Blakesjourney
Stuff from blakesjourney travel blog.
My Big Fat Greek Frappe
I admit that I am a coffee addict. I am not trying to quit, either. Anyone that sees me regularly usually sees me with a cup of ‘black lightning’ in my hand. I love the stuff, dammit. So accordingly, one of the most intriguing questions I like to discover about traveling to new places is:... »
Greece is Everything we Imagined
We flew from an airport outside of Milan (Ryanair’s Milan-ish hub, Bergamo) to the Greek island of Kos with high hopes. See, the Greek Isles is a trip we’ve had in our sights for a long while now- around 5 or 6 years, and we’re finally here! It was really exhilarating to take the... »
Hostel Review: Sol Backpacker (Malaga, Spain)
For us, Malaga is a stopover on the way from Nerja to Milan. We’re here for a few hours (17, I think) then getting on a plane. We needed somewhere cheap and somewhat centrally located, and Sol Backpacker fit the bill! How Much? Sol Backpacker is only 14 euros per bed. Pretty good. There is... »
Nerja, Spain: Photo Essay
Nerja is on Spain’s southern coast, La Costa del Sol. The sun is blistering and the Mediterranean is chilly. It is a place where authentic Spanish culture takes a backseat to unfettered tourism, all the while keeping a chill beach scene. In Nerja you can get tapas, see flamenco, shop til you drop, and... »
Peace, Quiet, and Many Tapas in Cazorla
From bustling Madrid, we stabbed south to rustic Andalucia in search of the parkside village of Cazorla. Cazorla is a town of about 8,000 nestled in southern Spain’s Sierra Nevada mountain range on the edge of a vast conservation land. We thought that Cazorla was going to be a quiet break from the hectic... »
Man Versus Bull- FIGHT!
Bullfighting in Spain is a bloody tradition, but a tradition none-the-less. If you ever go to see a bullfight you will witness something that is very unchanged from the beginnings of Spanish culture (and even pre-Spanish culture, I think). The bullfight gives the tourist an opportunity to view a brutal and beautiful side of... »
Madrid Essential Experience: El Rastro
On Sunday, the La Latina district in Madrid turns in to a ‘mercado de curiosidades, ropas, y artesanias’… Simply put, it is a flea market on steroids. In the summer months, the sun beats down hard on this open air market sprawling out over multiple blocks. It is underwhelming to say that this market... »
The Best Gelato in Madrid
After careful deliberation and trials, Linds and I have come to a unanimous consensus- The best gelateria in Madrid is Giuseppe Ricci. It is a contemporary/quaint ice creamery in the shaded pedestrian area of Madrid called Huertas (Gardens). We found this place when it was relatively unknown; these days, for better or for worse,... »
Arrival in Madrid
After a very short flight (only 7hrs 15mins!) we’re kickin’ it in our favorite city in Europe: Madrid. Ever since Linds and I lived and worked here during the summer of 2005 we’ve been enamored with this place. Everything from the party atmosphere, bountiful cheap accommodations, solid metro, pretty parks, tree-lined avenues, and terraza... »
Journey to the Sacred Valley: Part 1
In April 2010, Linds and I took a 10 day trip to Peru on a quest to experience Machu Picchu and the Sacred Valley of the Incas. What we got was a hell of a lot more. It was no easy trip to the famous ruins and the path that ensued was both... »