http://backpackpodcast.com One Summer in Europe - For those who wonder, for those who wander... Sat, 17 Dec 2011 23:34:57 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 Welcome to One Summer in Europe, the backpacking Europe podcast. Join restless backpackers Ryan and Melissa on this ongoing podcast series as we simulate an extended budget trip around the must-see destinations in Europe, while offering real-world advice to help you create your own European travel adventure. We encourage listener questions and feedback to incorporate into the show, so listen in and tell us where you need help. Ryan Stuckey and Friends clean Ryan Stuckey and Friends questions@backpackpodcast.com questions@backpackpodcast.com (Ryan Stuckey and Friends) © 2009 Rakasa Worldwide, Inc. One Summer in Europe - the backpacking Europe podcast backpacking europe, backpacking podcast, europe podcast, travel europe, hostel, europe trains, summer in europe, europe itinerary, budget travel, http://backpackpodcast.com/wp-content/uploads/powerpress/valid-rss.png http://backpackpodcast.com http://backpackpodcast.com/2009/05/episode-6-barcelona/ http://backpackpodcast.com/2009/05/episode-6-barcelona/#comments Mon, 25 May 2009 23:25:00 +0000 Ryan http://backpackpodcast.com/?p=221 http://backpackpodcast.com/2009/05/episode-6-barcelona/feed/ 0 AVE Train,Backpacking Europe,Backpacking Europe Itinerary,Backpacking Podcast,Barcelona,Eurail Pass,Europe Summer,La Sagrada Familia,Las Ramblas,Montjuic,One Summer in Europe,Parc Guell Coming from Madrid, after a detour around Andalucia, we make our move back east to the cosmopolitan city of Barcelona on the Mediterranean coast. - Barcelona has climbed into the upper echelon of desirable backpacking Europe destinations, Coming from Madrid, after a detour around Andalucia, we make our move back east to the cosmopolitan city of Barcelona on the Mediterranean coast. Barcelona has climbed into the upper echelon of desirable backpacking Europe destinations, ranking right after Paris and London and probably ahead of almost every other city. It's easy to see why this is so, with its decidedly cool and stylish atmosphere and nearly perfect climate. We recommend 3 days in Barcelona to fully experience its offerings, but be careful as it is not a cheap place to stay like most of the rest of Spain. On this episode, we welcome Melissa back to the podcast, and we talk about: Barcelona fast becoming one of the most popular destinations in Europe the last two decades the vibrant and colorful mood of Barcelona that delights visitors as a very popular destination, the expensive nature of the city Melissa's pickpocket experience departing the Hard Rock cafe, and the interesting reaction of the locals witnessing the event several interesting things to see and do in Barcelona (our favorite being La Sagrada Familia) the energetic Barcelona nightlife special focus and attention on traveling alone in Europe: keeping safe, being smart, and meeting people (you don't need to travel with others to have a great experience in Europe, it is actually more liberating) TRANSPORT IN RENFE (Spanish rail system) AVE (high-speed train from Madrid to Barcelona) ACCOMMODATION One Summer in Europe (Barcelona hostel and budget hotel (”hostal”) search) SIGHTSEEING Las Ramblas (famous tree-lined street in heart of the city) La Sagrada Familia (amazing church being built over 125+ years - official site) Parc Guell (pleasant Gaudi-designed park overlooking the city) Picasso Museum (lots of early work) Montjuic (historic hill with many attractions, including 1992 Olympic sites) Barcelona Aquarium (best aquarium for Mediterranean sealife in world) One Summer in Europe (other miscellaneous sightseeing activities) TRANSPORT OUT RENFE (Spanish rail system) SNCF (French rail system) Time to finally leave Spain after a fantastic 2-week jaunt through this wonderful country, and now onward to France: Nice and the tres chic Cote d'Azur (French Riviera). It feels like a 007 movie every day of the week... Ryan Stuckey and Friends clean http://backpackpodcast.com/2009/05/sights-and-sounds-of-andalucia/ http://backpackpodcast.com/2009/05/sights-and-sounds-of-andalucia/#comments Mon, 04 May 2009 19:48:16 +0000 Ryan http://backpackpodcast.com/?p=195 http://backpackpodcast.com/2009/05/sights-and-sounds-of-andalucia/feed/ 0 http://backpackpodcast.com/2009/05/episode-5-andalucia/ http://backpackpodcast.com/2009/05/episode-5-andalucia/#comments Sun, 03 May 2009 00:46:43 +0000 Ryan http://backpackpodcast.com/?p=187 http://backpackpodcast.com/2009/05/episode-5-andalucia/feed/ 0 Alhambra,Andalucia,Backpacking Europe,Backpacking Europe Itinerary,Backpacking Podcast,Budget Travel Europe,Capilla Real,Cordoba,Europe on a Budget,Europe Podcast,Europe Railpass,Granada After a few days in the capital of Spain, it is time to leave Madrid and head deeper into Spain culturally and geographically: the region of Andalucia. We discover a wonderfully rich area full of exciting atmosphere and dramatic history that many peopl... After a few days in the capital of Spain, it is time to leave Madrid and head deeper into Spain culturally and geographically: the region of Andalucia. We discover a wonderfully