Nick O'Brien
@NickLovesSpain
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Daily insight into Spain's endless charm | Cities, food, festivals, architecture, nature, and more | American in Madrid for 6+ years |📍🇪🇸
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A case for why Spain is the greatest country on Earth:
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Asturias is Spain's best-kept secret.
One of the most fascinating regions on Earth.
It's hard to do a place like this justice, but here's my best shot:
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Northern Spain is a dream.
And Santander is one of its best coastal cities.
Here's all you need to know for your next visit:
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Before there was Rome.
Before there was Athens.
Before there was Cairo.
There was Cádiz.
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This month marks 8 years since I first stepped foot in Spain.
A country that quickly became my favorite place on Earth.
Here are the 30 aspects of Spanish culture I find the most fascinating:
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Madrid is a miracle of a city.
I've been lucky to call it home for the last 5 years.
Here's all you need to know for your next visit to the most underrated capital in Europe:
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Spain has one of the highest life expectancies in the world.
Why do you think that is?
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5. Submarine
Invented in 1888 by Spanish engineer and naval officer, Isaac Peral.
The first fully operative military submarine.
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Spanish is the most beautiful language on Earth.
And its influence is undeniable.
Here are the 20 countries across the world with Spanish as their official language:
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6. Lollipop
Invented by Enric Bernat in 1957 to design a sweet that didn't get kids' hands dirty.
This would lead to the founding of the famous Spanish lollipop brand, Chupa Chups.
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2. Cigarette
Although people have been smoking tobacco since 5000 BC, Sevillan beggars invented the first cigarettes.
They would find discarded cigar butts, shred them, and roll the remains in scraps of paper.
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15. Modern Rules of Chess
Although Chess originated in India, the modern rules come from Spain.
Either during the Islamic period or after the Christian reconquest of Toledo.
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I'd rather visit Andalusia than most countries.
One of Spain's most beloved regions.
Here's all you need to know for your next visit to the South's 5 most popular cities:
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3. Spacesuit
The first full-pressured space suit was designed and made by Emilio Herrera Linares in 1935.
The Russians used a model of Herrera's suit during their initial space programs, followed by the United States.
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Spain isn't just beautiful for its cities.
The country is home to some of the world's most stunning landscapes.
Here are Spain's 16 national parks, and what to expect in each one:
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4. Mop
Invented by Spanish engineer, Manuel Jalón Corominas in 1956.
Until then, people got on their knees to clean the floor.
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Sevilla is one of the best cities on Earth.
Here's all you need to know for your next visit:
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1. Classical Guitar
Classical guitars derive from the Vihuela and Gittern Spanish instruments.
However, the modern classical guitar was invented by Spanish luthier, Antonio Torres Jurado in the 19th Century.
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10. Digital Calculator
Spanish engineer and computer scientist, Leonardo Torres Quevedo's machines are considered to be the original digital calculators.
First created in 1914.
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7. Foosball
First patented by Spaniard, Alejandro Finisterre in 1937.
He credits his friend, Francisco Javier Altuna with the original idea.
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8. Hot Chocolate
Although the Mayans are credited with the invention of hot chocolate, their version was known to be spicy and bitter.
Spanish conquistadors adapted the idea into the sweet version we love today.
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12. Disposable Syringe
Invented by the same man who invented the mop, Manuel Jalón Corominas in 1978.
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11. Cable Car
Also invented by Leonardo Torres Quevado, the inventor of the digital calculator.
The first patent came in 1887, while the first cable car used for public transportation came in 1907 on San Sebastián's Monte Ulía.
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If you enjoyed this thread, you'll love my newsletter.
Deeper, more valuable insights on:
- Moving to Spain
- Traveling in Spain
- Growing & Monetizing a Travel Twitter Account
The best part? You decide the type of content you get.
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13. Gyroplane (Autogyro)
Invented by Spanish civil engineer and pilot, Juan de la Cierva in 1920.
The invention was the direct precursor to the Helicopter.
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Today is my girlfriend’s birthday.
What a magical thing it is to fall in love in Spain.
Here are the 20 most romantic cities in the country:
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14. Sherry
First mentioned in the 1st Century B.C. by Greek geographer, Strabo.
He claimed that the first vines were brought to Spain's Jerez Region by the Phoenicians in 1100 B.C.
