|
Summer is coming to an end and I want to soak up as much sun as I can. Thanks to my dear friend Cecilia from my Javea trip for linking me up with Laura from Madrid. Not sure when Laura and I would get the chance to meet personally but she just so happened to be coming to Valencia for a camping trip with friends. She invited me to join them at Playa de Oliva. I took an hour and half bus ride from Valencia and spent the day with great people.
Because mama raised me right, I didn't show up empty handed. Sangria and a music speaker to make for a great time at the beach.
0 Comments
Ibiza in September. I wore big sunglasses, bikinis, sandals, and shorts almost every day. The streets aren’t as hot or as busy as the summer months and you will find lower rates on accommodations. it was the best place for a girls weekend getaway! And just to be clear, the only pill this girl took in Ibiza was an Advil and I’m okay with that!
Stop and Take In the Views Don’t pass up a moment to feel like you’re on top of the world! A major benefit of renting a car, we were able to pull over, be amazed and then get back to our jam sessions. As we drove along the coast, Cala Vedella and Cala Comte were two of my favorite spots to snap some amazing pictures and have a little snack. Best Place for Lunch When we needed a place to recharge after a night of dancing, Amante Ibiza was the place to be. We called ahead to make a reservation, rocked our favorite sundress, and enjoyed lunch by the sea. Spanish cuisine, strong coffee, stronger cocktails, warm sun, deep tissue massage, cute waiters, you name it. This place has it! Amante Ibiza is perfect for a bunch of girls needing some TLC. We could have literally spent all day there. Pack your swimsuit just in case you’re feeling spontaneous! The moment that sealed the deal for me was when the staff made our birthday girl felt extra-special by bringing out a complimentary dessert with a candle. This thoughtful gesture had her smiling ear-to-ear and I was so happy to be enjoying this time with my friends. Amante is a place I will forever dream of returning to. More Sunsets, Please! When looking for a memorable place to watch the sun go down, my absolute favorite spot was Es Vendra Rock. It was peaceful, breezy, and the view was breathtaking. I’m not one for crowded beaches and photobombers so we passed on Café del Mar this time and found our way to this magical place in the southern tip of the island. Wine, snacks, a blanket and my friends were all I needed to make this a time I’ll treasure forever. We reflected on the day, laughed, took the must have insta-selfies and relaxed before taking on the nightlife. No Shame in the Pre-game Our goal was to have an amazing time, dance all night and watch the sunrise every morning! How you ask? We downloaded the “TG Ibiza” app and were able to read details on different parties we wanted to go and bought our tickets ahead of time. There are also plenty of vendors throughout the city, so you can buy tickets from them too for the same price. Entry fees ranged from 20-80 Euros and the average drink was 20 Euros so unless you plan on making it rain at the club, it’s best to do a bit of pregaming. Our nightly mini-bar consisted of vodka-Fanta Orange, strawberry gin and Sprite, or vodka-Redbull. There’s no shame in my pre-game. We saw the sunrise - shoes and dignity in hand - every morning before going home. When the sun goes down, the sound goes up! Ibiza is known for its EDM/House Music scene, but it was our first night out and my friends and I were in the mood for Reggaeton and Hip-Hop. We bought our tickets from a street vendor, paid a 20 Euro entry fee and marched into Privilege ready to dance. It was not the typical body-to-body, underground, rave were thinking it would be. We were a bit skeptical walking in, but after a few songs we realized all we needed were each other and good music. When the clock struck 6 AM we piled in the car and our adventure continued in search for the sunrise. We took the best wrong turn and stumbled upon a hidden gem: Cala San Vicente. At the north point of the island, Cala San Vicente, was waiting for us. Snuggled on the beach with my girlfriends, toes in the sand, eyeliner gone, yawning and laughing the whole time as the sun came up - cue the GROUP HUG! One evening we wanted somewhere special to celebrate my friend’s 21st birthday and found Hi-Ibiza. The large patio, good crowd, and the lights made it a worth staying and having a few tequila shots. We scoped out the place and found the party spot for the night. We learned then that anything goes when it comes to expressing yourself with your outfit. Bikini top and boots? Done. Fishnets and leather bra. Check. Army pants and flip-flops? You go girl! We loved meeting so many different people and it made for an amazing night! It is our last chance for romance in Ibiza so we went for the FULL MONTY! Kygo’s closing party at Ushuaïa Beach Club & Hotel. Huge crowd, glow bracelets, laser lights, smoke and fireworks! We walked around the venue, had a few drinks with kind souls and found our way to the middle of the mosh-pit. This is it! That Ibiza party we’ve seen in movies and dreamed about. To be honest our feet were hurting and so tired from the lack of sleep but we didn’t care. We pushed through the crowds and danced like no one was watching. Side Note: I sat down to rest my feet for a second only to see they were giving massages in the VIP section. Help me, I’m poor. Anyways, once back in the crowd I was so proud to see my friend on top of some guy’s shoulder singing her heart out. You go girl! The party ended at midnight so we left and contemplated where to go next. Then, someone said those 3 words: I AM HUNGRY. We opted for McDonald’s drive-thru and took ourselves home for munchies on our patio. Monty is a bit disappointed but we were more than satisfied. The Island of Formentera It is our last full day in Ibiza and we couldn’t wait to see the island of Formentera. Two words: PINK SAND. For only 20 Euros and an hour ferry ride we were in another paradise. However, from getting caught in a storm on the ferry to “trying” to learn how to drive manual on an island in a foreign country, everything was going wrong! We were delirious and uncontrollably laughing at this point. We ended up renting bikes for 8 euros and rode 20 minutes to Illetes beach to see the pink sand and have lunch. During all the commotion and a bumpy bike ride, my friend’s tuna salad spilled in her purse. Tuna was everywhere! In her make-up bushes, on her passport, everywhere! Y’all, it is time to go home! Bye for Now Our last day was full of stress and laughter but I wouldn’t change any part of the trip. We boarded the plane with smiles and tuna still in my friend’s purse! Like most, we were only there for a weekend and it is impossible to go everywhere, but stop stressing trying to see everything! The way to having the best time in Ibiza is going with the flow, laughing with your friends and making memories that will last a lifetime. La Tomatina is a food fight festival held on the last Wednesday of every August in Buñol, Spain.
