Tim

@TimurNegru • 99,770 subscribers

Buyer's representative for property in Spain, Italy, France & Portugal. Founder @AffordiHome.

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You'd have to be insane to be EuropeSummermaxing and be active on Slack during the weekend

You'd have to be insane to be EuropeSummermaxing and be active on Slack during the weekend

169,069 views

Our son's teacher used to call us weekly with complaints. Last Friday during his parent/teacher check-in, she asked what we did to transform him. The answer: Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ). It all started with him not being able to burn his additional energy. Our kid was and still is hyperactive, couldn't fall asleep before 12am/1am, fidgeted through every school lesson, constantly snappy with us and his teachers. Some of our friends were calling him the duracell bunny (in reference to the battery ad) and we were genuinely worried this was just who he was. We tried a few different sports as our idea was that he didn't have any activity that involved burning his energy. Football, swimming, running him around the park until dark. He'd come home exhausted but his mind would still be racing at bedtime. The energy was there, but nothing seemed to actually settle him. My brother has been training and coaching kids BJJ since he was young. He kept telling us to bring our son. Tbh, we were skeptical - how would a combat sport help a kid who already couldn't sit still? But we were desperate as school was getting worse and the nightly battles were exhausting everyone. So at 5 years old, we signed him up. The first 6 months, he started falling asleep faster and not just because he was tired (he'd been tired before), but because BJJ teaches you to control your body and your mind simultaneously. He was learning to actually settle himself. The 11pm bedtime battles turned into peaceful 9pm nights. But what really caught us off guard was the respect. Every single class - bow when you enter/when you leave, wait your turn, shake hands with your opponent, listen to your coach. It gets drilled in through pure repetition. Not lectures, not punishment..just practice. 100 times per class, every class, for years. His teachers also noticed the change. He could finally sit through lessons, pay attention, actually remember what was discussed. Homework became manageable because he'd developed the patience to learn. He was less snappy and more willing to listen. The hardest part were in the first couple of years as he wanted to quit constantly. The usual kids reasons - i'm tired of BJJ, I don't want to train anymore etc. There were nights we genuinely questioned if we were pushing him too hard, if we were doing the right thing. But we kept him going. My brother being his coach helped, but honestly it was just us trusting that something would click eventually. And then in year 4, it did. He found his training partner, made real friends at the gym. Suddenly he was asking when his next class was. Going to support his teammates at competitions even when he wasn't competing himself. This year, the transformation was complete. His teacher went from calling us weekly to pulling us aside asking what we did. The fidgety, unfocused kid who couldn't sit still was competing in tournaments, winning medals, excelling at school, and genuinely looking forward to training. Here's what we got wrong for years: we kept trying to calm him down. Turns out, he didn't need calming.. he needed somewhere to put that energy. Other sports just tired him out. BJJ gave him an outlet that required both physical exhaustion and mental focus. And here's the thing few people talk about: BJJ is teaching him to lose. Not avoid failure but to face it. He still gets frustrated sometimes, still has moments where the tears come after a tough roll or a competition loss. But he's getting better at it. He processes it faster now, gets back up quicker. Most kids' activities try to avoid failure or sugarcoat it. BJJ makes you face it every single class and there's no hiding from it. That resilience is slowly building, and it's showing up everywhere. Homework frustrations don't spiral like they used to. Mistakes are becoming learning opportunities instead of total meltdowns. And he's even getting better at maths due to his concentration levels improving. If your kid can't sit still, can't focus, struggles with sleep, and school is calling home weekly do give BJJ a shot before assuming it's just who they are. Not for the discipline but for the outlet. The discipline comes later. Here's my son at his last competition. That's the kid who couldn't sit still for 5 minutes.

