Not only is Spain home to the current BNP Paribas Open women's champion Paula Padosa, and WTA Finals champion Garbiñe Muguruza, it's also the birthplace of incredible artists and designers like Pablo Picasso, Antoni Gaudí, Manolo Blahnik, and Balenciaga. If you're thinking of visiting Spain in 2022, here is some inspiration for your adventure.
There's nothing that inspires me more to travel than seeing beautiful cities and countries featured in film and books. Here are some of the best films, series, and books to inspire a trip to Spain.
Gran Hotel
IMDB Description:
A family-owned hotel in the fictional coastal Spanish town of Cantaloa in 1905: love, blackmail, jealousies, crime, comedy, and plots and counter-plots all involving the hotel's owners, guests, detectives, and residential employees.
I first stumbled upon this series in 2020 when I was really focused on learning more Spanish. I watched it with subtitles on and thought if anything, it would be good practice. It wasn't long before I was totally invested! The characters are beautiful, it's funny, a bit silly, and my husband and I would watch it every night during quarantine. Javier is my favorite character.
Cable Girls
IMDB description: Set in the 1920s, this is the story of four women from different backgrounds newly hired as operators for a phone company.
I’m such a sucker for the life and style of the 1920’s, the clothes, the hair, the cars, I love it all! This series is full of beautiful people, drama, torn lovers, politics, and women’s rights.
Criminal Spain
The criminal series is a great concept. I first started watching Criminal UK. After a few episodes I realized the entire series is filmed in an interrogation room and an observation studio, what a simple concept! Great story lines!
Patria
IMDB Description: The story of two families affected by ETA's terrorism in the Basque Country.
I didn‘t know anything about ETA until I watched this miniseries. Spain has such a rich and complex history, learning about this period of unrest in the Basque Country was so insightful.
The Fountains of Silence
Ruta Sepetys is one of my favorite authors, and I’ve read everything she’s written. I was so excited when she published this book based in 1957 Madrid. Her books are so well researched, and she always finds a way to portray periods in history that resonate with the reader. She puts you there. I believe taking time to understand the history of countries I visit as a tourists is the best way to show my respect to the people who call it home.
Follow these IG accounts for some Spanish tennis, and style inspiration!
Since my first visit to Barcelona in 2019, I have dreamt of returning to this beautiful country. I hope you find inspiration in these suggestions, and consider attending one of their many ATP and WTA events in 2022!
Love and Tennis,
Val
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