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Destination NOIRE: Josh And Ashley Explore Spain, Portugal, And Andorra

by NOIRE Online

March 8, 2022 1K views
 

Hello Noire Family!  We are so happy to introduce more members of our travel family.  They are Ashley Reese and Joshua Jones.  These two have been travelling for a while and love to take every opportunity to go see the world.  Joshua has been part of the village before it was a The Village and we are so glad he introduced us to Ashley. 

Where did you go?

We travelled to Spain, Portugal, and Andorra.

What made you decide on this destination?

The vibrant cities, scenery, culture, diverse landscapes, and of course the food and wine.

What were your favorite things to do while there?

Seeing La Sagrada Familia and all of Gaudi’s work was the highlight of the trip. It was breathtaking, the detailing was so intricate. It was easily the most beautiful architecture we’ve ever seen. 

Another part of the trip we will never forget was the New Years Eve or  Noche Vieja (Old Night) celebration. In Spain it is tradition to eat 12 Grapes at midnight, one at each stroke of the clock. It is said to bring good luck, prosperity, and happiness. The main motivation for our travels is to experience different cultures and living as they would. Being able to bring in the New Year with locals and partake in their customs is something we will never forget.

Tell us about your dining experiences.

The food in Portugal was by far the best food we have ever had while traveling. The food was very well seasoned, fresh and the portions were generous. If ever in Portugal you have to try the custard tarts called pasteis de nata, seriously eat as many as you can during your time there!

Barcelona is known for tapas, so of course we had to take advantage. We tried a variety of tapas both hot and cold. The tapa that was most memorable was this fish that had been salt cured and aged, equipped with eyes and all. It wasn’t something we would normally eat, but that was the most exciting part…taking a chance and trying something new.

Tell us about your excursions, spas, and tourist things you did.

After dinner one night we went to a Flamenco show, it was amazing. It is an art form that has been around in Spain for over a century, very high energy and entertaining!

Took a day trip to the beautiful, tiny country of Andorra. Andorra is situated in the Pyrenees mountains and offers picturesque views and endless shopping.

Visited the magical city of Sintra, and hiked up to Peña Palace and explored the estates. We also took the short journey over to the breathtaking seaside city of Azenhas do Mar.

Tell us about your accommodations.

Our favorite stay of the trip was in Lisbon. The hotel was called Casa Balthazar, we stayed in a spacious suite with panoramic views over looking the city and castle with a jacuzzi on the balcony.

What made you decide on this type of living space?

We are suckers for affordable luxury stays and nice views and this hotel offered just that. It was also in a central location with a 5 min walk to public transportation which made it super simple to get around the city.

What do you recommend other travelers to take advantage of?

Definitely take advantage of the opportunities to participate in such rich cultures. Often times I see travelers get caught up in traveling “resort style” and doing so causes them to miss out on the best parts of other countries.

Was this for relaxation or adventure?

A little bit of both. Finding a balance is key.

 

 


View other installments in the Destination NOIRE series.

 
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NOIRE Online
NOIRE is a new online magazine that scopes the Black and multicultural community from a cutting-edge perspective. Our mantra is “Our Lives, Our Stories, Our Voices.” Our vision is to become the leading source of true, high-quality narratives of people of color.
 

 

 

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