Our son's teacher used to call us weekly with complaints. Last Friday during his parent/teacher check-in, she asked what we did to transform him. The answer: Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ). It all started with him not being able to burn his additional energy. Our kid was and still is hyperactive, couldn't fall asleep before 12am/1am, fidgeted through every school lesson, constantly snappy with us and his teachers. Some of our friends were calling him the duracell bunny (in reference to the battery ad) and we were genuinely worried this was just who he was. We tried a few different sports as our idea was that he didn't have any activity that involved burning his energy. Football, swimming, running him around the park until dark. He'd come home exhausted but his mind would still be racing at bedtime. The energy was there, but nothing seemed to actually settle him. My brother has been training and coaching kids BJJ since he was young. He kept telling us to bring our son. Tbh, we were skeptical - how would a combat sport help a kid who already couldn't sit still? But we were desperate as school was getting worse and the nightly battles were exhausting everyone. So at 5 years old, we signed him up. The first 6 months, he started falling asleep faster and not just because he was tired (he'd been tired before), but because BJJ teaches you to control your body and your mind simultaneously. He was learning to actually settle himself. The 11pm bedtime battles turned into peaceful 9pm nights. But what really caught us off guard was the respect. Every single class - bow when you enter/when you leave, wait your turn, shake hands with your opponent, listen to your coach. It gets drilled in through pure repetition. Not lectures, not punishment..just practice. 100 times per class, every class, for years. His teachers also noticed the change. He could finally sit through lessons, pay attention, actually remember what was discussed. Homework became manageable because he'd developed the patience to learn. He was less snappy and more willing to listen. The hardest part were in the first couple of years as he wanted to quit constantly. The usual kids reasons - i'm tired of BJJ, I don't want to train anymore etc. There were nights we genuinely questioned if we were pushing him too hard, if we were doing the right thing. But we kept him going. My brother being his coach helped, but honestly it was just us trusting that something would click eventually. And then in year 4, it did. He found his training partner, made real friends at the gym. Suddenly he was asking when his next class was. Going to support his teammates at competitions even when he wasn't competing himself. This year, the transformation was complete. His teacher went from calling us weekly to pulling us aside asking what we did. The fidgety, unfocused kid who couldn't sit still was competing in tournaments, winning medals, excelling at school, and genuinely looking forward to training. Here's what we got wrong for years: we kept trying to calm him down. Turns out, he didn't need calming.. he needed somewhere to put that energy. Other sports just tired him out. BJJ gave him an outlet that required both physical exhaustion and mental focus. And here's the thing few people talk about: BJJ is teaching him to lose. Not avoid failure but to face it. He still gets frustrated sometimes, still has moments where the tears come after a tough roll or a competition loss. But he's getting better at it. He processes it faster now, gets back up quicker. Most kids' activities try to avoid failure or sugarcoat it. BJJ makes you face it every single class and there's no hiding from it. That resilience is slowly building, and it's showing up everywhere. Homework frustrations don't spiral like they used to. Mistakes are becoming learning opportunities instead of total meltdowns. And he's even getting better at maths due to his concentration levels improving. If your kid can't sit still, can't focus, struggles with sleep, and school is calling home weekly do give BJJ a shot before assuming it's just who they are. Not for the discipline but for the outlet. The discipline comes later. Here's my son at his last competition. That's the kid who couldn't sit still for 5 minutes.

373,208 views

My daily swimmaxing routine: - every morning before work, 7am, 30 min - another one in the evening after work, 7-8pm - best stress relief I’ve found (on par with lifting) - bad day just dissolves once I’m in the water - sleep is deeper, next day I’ve more energy - also for me salty water helps more vs fresh water so I stick to the sea/ocean when I can, but in winter a pool will do too Took a while to build the habit (sometimes I feel lazy) but now I can’t skip it. The video is from this morning.

My daily swimmaxing routine: - every morning before work, 7am, 30 min - another one in the evening after work, 7-8pm - best stress relief I’ve found (on par with lifting) - bad day just dissolves once I’m in the water - sleep is deeper, next day I’ve more energy - also for me salty water helps more vs fresh water so I stick to the sea/ocean when I can, but in winter a pool will do too Took a while to build the habit (sometimes I feel lazy) but now I can’t skip it. The video is from this morning.

39,227 views

Varenna - you have no right to be that beautiful

Varenna - you have no right to be that beautiful

59,823 views

A bit of style with wifey tonight. -best friends -good food -nice music

A bit of style with wifey tonight. -best friends -good food -nice music

43,520 views

Forget Mykonos and the Amalfi, Ibiza is the place to visit this summer

Forget Mykonos and the Amalfi, Ibiza is the place to visit this summer

35,435 views

Anyone looking for a multi-unit property in Portugal? - 1,5 hrs from Lisbon - direct from owner - 3 separate living units - saltwater pool Dm for more info/owner intro.

Anyone looking for a multi-unit property in Portugal? - 1,5 hrs from Lisbon - direct from owner - 3 separate living units - saltwater pool Dm for more info/owner intro.

