Our Barcelona live-music calendar for small venues has moved to La Vibra’s own website. Find this week’s best concerts and dance nights there.
La Vibra: The Best Live Music This Week in Barcelona’s Small Venues Read More »
How to ride with Spain’s various train operators, including Iryo, Ouigo, and the national operator Renfe (Ave, Avant, Avlo, etc.)
The Newbie’s Complete Guide to Trains in Spain Read More »
What are the cheesiest things that Catalans say in the pursuit of love/banging?
Flirting in Catalan: Pickup Lines that Are Ridiculously Cliché, Stupid, and Fun Read More »
The Renfe app and website are full of errors and payment problems; here are solutions for buying train tickets for Spain
Solved: The Problems with Renfe’s (Disfunctional!) Website—And Some Easy Workarounds Read More »
A review of Iryo based on our trips on this high-speed train service in Spain and tips for getting cheap tickets, riding, and how to pack
What Is Iryo? The Basics You Need to Know for Riding These High-Speed Trains in Spain Read More »
All about the train operators in Spain—Renfe Ave and Avlo, Iryo, and Ouigo—their differences, and how to get the cheapest or best trips
A complete guide to Barcelona Sants Station for taking long-distance and local trains, including ticket purchasing, security, restrooms, and more.
Catalan trains can take you around the country as well as into the equally great countries beyond; here are your options and the ways to get tickets.
Trains in Catalonia: A Quick Guide to the Best Deals Read More »
A review of the train operator Iryo and our experiences riding around Spain and eating on board, as well as how it compares to other options
This is a detailed guide to senior discounts for trains in Europe and how to ensure you get them.
Senior Savings on European Train Travel: The Ultimate Guide to the Discounts Read More »
Here are the fastest, cheapest, and most convenient ways to get between Paris and Barcelona—my two favorite cities.
Personal experience and wisdom on riding the high-speed AVE trains from Renfe, Spain’s national operator, including booking, class options, and food and drink
What To Expect on Spain’s Renfe AVE Trains—Tips from My Travels Read More »
Our extensive tests revealed the best ways to comparison shop and get deals on the many train options in Spain (Renfe, Ouigo, Iryo, and Avlo).
A complete review of Ouigo budget trains in Spain and France—how to get the cheapest tickets, deal with luggage restrictions, and prepare for the ride
The original collapsible travel water/wine vessel is from Spain: the bota.
The Coolest Flask/Wineskin/Road-Drinking Companion/Picnic Wine Vessel: The Bota! Read More »
A review of Avlo and guide to getting the cheapest tickets, packing, and preparing for this high-speed budget option for Spain
How Wi-Fi works on Renfe AVE trains: connecting, real-world speed and quality, the PlayRenfe entertainment portal, and protecting your data.
All About How Wi-Fi Works on Renfe AVE Trains Read More »
Are you pretentious, angry, well-known, a coward, or a worrywort? All this and more should be expressed in Catalan with words for “shit”.
You Can’t Speak Proper Catalan without These 53 Expressions Involving Excrement Read More »
Things in Catalan make their own unique sounds for bops, bangs, farts, and plops.
How Do Catalans Speak to Inanimate Objects? Read More »
Catalan is one of the best languages to raise a glass and toast in—here’s what you should say while out drinking in Barcelona and other Catalan lands.
Trains often have outlets but can your device plug in? Check out our recommendations for universal travel adapters.
Hang any bag anywhere with a carabiner/travel hook.
Using e-tickets? Carry a backup phone battery in a wallet to ensure you can access them.
Using train WiFi? We strongly recommend a good, travel-ready VPN.
