Sometimes you just have to go.
No elaborate plan. No need to wait for the perfect moment. Just pick a destination, book the ticket and see where the journey takes you. That’s exactly what I did on a recent Spanish adventure - and what a journey it turned out to be.
It started with a flight from London Stansted to Girona and from there I headed to Palafrugell, where I spent two days exploring this beautiful corner of Catalonia.
The highlight was undoubtedly the Cap Roig Festival, held in the most spectacular setting imaginable. Set within the beautiful Cap Roig Botanical Garden, with its castle, lush gardens and sweeping views over the Mediterranean, it’s a pretty unforgettable place to enjoy live music. There was something rather magical about sitting among the trees and flowers, looking out towards the sea, with music filling the evening air.
From Palafrugell, I caught the bus south to Tarragona, swapping the Costa Brava for another wonderfully atmospheric Spanish city. Here, I discovered some great food, enjoyed live music and simply soaked up the atmosphere. I love travelling this way – moving from place to place, rather than rushing through an itinerary and allowing each destination to offer up its own surprises.
Then it was onwards again, this time by bus from Tarragona to Barcelona Airport, where I caught a flight to Málaga. From Málaga, another bus took me to Marbella, my next stop and home for two nights.
Marbella was all about sunshine, the sea and music. I spent time on the beach, wandered through the charming streets of the old town and, of course, headed up into the mountains for the incredible Starlite Festival. Held every year in a spectacular natural setting, Starlite is so much more than a concert – it’s an experience, with music, food, atmosphere and that wonderful feeling of being somewhere completely different from everyday life.
By now, I was well and truly into the rhythm of my Spanish adventure.
But there was one more journey to come.
I took the bus from Marbella back to Málaga train station and boarded the train for Alicante, via Madrid. Another change of scenery, another chapter. I spent a night in Alicante, wandering along the long beachfront, enjoying the sunshine and taking in the final stop on my trip.
And then came my final concert.
What started in Girona had taken me across a good part of Spain – by bus, plane and train, from the Costa Brava to Tarragona, Málaga, Marbella and finally Alicante. Along the way there were beautiful places, brilliant music, fabulous food, plenty of sunshine and, perhaps most importantly, people.
I met up with old friends and made some new ones. I laughed, explored, listened to music, ate very well and occasionally had absolutely no idea what the next day would bring.
And I loved every minute of it.
It reminded me that life really is for living. We can spend so much time waiting for the right moment, the right person, the right circumstances or the perfect opportunity. But sometimes the best thing you can do is simply book the trip, get on the plane and go.
You don’t have to travel halfway around the world. You don’t need a perfectly planned itinerary. Find something that makes you happy – music, food, art, sunshine, friendship, adventure – and go and experience it.
Life is for living. Go find something you enjoy.
I certainly did. And Spain was a pretty wonderful place to do it.
If you want to chat toJoanne about her Spanish adventure, get in touch.
