The Traveller's Magazine
When Miguel isn’t writing for our Spanish Travel Magazine, he’s probably out checking things off his travel bucket list. Sometimes his trips have inspired him to stay longer than planned and so far has lived in London, Lisbon, Rome and Budapest. He tells all about his favourite destination and his favourite music to listen to while on the road.
Short and sweet
- Full name: Miguel Miranda
- Last trip: Valladolid, Spain
- Next trip: Warsaw, Poland
- Rucksack or suitcase? Rucksack… so I can run faster when I’m about to miss my flight (which happens occasionally).
- Hotel or tent? Hotel rooms, or even better, crashing on a friend’s couch
- Road trip or flight? Both.
- Solo travel or group travel? There’s nothing better than travelling with friends.
- Essential travel gadget: Smartphone.
Between Picasso, Warhol and Vasarely
From Cuba to Rome and even Dublin… you’ve checked off a lot of destinations on the world map. Which one has had the biggest impact for you?
It’s hard to say. Probably my trip to the Cíes Islands, off the Atlantic coast of Galicia in Spain. The group of islands is a real traveller’s paradise with crystal clear waters, natural beaches, cliffs and scenic lighthouses. Playa de Rodas on the island of Monteagudo was named the most beautiful beach in the world in 2007 by The Guardian.
You’re always on about Cuba. What’s so special about this country for you?
As a Spaniard, the thing that I enjoyed the most when I was in Cuba that it really felt like home. And of course, Cuban people are famous for their hospitality: they are always happy to talk with you, and they even invite you to their homes right after meeting you. We spent some nights in Malecon, listening to stories and songs from the locals, who are always very happy if you invite them for a “Planchao” (typical cheap Cuban rum, sold in small tetra packs like juice).
Favourite travel memory or story?
Once I went to Venice with a couple of friends. It came up that the uncle of the girlfriend of one of my friend’s friends, gave her the keys to his flat in Venice. To our big surprise the flat was in the city center of Venice with an exclusive door to the channels and a gondola “parked” in the hall. The house was decorated with luxurious works of art and sculptures. I slept on a sofa in the living room, under some paintings by Picasso, Warhol, Vasarely…
What’s the craziest food you’ve ever tried while travelling?
A zebra hamburger in London, in Camden Market. You can find everything in there! I always love to try new foods, and as a Spaniard, I am used to eating and loving crustaceans, mussels, strange body parts of the pork (ears, muzzle…). That doesn’t mean that I like it all, but I am very scientific, so first I try, and after I’ll let you know if I like it or not.
Imagine for a minute we’re on Star Trek and Scotty could beam you anywhere in the world right now. Where would you go?
I would say Japan. It’s one of the places in my “to go list.” For what I know, for Europeans it’s like going to another planet! And it wouldn’t be so bad if Scotty could get me there in a blink of an eye and I could skip the flights to Tokyo and the stopovers.
What is your favourite song for on the road?
The most “on the road” song for me is by The Cardigans, “My Favourite Game.” Apart from this, there is always The Killers, Leonard Cohen and Arctic Monkeys songs in my phone, ready to be listened to when I am traveling.
Want to meet more of our team? Check out our other Team Liligo interviews on the Traveller’s Blog.
