Let's Go 2005 Spain & Portugal (Let's Go: Spain, Portugal & Morocco)

Patrick Baur Asturias, Cantabria, Pais Vasco, and the Pyrenees An eco-conscious researcher extraordinaire, Patrick spends his time in the States canoeing, fishing, and hiking (when he's not busy studying Environmental Science and Public Policy). His pioneer leanings were a perfect fit for the wild Picos de Europa and the Pyrenees, and he conquered them all, even if he had to hike from town to town. Always the eager budget traveler, Patrick subsisted on one granola bar for three days in the Parque Nacional de Ordesa. Jacob Kramer Madrid, Castilla La Mancha, and Las Islas Canarias Notebook at his side and adventurous spirit dying to be tested, Jacob conquered everything from the clubs of Chueca to the volcanoes and sweet, sweet waves of the Canaries. Although the women of Spain's tourist offices broke his heart on a daily basis, he still managed to get what he needed from them. This intrepid filmmaker has a great eye for all things hip, can spot an El Greco from miles away, and is prepared to face down any old bull that charges him. Defne Ozgediz Galicia, Castilla y Leon, and Tras-Os-Montes The title "Super RW" does not do justice to Defne. Always on top of her game, she sent back impeccable copy week after week. If it weren't for her dedication she might have stayed forever in Santiago, her newfound love, but this Let's Go veteran and world traveler pressed on, battling illness, injury, and the Spanish incomprehension of the word "vegetariano." She took the northwest by storm, only to prove that this underappreciated region is really where it's at. Sam Perwin Valencia, Murcia, and Las Islas Baleares An opera singer and fluent Spanish speaker, Sam wrote his thesis on Don Juan and then took on the title role himself while researching the Mediterranean coast. A Miami native, he was more than qualified to evaluate its seemingly endless beaches, and his nightlife write-ups are unrivaled anywhere in the series. With an intuitive understanding of the Let's Go style, Sam completely revamped our coverage of Valencia and found great new spots to chill all along his route. Fernando Rodrigo Portugal This macho man from Peru went to Portugal in search of three things: futebol, beer, and bulls. Hitting Lisboa at the same time as the Eurocup 2004 and its hordes of fans, he drank his way up the coast to Porto, leaving a swath of opinionated coverage in his path. Quick to debate philosophy or politics with anyone from the most grandmotherly of hostel owners to the most quizzical Englishman, he perfected his Portuguese while updating Let's Go with inimitable style. Olivia Shabb Andalucia, Extremadura, and the Algarve Olivia left her editors speechless. This wild child from Lebanon cheered us on in spirit-and in the form of a giant self-portrait she left behind in the office. Never slow to invent a word to express exactly what she meant, she covered all of the Moorish south with more enthusiasm than Let's Go has seen in years. Olivia subsisted almost entirely on tomatoes and cheese while trekking across Andalucia, and, as she would say herself, the experience "transperced" her. Felipe A. Tewes Barcelona, Catalunya, Aragon, and La Rioja Let's Go map in hand, Felipe scoured the streets of Barcelona to "chillax" at its hippest cafes and restaurants. This trooper from Venezuela and Florida set out on a self-proclaimed "gelato tour" of Spain's northeastern coast, letting nothing from cliffs to quarrelsome nightclub owners get in the way of his meticulous research. An expert in all things Latin American, Felipe was a quick study of the unique Catalan culture, and sent it home in his leviathan dispatches. Contributing Writers Dr. Gloria Totoricaguena Egurrola received her Ph.D. from the London School of Economics and Political Science and is currently an Assistant Professor at the University of Nevada, Reno Center for Basque Studies. Peter Brown was a researcher in Portugal for Let's Go: Spain and Portugal 2004.Alexandra Moss is the author of 'Let's Go 2005 Spain & Portugal (Let's Go: Spain, Portugal & Morocco)', published 2004 under ISBN 9780312335564 and ISBN 0312335563.