Spain expat blogs 2014: Six of the best
Spain's blogosphere is full of passionate and knowledgeable expat writers covering everything from recipes to yoga retreats and Spanish grandmothers. The Local has put together a list of six great Spain blogs everyone should be reading.
1. Route Words
American expat Kelsey Ohleger, author of Route Words, has travelled all around the world and is currently teaching English in Madrid. Her blog spans a wide range of topics, including food, travel tips, yoga retreats, and information on different teaching programmes in Spain.
"I tend to avoid the most typical tourist spots and try to find out what the locals do," Ohleger told The Local.
"That also makes the difference of travelling and actually living abroad. Travellers see the culture. Expats live it."
Kelsey's tendency to take the road less travelled and live the local lifestyle makes her blog one not to miss for expats and travellers alike.
For an interesting look at the Spanish language, don't miss her post on 10 essential Spanish phrases that aren't found in other Spanish-speaking countries.
"Travel cheap, eat well" is the motto of roaming Australian Cyra Alcock, the mastermind behind this food-centric blog.
Writing from the city of Logroño, capital of Spain’s wine region of La Rioja, she focuses especially on pintxos, the delicious bite-sized snacks which originate from the Basque Country and Navarre.
"I believe that unless you have discovered the local food and how it relates to society, you haven't truly discovered the culture of a country," Cyra told The Local.
"This is particularly true in a country like Spain, where so much of the culture and daily life revolves around what you eat, how you eat it and who you eat it with."
Keep an eye out for her "brunch broadcast" in which she attempts to try every brunch in Spain.
3. Sepia VLC
What happens when two young British expats move into a flat in Valencia with a couple of locals?
Well, you could get a "cultural interest magazine for locals and guiris (foreigners)", as the bloggers behind Sepia put it.
Written in both English and Spanish, all four writers look at things Valencian: from food and drink to music and travel.
"We saw that there was a gap in the market for an English speaking publication aimed at 20 somethings, and so decided to start writing about the things we love and combine that with local events and info about the Valencia area," Lucy told The Local
"We hope the website is useful and entertaining for locals, expats and even Erasmus students."
Don't miss their guide to Las Fallas, one of Spain's exciting (and loud) festivals.
"I love cervecitas (small beers), Spanish abuelos (grandparents) and the Duchess of Alba," Cat Gaa, author of this upbeat blog about her life in Seville, told The Local.
An American expat in Spain since 2007, Cat provides useful information on moving abroad and how to get a job teaching English in Spain.
"I write from the perspective of an expat discovering her city, one tapas bar at a time," she adds.
Her post on learning Spanish in Seville and how she struggles with the Andalusian accent is a must read.
Based in Granada, Spain for Pleasure author Josh provides readers with a wealth of valuable information on his adoptive city as well as on numerous other towns in Spain.
"I feel that Spain is a country misinterpreted by many, and I simply want to bring some of its quirks, charms and treasures to light, in a strictly light-hearted way," Josh told The Local.
This Sheffield University graduate is currently working on an eBook geared towards young, expat newbies who want to set up in Spain.
His easy-going writing style makes his blog a quick and enjoyable read for all. Be sure to check out his multiples lists of "6 of the best... in Spain".
Trevor, a self-proclaimed "Texan in Spain", teaches English in Galicia and writes an excellent blog about life in his new home country.
His posts range from travel advice, to cultural norms and tips on speaking Spanish.
"Like any expat blog, I have my fair share of travel posts, but I tend to highlight the architectural and historical titbits I found most interesting in each place I've gone to," says Trevor.
He also provides posts on food that includes recipes for delicious dishes such as the tomato soups gazpacho and salmorejo.
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See Also
1. Route Words
American expat Kelsey Ohleger, author of Route Words, has travelled all around the world and is currently teaching English in Madrid. Her blog spans a wide range of topics, including food, travel tips, yoga retreats, and information on different teaching programmes in Spain.
"I tend to avoid the most typical tourist spots and try to find out what the locals do," Ohleger told The Local.
"That also makes the difference of travelling and actually living abroad. Travellers see the culture. Expats live it."
Kelsey's tendency to take the road less travelled and live the local lifestyle makes her blog one not to miss for expats and travellers alike.
For an interesting look at the Spanish language, don't miss her post on 10 essential Spanish phrases that aren't found in other Spanish-speaking countries.
"Travel cheap, eat well" is the motto of roaming Australian Cyra Alcock, the mastermind behind this food-centric blog.
Writing from the city of Logroño, capital of Spain’s wine region of La Rioja, she focuses especially on pintxos, the delicious bite-sized snacks which originate from the Basque Country and Navarre.
"I believe that unless you have discovered the local food and how it relates to society, you haven't truly discovered the culture of a country," Cyra told The Local.
"This is particularly true in a country like Spain, where so much of the culture and daily life revolves around what you eat, how you eat it and who you eat it with."
Keep an eye out for her "brunch broadcast" in which she attempts to try every brunch in Spain.
3. Sepia VLC
What happens when two young British expats move into a flat in Valencia with a couple of locals?
Well, you could get a "cultural interest magazine for locals and guiris (foreigners)", as the bloggers behind Sepia put it.
Written in both English and Spanish, all four writers look at things Valencian: from food and drink to music and travel.
"We saw that there was a gap in the market for an English speaking publication aimed at 20 somethings, and so decided to start writing about the things we love and combine that with local events and info about the Valencia area," Lucy told The Local
"We hope the website is useful and entertaining for locals, expats and even Erasmus students."
Don't miss their guide to Las Fallas, one of Spain's exciting (and loud) festivals.
"I love cervecitas (small beers), Spanish abuelos (grandparents) and the Duchess of Alba," Cat Gaa, author of this upbeat blog about her life in Seville, told The Local.
An American expat in Spain since 2007, Cat provides useful information on moving abroad and how to get a job teaching English in Spain.
"I write from the perspective of an expat discovering her city, one tapas bar at a time," she adds.
Her post on learning Spanish in Seville and how she struggles with the Andalusian accent is a must read.
Based in Granada, Spain for Pleasure author Josh provides readers with a wealth of valuable information on his adoptive city as well as on numerous other towns in Spain.
"I feel that Spain is a country misinterpreted by many, and I simply want to bring some of its quirks, charms and treasures to light, in a strictly light-hearted way," Josh told The Local.
This Sheffield University graduate is currently working on an eBook geared towards young, expat newbies who want to set up in Spain.
His easy-going writing style makes his blog a quick and enjoyable read for all. Be sure to check out his multiples lists of "6 of the best... in Spain".
Trevor, a self-proclaimed "Texan in Spain", teaches English in Galicia and writes an excellent blog about life in his new home country.
His posts range from travel advice, to cultural norms and tips on speaking Spanish.
"Like any expat blog, I have my fair share of travel posts, but I tend to highlight the architectural and historical titbits I found most interesting in each place I've gone to," says Trevor.
He also provides posts on food that includes recipes for delicious dishes such as the tomato soups gazpacho and salmorejo.
Don't miss stories about Spain, join us on Facebook and Twitter.
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