Making friends around the world
One of the nicest perks from my (short) blogging journey, has been the fact that I got to meet amazing people, from pretty much everywhere around the world.
Last week, I went to Girona in Spain for the first time, and the reason why I went (besides the obvious, i.e. TBEX, a conference for travel bloggers) was to catch up and finally meet face to face some of the fab travel bloggers whose work I have been enjoying during the last year.
The Girona riverside – photo by Hotel Carlemany
Girona, located in Catalonia, Spain, is a small but cosmopolitan city, which really surprised me. We were hosted by the Costa Brava tourist board, who really pulled all the stops for us. We saw bits of what this lovely part of the world offers, but one thing is clear: I will need to go back, possibly next year, and really explore this region. If this conference was supposed to be a teaser, it totally worked!
The old part of town was stunning
I am not going to lie – the best bit of going to this conference was because I knew my girls, aka Leah and Lola were going to be there. Sadly, we don’t have lots of photos together, as we had to catch up, a lot. We hadn’t seen in each other since our little trip to California in June.
The lovely Leah and Lola
Moi and Lola di Marco
Leah and I are catching up in Miami soon, and we promise we will take lots of pictures!!
One of the moments I was really looking forward to? Meeting the legendary Will Peach, aka my guilty pleasure. The creator of a travel blogging empire, and some who really has my respect, he certainly didn’t disappoint in real life.
Will Peach, ladies and gentlemen (who didn’t seem so excited to meet me)
I also really enjoyed meeting the fab Becky and Graham, from GlobalGrassHopper, one of my favourite travel websites. They had just gotten back from California and we were sharing tales of that place, which as you know, I absolutely adore.
The successful duo behind Globalgrasshopper
It was also lovely to catch up with Ana, who went with me on my recent cruise trip.
The 2 Anas
Lastly, but certainly not the least, it was lovely to finally meet the lovely Diana from Browsing Rome. We bonded over shoes over the last couple of months - is there another way?
Diana and I at the first reception – a dinner at a castle catered by El celler de can roca
To be fair, I met dozens of fab people this weekend, but sadly I don’t have pictures with everyone. If you have some, please send me and I will include them in this post.
Like all good things, this weekend in Girona came to an end. I was really looking forward to a whole day in Barcelona (again!), before heading back to England. Girona is an hour’s drive from Barcelona and also accessible by train.
The beach at the W in Barcelona
Sadly it wasn’t sunny, but it was lovely to spend a couple of hours at the beach, followed by a fab paella with Marie and Stephen.
Paella at Pez Vela, in Barcelona
An amazing weekend, in a great location, with fab people and where I learned a lot. A winner, as Mr. O would say.
Gracias, TBEX and Costa Brava. Mrs. O shall be back!
xo
Mrs. O
PS. On this trip, I hired a car with Argus, and stayed at the Hotel Carlemani. In Barcelona, I spent the day at the W. Thank you for having me and making this trip even more special.
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Great post! Making friends all over the world is a great thing to do! I met my inspiration for a girl’s travel to Paris 25 years ago while living in London and we meet each year in Paris. Then the blog started many years later and she still meets me in Paris every year to reconnect. Now my friend Lisa has met many of my friends from the US and I have met many new friends in Paris at my annual Tweet Up.
Knowing people all over has been an unintended positive outcome of my travels and I cherish every new connection. I can’t wait to add you to the “list!”
Cheers,
Priscilla
Priscilla recently posted..Packing my Humanity along with my Bags to Paris
That is so kind, Priscilla
it will happen, promise!
We never took a photo together, not at TBEX nor at TBE :/
crazy sexy fun traveler recently posted..An Asian experience to remember
I know, sorry!
So wish I could have been there. I would love to meet up face to face with more of my fellow bloggers. Had a superb time with Suzanne (The Travel Bunny) earlier in the year in Bologna and Rimini and more recently with Diana in Rome. That’s a great shot of the two of you by the way. Hopefully catch-up with you and other blogging tweeps sometime soon.
Kathryn recently posted..On a mission to discover Rome’s food and wine!
