Weekend Travel Abroad - Pamplona Spain

Weekend abroad?

Here are some helpful tips to get you where you need to go and hopefully answer some of your questions. 

Destination: Spain.

     I would suggest staying in a big city such as Madrid or Barcelona if you want to get the tourist experience. If you want to get a first hand experience, I would suggest staying in a smaller city such as Almeria, Toledo, or Alicante. If you know someone, that is also another option. No matter what,  you have options. 

   First, I would find a hotel or a hostel (their both pretty common), and get settled in before I got too carried away with planning. After, I would grab a meal ( whatever time it is over there: breakfast, lunch, dinner) and start planning. Personally, I like to look up events in that area while I'm there or past/future events. In Spain, July is know as the month of the Bull run in Pamplona. I love cultural events, so I would so GO! Pretty much their whole summer is filled with festivals and bull fighting. Actually it's Spain, their whole year is filled with festivals full of music, food, art, any and everything! They have a bullfight at least twice a month if not every week. If you can, go to as many events as possible. I love plays and concerts so One Direction, Disney on Ice, and Les Miserable being in Spain while I'm there is AMAZING!!!! The average cost of living in Spain is 200-250 Euros a month. I would double and half that. so 500-625 if you spending a month in Spain. All of the countries are pretty close together, Euros are the currency pretty much everywhere, and you can also take a train or a plane. I like to buy gifts and try lots of food as well. 

    However, with traveling in Europe there is one slight problem: language. Some people may speak English, but not all. Ask around or use context clues to get where you are going. Also get a translator or call someone in that city. It would be the smartest to know some of the language before you travel to that country, but if not, use your resources. One weekend I am visiting a friend in Paris, so she is my guide. She also speaks English and Spanish which really helps with me, but i want to learn some French. The best way to learn is to speak it, watch videos, or listen to music/tapes. Yes, it sounds funny and old school and a little cliche', but it works! 

   Last, I would suggest trying new things, meeting new people, and exploring. It's a new country and you will be a new person. Don't be afraid because you never know what you can learn. Also, take advantage of every opportunity. There is no telling when it will come again, BUT also use your senses. If something doesn't feel right, don't do it.

My ideal weekend abroad in Pamplona:

Ride to Pamplona from Almeria on a train or bus- $80 

Settle into at a hostel : Hostal Arandigoyen- $100 (US dollars) for two nights

Grab some food at the restaurant on the first floor of the hostel 

Ask locals about the best places to visit or things to do

Walk around the city and explore a little

Grab dinner at a recommended restaurant
Come back and sleep
     *You don't want to stay out too late due to alcohol and all of the music. Also keep in mind you are not familiar with the city or he people yet. Do not wear sandals because of walking and always have money in a hidden place (no pocket or satchel)

Wake up and get breakfast from the hostel

Explore the city, shop for your white shirt, white pants, and red handkerchiefs. Find a balcony ($100) or find a safe place in the street to stand and watch, or watch from a restaurant window.
Watch the running of the bulls

Explore the city some more (go to wine tasting, go to beach, look around)

Get food and interact

Travel back to the hostel and sleep

Wake up

Get breakfast at a recommended restaurant (Baserri looks delicious) 

Relax by engaging in culture by visit a museum or market

Pack up and travel back to Almeria -$80


This trip will cost about $500 depending on activities and where you eat.