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Rob in Porto, Portugal

Rob

Spain, Portugal, Iceland, Croatia & Norway Specialist

My love of exploring started early, as I have family in Scotland and my Mum was a French teacher with many friends throughout France, so we would spend most summers exploring these countries. As a child I dreamt of visiting every country in the world while staring at my atlas. I spent a few years touring through Asia and Latin America before studying politics and anthropology at university.

After a few years living and working in South Korea and Spain with my Irish wife, I joined Audley as a Central America specialist, before returning to Spain. I spent a further five years teaching English in various parts of the country and during my summers I was lucky enough to explore large parts of Europe including France, Portugal, Croatia and most of Eastern Europe, developing my love for these cultures, their languages and their food. My childhood dream edges ever closer.

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Audley Travel Specialist Rob

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Q&A with Rob

Sete Cidades, São Miguel

Where would you love to travel next?

I would love to visit the Azores and Madeira in Portugal. The dramatic coastal scenery, great seafood, wonderful beaches and small, pretty villages dotted around these islands would be great for exploring on foot or by motorbike. They are both still quite off-the-beaten-track despite being well connected to the UK.

Parc Güell, Barcelona

Which book, film or artwork captures Spain the most?

The books which for me capture the essence of Spain and in particular Barcelona, are the series known as the Cemetery of Forgotten Books, including the most famous Shadow of the Wind. It gives a great insight into the fascinating and chequered history of the city and its people and is a great guide to some of the city's most loved restaurants and quirky neighbourhoods.

Street scene, Logroño

Your best piece of travel advice?

If possible, try to stay out late to enjoy the atmosphere of the Spanish and Portuguese towns and cities and enjoy the evening on the street when these place comes alive. Dinner before 9 pm is a strange idea to most Spaniards so the best way to enjoy the evening for me is to the stroll around the bars, enjoying a few pintxos or tapas along with a nice Rioja or Ribera wine.