We will meet soon, Kat! Promise!
Sorry we didn’t get to meet up in the end. Hopefully we’ll get to catch up sometime soon.:)
Andrea recently posted..Guimaraes: The Birthplace of Portugal
I know, Andrea! I can’t imagine what the larger events must be like!
Making friends on the road to me is an added bonus. It doesn’t happen always, but sometimes you make great connections. Glad to see you’ve been lucky in this respect!
And I hope we’ll get to meet face to face too, Ana!
Pola (@jettingaround) recently posted..Interview with travel photographer and writer Sivan Askayo: ‘Travel is a state of mind’
Absolutely! It never crossed my mind that it would happen – but it does make sense. We have all bonded over shared interests and that is something! I am pretty sure we will meet someday, Pola!
Leah and Lola look like fun. I’m kinda getting into the whole blogging community thing
whatkatemadenext recently posted..Malteaser cakes
They are fab
and love what they write about as well – do follow them! great girls in real life too 
Leah is meeting me tomorrow in Miami, very excited!
I’m starting to realize that the people you meet doing this overshadow the destinations…well put here in this article.
John recently posted..On The Ledge At Howelsen Hill
Thanks, John!
Looks like you covered a lot of ground in a short amount of time Ana and didn’t miss out on any of the fun!
Fiona recently posted..The Video Edit: Couch Surfing Irish Style
I did my best, Fiona
promise!
Definitely one of the greatest perks in this adventure we call travel blogging: meeting all kinds of incredible people. I hope to meet you soon, Mrs. O!
Francesca recently posted..Getting cultured in Kenosha
Look forward to meeting you soon!
I am in TBEX withdrawal! Every time I look at a post and photos makes me think how fab it was! You going to Toronto one? I was so impressed have booked already….
Gary Bembridge (www.tipsfortravellers.com) recently posted..Top 10 Most Popular Tips for Travellers Travel Podcasts Ever
Hi Gary, I loved the event but won’t go to Toronto. I am European and I think I should support the European event – otherwise there won’t be one. The demographics and reality are so different! But will enjoy following you guys there!
Thank goodness for shoes. Otherwise we may never have met. It’s hilarious how by chance you were also waiting for the bus. It was meant to be
Meeting Twitter friends face to face was definitely one of the best things about TBEX.
Diana recently posted..Sagra del Tartufo in Casperia
I know
life is all about these little moments! So happy!
Well, you know that I was tickled pink to get to see you again and devastated to have to leave. I loved meeting so many people I’ve “know” though social media. I’ll always remember my quick trip to Spain fondly, with you front and center.
Leah Travels recently posted..Spain, Sadness, and a Struggle
That’s lovely
and of course, we have now plotted a few more get togethers 
see you in a couple of days in Miami!
A pleasure to meet you! Hopefully we can see us again (and longer) in November
Hi Sara, likewise! Let’s see if November happens indeed!
Loved every minute of it and so great to finally meet you! We love you Mrs O
Graham GlobalGrasshopper recently posted..The best rustic European breaks for travel snobs
And you
you guys are fab!
I am surprised you had such a good time. I would have thought you would be too sad since Traveling Ted, Ilivetotravel, world wanderer, lazy travelers, and wokmomtravels were not there. Glad to see you endured our absence and still had a good time.
Traveling Ted recently posted..A New York no man’s land: the Adirondack Mountains
ha ha ha you were missed, for sure
always a pleasure, Mrs. O! cannot wait to see you again soon!!!
lola xxx
lola recently posted..favorite travel spots – food for thought
I know
England will welcome you with open arms. We may even throw a party just to celebrate!
Love meeting people when I travel and really wish I could have made the trip for TBEX. Looks like you had an incredible time!
The World Wanderer recently posted..Exploring the Okavango Delta: Part Two.
We did
it was pretty good! But will be great to meet you in NYC in November!
It was great meeting you at TBEX!! Hope to see you somewhere around the world in the near future!!! Take care!
Sebastian recently posted..Airline Review: Vueling
Thanks Sebastian, likewise! Sad we don’t have pics together!