VISITING SPAIN’S COSTA BRAVA WITHOUT A CAR + SAMPLE ITINERARY

January 17, 2025 5 Comments

Can you visit Costa Brava without a car? The answer is YES! Despite literally 100% of the people I asked saying the opposite, I went for it and I’m happy to report I’ve proved them all wrong. Yes you can absolutely do Costa Brava without a car, yes it’s not the same thing as having a car but you are still able to see most stuff and definitely better than not visiting at all. In the post below I’ll explain how you can make this happen and I’ll include a sample itinerary you can follow. Of course this itinerary can be done by car as well, and I recommend you rent a car using DiscoverCars if you are planning to drive which is what I use.

VISITING COSTA BRAVA WITHOUT A CAR: THE ESSENTIALS

Transport / The main bus company which runs in Costa Brava is called SARFA. You can view its timetable and buy tickets online here. The best airport to arrive to is Barcelona, if you need a transfer from the airport I recommend you use WelcomePickups (which is what I use). Of course this itinerary can be done by car as well, and I recommend you rent a car using DiscoverCars if you are planning to drive which is what I use.

Tours / The itinerary below is mostly by bus / train and for 8 days, however there are tours that will take you to Costa Brava for the day. And guess what? No car needed:
From Barcelona: Girona, Figueres and Dalí Museum Day Tour
From Barcelona: Girona, Dalí Museum, and Cadaqués Day Trip
Barcelona: Dali Museum, House and Cadaques Guided Tour
From Barcelona: Girona and Costa Brava Full-Day Tour
From Barcelona: Costa Brava Day Tour with Boat Trip

Connect / You’ll need mobile data while you are in Spain, I always recommend using an eSIM (there’s absolutely no need for a physical one!). I always use Sim Local, and you can get 5% discount with code TRAVELWITHPAU. Get it here.

Get Insured / Unfortunately, things can and do go wrong when you travel. World Nomads offers coverage for more than 150 activities as well as emergency medical, lost luggage, trip cancellation and more.

COSTA BRAVA WITHOUT A CAR: WHICH TRANSPORT IS AVAILABLE?

Sadly, trains don’t connect all of the Costa Brava but buses do! The main bus company which runs in Costa Brava is called SARFA. You can view its timetable and buy tickets online here. I found frequency to be good enough to allow flexible travel without planning much in advance either buying tickets online or simply directly from the bus station (where I had no issues with availability).

To make this trip happen, what I did was combine going to a major city by train from Barcelona and from that city take day trips using the buses. The reason I did this is that many of the cities you’ll end up visiting don’t really have direct buses connecting them so you need to go back to a major city to continue your journey to other cities. It will all become clearer once you see the itinerary below.

Now, if you are short in time you can avoid the itinerary below and just take a day trip from Barcelona. Easy peasy. The below tours are the best options:

From Barcelona: Girona, Figueres and Dalí Museum Day Tour: Embark on a full-day adventure exploring the medieval town of Girona, home to rich history and stunning Gothic architecture. Walk along its ancient streets, visit the Jewish Quarter, and admire the iconic colorful houses along the Onyar River. Then, head to Figueres, birthplace of Salvador Dalí, and explore the world-famous Dalí Museum. Discover the eccentric works of the surrealist master in this unique and interactive museum. Book your tour here: Girona, Figueres, and Dalí Museum Day Tour.
From Barcelona: Girona, Dalí Museum, and Cadaqués Day Trip: Immerse yourself in the life and works of Salvador Dalí on this guided tour. Visit the Dalí Museum in Figueres to explore his surreal masterpieces, then travel to Cadaqués to see the coastal town that inspired much of his art. End the day with a visit to Dalí’s house in Portlligat, gaining insight into his personal life and creative process. Book your tour here: Dalí Museum, House, and Cadaqués Guided Tour.
From Barcelona: Girona and Costa Brava Full-Day Tour: Discover the history and beauty of Girona and Costa Brava on this full-day tour. Walk through Girona’s historic Old Town, see the city’s Roman walls, and enjoy its picturesque streets. Then, travel to Costa Brava to explore its stunning coastline, charming fishing villages, and clear turquoise waters. Enjoy some free time to relax, swim, or soak in the Mediterranean views. Book your tour here: Girona and Costa Brava Full-Day Tour.
From Barcelona: Costa Brava Day Tour with Boat Trip: Escape to the breathtaking Costa Brava for a day of stunning landscapes and coastal charm. Visit scenic villages like Tossa de Mar and Lloret de Mar, and explore hidden coves and sandy beaches. This tour includes a delightful boat trip along the coast, allowing you to admire the dramatic cliffs and crystal-clear waters from a unique perspective. Book your tour here: Costa Brava Day Tour with Boat Trip.

