madrid, espana, language, madrid, spain, spanish, train travel Leave a Comment

Last Updated on September 1, 2023

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…]

Filed Under: Destinations, Europe, Spain Tagged With: cathedral, day trip, espana, islam, madrid, muslim, spain, travel, unesco Leave a Comment

Last Updated on January 3, 2023

Why Christmas Lasts Longer in Spain

Part of the Cabalgata de Reyes parade

As I sit down to start writing this, it’s nearly a week into January 2019. I’m in my favorite coffee shop with a café con leche (of course) and a ham and cheese croissant (yum). And Christmas music is blasting overhead. Santa Claus is Coming to Town, Last Christmas, Little Drummer Boy – the English classics – as well as Spanish favorites like El Burrito Sabanero, which I’ve only just managed to get out of my head after listening to my third-grade class practice it for weeks. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Travel Thoughts Tagged With: christmas, espana, spain Leave a Comment

Last Updated on September 3, 2023

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…]

Filed Under: Expat Life, Travel Thoughts Tagged With: auxiliar de conversacion, europe, expat, madrid, spain, spanish 1 Comment

Last Updated on December 7, 2024

Day Trip: Madrid to Toledo, Spain

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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…]

Filed Under: Destinations, Europe, Spain Tagged With: bus, cathedral, day trip, history, islam, madrid, spain 1 Comment

Last Updated on November 5, 2024

Top 5 Things To Do in Retiro Park, Madrid

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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…]

Filed Under: Destinations, Europe, Spain Tagged With: madrid, spain Leave a Comment

Last Updated on February 2, 2024

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…]

Filed Under: Expat Life Tagged With: auxiliar, auxiliar de conversacion, auxiliares de conversacion, europe, expat life, madrid, spain 24 Comments

Last Updated on September 3, 2023

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…]

Filed Under: Expat Life, Travel Thoughts Tagged With: AFS, AFS USA, europe, italy, language, madrid, spain, spanish, united states 2 Comments

Last Updated on January 24, 2024

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

living in madrid - my apartment

View from my apartment terrace.

It’s hard to believe I’ve already been in Spain for 10 days! Thankfully, the existential “what-am-I-doing-why-did-I-think-this-was-a-good-idea” phase seems to have passed for the time being, and I’m really enjoying life right now. Whether it’s café con leche every morning (or when I wake up, which uhhh, isn’t always the morning) and shopping for things I need to feel at home, it’s exciting to have a fresh start in a new place. And while I’ve visited Spain as a tourist before, living here is totally different. Here are some of the things I’ve learned in my first 10 days living in Madrid. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Expat Life, Travel Thoughts Tagged With: auxiliares, auxiliares de conversacion, expat, expat life, madrid, spain, spanish Leave a Comment

Last Updated on September 3, 2023

The Struggle of Eating While Abroad

eating while abroad - feature photo

I arrived in Madrid almost two days ago, my new home for the next year. I feel like I’ve already accomplished a lot; I’ve visited some of my favorite spots, navigated the Metro, and even procured an apartment in record time (hallelujah). There is, however, one thing I’m definitely not succeeding at – feeding myself. Why is it so hard to eat while abroad?

Now, my family and friends probably aren’t surprised by this (since in the past few months especially I became increasingly reliant on others to feed me, out of pure laziness for the most part). But let’s put that aside for a minute. I actually realized this during my trip to Asia last year, and to Mexico a few months ago. Feeding yourself while abroad is surprisingly difficult, especially when you’re traveling solo. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Expat Life, Travel Thoughts Tagged With: language, mexico, spain, thailand 10 Comments

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Hello / Hola / Sawasdee

Hi, I'm Cathy – a writer, traveler, and digital nomad who is currently living in Alicante, Spain, on the new digital nomad visa. I'm a Midwestern girl, from Kansas City, Missouri, but I've been to 49 states and 31 countries so far! I like churros, photography, and going on adventures. Thanks for stopping by!

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