I had heard of this madness before but never had the chance to go, until now! I was hesitant to go because I have a weekend trip to Ibiza the next day, but you only live once. I bought a last minute ticket and left Valencia at 6:30am. When I arrived around 7, I was greeted with Sangria. The party always starts early and ends late in Spain! #WheninSpain While wandering the street and seeing buildings covered in tarps, I met a group of American girls and asked if I could join them. They were on a trip booked through an agency bringing college girls together on different excursions. We pre-gamed and cheered on the brave attempting the "Palo Jabon". It is a two-story greased up pole with a Spanish ham at the top. A serious Mulan, I'll make a man out of you Moment! No one ever reached it but it was definitely entertaining and made the time pass by. At 11am the tomato filled trucks made their way through the street and the hour long food fight began! Beware of how sardined you will be when the trucks pass through. I had been told I brought the wrong goggles because of the nose piece but it worked in my favor. The smell was HORRIBLE! I took my googles off for a second to stop and take a good look at everything and I instantly regretted it. Left me gagging! Afterwards, I was rinsed off by the locals and their water hoses. I had such a great time but definitely one of those things you only do once! *I bought my shirt "Enjoy Now" from Bershka for 1 euro. I planned to trash everything I wore but decided to keep my shirt for a memory* Cova Tallada is a beautiful cave above sea level in Javea, Spain! Just an hour from Valencia, I had to check out it out for myself. There are two ways to access the cave: Hiking or Kayaking. I went the hiking route and in an hour I once again stood amazed at how beautiful the Mediterranean Sea is.
Once I made it down to the main cave it was packed with people! Some were cliff jumping, others taking a siesta inside the cave or snorkeling outside in a small bay area. After a long flight and a quick trip to Paris, I am finally back in Valencia with one of my best friends, my sister, Natalie! She was here for 12 days and I wanted to make sure she had the best time. Here are 10 things we did together!
1. We rode our bikes through the City of Arts and Sciences, past Malvarosa and Patacona Beaches to Port Saplaya, the Little Venice of Valencia. Snapped a few photos and sipped Vino Tinto de Verano by the harbor. 2. Still jet-lagged we decided to make the most of our day and rode our bike to Malvarosa beach to watch the sunrise. We took a devotional called "Flourish" by Margaret Feinberg and it was a great moment with my sis just feeling grateful to be there together on the beach. 3. Taking a break from the sand we went PROA Pool & Rest for lunch and sunbathing. 4. Us girls can eat! One thing we are not going to do is starve. One night we had dinner at Sorsi i Morsi on Calle Conde Altea then ended the evening at Clandestino, a hotel bar near the center. Another night at Panorama on the water with views of the beach. 5. Afternoon in the city center. We stopped for cake and coffee at Straivori, a beautiful cafe with really cool decor. We sat outside with a view of the Plaza de Toros. Afterwards, we walked towards the Plaza del Ayuntamiento to Ateneo Sky Bar, where we sipped cocktails and watched the sunset. 6. Day at Sea on a Sailing Catamaran. We bought our excursion tickets under the flags at the beach and spent the day at sea soaking up the sun and eating paella. My favorite part was jumping off the boat and into the water hand-in-hand. On our way back to the port we were able to FaceTime Myra and share the moment with her. Love you My! 7. When in Spain, it is an absolute must to see a Flamenco show. The best place in town in Cafe del Duende, They have shows every Thursday to Sunday! 8. Roaming around Ruzafa. Ruzafa is the hip district of Valencia. There is no shortage of coffee shops, cafes with cute terraces, boutiques and art galleries. We took pictures of the beautiful buildings then rode our bikes to Mercado Colon for a smoothie. Afterwards, we went to see Puente de Las Flores (The Flower Bridge) to stop and smell the roses. The flowers are here year-round and its always a great spot for a picture. 9. Natalie wanted to grab a few souvenirs to take home so we went to the old town district, El Carmen. Here you can find plenty of souvenir shops and old parts of the city walls including Torres de Serranos and Torres de Quart. The streets are small and filled with cute cafes, boutique shops and graffiti murals. But first, we had brunch in the center at Federal cafe and I enjoyed their signature dish, the eggs Benedict. While leaving we had a major laugh attack in the ally. The throw your head back, don't make a sound laugh mixed with tears and some loud high pitched scream laugh. It was the ugliest and most beautiful moment. 10. We went dancing at L'Umbracle. At night, it is an open air club that connects to this biggest nightclub in Valencia, Mya. It is located in the City of Arts in Sciences and is surrounded by "The Walk of Sculptures", an outdoor art gallery. Download the Exceed App to put your name on the list for free entry or discounted drinks. |
AuthorTraveling alone has been the scariest, most liberating, and life-changing experience of my life, so I thought I would document it. My blog is named Table For 1 to inspire others to lose the fear of traveling alone and to get rid of any self-doubt. You deserve anything and everything you work hard for. Categories
All
|
RSS Feed