France, PARIS

A GUIDE TO DISNEYLAND PARIS FROM LONDON

January 7, 2025 10 Comments

If you are reading this it’s because you are seriously considering crossing the pond just to enter the magical world of Disneyland in it’s European version. No one is ever too old for Disneyland. Not only that — I personally believe it is actually healthy for all of us to visit every now and then. I’ve been to Disneyland Paris from London three times already and as soon as I leave I already want to go back again. It’s actually very easy to do — so let’s dive in.

VISITING DISNEYLAND PARIS FROM LONDON: THE ESSENTIALS

Transport / Disneyland Paris is easily accessible with excellent transport links. For a quick and direct option, book the Eurostar from London to Marne-la-Vallée/Chessy. For those flying, use Skyscanner to compare flights to Charles de Gaulle or Orly airports. If you prefer driving, book your rental car through DiscoverCars for convenience and flexibility.

Tickets / Here’s the most popular ticket options:
Disneyland® Paris 1-Day Ticket
Disneyland® Paris 2/3/4-Day Ticket
Disneyland® Paris Tickets and Shuttle Transport
Disneyland® Paris 1-Day Flexible Date Ticket

Stay / These are the best hotels in Disneyland Paris for all budgets:

Disneyland Hotel $$$
Disney’s Newport Bay Club $$$
Disney’s Sequoia Lodge $$
Grand Magic Hotel $$
B&B Hotel Disneyland Paris $$
Le Vieux Puits $$
Dream Castle Hotel $$
Explorers Hotel $$

Connect / You’ll need mobile data while you are in France, I always recommend using an eSIM (there’s absolutely no need for a physical one!) – here’s some eSIM options for France.

Get Insured / Unfortunately, things can and do go wrong when you travel. World Nomads offers coverage for more than 150 activities as well as emergency medical, lost luggage, trip cancellation and more.

HOW LONG TO VISIT DISNEYLAND PARIS FROM LONDON

Disneyland Paris has two parks: Disneyland Park and Walt Disney Studios Park. If you have been to Disney World, Disneyland Park is the equivalent to the Magic Kingdom Park and Walt Disney Studios Park to Hollywood Studios.

It is totally possible to visit both Disneyland Paris parks in a weekend if you are coming from London, it is also possible to visit both Disneyland Paris parks in just one day leaving Sunday free to visit Paris a bit and to go back home to London. I have done that in three occasions and left feeling satisfied. I was able to visit all the adult friendly rides this way and some kid friendly ones that seemed fun.

Argentina

BUENOS AIRES BUCKET LIST AND TRAVEL GUIDE

January 3, 2025 8 Comments

BUENOS AIRES BUCKET LIST AND TRAVEL GUIDE — Buenos Aires Bucket List

Buenos Aires is my city! I was born and lived 23 years in Buenos Aires before moving to London and still visit every year as my family lives here. Without much further ado, these are the best things to do and see in Buenos Aires. I also include detail on some of the things you must eat when in Buenos Aires as well as where to stay.

VISITING BUENOS AIRES: THE ESSENTIALS

Transport / It’s super easy to get around BA walking, by bus and subway. You’ll need a SUBE card which you can buy and load in subway stations and kiosks. Uber and Cabify are also widely used and cheaper that taxis on the street. The airport is quite a way from the city so I recommend you use WelcomePickups (which is what I use).

