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KATE WEIGHS WORDS


Walking on Sunshine: The Symbolism of Sunflowers in Japan
For many towns in the Japanese countryside, summer isn't merely a season. The sunflower bloom symbolizes vitality, integrity, and renewal. In true Japanese fashion, sunflower festivals are a reminder that beauty is best when it's rooted in meaning. After the Fukushima nuclear disaster in 2011, sunflower seeds were sown across affected areas - not just for their believed ability to absorb toxins from the soil, but as a living emblem of hope and rebirth. For many Japanese, sunf
Feb 201 min read


A City's Love Affair with Water
In Venice, water isn't just scenery. It's memory. And the Regata Storica is its most joyful retelling. A celebration of craftsmanship, community, and the city's most enduring love: water.
Feb 201 min read


Pouring Patience: The Magic of Moroccan Tea
Moroccan tea culture is a beautiful reminder to slow down, be present, and appreciate the simple, artful rituals that bring people together. Below is the first edition of the FeelGood Travel Corner , where I spotlight snippets of life all across the globe for EF Go Ahead clients.
Feb 201 min read


We're Throwing Tomatoes? All About La Tomatina
Let me introduce you to La Tomatina , a wildly fun (and very messy!) festival held every August in the colorful town of Buñol , just outside Valencia, Spain . It’s a true celebration of Spanish spirit!
Feb 191 min read


The Hygge Effect: Why the Danes are some of the Happiest People on Earth
Below is one of the first editions of my FeelGood Travel corner series, a newsletter exclusively sent to my travel clients. The heartwarming stories are designed to explore heartwarming traditions around the world, spark the travel bug, and drive engagement!
Feb 191 min read


Culture & Flavors of Spain
Tapas, temples, and timeless plazas—Spain's greatest hits await your arrival. Barcelona is a laid-back wonderland packed with imaginative architectural icons. Madrid has all the makings of a busy capital, with world-class museums (hello, Prado) and restaurants. And Seville is home to a treasure trove of historic structures, including three UNESCO World Heritage Sites. On this week-long tour, see, hear, taste, and feel the distinctive delights each of these Spanish cities has
Feb 191 min read


Amsterdam & the Keukenhof Gardens
Experience bright blooms and colorful canals this spring. For nearly 60 years, Keukenhof Gardens (translating to “kitchen garden”) has been a playground-meets-showplace for Dutch florists. Over 70 brightly-hued acres burst with seven million flowers in bloom, from daffodils to hyacinths to the country’s most famous export: The tulip. Spend some time getting to know the charming city of Amsterdam before escaping to the peaceful, perfumed gardens. Check out the full tour I help
Feb 91 min read


Total Spain Travel Guide
https://europebackpacker.com/spain/ The above link will direct you to my Total Spain Guide. Read for top tips on the country full of hedonism: fresh cuisine, fine wine, seductive guitar, and plazas bathed in sunshine. "Rich in simple pleasures, Spain also abounds in history. Whether you are seeking a Vicky-Christina Barcelona -esque getaway, a religious pilgrimage, or time travel into the Gothic period, fewer places will make you feel as alive as España. this guide will impa
Mar 17, 20231 min read


Ávila Travel Guide
https://europebackpacker.com/spain/avila/ The link above will redirect you to the complete travel guide for Ávila, a city brimming with old-world medieval charm.
Mar 17, 20231 min read


Segovia Travel Guide
https://europebackpacker.com/spain/segovia/ Segovia is an enchanting town that will awaken your inner child with its fairytale allure. The above link will bring you to my full published article.
Mar 17, 20231 min read


Tenerife Total Travel Guide
Published on Europe Backpacker October 2022 https://europebackpacker.com/tenerife/ The above link will take you to my guide on the dreamy, exotic island of Tenerife. Tenerife is home to loveable "Chicharreros" who live richly yet simply at the same time, making it much more than a tourist destination.
Oct 16, 20221 min read


Travel Diaries: Ávila, Spain
April 2022 If you’re a traveler who cringes at tourist-trap plazas laced with performance artists and trendy, instagramable restaurants adorned with fake florals, Ávila may be your solace. A town nestled in the province of Castilla-La Mancha, Ávila exudes old-world medieval character, stripped-down beauty, and religious grandeur, being the birthplace of St. Teresa. Ávila will not check all of your boxes if you are seeking a more typical, hedonistic trip to Spain replete with
Sep 17, 20227 min read


Barcelona in all its Boldness
The scene is Moll de Marina Pier. Groups of teenagers linger, dressed almost identically, brazenly carrying sloshy beers as accessories. A young couple breaks up over dinner al fresco, hushed vociferations and tears trickling into paella. Reggaeton music trails down streets from taxi bikes as drunk passengers belt out the lyrics, a modern-day horse-drawn carriage. The next day at lunch, heedless waiters distribute our food to erroneous tables. We put a finger in the air to q
Sep 15, 20221 min read


Salobreña Travel Guide
https://europebackpacker.com/spain/salobrena/ With a rich history dating back to 206 B.C., whitewashed walls, an underrated gastronomical scene, and a stunning castle from the Nasrid Dynasty, it's no wonder Salobreña's magic rivals that of its nearby cousin, Granada. Salobreña is replete with elements of a quintessential Southern Spanish beach town - seafood to make you salivate, flower-pot studded streets, a palace nestled over a hill, and views of fertile fields and cob
Jul 15, 20221 min read
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