I've written about the Spanish version of National Geographic before. Isn't it an amazing publication?
I picked up the latest copy (no. 309) at the weekend because the portada proclaimed features about Alsace in France and Cordoba, here in Spain, both places I know and love.
Imagine my surprise when, on flicking through this high quality travel magazine, I discovered articles about Alava, Teruel, Cuenca, Picos de Europa, Vigo, Alcala de Henares, Tenerife, Andorra, and la Rioja.
[Courtesy of Viajes National Geographic]
There were also features on Vienna (Austria), Warsaw (Poland), Pompei (Italy), Dominican Republic, Egypt, and Antarctica.
And the magazine only cost 6 euros. Amazing!
Alsace
A beautiful region which has fluctuated between French and German control over the centuries. It's simply stunning! I've been a few times. Strasbourg is not to be missed. My most memorable visit was to Annecy around 1973 when we visited Trish, a fellow university student, and her French boyfriend, Guillaume.
Annecy, Alsace [Photo: Francia]
Cordoba
Until recently Cordoba was my favourite of the eight Andalusian capitals, but then I discovered Cadiz!
Nevertheless, I've been to Cordoba a few times, each visit with a different female companion: my first wife, my subsequent girlfriend and my second, and current wife.
The Mezquita, the Alcazar and the Juderia are simply magnificent, unique, and magical.
[www.mezquitadecordoba.org]
Alava
I've not been to this Basque town in Vitoria province, but it looks very impressive.
We really must go.
Alava, Vitoria [Photo: viajero cronico]
Teruel
In Aragon, in the north-east of Spain. Despite its small population (36,000) it's the provincial capital.
I visited for half a day in 1998 with a girlfriend.
Charming - the town and the girlfriend!
Teruel [Wikipedia]
Cuenca
Ronda's twin town, it's a spectacular place, with two tajos (gorges), and the famous casas colgadas (hanging houses).
Lots to see and do round about.
However, I still prefer Ronda.
Cuenca [Spain.info]
Picos de Europa
What a delightful area. I first discovered it when I led a school trip to Isla on the coast.
Subsequently I returned several times, with family.
I love this natural paradise.
Easy to get to the capital, Santander, with Brittany Ferries from either Plymouth or Portsmouth.
[Photo: Escapada Rural]
Alcala de Henares
East of Madrid, it has the nearest parador to the capital, Madrid.
A pleasant provincial town with good bars and restaurants.
Alcala de Henares [Trip Advisor] Alcala Parador [Video: YouTube]
Tenerife
I've been to Tenerife a load of times. Guaranteed winter sun.
I love the north of the island around Puerto de la Cruz and La Orotava.
Less keen on the touristy south, eg Playa de las Americas and Playa del Ingles.
[Map courtesy of Con Billete de Ida y Vuelta]
We were invited to a wedding on the island in 2005. Candy and Carlos were a young couple we met by chance at a picnic site and we hit it off straightaway.
They soon had a child, but sadly they divorced not long after they were married.
La Orotava wedding [Con Sonrisa de Beatriz]
Andorra
Jeryl and I visited there with our friends Mel and Hilary who were living in nearby Olot (Gerona).
I can't remember much about the visit.
Andorra [Wikipedia]
La Rioja
One of the most celebrated wine regions of Spain. We visited briefly many years ago.
Map of La Rioja [Pagina de Paco]
Vigo
In Galicia. Not made it there yet but it's on my "bucket list" for 2026.
Vigo [Spain.info]
Elsewhere
Vienna (Austria)
I visited the Austrian capital with my first wife Jeryl back in the 1980s.
We liked it. Spectacular architecture, including Baroque palaces and gardens, and the late-19th-century Ringstrasse, which is lined with grand buildings, monuments and parks.
[Photo of Vienna courtesy of Cheap Flights Club]
Vienna is renowned for its rich musical heritage, having been home to many celebrated classical composers, including Beethoven, Brahms, Bruckner, Haydn, Mahler, Mozart, Schoenberg, Schubert, Johann Strauss I, and Johann Strauss II.
The city also gave us the world's first psychoanalyst, Sigmund Freud.
Warsaw (Poland)
Not been here yet, but it's on the list.
Pompei (Italy)
Not been here either. I need to go.
Dominican Republic
I've not been to this Caribbean country either, but I did enjoy a brief liaison with a lovely lady from that republic which occupies the eastern part of the island of Hispaniola.
She had emigrated to Spain with her daughter in search of a better life.
[BBC]
She was a great cook and ran a restaurant near Ronda for a time.
Then she moved away to the coast.
Egypt
To my embarrassment I have never set foot in Africa, although Morocco has made it onto my "bucket list" for 2026.
Egypt looks absolutely amazing, but it's not a priority for me.
[Wikipedia]
Antarctica
The closest I ever got to the home of the South Pole was South Australia.
Even in summer the ocean was freezing!
Antarctica [Photo: Live Science]
© The Spanish Fly (alias Paul Whitelock)
Photos and Images:
BBC, Cheap Flights Club, Con Billete de Ida y Vuelta, Con Sonrisa de Beatriz, Escapada Rural, Francia, Live Science, Pagina de Paco, Spain.info, Trip Advisor, viajero cronico, Viajes National Geographic, Wikipedia, YouTube
Acknowledgements:
Jeryl Whitelock Burgess, Maude Mary Jackson, Paul Whitelock, Rita Whitelock, The Spanish Fly, Viajes National Geographic, Wikipedia,
Tags:
Alava, Alcala de Henares, Alcazar, Alsace, Andorra, Annecy, Antarctica, BBC, Cheap Flights Club, Con Billete de Ida y Vuelta, Con Sonrisa de Beatriz, Cordoba, Cuenca, Dominican Republic, Egypt, Escapada Rural, Francia, Juderia, la Rioja, Live Science, Mezquita, Pagina de Paco, Picos de Europa, Pompei, Spain.info, Strasbourg, Tenerife, Teruel, The Spanish Fly, Trip Advisor, viajero cronico, Viajes National Geographic, Vienna, Vigo, Warsaw, Wikipedia, YouTube
Beethoven, Brahms, Bruckner, Haydn, Mahler, Mozart, Schoenberg, Schubert, Johann Strauss I, Johann Strauss II, Sigmund Freud.