Tours / There are countless tours on BA but these are the most popular ones:
Buenos Aires: Piazzolla Tango Show with Optional Dinner
Buenos Aires: Hop-On Hop-Off City Bus Tour
Buenos Aires: La Boca Guided Walking Tour in English
Buenos Aires: City Highlights Guided Tour with Transfer
Buenos Aires: La Recoleta Cemetery Guided Tour in English

Stay / If you are looking for self-catering and cheap accommodation in a perfect location in Palermo then I wholeheartedly recommend you stay at my Mom’s Airbnb. If looking for hotels these are the best:

Alvear Palace Hotel $$$
Four Seasons Hotel Buenos Aires $$$
Palacio Duhau – Park Hyatt Buenos Aires $$$
CasaSur Palermo Hotel $$
Fierro Hotel Buenos Aires $$
Mine Hotel Boutique $$
Loi Suites Recoleta $$
Dazzler by Wyndham Buenos Aires $$

Eat / My top recommendations for each meal:
Brunch/Breakfast: Malvon
Coffee: Cuervo Cafe
Dinner: Don Julio (steak) / Sacro (veggie)

Connect / You’ll need mobile data while you are in Buenos Aires, I always recommend using an eSIM (there’s absolutely no need for a physical one!) – here’s some eSIM options for Argentina.

Get Insured / Unfortunately, things can and do go wrong when you travel. World Nomads offers coverage for more than 150 activities as well as emergency medical, lost luggage, trip cancellation and more.

WONDERFUL THINGS TO DO IN BUENOS AIRES

Have “asado” in a “parilla”

Our asado (barbecue) is just such a big part of our culture. Asado brings Argentina’s friends and families together, and it is done so much differently from anywhere in the world. It’s not just food, it’s a ritual, a tradition. Moreover, Argentineans eat practically the entirety of the cow in asados, not only the meat, but what we call “achuras”. Chinchulines (intestines), chorizo (thick sausage), molleja (sweet bread), morcilla (blood sausage) are only some of them, and they are delicious! We also have lots of sides that are cooked in the ‘parilla’ (the actual barbecue) as well. If you are visiting Buenos Aires for one day only, make a point of having asado. It’s definitely one of the main attractions in Buenos Aires. Now, asado in a restaurant will NOT be the real deal. Thankfully, you can now book the real deal here.

You should also go to a restaurant to have asado if you are staying for a while. This guided experience is excellent. If you prefer to just visit a restaurant on your own, the best places for asado are La Cabrera followed by Don Julio both in the neighborhood of Palermo and then La Brigada in San Telmo.

Italy

TUSCANY ROADTRIP ITINERARY FROM FLORENCE OR ROME

December 26, 2024 4 Comments

The day came when I finally visited Tuscany! I had long longed for this dreamy destination after seeing so many movies that feature it: Under The Tuscan Sun, Life is Beautiful, Stealing Beauty, etc and just word out there about how wonderful it is.

ESSENTIALS FOR YOUR TRIP TO TUSCANY

Transport / As this is a road trip, you’ll need a car! I use DiscoverCars for all international car hires.

Connect / You’ll need mobile data while you are in Italy and particularly to guide you on Google Maps while driving, I always recommend using an eSIM (there’s absolutely no need for a physical one!) – here’s some eSIM options for Poland.

Get Insured / Unfortunately, things can and do go wrong when you travel. World Nomads offers coverage for more than 150 activities as well as emergency medical, lost luggage, trip cancellation and more.

TUSCANY ROADTRIP ITINERARY: HOW TO GET TO AND AROUND TUSCANY

The best way to get around Tuscany is with a car as there are so many small towns to visit not easily reachable with other forms of transportation, so for my visit to Tuscany I planned a roadtrip itinerary which came out just perfect. I recommend you book a car using DiscoverCars, get full insurance, and avoid Goldcar and any other brands that are ridiculously cheap and not international. I’ve heard horror stories from them. On my trip to Tuscany I got Alamo and it was perfect, you’ll be fine with any other well known brands such as Avis, Budget, Europcar, Enterprise, Hertz, National, etc.

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