Yzabelle Bostyn

Here you can find all my published writing. Check out the 'About Me' section to learn more about me and the 'Contact Me' to contact me directly. 

The Olive Press •

‘I spent three incredible days in Bilbao - here are my top sight-seeing tips’ - Olive Press News Spain

BILBAO is the Basque Country’s biggest city and with much to explore, we have prepared a guide for the ultimate visit. Culture filled cities, stunning coastlines and world-renowned cuisine, the Basque Country is a vibrant and varied region.  Its biggest city, Bilbao, makes for the perfect long weekend, with a great mix of museums, green spaces, beaches, historic neighbourhoods and strong cultural heritage. On a recent visit to Bilbao, I spent three days in the area and was delighted each d...
The Olive Press •

Discover Ibiza’s hidden coves with this coastline walk - Olive Press News Spain

WHILE brushed off by many as a ‘party island’, beneath the veneer of strobe lights and beer, Ibiza hides a treasure trove of stunning coves, laidback chiringuitos and cliffside walks. The best way to explore the island’s natural beauty, a walk along the coast allows you to discover several coves in one day. This 2-3 hour route from Cala Salada to San Antonio allows you to take in the stunning coastline while taking a dip in the azure blue sea at every stop.  Start by travelling to the gorg...
The Olive Press •

Ibiza’s ’soft launch’ teases a wild party season ahead – and we were there for the preview! - Olive Press News Spain

SPAIN’S party island is set for one of its greatest seasons yet, with the world’s largest club opening its doors and some of the biggest residencies in its history kicking off at the end of this month.But for many revellers the fun has already started, with many clubs and bars opening their doors in April- way before ‘official’ opening parties.  So, if you like a bargain, milder weather and quieter venues, heading to Ibiza in April or early May might just be your best bet. Iconic venues li...
The Olive Press •

This is the ultimate road trip from southern Spain to Portugal's Algarve - Olive Press News Spain

Looking for an Easter escape? This road trip from the Costa del Sol along the Algarve is the perfect weekend getaway.Just a few hours drive from Malaga’s coastline, Portugal’s Algarve region is a gem at any time of year but it shines especially bright in Spring, when sun drenched beaches have not yet been inundated with summer tourists. While the trip is manageable in one sitting (as we did), you could stop along the way in the Spanish spots of Sevilla and Huelva to make the most of your jour...
The Olive Press •

Must-visit: The picturesque and typically Andalucian town in Granada that you’ve likely never heard of - Olive Press News Spain

THIS picturesque traditional Granada town is the Andalucian must-visit you probably didn’t know about. Ever since I was little I have loved visiting Pampaneira, one of the first of many picturesque villages in Granada’s Alpujarra mountains. Now 25, driving past the snowy peaks of the Sierra Nevada while amber leaves fall onto the road, I’m sure autumn is the perfect time to visit.  A typically rural Andalucian town, the white washed walls stand out against the rocky landscape, but Pampanei...
The Olive Press •

Walking in the Alpujarras: A guide to the picturesque and more secret routes of inland Granada - Olive Press News Spain

THESE are the most picturesque walking routes in Granada’s Alpujarras known only to hikers. Come November, many areas across Spain are covered with a tapestry of gold, crimson and copper as trees shed their leaves.  Tourists flock to the fairytale Segovia or Madrid’s Parque Retiro for a glimpse of the stunning colours in their full glory.  But unbeknownst to many, some of the most tranquil autumn-winter destinations are hidden in plain sight, a secret kept by locals and hiking enthusiasts....
The Olive Press •

Exclusive: ‘I visited a historic witch town in Granada and its charm put me under a spell’ - Olive Press News Spain

THIS historic witch town in Granada is sure to put you under a spell with its charm and never-ending photo opportunities. The windy roads lined with thin pines become overcast with a blanket of grey clouds as I near Soportujar.  Known as the Alpujarran ‘witch town’, the mystical atmosphere is palpable from the outset.  The residents or ‘witches’ of Soportujar got their name in the 16th century, when the expulsion of the Moors brought newcomers from northern Spain.They brought with them the...
The Olive Press •

‘I visited Ronda’s incredible copper forest - this is why it’s the perfect autumn escape’ - Olive Press News Spain

AS autumn sets in and temperatures drop, inland Spain becomes a vibrant patchwork of reds, oranges and yellows. There’s no need to wait until the evening to witness the sunset’s burning colours, as golden leaves fall to the ground and blanket forest floors.  READ MORE: ‘I went to Spain’s famous Smurf Village to see if it was really worth the hype – here’s what I thought’ Nowhere is this more true than Ronda’s Bosque de Cobre (Copper Forest). When driving up the A397 mountains from the Costa...
The Olive Press •

