by Amber H. | Aug 15, 2018 | Europe, Food, Spain
It’s been over a year since we moved to Girona – I can’t believe it. In that time we’ve scoured the city for the best restaurants in Girona. The Catalan and contemporary cuisine is a reason to visit Girona alone. In fact, much of Girona tourism focuses not just on the history of Girona Old Town, but on the Girona food scene. It’s no wonder we live here. There are just so many wonderful Girona Restaurants. This is the ultimate guide to the Girona Spain restaurants, from a local who lives here. Sure, I am consistently learning about Catalan food, and there are still more Girona restaurants that are on our to-do list. But this is a great start for travelers who visit Girona. This list includes the top restaurants in Girona Old Town, as well some in the city center. Let us be your Girona guide! Check out the Best Restaurants Girona – TripAdvisor Girona Reviews 2018 Best Restaurants Girona Any discussion of the top restaurants in the Costa Brava has to include a discussion of Michelin Star Restaurants. These are also two of the Girona restaurants I would consider “plan ahead options.” In the case of one restaurant in Girona, very very ahead. We’ve been fortunate enough to dine at each, and each was incredible! If the budget allows, I would recommend you place both of these restaurants at the top of the list of where to eat in Girona. El Celler de Can Roca Girona On the top of the list of Girona Michelin Star restaurants has to be El Celler de Can Roca Girona. El... 
by Amber | Jul 17, 2018 | Europe, Food, Spain
On prior visits to Barcelona, Spain, we found ourselves staying in hotels near the tourist center of town, Las Ramblas. It also meant that we frequently found ourselves in one of the most beautiful markets we have ever seen – La Boqueria, probably the most popular food market in Barcelona, but that does not mean it is the best Barcelona food market. There are others. The Mercat Santa Caterina is easily the best Barcelona food market. Here’s why, and how to visit Santa Caterina. Searching for the Best Barcelona Food Market When we first traveled to Barcelona, we knew La Boqueria was touristy, but we did not care. With fruit, vegetables, meats, and cheeses displayed stunningly, and a few bars and eateries tucked in the back, we thought we had found heaven on earth. Since our first visit, we have told anyone we know who was heading to Barcelona, to stop at La Boqueria. Until we discovered a little gem not far down the road – Mercado Santa Caterina, or Mercat Santa Caterina in Catalan. We met Carlos on our Devour Barcelona food tour. Spanish born, Australian raised, he is a tour guide who brings groups through Spain. He luckily told us about his favorite food market in Barcelona, which was only a five-minute walk from our apartment rental. Once we stepped inside we started to really feel like Catalan locals living in Barcelona. We also quickly learned where locals find the best food in Barcelona. Book a Barcelona tapas tour with Devour Barcelona Food Tour Or, check out our review of the Devour Barcelona Food Tour Why Santa Caterina is the Best Food Market... 
by Amber | May 31, 2018 | Europe, Food, Photo Essay, Spain
When we first traveled to Barcelona, in 2006, I felt entirely intimidated by just entering into a tapas bar. I knew some of the basics about what to order at a tapas restaurant in the US. But a tapas restaurant in Barcelona – well, I didn’t know where to begin. I didn’t know the types of tapas in Barcelona, or how to order tapas in Barcelona. Since that time, we’ve traveled to Barcelona a ton of times. And, we live just up the road in Girona. Now, I feel pretty confident that we can tell any new traveler, or even experienced traveler, to Barcelona, what are the best tapas in Barcelona in our Barcelona Spain tapas guide. Barcelona Tapas Guide Spain, and in particular Barcelona (which is actually in Catalonia, a region of Spain), is one of my favorite places to eat. This is due in large part to the availability of Spanish tapas. I just love the concept of these small plates of Spanish food, which allow me not only to snack throughout the day but also to try many different dishes in one sitting. We ate a lot to come up with our list of the top 10 tapas in Barcelona. But what are tapas in Barcelona? Learn more about Spanish tapas: 500 Tapas: The Only Tapas Compendium You’ll Ever Need 500 Tapas: The Only Tapas Compendium You'll Ever Need (500 Series Cookbooks) (500 Cooking (Sellers)) List Price: $17.95 Price: $13.54 You Save: $4.41 Price Disclaimer So, what are tapas? The concept of tapas has evolved over the years. It once was the case that a tapa... 
