About Me
¡Hola! I’m Liam, the creator of Travels Around Spain, a fluent Spanish speaker and former Spanish teacher who’s visited all 17 of Spain’s autonomous communities.
My love affair with Spain began in 1989, when I first visited Mallorca at just six months old. Growing up, Spain was always our family’s favourite holiday destination. We loved the sunshine, the food, the culture and, most importantly, the people!
There are even stories from that first holiday of my family losing track of me because the restaurant’s waiters and waitresses kept passing me around! Perhaps that’s where my lifelong love of Spain really began.
Since then, I’ve returned to Spain more than 35 times, exploring everything from its famous cities and beautiful beaches to lesser-known towns and regions. My passion for the country even inspired me to learn Spanish fluently and spend ten years teaching the language to students in the UK and US.
Through Travels Around Spain, I share firsthand experiences, practical travel tips and hidden gems to help you discover the Spain I’ve fallen in love with over the past three decades.
I’ve Visited Every Region Of Spain
One of the things I love most about Spain is how different each region feels. From the rugged green landscapes of Asturias to the Moorish architecture of Andalusia, every autonomous community has its own traditions, cuisine and character.
In 2015, I set myself a personal challenge: to visit all 17 of Spain’s autonomous communities, as well as the two autonomous cities of Ceuta and Melilla in North Africa.
After years of exploring the country, I finally completed all 17 autonomous communities in July 2024, with Castilla-La Mancha being the final piece of the puzzle!
It’s an achievement I’m incredibly proud of, but my Spanish adventures are far from over. Ceuta and Melilla are still on my travel wish list, alongside countless towns, villages and hidden gems I’m yet to discover.
My Spanish Journey
Exploring Spain’s 17 Autonomous Communities
Why Spain?
Spain has always been my happy place. From childhood holidays with my family to solo adventures exploring lesser-known corners of the country, it’s somewhere I’ve always felt a special connection.
Maybe it’s the food, the people, the beautiful architecture or the incredible variety of landscapes. Perhaps it’s a combination of everything! Whatever the reason, there’s nothing quite like that feeling of stepping off a plane and knowing I’m back in Spain.
What I love most is that no two regions feel quite the same. One trip might involve wandering through the historic streets of Seville, while another could mean exploring the green mountains of Asturias or enjoying pintxos in San Sebastián. Even after more than three decades of visits, there’s always something new to discover.
I’ve been fortunate enough to explore some incredible places around the world, but Spain is the country I keep coming back to.
And through Travels Around Spain, I hope to help you discover what makes it so special to me.
My Travel Philosophy
I believe the best way to experience Spain is to combine its famous attractions with the places that don’t always make it into the guidebooks.
Don’t get me wrong, Barcelona’s Sagrada Família and Madrid’s Prado Museum are incredible and absolutely worth visiting! But I also love wandering through quieter neighbourhoods, discovering small towns and experiencing the traditions that make each region unique.
Speaking fluent Spanish has made a huge difference to the way I travel. It’s given me the confidence to venture beyond the usual tourist destinations, strike up conversations with locals and discover places I might otherwise have missed.
When I visit somewhere new, I like to explore as much as possible, from the must-see landmarks to local markets, traditional restaurants and lesser-known attractions. I’m just as interested in understanding a destination’s history and culture as I am in ticking off its biggest sights.
That’s the approach I bring to Travels Around Spain. My guides combine firsthand experiences, practical advice and personal recommendations to help you make the most of your time in Spain, whether it’s your first visit or your fifteenth!
Beyond Spain
While Spain will always have a special place in my heart, my love of travel has taken me much further afield!
I’ve been fortunate enough to explore 40 countries across six continents, from the ancient ruins of Peru and the bustling streets of Tokyo to the incredible wildlife of Tanzania and the dramatic landscapes of Iceland.
Travelling to different parts of the world has given me a greater appreciation of different cultures, traditions and ways of life. It’s also helped me understand what makes each destination unique and what turns a good trip into an unforgettable one.
Yet, no matter how many new countries I discover, Spain is the place I find myself returning to time and time again.
After exploring so much of the world, I’m more convinced than ever that Spain offers something truly special.
Countries I’ve Visited
My Global Travel Adventures
40 Countries and Counting!Why I Blog
I started Travels Around Spain because I wanted to share my passion for a country that has been part of my life for as long as I can remember.
Over the years, I’ve realised just how much Spain has to offer beyond its famous beaches and big cities. While Barcelona, Madrid and Seville are incredible destinations, there’s an entire country of fascinating towns, beautiful landscapes, regional traditions and delicious food waiting to be discovered.
Through this blog, I want to help you experience more of Spain, whether you’re planning your very first holiday or returning for another adventure.
Every destination guide is shaped by my own travels, with practical advice, personal recommendations and tips I’ve picked up along the way. From deciding what to see and where to eat to discovering places you might not have considered, my aim is to make planning your Spanish adventure that little bit easier.
Most importantly, I want to inspire you to explore Spain with curiosity. Visit the famous landmarks, but leave time for the unexpected discoveries too. Try the regional dishes, wander through unfamiliar neighbourhoods and consider adding somewhere new to your itinerary.
If Travels Around Spain helps you discover a place you might otherwise have overlooked, or makes your next trip that little bit more memorable, then I’ve achieved what I set out to do.
¡Buen viaje!
Ready to Explore Spain?
Whether you’re dreaming of Barcelona, planning a city break in Madrid or looking for somewhere completely different, discover my firsthand travel guides and start planning your next Spanish adventure.
