Author Archives: janeinspain.blog

24 April 2025 Today was our day to explore the island of Gran Canaria. The ferry port was just a stone’s throw from where we were staying — in fact, we had been watching the ferries coming and going from our balcony throughout the week. Despite its proximity, reaching the terminal by car proved surprisinglyContinue reading “Exploring Gran Canaria: Cars, Cliffs, Caves”

23 April 2025 This morning, we all lounged around a little longer than usual, awakening to clear blue skies and warm sunlight streaming through the windows. Quinn and Emily made a delightful breakfast of ensalada de fritos con queso fresco — layers of creamy cheese drizzled with honey and topped with fresh, seasonal fruit —Continue reading “Santa Cruz: A Day to Relax, Ride or Roast”

22 April 2025 La Gomera is one of the smaller islands in the Canaries. It has rugged volcanic mountains, lush greenery, and deep ravines. The island has a mystical feel — it’s much quieter and less touristy than Tenerife or Gran Canaria. It is also where Christopher Columbus stopped in 1492 to stock up beforeContinue reading “La Gomera: Where Cliffs Meet Clouds”

Our first stop was the Mercado de Nuestra Señora de África which offers a rich and authentic glimpse into the heart of Tenerife which is affectionately known as La Recova. La Recova comes from the old Spanish word “recova,” which originally referred to a marketplace where poultry and farm products were sold. When the marketContinue reading “Exploring the African Market and La Leguna”

Just off the coast of Africa but proudly Spanish, the Canary Islands are seven slices of sunshine, volcanoes, and beachy bliss — all with their own personality. Technically, the Canary Islands belong to Spain but they are closer to Morocco. Also, the name Canary actually comes from the Latin, meaning “Islands of the Dogs” notContinue reading “A Relaxing Easter in the Canary Islands”

Santiago’s Grand Camino Finale The ending point of our Camino Portugués is the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela in Galicia, Spain. This magnificent cathedral is the traditional final destination for all routes of the Camino de Santiago, as it is believed to be the burial site of Saint James the Greater, one of Jesus’s apostles.Continue reading “Holy Week, Holy Wow!”

Padrón peppers (pementos de Padrón) are a beloved Galician tapa with a fun twist—most are mild, but now and then, you’ll get one with a surprise kick of heat. They were brought to Galicia from the Americas by Franciscan monks in the 16th century. Today, they’re grown locally and hold Protected Designation of Origin status.Continue reading “No Peppers in Padron! 😳”

We started the day in Vigo, making our way through several quaint villages enroute to Santiago. VIGO: We were looking for a breakfast spot and stumbled into what can only be described as an animal farm-themed fever dream call La Cuca. I’m not sure why any restaurateur would sacrifice so much seating to larger-than-life farmContinue reading “Stepping through the Heart of Galicia”

Tucked along Galicia’s dramatic Atlantic coast, Oia, Baiona and Vigo each offer their own rhythm and charm. OIA: Today, we’re heading to the coastal town of Oia. The rugged coastline offers stunning views of the Atlantic Ocean with waves crashing against the cliffs. Our path wound past a variety of farm animals, peacefully grazing underContinue reading “The Journey Continues to Oia, Baiona & Vigo”

This was our final day in Portugal before crossing the Minho River into Spain. The morning began under a blanket of clouds and rain, setting a moody farewell tone. Before leaving, we had one last craving to satisfy—a plate of fresh prawns, a delicious send-off from the Portuguese coast. Caminha, our departure point, offered theContinue reading “Portugal in the Rearview, Spain on the Horizon”

We kicked off our Camino along Portugal’s coast, just north of Porto. It took miles of pavement, warehouses, and city sprawl before we finally broke free — trading concrete for coastline. We designed this Camino to be as leisurely as the cool trade winds blowing off the Atlantic. With too many miles and too littleContinue reading “The Coast of Portugal: Surf, Sand & Sardines”

Welcome to Porto! Today, we explored the stunning Douro Valley, renowned wine region about 70 miles inland from Porto. Our experience with Oporto Sensations exceeded expectations, thanks to our fantastic guide, Bruno. Traveling in a small group of six, we rode in a comfortable van — far better suited for the valley’s narrow, winding roadsContinue reading “Douro Valley — Where the River Meets the Wine”

Lisbon wakes up slowly —- soft light, quiet streets, the calm before the storm. Then, like clockwork, the delivery trucks roll in, filling the pedestrian-only lanes with the hum of engines and the clatter of crates. By 8:00 am sharp, the police sweep through, shutting it all down to traffic with impressive efficiency. Order restored.Continue reading “The Quake that Shook Lisbon and the World … but Most Americans Never Heard of It”

Lisbon Lounge was starting to feel like home! Our cozy private room, bathed in blue, featured a watchful pachyderm. With Solomon the elephant standing guard like a celestial sentinel, sleep came easy. We must be adjusting to the time change — slept hard and woke up ready to explore the Shrine of Fátima. I grewContinue reading “The Rich Traditions of Lisbon & Fátima”

We were soaring with enthusiasm as our Delta flight cruised over Bloomington and onto Chicago for our connection to Amsterdam. Uneventful flights. When we landed in Amsterdam, it was 2:00 am back in Minneapolis, but here, the sun was already shining. That’s when I had to disconnect from Central Standard Time and let jet lagContinue reading “Three Planes and 24 Hours: Hello Lisbon!”

I will be catching a plane today along with my ‘sole’ sister and longtime friend Theresa. Join us as we walk, talk, eat, think & drink our way up the coast of Portugal and into Spain. We have become seasoned (and seasonal) walkers since our first adventure in 2017. Living in Minnesota makes it aContinue reading “Jane is Returning to Spain!”