by Amber H. | May 4, 2018 | Europe, Food, Spain
Sometimes it’s fun to be a tourist in your own city. Sure, we don’t technically live in Barcelona, but I feel like we are there all the time. I don’t know the city like the back of my hand, but I feel like I know it well enough. After all, we only live 38 minutes north by train in Girona Spain. So when the Food Lovers Company invited us to test out their Barcelona Food Tour, I was a little hesitant. Being almost a local, I wondered if it would be worthwhile to take a food tour of Spanish food, practically in our own backyard. But, in the end, I’m convinced it was one of the best Barcelona tours that focus on food. Learn what are the 10 best tapas to eat in Barcelona Why Take a Barcelona City Tour? Barcelona is a big and bustling city, and one of the most popular tourist destinations in Europe. It’s so popular that there is almost too much Barcelona tourist information out there. It can kind of be overwhelming, particularly for first-time travelers to Barcelona. To make the most of a visit to Barcelona, taking a city tour can help. Sure, it’s possible to take a free walking tour of Barcelona. And sometimes a free walking tour of a city is a great way to get an overview of the city. But, it doesn’t help you learn about the food, which is at the heart of a city like Barcelona. Looking to take great food photos when traveling? Check out our guide on How to Take Food Travel Photos! Why Book... 
by Amber H. | Jan 8, 2018 | Europe, Food, Spain
There were two words that I always loved together, but always wanted to know more about: pintxos San Sebastian. Those two words, to me, exemplified everything about Spanish cuisine, and its uniqueness. We traipsed all over San Sebastian Spain, in and out of pintxos bars, to learn everything we possible could about the most well known, and least understood, Spanish cuisine. It was a sacrifice, trust me. By the end of our trip to San Sebastian I was so full all I wanted to do was crawl into bed. But, it was worth it to provide travelers to the Basque Country the 10 best pintxos in San Sebastian. Plus we recommend the San Sebastian restaurants and bars where you can find these tasty treats. San Sebastian Tapas or Pintxos? First, a little lesson on what you even call these plates of goodness. First, tapas, which you can find all over Spain, traditionally started as a small bit of food that is placed on top of a glass to keep the bugs out. Currently, tapas tend to be slightly larger portions than they once were. They can include plates of jamon, croquettes, or patatas bravas, for example. But, San Sebastian is not known for tapas, it’s known for pinchos, or pintxos (just not pintxo’s!) in the local San Sebastian Basque language. For the most part, pintxos are small portions, normally served on a stick or skewer. When ordering, you order one pintxo per person. But, look around, occasionally pintxos can be slightly larger portions, at least large enough to share. And the slightly larger ones should be shared to help you... 
by Amber H. | Jan 2, 2018 | Europe, Luxury, Spain
Being surrounded in Spain by so much great gastronomy, we’ve made the decision to start exploring more of the country. And, we started with the “other” culinary capital of Spain, and that meant a trip to San Sebastian, in the Basque Country. And, on the top of our list was a stop at the 3 Michelin Star Arzak San Sebastian. Check out our Spain Food Travel Guide for more travel recommendations We drove about 10 minutes out from the center of San Sebastian, into a residential neighborhood. We actually managed to find Restaurant Arzak, and park, without getting lost, so we were a little early. We walked into the entrance, which was part bar, part lobby, and as we would find out, part contemporary family living room. Everything at Arzak was family-like. And, that is the reason why I enjoyed it so much. We are not strangers to Michelin Star dining, having previously dined at the number 3 restaurant in the world, El Celler de Can Roca. We thoroughly enjoyed the Can Roca menu, and splurged on the full tasting menu. And, we’ve dined at a few other 3 Michelin Star restaurants, but this experience was, well, unique. When I made the reservation, I asked for a table with good lighting, or near a window, so that I could take photos for my travel blog. That was my only request. I didn’t even really introduce myself at all. Certainly not a reservation laced with special requests. And, maybe I am fancier that I think I am, particularly with my burgeoning reputation within Spain, but we were treated quite well,... 
