When you’re in your 20s, the world can feel extremely overwhelming. You’ve gotten your education, and your entire life, you kind of just thought things would fall into place after[…]
Spanish Idioms, #3: Ponerse las botas.
I learned this lovely Spanish expression as I was preparing for a dinner I had organized for my host family and their friends in Barcelona. I was cooking up all[…]
Best Restaurants & Bars in Barcelona, According to Expats & Locals
When you come to Barcelona, it is easy to get lured into the tourist traps in search of the perfect paella or sangria. Unfortunately, this generally means you get low-quality,[…]
Travel Guide: Santander, Cantabria, Spain
Admittedly, I regret not spending more time in Santander. My original plan was to visit San Sebastian and Bilbao for the 4 day weekend, but my host family had insisted[…]
Travel Guide: Luxembourg City
This is the second of many Guides for this website (see my first, about beautiful Barcelona, here)! I hope you find it as useful as I do. Before every one of my[…]
Spanish Idioms, #2: Que no Cunda el Pánico!
My first year in Spain, I began to have a major craving for Mexican food. I’m from Southern California, so there’s a delicious and authentic Mexican joint on practically every[…]
Spanish Idioms, #1: Poner Toda la Carne en el Asador
Idioms, or colloquial expressions, are very important when you learn a language. It helps you to think in a new way and also relate to native speakers more. You may[…]
Recipe: Hungarian Goulash
One of my absolute favorite things to do when traveling is to research traditional food and try everything I possibly can. Food is such a simple pleasure, but it’s by[…]
13 Tricks for Learning a Language
Okay, so let me start by saying that I am HORRIBLE at languages. Like, beyond horrible. I know English (and I think I’m pretty damn good at it), but being[…]
Catalan Tradition: El Correfoc (Running and Dancing with Fireworks)
Running and dancing with fireworks… sounds like every parent’s worst nightmare, doesn’t it? Sorry, mom, but I’ve participated in at least 5 by this point, and I’m so glad I[…]
Hunting for Mushrooms (Not the Magical Kind) in Barcelona
My second year living in Barcelona, my host family asked me “Hey, want to go looking for mushrooms in the mountains?” I thought they were joking, but it turns out[…]
The Ultimate Guide to Barcelona: A City that Inspires
Paella, tapas, sangria, and parties that continue until the morning light… Barcelona is known worldwide as one of the most beautiful, culturally rich cities in Europe, with flocks of tourists[…]
24 Quotes to Inspire You to Pack Your Bags and Travel the World
Traveling has been my one true passion in life. It keeps you on your toes, forces you to open your eyes and see the world from a different perspective, and[…]
12 Tips for Staying in a Hostel
Are you traveling to Europe on a budget, but feeling a bit uneasy about staying in a hostel? Don’t worry! There’s a first time for everything, and if you go[…]
How to NOT Spend Your Life Savings on Travel Accommodations
Don’t have time to read it now? Pin it for later! Traveling can be expensive. Like, crazy expensive. Especially if you don’t do your research. People ask me all of[…]
10 Unexpected Things You’ll Learn as an Expat in Barcelona
This is my fifth year living in beautiful Barcelona, obviously because I love it enough to stay. However, as any expatriate knows, there are certain cultural differences that you just[…]
Who Am I? A Glance at the Making of the Seasoned Traveler
Hello! My name is Jessica, and welcome to my site, The Seasoned Traveler. But who am I, exactly? What am I all about? The beginning. I grew up along the[…]