About Us

Blending Spanish language learning with exclusive guides on Spain’s hidden gems and cultural insights.

Our Story

Mission statement

Love at First Adventure isn’t just a travel blog—it’s a call to embrace life-changing journeys. We’re here to inspire you to step out of your comfort zone in order to deepen your understanding of the world and yourself.

Founder

Meet Tristina

Ex-Spanish Teacher, Blogger, & Linguaphile

The daughter of a travel agent, I’ve been obsessed with exploring the world my entire life. But, with 35+ countries under my belt, one stands out as my clear favorite—Spain!

My experience in Spain includes studying abroad in Salamanca, a gap year in Valencia, working at a summer camp in Cádiz, and countless solo trips, road trips, city breaks, day trips, and more!

Plus, as a Spanish Teacher with a Master’s in Foreign language education, I’ve spent years studying the Spanish language and culture.

But it wasn’t until my life-altering journey on the Camino de Santiago that I found my true calling. Walking the Camino helped me realize my career in teaching, though rewarding, wasn’t fulfilling my deeper aspirations.

My pilgrimage was a turning point, giving me the strength to pursue a passion for travel, marketing, graphic design, and storytelling.

This blog not only mirrors my travel philosophy, but who I am—adventurous, resilient, and always open to new experiences.

  • Tristina-on-her-solo-Camino-de-Santiago

My Travel Experience

Here are a few more things about me that influence my work on this immersive travel blog.

  • Studied abroad in Spain
  • Lived & worked in Spain
  • Speaks Spanish fluently
  • Ex-Spanish & TEFL Teacher
  • Master’s Degree in Foreign Language Education (Spanish)
  • Spanish minor in college
  • Led international tours to Asia & Australia
  • Former Tour Guide
  • Visited Barcelona more times than I can count
  • 35+ Countries visited on 5 continents
  • Regularly attends industry conferences such as TLN Edge, TravelCon, Travel Blogging Summit (speaker), & TBEX
WHO WE ARE

ABOUT
Love at first adventure

Born from a pivotal moment, particularly hiking the Camino de Santiago, this blog invites you to step out of your comfort zone, embrace life-changing experiences, and find out what happens when you immerse yourself in new cultures.

Our commitment lies in offering you practical travel advice, effective Spanish language learning resources, and personal insights to empower you to uncover Spain’s rich heritage and landscapes for yourself.

As we grow, we look forward to expanding into group trips and building a community of like-minded explorers. We are happy to offer personalized itinerary planning services to jump-start your Spanish adventures.

Stay tuned for more adventures, insights, and initiatives to build our travel community together!

“The Camino taught to to keep going when life gets hard, even if it’s one step at a time!”
Tristina Oppliger
Founder, Blogger
spain travel blog

What you can find on this Blog

Whether you’re looking for destination highlights, practical advice, or off-the-beaten-path adventures, this blog is your pathway to your next adventure in Spain!

Destination Advice

In-depth insights into Spain’s cities, regions, & secret spots

Personal Tips & Resources

Two decades of Spanish travel distilled into expert advice

Spanish Language Learning Tools

Effective tools and tips for Spanish language mastery

Cultural Insights & Info

Deep dives into Spanish festivals, food, and traditions

Adventures & Activities

Ideas for bold, off-the-grid Spanish travel experiences

Practical Printables & eBooks

Essential, on-the-go resources for every traveler