That One Time Our Cruise Ship Left Us In Spain
For anyone late to the party, HBTT set sail on a transatlantic cruise in March of 2024 starting in Fort Lauderdale and ending in Southampton. Along the way, we grew restless and decided it was time to explore off the beaten path. Having just finished Marrakesh, our first experience in Africa, our next stop was Spain - a major HBTT bucket list destination. In our usual Eat Pray Love fashion, we informed guest services upon returning to the ship that they wouldn’t see us until we reached Lisbon.
Cádiz
Every morning past the fifth day of the cruise, we were greeted with brutal hangovers topped with a sprinkle of regret (that may have just been me, I won’t speak for Halie on this one). The morning of our big plans was no exception. Thankfully, adrenaline was high as we off boarded the ship, passed through customs, and walked through the quaint city of Cádiz. Our eyes were wide with excitement but our stomachs ached for substance. The perfect cure you ask? Find a restaurant to soak in the quiet mornings of Cádiz with café followed by a jamón y queso sandwich. I also need to give a honorable mention to the best olives I’ve ever had and Fanta Limón for giving me life - I will be back for you.
Let the Road Trip Begin
Because we would hate to work too hard on this “work trip”, we rented a car and used our girlish charm to recruit a private driver to take us to Sevilla (not something I would recommend to clients). Along the way we stopped in Bornos (a pleasant surprise) and Ronda (let me plan your vacation here).
Bornos
In the heart of the Spanish countryside and bordering the Sierra Grazalema mountains lays the town of Bornos. Perfect for a pit stop on any countryside tour, you can explore the cities historic quarter, relax along the Guadalete River reservoir, and wander through the Renaissance gardens. While we didn’t spend much time here, I was still obsessed with our first stop.
Ronda
A mountaintop city straight out of a hallmark movie. The type of place that urges you to slow down, sip sangria, and appreciate how small we are in the grand scheme of life. If you’re planning to take a trip here, don’t rush yourself, take a full day and evening to enjoy a city not yet ruined by an overflow of tourists.
Sevilla (Seville)
Oh Sevilla, how do I even put such a vivid place into words. It’s been months since I wandered her streets and yet the memories hold so much emotion. We arrived late at night and immediately wandered into La Plaza de España (“Spanish Hogwarts” - H) before ending up at La Giralda, the bell tower of Sevilla Cathedral, where we enjoyed more tapas and sangria. Halie and I sat for hours and divulged in future plans for HBTT, laughed at inside jokes, and imagined what life would look like when one of us inevitably moves there.
Halie, the sleepy girl of our duo, needed to lay horizontal for the rest of the evening after a few glasses sangria and a bottle of wine. I, on the other hand, went to run free in the beautiful streets of Sevilla, relishing the feeling of being far away from anyone who knew me and soaking in the life of the locals. Have I mentioned neither one of us had phones at this point (Let go, let God)? Mom wasn’t too happy with this…
The rest of our Sevilla itinerary included walks along the river and through historic streets, a hunt for fresh squeezed zumo de naranja, admiration and declarations of love from strangers, appreciation of the Spanish lifestyle, and the realization that our loved ones were trying to send us signs from the afterlife (good or bad we will never know).
An Afterthought
It wouldn’t be until I returned home and read through my Grandpas written account of our family history that I would discover that four generations back, my family lived in Spain before they migrated to Greece and Turkey (how did I miss this part of my family history?). Perhaps this is why I have always felt a calling to visit Spain, to learn the language, and perhaps it’s why I found it so easy to fall in love with this country.
Stay tuned for more Spanish adventures as HBTT travels to Barcelona in October!
Te quiero, España. Tienes mi corazón.
