I have done a few day trips, or excursions, to places. Many of those have been by coach from where I live in Los Alcázares, and others were when I lived in different places around the world. These stories are all related to these day trips or extended excursions.
A sunny day out with Tony and Kathy, a tour of San Pedro, a good lunch, and Arsenal U21s in action at Pinatar Arena. Great company, a fun match, just missing an Arsenal win and the T‑shirt I somehow lost along the way.
A trip to the Murcia Spring Festival Parade, from overpriced drinks and shifting viewpoints to colourful floats and a hot walk back to the coach. Worth seeing once, but probably not one I’ll rush back to.
A brilliant day on the Segura River with friends, sunshine, splashes, weirs, swims, and plenty of laughs. A fun, refreshing adventure that I’d happily do again.
A morning exploring the Nao Victoria in Cartagena revealed just how astonishing the world’s first circumnavigation really was, a tiny ship, a brutal voyage, and a story that still amazes five centuries later.
A journey into the underground world of La Unión’s historic mines revealed the tough reality miners once faced, cramped tunnels, dangerous work, and a landscape shaped by centuries of extraction. A fascinating glimpse into Murcia’s industrial past.
A long coach ride, closed bars, and an underwhelming parade made the Jumilla Wine Festival a night to remember, but mostly for the wrong reasons. Great company, good wine, and a red‑dyed fountain couldn’t quite save it.
A power cut at home turned into a memorable escape with my mum, a few days exploring Gibraltar’s views, wartime history, and mischievous macaques, with a family connection I only discovered years later.
A wine‑filled day at the Florentino Pérez Bodega followed by an afternoon in the dramatic village of Alcalá del Júcar made this one of my most memorable short trips, great food, great company, and stunning scenery all in one go.
A late‑night Flamenco marathon, a maze of ancient streets, and a private Segway tour, my short break in Córdoba turned into a whirlwind of music, culture, and unexpected moments.
Location: Córdoba, Andalusia, Spain.
Summary: A colourful escape to the Córdoba Patio Festival, filled with flower‑packed courtyards, maze‑like streets, and a return to one of Spain’s most captivating cities. A short trip with plenty of charm, and a reminder to always carry a map.
Location: Águilas, Murcia, Spain
Summary: A colourful day trip to the Águilas Carnival turned into a lively mix of crowds, costumes and coastal chaos.
Location: Emirates Stadium, Islington, London, England
Summary: A nostalgic day at Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium, complete with a Legends Tour led by Charlie George, a wander through the club’s history, and a sun‑soaked pub crawl back to Waterloo. A perfect mix of football, memories, and mischief.
Location: Amsterdam, Netherlands
Summary: A birthday trip that shrank from six people to two people, a canal‑side dinner derailed by a badly timed joint, two nights of late‑running bar‑hopping, and a fortieth celebration Martin mostly spent in the hotel bathroom.
