Every July 6th, Pamplona, Spain, plunges into nine days of revelry. The highlight of this celebration is the world-famous Running of the Bulls Festival, also known as Los Sanfermines.
Descending the stairs and tracing my fingers along the uneven stone walls, I feel a sense of history comes from the cellar.
After two consecutive days exploring the ancient cities of Toledo and Ávila, I decided to switch things up with a visit to Parque de Atracciones de Madrid, recommended by my host.
While wandering around the city, I unexpectedly found a shoe store that had a long line of people waiting outside. Every time the door opened, I would peek inside and see that it was packed with customers! Interestingly, whenever the door opened, someone would leave, carrying numerous bags of shoes, as if they were free.
The first thing I did when I arrived in Madrid was to find out which shows were currently playing in the local theaters. The performance of "Swan Lake" at the Teatro de la Luz Philips Gran Vía caught my eye. Even though I wasn't particularly fond of this ballet, I was glad I decided to experience it in the theater. The highlight of the performance was Anna Scechaleva's brilliant portrayal of both the White and Black Swan.
The skill of the Portuguese in handling seafood is no laughing matter!
There are 11 bone chapels in Europe, one of which is located in Évora, Portugal. The inscription at the entrance, "Nós ossos que aqui estamos, pelos vossos esperamos," or "Our bones here await yours," is just a terrifying beginning.
During my stay at the guesthouse, the house owner would always ask me whenever he saw me, "Are you planning to visit Sintra today?" or "Have you just returned from Sintra?" If the answer was no, he would passionately talk about the beauty of Sintra. Consequently, inspired by his enthusiasm, I set off.
Lisbon's Belém is breathtakingly beautiful, with its seamless blend of azure skies and seas, and the omnipresent scent of egg tarts. It ignited within me the desire to settle here upon my very first visit. However, Belém has more to offer than just its charm. Delving into its splendid maritime past, the once-dominant seafaring legacy, is indeed the purpose for many a traveler's journey here.