We are currently in the planning stage of our travels for this year. This time, we have very specific requirements. Ben wants to rest and just chill on the beach and I want a place to explore. We searched for destinations that would be able to fulfill both of our needs - a city with a nice beach around.
Malaga is one of such places but we have already been there a few years ago. Another obvious candidate was Barcelona, and because I have been wanting to visit it for years, Barcelona it was. We have already booked our stay (and managed to rent a penthouse with a beautiful view!) and I'm very happy with this.
I have only one fear - a few days ago we listened to a Youtube talk by a Czech architect who spent three months in Barcelona, and he remarked that the population density there is 5x bigger than in Prague. Eeek! As someone with social anxiety, I very much don't appreciate this fact! I hope I will be able to find enough less populated places to relax and rest in between exploring the city.
Our second destination is maybe a bit surprising. I have wanted to visit Portugal for a very long time, and we were thinking about Lisbon, but we weren't able to find any good beaches nearby. I have already given up, but when I told this to my Portuguese friend, she readily gave me some beach tips! In the end, we will stay in Cascais close to a small but nice beach and I will visit Lisbon by train - a 30-minute ride along the seashore. The only problem was the lack of Airbnbs that I liked, but I found one that I was happy with.
That will be June and September. Hopefully, in November we will be able to spend a month in Tenerife again! The stay this year did wonders to my usual winter depression.
A fun fact is that our digital nomad friends spent a part of this winter in Lisbon and then a week in Barcelona before returning home, so it's like we will be retracing their travels backward. It means that I have a great source of tips and answers to my questions. I already got good info on where to look for accommodation in Barcelona (Barcelonetta or El Poble-Sec - we went with the latter, it was a cheaper option.)
These are just plans for now. Anything can happen. So here is to hoping that everything goes well and we will have enjoyable stays :)