rich area full of exciting atmosphere and dramatic history that many people consider to be the most appealing part of Spain. We highly recommend a 4-5 day journey through Cordoba, Sevilla, and Granada as a perfect side trip between Madrid and Barcelona. Many are in love with sensual Sevilla, but quite a few of us adore feisty and proud Granada even more. On this episode, I talk about: getting rid of Melissa back in Madrid (just kidding, she'll be back next show) why everybody should get beyond Madrid and Barcelona in Spain and consider visiting Andalucia background info on Andalucia, a region once part of historic Al-Andalus,  controlled for centuries by the Moors from Africa how Al-Andalus prospered as one of the most advanced and wealthiest parts of Europe, until the Christians gradually reclaimed territory over the centuries during the Reconquista spending a day in Cordoba, visiting the amazing Mezquita sampling the lively atmosphere of Sevilla, including the largest Gothic church on earth visiting Granada to see the mysterious and legendary palace fortress "Alhambra", along with the still-present Moorish cultural influences other places in Andalucia to visit if you have more time/interest: Malaga, Cadiz, and Tarifa as well as British Gibraltar and Moroccan Tangier (1 hour ferry from Tarifa) TRANSPORT IN RENFE (Spanish rail system) AVE (high-speed train Madrid to Cordoba and Sevilla) ACCOMMODATION Cordoba (One Summer in Europe hostel and budget hotel (”hostal”) search) Sevilla (OSIE search) Granada (OSIE search) SIGHTSEEING La Mezquita (extraordinary mosque/cathedral of Cordoba) The famous patios of Cordoba Cathedral of Seville (3rd largest in world, resting place of Chris Columbus) Alcazar (old royal palace/gardens of Seville) Alhambra (the treasure of Granada) Capilla Real (resting place of the Catholic Monarchs, Ferdinand & Isabella) Teterias (Moorish tea rooms of Granada) Tapas in Granada (free with a drink purchase!) One Summer in Europe (other miscellaneous sightseeing activities in Andalucia) TRANSPORT OUT RENFE (Spanish rail system) So after a wonderful detour through Andalucia for a few days, we stop our southernly advance and turn around to head back east toward Barcelona, another simply great city to visit on our one summer in Europe...Melissa time to get a move on! Ryan Stuckey and Friends clean http://backpackpodcast.com/2009/04/episode-4-madrid/ http://backpackpodcast.com/2009/04/episode-4-madrid/#comments Sat, 18 Apr 2009 22:18:54 +0000 Ryan http://backpackpodcast.com/?p=157 http://backpackpodcast.com/2009/04/episode-4-madrid/feed/ 0 AVE Train,Backpacking Europe,Backpacking Europe Itinerary,Backpacking Podcast,El Prado,El Rastro Market,El Retiro,Elipsos,Europe Podcast,Europe Railpass,Festivals of Europe,Hostals Our simulated backpacking Europe itinerary continues - after leaving Paris on a night train, we arrive 11 hours later far to the south in the capital of Spain, Madrid. - Cosmopolitan and alive with life and energy, Our simulated backpacking Europe itinerary continues - after leaving Paris on a night train, we arrive 11 hours later far to the south in the capital of Spain, Madrid. Cosmopolitan and alive with life and energy, Madrid has a lot of appeal for any European traveler. This is the center of Spain in a number of different ways, and is thus a wise place to start exploring this vibrant and popular country. We recommend three days and two nights to get a good feeling for Madrid. In this episode, Melissa and I talk about: arriving in Madrid and Melissa's foggy memories of the city basic cultural and historic perspective on Madrid, from Spanish Empire up to present-day economic problems the most interesting things to see and do in Madrid our not-so-enthusiastic experience with bullfights the tasty and diverse food of Spain, a true movable feast dealing with the daily siesta in Madrid We also discuss our top 5 festivals in Europe, including Running of the Bulls in Pamplona, Spain. I share my unforgettable story when I first ran with the bulls a few years back and how I was able to entertain 5000 people in the bullring, to my embarrassment and sore right buttocks. Here are some recommended websites for Madrid based on our discussion (in rough order as we talked): TRANSPORT IN Elipsos TrenHotel (Paris-to-Madrid overnight train) ACCOMMODATION One Summer in Europe (Madrid hostel and budget hotel ("hostal") search page) SIGHTSEEING Prado (famous art museum, one of best in world) Reina Sofia (excellent art museum, featuring Guernica by Picasso) Thyssen Museum (another recommend art museum) Puerto del Sol (literal center of Spain and heart of Madrid) Plaza Mayor (pretty square, lots of history here) Palacio Real (Royal Palace) Gran Via (famous and busy street in heart of city) El Retiro (large and relaxing city park) El Rastro (famous flea market, bargain city) One Summer in Europe (other miscellaneous sightseeing activities) TRANSPORT OUT RENFE (Spanish rail system) AVE (high-speed train Madrid to Seville) Now that we've warmed up to Spain, it's time to leave Madrid and take a small detour to our next destination, amazing Andalucia, before we head to Barcelona....come along! Ryan Stuckey and Friends clean