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9. Mayonnaisse
Invented by French chef of the Duke de Richelieu in 1756.
While the Duke was defeating the British at Port Mahon on the Spanish Island of Menorca, his chef was preparing a victory feast that included the now-famous sauce.
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Spain isn’t just beautiful for its towns and cities.
The country is home to more Biosphere Reserves than anywhere else on Earth.
Here are the ones to look for in every region of Spain:
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On a beautiful day, there’s no place I’d rather be than Green Spain.
One of Earth's greatest treasures.
Here are 30 of its towns & villages I have my eye on this summer:
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Spain isn't just beautiful for its cities.
The country is home to some of the world's most stunning landscapes.
Here are Spain's 16 national parks and what to expect in each one:
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Spain has more bars per capita than any country in the world.
¡Salud!
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Last year my best friend visited A Coruña for the first time.
3 days later, it was his favorite city in Spain.
Here's all you need to know for your next visit:
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@Culture_Crit
Throwback to when Madrid got snowed on in January 2021. The heaviest snowfall in 50 years 🇪🇸
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"Madrid is a strange place anyway. I do not believe anyone likes it much when he first goes there. It has none of the looks that you expect of Spain. Yet when you get to know it, it is the most Spanish of all cities, the best to live in, the finest people, month in and month out…
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I could spend my entire summer on the coast of northern Spain.
Costa Verde, they call it.
Here are 25 towns on the country's "Green Coast" that I have my eyes on for August:
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We all know Spain as a leading wine producer.
But the country offers so much more.
Here are the top food products from each region in Spain:
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The Pearl of Andalusia, The Golden One, The City of Glass…
Here are the nicknames of 25 of Spain’s most beloved cities:
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Spain offers some of the most diverse cuisine in the world.
With vastly different foods to try wherever you go in the country.
Here are the iconic food items that best remind me of each region:
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“If you should visit just one city in Spain,” said Ernest Hemingway.
“It should be Granada.”
Here’s everything to know for your next visit:
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@Culture_Crit
Brilliant idea for a thread.
Here's another from Spain I like:
The Third of May 1808, Francisco Goya (Prado Museum)
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Spain has over 10,000 castles and palaces.
Who wants to buy one with me?
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Tomorrow I embark on the Camino de Santiago.
The most famous pilgrimage in all of Europe.
Here's the exact route I plan to take:
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Nothing I've done was more adventurous than walking the Camino de Santiago.
The most famous pilgrimage in Europe in the most beautiful country on Earth.
Here are 25 pieces of advice I wish I knew beforehand:
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Perhaps my favorite thing about Spain:
Is that every place you visit is life-changing in its own way.
Here are all 17 regions of Spain and what to expect in each one:
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To explore Spain is to encounter the most breathtaking architectural achievements on Earth.
Here is the most famous structure in every region of the country:
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8,000 followers!
I can't thank you enough.
Here are the top 25 reasons why Nick Loves Spain:
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"Any reasonable, sentient person who looks at Spain, comes to Spain, eats in Spain, drinks in Spain, they're going to fall in love. Otherwise, there's something deeply wrong with you. This is the dream of all the world." - Anthony Bourdain
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Some call the Canary Islands the “Hawaii of Europe”.
But that nickname doesn’t do the region justice.
Here are 40 insights into Spain’s fascinating Atlantic paradise:
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Last week I finished the Camino de Santiago (Camino Francés).
The most famous pilgrimage in all of Europe.
It took 35 days (including 3 rest days) to walk from Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port in southwestern France to Santiago de Compostela in northwestern Spain.
The journey had been…
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And many worthwhile towns & villages:
- Puerto de Vega
- Tapia de Casariego
- Luarca
- Navia
- Cudillero
- Luanco
- Bandujo
- Bowls
- Lastres
- Ribadesella
- Llanes
- Bulnes
- Espinaréu
- Cangas de Onís
- Taramundi
- Arenas de Cabrales
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Cádiz is the oldest city in Spain.
Dating back to 1,100 BC.
Here's all you need to know for your next visit:
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Declared an autonomous community in 1982, Asturias lies to the north as part of Green Spain.
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Spain has more sunshine than any country in Europe.
With 6 of the 10 sunniest cities on the entire continent.
