our top tips
Traveling through Andalucía taught me more than history and geography—it taught me how to travel better. These are the little lessons that made our trip smoother, richer, and more joyful, and I hope they help you fall in love with this tour the way we did.
1. Embrace opportunity when things don't go according to plan. Look for the magic and roll with it.
2. Pack lighter than you think you should. But bring good walking shoes! We used backpacks for flexibility. I am a reformed overpacker. I speak from experience- it can be done!
3. Learn a few Spanish words—I wasn't perfect by any stretch of the imagination. But every 'hola' and ‘gracias’ earned us a bigger smile and a warmer welcome.
4. Get out early before touring. Do some DIY and see cities wake up, experience every day life, and have those instagram sites all to yourself.
5. I never smelled a cigarette at the many tapas bars we visited. What a joy to sit outside and not breathe in smoke. Spain has strict smoking rules.
6. Hotel rooms on our tour were large compared to other parts of Europe. There is room to stretch out. Literally!
7. You will have the entire restaurant to yourself before 8 pm.
8. Get out and stroll. After the sun goes down, residents appear. Walking was very easy and safe everywhere we went.
9. Read and re-read the Rick Steves’ guidebook before the trip. I missed a few things because I either forgot or didn’t realize the significance.
Wherever your travels take you, I hope you roll with the surprises, savor the slow moments, and come home changed—just like we did.
Off for a few days in Mallorca to use up some timeshare points, and I immediately understood why Europeans love it—sunny beaches, turquoise water, and a relaxed island vibe that makes it easy to slow down. We rented a car (absolutely essential) and drove into Palma, a charming, walkable city filled with narrow streets, lively cafés, and beautiful architecture that made it perfect for a day of wandering.
One of our favorite surprises was Rafael Nadal’s tennis academy, where we watched wide-eyed kids train like future champions—tiny bodies, fierce focus, and dreams as big as the stadium walls.
But after the deep, soulful magic of Andalucía, Mallorca felt like “Spain light”—beautiful, breezy, and fun, but missing that layered wow-factor.
It made me appreciate Rick Steves’ genius even more. He doesn’t just pick pretty places. He picks places that stay with you.
