I came here over a Memorial weekend. It was absolutely beautiful. It's a small seaside town in…read moreSpain where you have incredible views, clear water, delicious paella, pitchers of sangria and you can randomly get a tattoo on the street. I was much braver when I was young.

Such a gem on the Costa Brava. L'Estartit is a small town located about 140 km North of Barcelona…read more It is primarily a resort/seasonal town and it is often associated with nearby (its kind of a suburb) Torroella de Montgrí. Like many I have a visceral reaction to resort or seasonal areas and understandably so. It typically means ridiculous fees, substandard food and the like. However, what makes L'Estartit so different is that the vast majority of the people that come here have done so for years even decades and as such there is a much greater sense of community. Getting there can be an adventure in and of itself. Barcelona is the likely suspect when coming from the US. Girona is closer, but most flights from here at least will hit BCN first. The drive is quite nice ONCE you get out of Barcelona. If its your first time driving in Europe, mind your manners, know how to drive a stick shift, get the optional insurance, prepare for alot of tolls, and for god sakes know how to use a turning circle. Girona province in many ways is the breadbasket of Spain and the landscapes can be stunning. The city itself is quite charming. We stayed in a hillside villa that is the summer residence of my Uncle and be prepared for spectacular views, friendly people, and fantastic food. The beach literally stretches for miles and is easily accessed. The water is clean and the temperature is very similar to Hawaii but a touch colder. We quickly settled into a very satisfying routine. We would roll out of bed and walk down to the Supermercat (a local chain market) grab a freshly baked baguette, get some sliced Jamon Iberico, cheese, fresh fruit, and walk back and enjoy the view and breakfast. Do an activity, like the Dali museum, go to the beach, go to the beach, have dinner, then enjoy the evening as the sun sets over the Med from our balcony. I could do that exact thing for the rest of my life. The town is a perfect spot to explore the whole area. Want to hop to the Dali Museum? no problem, Want to go hunting for Michelin Stars? Easy, we picked up 14 total, Like ceramics? the whole area is know for that. Want to hike to an ancient Castle with commanding views? Done, want to take a day trip to the South of France? Boom its only about 70 km away. But what really makes this place special is the people. Friendly and accommodating, we felt welcome wherever we went. While many simply hit up the biggest city on the map and camp out, and Barcelona is one of the great cities of the world, you really should get out to the countryside to get a real feel for a country.

Ah, Girona! Such a lovely city that's filled with a wealth of history. Currently, the city is most…read morepopularly known as the filming site for scenes from Game of Thrones. However, Girona is filled with numerous landmarks and stunning historic Gothic buildings. I embarked on a guided city tour and had a fabulous time learning about the history of the city. We walked through the beautiful alleyways and crossed over the gorgeous Onyar River which parts a section of the city. The Onyar River is also known for the "houses on the river" which feature colorful houses that overlook the river and give the city a bit of a Mediterranean city feel. The views of this sight are simply amazing! The most popular landmark in Girona by far is the Girona Cathedral. The cathedral is a popular spot for tourists as it's one of the major sites where episodes of Game of Thrones were filmed. It also has the largest Baroque staircase in the world with over 90 steps to the entrance. This is a popular picture taking area. In downtown, you'll find several shops, museums, and eateries. The city is small and very walkable, so a lot of ground can be covered with day tours which seem to be very popular here. Many people take day trips from Barcelona to Girona (which is what I did). I had a wonderful time exploring Girona and I would love to return again sometime.

This iconic area of Girona was once the city's Jewish Quarter. Cross over the canal, away from…read moremodern downtown, and go into the historic part of the city. Known for narrow, winding streets, steep stairs, and vaulted archways, El Call looks straight out of a story book. For this reason, HBO's Game of Thrones filmed some of its city scenes here. You may recognize locations in and around El Call - notably the Catedral de Girona - as parts of the cities of King's Landing and Braavos in the show. I recommend walking the old city walls to get a good look down into the quarter or simply wandering around. Every corner can be a unique photo op. The Catedral and Basilica always provide a point of orientation, so it's hard to get lost. There's a lot of walking to do, but many restaurants and cafés to provide meals, snacks, or just a place to rest. It's a photographer's dream, but you have to be ready for a little hike! If you're interested in the centuries of Jewish history here, don't miss the museum. There are a few small museums tucked into El Call, but the Jewish History Museum is the one to prioritize. Girona is an ancient place with many layers of history, but the preservation of El Call is the crown jewel of this hidden gem.