In the 1980s, the city of Bilbao in Spain was a total disaster—not the kind of city you wanted to visit. It suffered incredibly high unemployment rates, street violence, drug dealing on every corner, and to top all of these, ETA (Euskadi Ta Askatasuna or “Basque Homeland and Liberty,” the now extinct Basque terrorist band) embraced Bilbao as its unofficial headquarters. There was no trace of the glorious past of the city. 

In Spain, a child has to attend school from the age of 6 until 16. By the time they have finished these mandatory 10 years, they are required to have attained a minimum level in Mathematics, World History and Spanish Literature/Grammar, together with a basic  knowledge of Chemistry, Biology, and an understanding of World Geography. You also have to be able to communicate in English.

The sound of the group was much quieter and there were only jokes at night around the campfire. I personally started to enjoy walking by myself in silence. I started to appreciate the sound of the warm summer wind, I never realized that the wind sounds different in the cold of winter. The tweeting of the birds would guide me on each step. I loved how nature was whispering into my ears.

Ignatius had sensed the generous soul and great potential of this young man. He wanted to bring the best out of Francisco. In the end, Ignatius convinced him to join in and help create the Order of Jesus or The Jesuits. All the strength and vitality that Francisco showed for worldly life, he poured out when he joined Ignatius and began his spiritual life. The man who would become a saint embarked on great journey to the East to spread the Good Word of God.

Bells have been around for a long while and we find them in most of the cultures around the world. In Europe, it’s easy to become accustomed to the melodies of bells ringing throughout the day, and it’s easy to discover their ap-peal (pun intended) wherever you might be in your own hometowns and in your travels.

Gothic cathedrals such as this were built with the purpose of trying to reach God and to let the light of God embody your soul. This temple achieves this beautifully. Inside, you will find a very elegant and slender cathedral illuminated by the sunlight coming through stained-glass windows. It is almost mystical.

By the time pilgrims arrived in France, four different routes were clearly marked as the official ones. Those four routes merged into three and then into two before crossing the Pyrenees. They meet at the entrance of the village of Puente la Reina in Navarre, a small village that became the center of the world…or at least the center of the Christian world.

The Camino de Santiago is above all, a personal experience. No matter if you walk with your friends or with your partner, the rhythms of walking are different and there will be many miles where you bounce along with your thoughts. The Camino will change you for life. Do it for whatever reason inspires you, religious, spiritual, tourist, sports…regardless of how and why you start it, you will end it as a different person.

Here in the Basque country, the sense of community is very strong. We say we do things in the auzolan way. It doesn't have an exact translation, but it kind of means that everybody who can help in the community, does. We construct houses, clean the forest, fix the church’s ceiling or take care of our elderly in the auzolan way. You volunteer to do whatever you do best.

If you want to do a deep dive on the most important family in European history—or, heck, even if you don’t want to go fully down the rabbit hole, but do want to learn a bit more—then I’ve got some resources for you. These are a few websites, movies/tv series, and books (besides the one I wrote) that are all worth exploring. Enjoy—I’d be interested to hear if you have any favorites!

You can easily imagine that the Habsburgs, as the most important family in European history, amassed some pretty amazing real estate. And who hasn’t dreamed of living in a palace, of relishing the crème-de-la-crème life of European royalty? The Habsburgs didn’t have to dream, of course, but we can all indulge our “let them eat cake” fantasies by touring the lavish homes they left behind. So let’s play “House Hunters International” with my picks for the most fabulous Habsburg palaces!

I am a tour guide and as you may guess, very affected in my job because of the damned virus. Colleagues worldwide are in the same boat. Many tour operators are disappearing, others are trying to re-invent themselves the way the can and others are just on standby until the vaccine is massively done, waiting for a “new normality” to take hold. A group of friends and colleagues from four continents have created an association called Guide Collective, ( www.guide-collective.com ), of which I am a proud founding member.

Let me share with you how the world was created according to the Basques, and then you will understand why Amalur needs the Joaldunaks. Like other ancient beliefs, you will find different versions all around the Basque Country—and all of them are true! Foolish people who don't believe in them, call them legends.

He discovered a dimension of the world that he had never noticed. He saw how his previous motivations were vain, mean, and absurd when he placed them in front of the greatness of God. Those earthly pleasures and honors, even if intense, were momentary, while spiritual ones endured. He concluded that God was giving him a new opportunity. He rethought his life and became Ignatius.

Imagine my fascination  when I found a store in a tiny town in the Pyrenees and saw endless cencerros in different shapes, sizes and materials. I approached the lady owner and asked her the reason for such a variety. When I heard her reply, my brain just exploded!. Not only do the shapes and materials differ, but the clappers also have a lot to do with the variation in the bells.

In the small kingdom of Navarre, since the beginning of time, women have not only had their own identity and freedom, but most importantly, power.  Many times, they have had to demonstrate their strength with grace, but not always with mercy. Let me introduce you to some of these powerful ladies.  

At the end of the 1800s, Spain lost all its remaining colonies...By 1923 (the year Ernest Hemingway arrived in Pamplona), the tension in the streets was palpable. Only in big celebrations, like the Running of the Bulls, people could forget their struggles. 

Spain’s culture is as rich, intriguing, and complex as its history. Here are 5 movies that will help you better understand both.

A tapa in the rest of the world is a small bite. That is what it is, although here those bites are culinary delights. Normally served over a piece of bread, you can find toppings of crab salad, cod fish, sirloin, blood sausage, mushrooms, you name it.

This 5-star hotel was founded in 1881 and was fully restored in 2007. It is the second-oldest, still-standing hotel in Spain and is still run by the Moreno family. In fact, it is easy to find the actual owner, Mr. Rafael Moreno, talking with guests at the lobby.