The Top 4 Experiences to try in Spain

Looking for new experiences? We’ve cherry picked a few of the best opportunities Spain has to offer, from scenic mountains to rich, diverse culture.

Picos de Europa

Translating to the "Peaks of Europe" – and often known as the Picos – this mountain range, situated 20km from the Northern coast of Spain, provides a stunning backdrop to a range of activities, from the serene to the adventurous. Bridging the Cantabrian, Asturias and Castile and León regions, these impressive peaks are part of the Cantabrian range. The origin of the name comes from the belief that they were the initial view of Europe for approaching American ships.

Nami Island: Winter Sonata Adventure

On our fourth day in Korea, we rode a train to Gapyeong Station, the jump-off point to Nami Island. But on our way, I fell asleep on the train, and my travel buddy was too preoccupied on her phone. In a nutshell: we arrived an hour late, and we were all hungry. Getting lost in the middle of the frigid winter can be very challenging!

Good thing was, there were only a few tourists when we board the boat to Nami Island.

Infograph: Why Should People Stay in B&B's

Over the years, more and more types of accommodations have sprung out to cater the needs of travelers. Some choose hostels because it's cheap, others book at 5-star hotels because they want to experience luxury (or better yet, they have a lot of moolahs and they are willing to spend huge amounts for their vacation).

Today, B&B's or bed and breakfast is slowly overtaking the conventional type of accommodation. A bed and breakfast is a small lodging establishment that offers overnight accommodation and breakfast. Bed and breakfasts are often private family homes and typically have between four and eleven rooms, with six being the average. Generally speaking, guests are accommodated in private bedrooms, or in a suite with a private bathroom. There are some homes, however, that have private bedrooms with shared bathrooms, just like a typical home. As the name implies, breakfast is usually served in bed, or guests may opt to have their breakfasts served at the kitchen or at the dining room.

Guests will have this 'homey' feel whenever they stay at a B&B. More so, it is an amazing experience that you wouldn't get from staying at a hotel or any other typical accommodation.

Here's a very nice infograph stating why should people stay in B&B's.

Searching for Seoul's Soul

And the soul-searching in Seoul continues...

Months before my winter escapade, a few people told me that there's nothing extraordinary about Seoul. It's just your typical first-world capital city filled with towering skyscrapers, western brands, and beauty clinics. No more, no less. So, I just kept my expectations low for this trip. Little did I know, this city offers more than what we always see on TV and on the internet.

Seoul Searching in South Korea

On our last night in Busan, I slept soundly even if my roommate claimed that our room was haunted. Ghosts and other paranormal entities were the least of my concern because I have a bigger and more sinister problem to face in the days to come - winter.

The following morning, we took a cab from our hotel to Nopo station since we still have lots of Korean Wons to burn (LOL), and from there, we rode a bus to Seoul. On our way to the station, we had a pleasant surprise. The snow was gently falling, and it was our first time to experience it! I can still vividly remember how I felt at that particular moment. The first five minutes was surreal and magical. Moments later, we hurriedly went inside the bus terminal and sought refuge from the biting cold.

My First Winter Experience: Busan, South Korea

Winter is fun to look at, but I was really hesitant to experience it because (i) I might not survive the bitter cold; (ii) I need to wear at least four layers of clothes; and (iii) I need a bigger luggage allowance. In short, it wasn't part of my travel plans for this year.

When the ground staff of Ngurah Rai International Airport told us that they were going to bump us off from our flight to Manila, we got furious. Upon seeing our disappointed faces, she reassured us that we'd be upgraded on a flight later that day, avail of a free one-night stay at their airport hotel, and the best part: a free roundtrip ticket to any regional destinations valid for six months!

I initially planned to fly to Kuala Lumpur and book another flight to Kathmandu but the cheapest was around PHP15k. Plan B was to book a trip to Singapore, and then book another flight to Bhutan, but it's even more expensive. I considered other options like Vietnam and Kota Kinabalu and explored its neighboring countries and provinces, but I was itching to try something new. Eventually, Korea came across my mind. Fast forward, I booked a flight to the Land of the Morning Calm.

Level Up 2017 with Piattos

There are a lot of reasons to be grateful this 2017. I was lucky that 2016 brought me to a lot of places and I had the chance to savor various cuisines in Asia, experience new cultures, and see the world in a different perspective.

I’m all set to make 2017 even more fruitful, memorable and enjoyable. Here are my own tips for making this happen:

My South Korean Adventure: An Overview

South Korea wasn't part of my travel plans this year. I wasn't ready to explore this part of the country, especially in the middle of their frigid winter. But, the tables have turned when we got bumped off from our flight to Manila from Denpasar last year. I had no choice but to avail their free roundtrip tickets to any regional destination before January 31st.

Since I have been craving for a new adventure, I chose Korea despite their harsh weather. Well, it turned out to be an amazing experience.