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The Spanish startup offering the ultimate bucket list

The Local Spain
The Local Spain - [email protected]
The Spanish startup offering the ultimate bucket list
Photo: Ceinwen Atkinson.

This week The Local chats to Ceinwen Atkinson, founder of Bucket List Map, a Spanish startup helping travellers all over the world make their ultimate bucket list.

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Where are you from originally and what brought you to Spain? 

I am from Hexham in Northumberland. I came to Spain after travelling around South America when I finished university. I decided that I wanted to continue travelling as well as learn Spanish.

What do you love about Spain and what do you loathe?

As I live in The Basque Country I have to say I love the food and I love the fact that anyone can afford to go out for a drink and a bite to eat and people always do. There is always a great atmosphere on the streets and there is always an excuse for a party or to celebrate something here.

What do I loathe? I really miss foreign food, we don't have a lot of foreign restaurants here. I also don't like it when people have misconceptions about British people and the UK.

What inspired you to start your own business in Spain? 

As my husband is Spanish and already has a successful business here SurfLogic we decided we wanted to do something here together, so we teamed up with SouthVisions to create Bucket List Map. 

Tell us about Bucket List Map

Bucket List Map is a website people can use to search travel activities (surfing, bungee jumping, tours etc) and places of interest all over the world. People can search by place, activity or use our interactive map.

They can also create their own bucket list, rate activities, write comments, add photos and contact companies that offer an activity they want to do. 

How do you choose the activities featured on your site?

We don't actually choose activities, our members do. Anyone can go on our website and add a place they think is interesting to our website. Travel businesses can also add their activities and it is absolutely free. 

What are some of your ultimate Bucket List activities in Spain featured on the site? 

Some of the most popular activities are Pamplona's Running of the Bulls, the Haro Wine Fight, Visiting San Sebastian, Seeing the Works of Gaudi in Barcelona and El Camino de Santiago.

Who are your typical users?

Bucket List Map gets users from all over the world. I would say that our users are both men and women between 20 and 50 who love travelling.

What advice would you give to people thinking of starting their own business in Spain?

Starting up your own business is difficult and it is hard work. You will have to throw away ideas and go back to the drawing board a hundred times before you get what you want. I think the most important thing is not to give up and also, listen to your audience/clientale and don't be afraid to make changes. Bucket List Map was completely different when we started, but now we have something users love. Also, if you need investors you need you have to know how to pitch your idea well.

What are the pros and cons of starting a business in Spain?

One of the definite pros with starting a travel based company is that you have inspiration everywhere. I guess the cons are generally connected to having to work in another language.

What Spanish things are on your personal Bucket List?


The volcanoes in la Garrotxa, Catalonia. Photo: turismegarrotza.com

Good question. I really want to go to Las Islas Cies in Galicia, go to Castellfollit de la Roca and take a Hot Air Balloon flight over the Volcanos in la Garrotxa (pictured above). 

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