New Years Eve Traditions Celebrated Around the World
Ringing in the new year is always highly anticipated but not all countries celebrate in the same way! Learn the superstitions and traditions that are embraced around the world. Depending on which part of the world you come from, New Years Eve is celebrated with different – even crazy or hilarious – traditions! From superstitious underwear, good luck dances, and stuffing a particular food into one’s mouth at midnight, countries all over the globe have their own take on what will surely bring great fortune and happiness in the coming year. New Years Eve means something different to everyone. Some feel somber about…
6 Tips on How to Prepare Your Kids for Moving Abroad
From a fellow expat parent, here are my best tips for preparing your little ones to become expat kids! Planning for a family move can be super stressful and feel like an overwhelming list of to-do’s! So when we talk about moving overseas to a foreign country, well that’s just a whole different ballgame guys. Language barriers, cultural differences, and endless paperwork are all-consuming! It’s easy to loose sight of what’s truly important – and that is how to best prepare your kids for their move abroad and transition into becoming expats. No amount of online research can truly equip you or your…
How to Celebrate Halloween in Barcelona As an Expat
Our expat family’s tips for enjoying the spookiest night of the year even while living abroad. If you don’t already know, Halloween is my favorite!! That crisp chill in the air, the rustling of freshly fallen leaves at your feet and the smell of a crackling outdoor fire nearby. So when we moved to Barcelona to become expats and realized Halloween isn’t that big of a deal, I panicked! How would we recreate a holiday that is growing enormously in the states but is overshadowed in Spain by Dia de Los Muertos (Day of the Dead on November 1)? Before becoming expats, Halloween in…
30 Ways to Enjoy Barcelona with Kids of Any Age
Congratulations! You’ve finally made the decision to stop talking about that family trip to Barcelona and just do it. Now the fun of planning and organizing travel details begins. And if you happen to be traveling with little ones, the question of how to enjoy Barcelona with kids often follows. While this is truly a fabulous city to visit filled with rich culture, inspiring history, amazing architecture and delicious food you’ll want to have some creative ways to keep the little ones entertained. They simply won’t be moved by the Barcelona Cathedral the same way you are. Our three children are 8, 6…
Avoid Getting Pickpocketed in Barcelona with These Tips
Learn the places to avoid, the distractions to be aware of, and the smartest products to prevent getting pickpocketed in Barcelona. Unfortunately, it turns out the rumors are TRUE. Barcelona, as incredible and unique a city as it is, also takes the cake when it comes to being the number one city in the world for pickpocketing! But fear not – these tips will help you avoid this petty crime while visiting. Perhaps it’s the warm weather year round or the inexpensive cost of living – but Barcelona seems to attract a larger population of needy than other European cities. In the Catalunya…
Why Winter is the Best Season to Travel to Europe
Four great reasons to pack your bags when the weather gets cold and travel to Europe. Most people when they hear the word “holiday” or “vacation”, they think of summertime. Relaxing by the pool, dipping their toes in the warm sand and breaking a nice sweat while hiking in the mountains. Most people would never think of winter and all its characteristics of cold. But actually, winter can be the best season to travel especially to Europe! And here’s why… Winter travel is considered the best kept secret to avid nomads who don’t plan their vacations necessarily around seasons. But rather, they’re constantly…
Host an Amazing Thanksgiving While Living Abroad
American Expats Can Still Celebrate an Amazing Thanksgiving While Living Away from Home After two years of tackling our favorite holiday here in Spain, Halloween, we’ve really got it figured out. (See previous article Why Halloween in Barcelona is Amazing) . But how in the world do you host an amazing Thanksgiving while living abroad? The food, the football, the family. All a bit foreign here! While our family back home are basting birds, cozying up to Thanksgiving Day parades on TV and putting finishing touches on apple pie, it’s just another normal day here in Spain! We can’t NOT celebrate it. No…
The Most Iconic Souvenirs to Bring Back from Barcelona
Unique and memorable souvenirs that capture the true spirit and culture of Barcelona This past summer we traveled back to the U.S. to visit our families, a trip we take once per year. And each time, we try to bring back from Barcelona something truly special and unique. After living here for three years, we’ve already exhausted t-shirts of Sagrada Familia and flamenco clappers. So we’ve started getting a little bit more creative and in the process. So, what are some of the best souvenirs to bring back to loved ones after a trip to this incredible and culture-rich city? It can be…
What is Reverse Culture Shock and How to Tackle It
Many expats and travelers experience culture shock in a new place, but what about the reverse culture shock that happens when returning home? How hard can it really be to return home after years of living abroad? Most expats focus on the initial cultural shock they experience in a foreign country. But not to be ignored is the adjustment that comes with returning home to the country you’ve always known…this time as a citizen of the world. Kind of like visiting your favorite restaurant only to find everything on the menu has changed. It’s called “reverse culture shock” and refers to the emotions…