Check out the full list below:
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“Madrid is a strange place anyway. I do not believe anyone likes it much when he first goes there. It has none of the looks that you expect of Spain. Yet when you get to know it, it is the most Spanish of all cities, the best to live in, the finest people, month in and month out…
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Spanish ham is mindblowing.
If you haven't tried it — well, I feel bad for you.
Here's all you need to know about Spain's most popular culinary delicacy:
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1. Andalucía
- Gazpacho
- Rabo de Toro
- Pescaíto Frito
- Berenjenas Fritas con Miel
📸: Hogarmania
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There are few things I love more than the city of Madrid.
But sharing it with friends & family is one of them.
If I had 5 days visiting Madrid for the first time, here’s what I’d do:
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Not to mention the most Biosphere Reserves in the entire country at 7:
- Río Eo, Osco y Terras de Burón
- Fuentes del Narcea, Degaña and Ibias Natural Park
- Somiedo Natural Park
- Ubiñas-La Mesa Natural Park
- Redes Natural Park
- Ponga Natural Park
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Ronda is one of the most romantic cities I’ve ever visited.
The City of Dreams, they call it.
Here’s all you need to know for your next visit:
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I've lived in Spain for 5 years.
If I visited for the first time, here's the exact 10-day trip I'd take:
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It has three primary cities:
- Oviedo, the capital
- Gijón, the largest city and seaport
- Avilés, an industrial town
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Cheese so good you read the whole thread.
Here are the 30 cheeses in Spain that have official protected status:
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And we can't forget its beaches:
- Silencio
- Gulpiyuri
- Rodiles
- Torimbia
- Ballota
- Poó
- Andrín
- Penarronda
- Aguilar
- Guadamía
- San Antonio
- Borizo
- Sablón
- Cobijeru
- La Franca
- El Rogolgueru
- Cuevas del Mar
- Cadavedo / La Ribeirona
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I fell in love with Spain for its:
- Long lunches
- Mid-day naps
- Divine beauty
- Obsession with quality
- Walking culture
- Fresh OJ
- Rare steak
- Family values
- Olive oil
- Sunshine
And because no matter your age, you still spend time with your best friends.
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More than 10,000 castles have marked Spain throughout history.
With 2,500 still standing today.
Here are the 25 most enchanting castles to explore during your next visit to Spain:
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The more I investigate Spain, the more I realize its magnificence has no end.
Today I researched the province of Huesca in Aragón.
Here are the 25 most beautiful sites I encountered:
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No matter where you are in Spain...
There are worthwhile destinations all around.
Here are the best day trips you can take from 10 of Spain's most beloved cities:
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Where should I vacation in August —
Galicia, Asturias, Cantabria, or Basque Country?
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Andalusia has a depth and soul unlike any other.
It's the most enchanting region I've ever experienced.
Although words and pictures cannot capture its essence alone, it's always important to try:
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2. Aragón
- Ternasco Asado
- Albóndigas de Bacalao
- Migas de Pastor
- Pollo al Chilindrón
📸: Gastro Zaragoza
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Not only did I fall in love with Spain.
I fell in love in Spain as well.
Anyone else?
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3. Asturias
- Fabada Asturiana
- Cachopo
- Solomillo al Cabrales
- Chorizo a la Sidra
📸: Bon Viveur
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One of my best high school friends just moved from Los Angeles to Valencia.
She couldn't be happier.
Here's all you need to know for your next visit:
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25 insights into Spanish wine:
1. Spain has more land dedicated to viticulture than any country on Earth.
Around 1.2 million hectares or 13% of the world’s total vineyard area.
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And its natural wonders scattered throughout:
- Bufones de Pría
- La Cuevona de Cueves
- Alto de L’Angliru
- Cabo Vidio
- Lakes of Covadonga
- Sanctuary of Covadonga
- Oneta Waterfalls
... and many more.
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Galicia has some of the best food in Spain.
Some of the best food in the world.
Here are 21 Galician dishes to order on your next trip:
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Spain is the second most-visited country in the world.
With 71.7 million tourists in 2022.
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My bucket list is long.
But the 12 Treasures of Spain have a spot at the top:
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Spain's beauty extends far beyond its cities.
With some of the most profound natural wonders on the planet.
Here are the 25 most stunning waterfalls scattered throughout the country:
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