WE'RE BOTH HOSTS AND TRAVELERS (VIA AUTOCARAVAN)
"Though we travel the world over to find the beautiful, we must carry it with us or we find it not."
-- Ralph Waldo Emerson

Searching for a hidden and beautiful corner of Spain for a more authentic experience of the country, far from the usual cities? Where nature dominates over the built world...

I am a retired scientist currently residing in a house in the beautiful mountains west of Plasencia (Extremadura) Spain. If you are Spanish, you might know our (in)amous area - La Hurdes of "Black Legend" and Luis Buñuel ("Tierra sin Pan") fame. Because of its historic isolation, it remains one of the most pristine natural areas in the country. I have lived in Spain for 14 years and in Portugal for one and a half. My partner is from Ukraine so Ukrainians are especially welcome! If you support the Russian aggression in Ukraine, do not bother to contact us.

UPDATE 2024: We are purchasing an auto caravan (March 2004) so we will increase our travels across Iberia and beyond. Therefore if you have your own campervan or house on wheels, we invite you to join us on a portion of our road trips. If you're a host, we don't need a room but a place to park our vehicle. We split our time between free camping and commercial campgrounds. Watching the sunset from a camp chair with a suitable beverage is my usual mode!

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

1. Hosting for 2-3 day stays, with day trips and local exploration
2. Travel in an autocaravan, in search of stimulating conversation with people from various countries, either travel buddies or hosts.

We have a small guest bedroom, so those traveling alone are preferred. Exercise can also be had by hiking and walking with my dogs in the nearby forested hills, which we try to do to maintain our physical and mental state in good shape.

NOTA BENE - I am more inclined to host those with detailed profiles.

Interests

I am easygoing and irreverent, but not a party animal or night owl. We’d likely be more companionable if you enjoy learning and discourse on history, philosophy, culture, current events, and the sins of capitalism ;) I am an avid history buff and especially like visiting historical or unique architectural sites. I enjoy light hiking, but perhaps more just sightseeing and a relaxing beer afterward on the plaza. I like beaches in the off-season. I’ve lived in Denmark, Spain, Portugal, Turkey, and the United States.

We tend to visit historical or offbeat places and camp either in nature or commercial campgrounds.

• dogs
• culture
• beauty
• beer
• meditation
• politics
• traveling
• hiking
• history
• science
• sightseeing
• beaches
• mountains

Music, Movies, and Books

History and biography books and movies/documentaries.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Flown into thunderstorms aboard research aircraft.

Teach, Learn, Share

History, politics, philosophy, culture, current affairs, shooting the breeze over a beer, the sins of capitalism ;)

What I Can Share with Hosts

Lots of stories, some of it BS ;)

We offer your own bedroom in a 3-bedroom house in a small rural mountain village surrounded by lush green mountains. My village has only 750 people but there is a neighboring one (3 km distant) that is twice that size. So there are basic amenities like grocery stores and bars/restaurants (what self-respecting Spanish village would lack the latter?) Plasencia, a city of 44,000 people, offers additional amenities. It is a 45-minute drive from the house. There you can catch a bus or train to major destinations in Spain and Portugal. We travel in a caravan in both Spain and Portugal, and you are welcome to travel along if you have your own vehicle, as your schedule permits.

Countries I’ve Visited

Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Greece, Guatemala, Honduras, Hungary, Italy, Marshall Islands, Mexico, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, Turkey, United Kingdom, United States

Countries I’ve Lived In

Denmark, Portugal, Spain, Turkey, United States