‘I visited two incredible and barely-known cities in northern Spain - here’s why you must add them to your travel wishlist’  - Olive Press News Spain

THESE two cities in northern Spain are a must-add to your travel wishlist, despite being missed by many tourists. Although Galicia is known for the famous Camino pilgrimage and Santiago de Compostela, there’s so much more to the region.  If you’re spending a few days in northern Spain, we recommend venturing out of the tourist hotspots to discover some of Galicia’s lesser known cities. Both found on the Camino de Santiago, Vigo and Pontevedra are charming cities with curious backgrounds....
The Olive Press •

Exclusive: 'I visited northern Spain's hidden paradise beaches - but they won’t remain a secret for long' - Olive Press News Spain

THESE beaches in northern Spain have golden sand and turquoise waters but are unknown to most tourists, here’s how to visit them. While thousands flock to Mallorca, Valencia and the Costa del Sol, some of Spain’s best coast goes undiscovered by tourists.  The country’s rugged northern coast is well trodden by Camino de Santiago pilgrims and Spanish holidaymakers – so why are we missing out? In fact, Galicia is home to some truly unspoilt, undiscovered beaches and touring them makes for the pe...
The Olive Press •

Must-visit: The stunning island in northern Spain you’ve probably never heard of - Olive Press News Spain

THIS is the stunning island in northern Spain which you’ve probably never heard of but has beautiful, unspoilt beaches. AS southern and central Spain become unbearably hot in the summer months, many Spaniards venture north in search of cooler climates.  While Andalucia and the Costa Blanca are known for their stunning coastlines, you don’t have to risk melting in the summer heat to enjoy a beach day. Galicia, in north-west Spain, is home to a rugged, unspoilt coast dotted with quiet, beautifu...
The Olive Press •

EXCLUSIVE: ‘I took the luxury Al-Andalus train across southern Spain and was treated like royalty - it felt like being on the Orient Express’  - Olive Press News Spain

SIPPING on a glass of ice cold Albarino as the last few rays of sunshine drench endless sunflower fields somewhere near Jerez, I wonder how life could get any better. If there is a secret recipe to happiness, the organisers of the Al-Andalus luxury train must know it.  This is the most exclusive way to tick Andalucia’s renowned cities off your bucket list. The luxurious trip naturally comes at a price, but from the taster Renfe gave the Olive Press, it’s certainly worth it.  READ MORE: Lux...
The Olive Press •

EXCLUSIVE: ‘I visited this stunning monastery near Spain’s Madrid that was once called the eighth wonder of the world – and it’s well worth exploring’

THIS stunning monastery near Madrid was once called the eighth wonder of the world and it’s still well worth a visit. If you have a free day while visiting Madrid, the city is a great jumping off point for many fascinating spots. While Toledo and Segovia are popular options, more visitors are flocking to the small town of San Lorenzo de El Escorial.
The Olive Press •

EXCLUSIVE: ‘I visited Cordoba in southern Spain and was blown away by its beauty – its patios alone could give the floral haven of Estepona a run for its money’

Coming from Estepona, I wasn’t sure Cordoba could beat my flower laden home, but the city overwhelmed me with its beautiful patios, rich history and delicious food. For just one week every year, Cordoban families open up their homes to share their patios with the world. Thousands of tourists flock to the city, eager to explore patios battling it out to be crowned the most beautiful. Some 52 took part in this year’s competition, alongside 12 non competitive entries.
The Olive Press •

Must-visit: This little-known city an hour from Madrid makes the perfect day trip for history buffs and literature lovers

JUST an hour from Madrid, this city makes the perfect day trip for both history buffs and literature lovers. While Bologna, Oxford and Salamanca boast the oldest universities in the world, few people know that just outside Madrid lies the world’s first university city. Established in 1499, Alcala de Henares quickly became a beacon of knowledge and learning, so it’s no surprise that it is also the birthplace of ‘Spanish Shakespeare’ Miguel de Cervantes. Some 30 km from Madrid, this small city is easily accessible by train or bus, both taking just over an hour.
The Olive Press •

EXCLUSIVE: ‘I visited Ronda’s answer to the Caminito del Rey to test if it’s just as hair-raising as the original – this is my verdict’

RONDA has just opened its answer to the famous Caminito del Rey, but is it really as hair raising as the original? In April this year, Junta president Juanma Moreno inaugurated Ronda’s latest tourist attraction, the first phase of a new walkway snaking along the Tajo gorge. Once completed, the project will take daring visitors from the famous bridge all the way to Arabic baths, stretching 750 metres. It will allow visitors to see the Guadalevin river up close and feel the magnitude of the impressive gorge from below, until now only accessible through the Casa del Rey Moro.
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