23,025 views

Montserrat Monastery, about an hour from Barcelona. Everyone queues for Sagrada Familia where it costs ~€30 and you’re packed shoulder to shoulder with tourists, but Catalans come here instead and it’s free for residents and €11 for tourists. It’s 1,000 years old, built into a mountain at 1,200 meters, with 70 Benedictine monks still living here and one of Europe’s oldest boys’ choirs. The Black Madonna (Virgin of Montserrat) is Catalunya’s patron saint, so this is where locals come for baptisms, first communions, and Christmas with their families. On a clear day you can see all of Catalunya from the top and sometimes even Mallorca. Happy holidays to you all.

Montserrat Monastery, about an hour from Barcelona. Everyone queues for Sagrada Familia where it costs ~€30 and you’re packed shoulder to shoulder with tourists, but Catalans come here instead and it’s free for residents and €11 for tourists. It’s 1,000 years old, built into a mountain at 1,200 meters, with 70 Benedictine monks still living here and one of Europe’s oldest boys’ choirs. The Black Madonna (Virgin of Montserrat) is Catalunya’s patron saint, so this is where locals come for baptisms, first communions, and Christmas with their families. On a clear day you can see all of Catalunya from the top and sometimes even Mallorca. Happy holidays to you all.

127,894 views

Do you know why I love Barcelona? Because only in Barcelona can you stumble into all of this in one single Saturday. We started at Palau de la Música Catalana for Madama Butterfly. It's the only concert hall in Europe lit completely by daylight, through a stained glass dome built in 1908. After we walked outside, we noticed a big gathering of people, so we headed to see what was going on. A helicopter was circling the Cathedral square, dropping thousands of small poems out of the sky. Half written by Catalan poets, half by Chilean ones. I didn't know what it was at the time, but I researched it after, and it's a one-time art project called "Bombardeig de Poemes," marking 50 years since the end of the Franco dictatorship. Then, a few streets over, we found the Kiss mural. From far away, it's two people kissing. Up close, it's 4,000 individual photo tiles, each one sent in by a local back in 2014. Had no idea what it was, but apparently it's one of the most photographed spots in the city. Finally, ended the night at the Magic Fountain in Montjuïc. Built in 1929, it's free every night it runs. None of this was planned. We didn't look any of it up beforehand, we just walked into it. That's also the annoying part, you can't plan a day like this. This is why I'll never get tired of this city.

Do you know why I love Barcelona? Because only in Barcelona can you stumble into all of this in one single Saturday. We started at Palau de la Música Catalana for Madama Butterfly. It's the only concert hall in Europe lit completely by daylight, through a stained glass dome built in 1908. After we walked outside, we noticed a big gathering of people, so we headed to see what was going on. A helicopter was circling the Cathedral square, dropping thousands of small poems out of the sky. Half written by Catalan poets, half by Chilean ones. I didn't know what it was at the time, but I researched it after, and it's a one-time art project called "Bombardeig de Poemes," marking 50 years since the end of the Franco dictatorship. Then, a few streets over, we found the Kiss mural. From far away, it's two people kissing. Up close, it's 4,000 individual photo tiles, each one sent in by a local back in 2014. Had no idea what it was, but apparently it's one of the most photographed spots in the city. Finally, ended the night at the Magic Fountain in Montjuïc. Built in 1929, it's free every night it runs. None of this was planned. We didn't look any of it up beforehand, we just walked into it. That's also the annoying part, you can't plan a day like this. This is why I'll never get tired of this city.

28,978 views

Spain can also be like this. That’s 2 hours away from Barcelona by the way.

Spain can also be like this. That’s 2 hours away from Barcelona by the way.

52,354 views

I think I found the best beach in Ibiza. The views, the jumping spot, the food. All ridiculous.

I think I found the best beach in Ibiza. The views, the jumping spot, the food. All ridiculous.

15,002 views

Took a bit of a break for the past week or so to celebrate my birthday, spend time with the family, travel and create memories. Back to talking about European real estate from tomorrow as well as share some amazing deals. What country should I start with?

Took a bit of a break for the past week or so to celebrate my birthday, spend time with the family, travel and create memories. Back to talking about European real estate from tomorrow as well as share some amazing deals. What country should I start with?

13,532 views

Two weeks in Catalunya and Southern France: Monastery in the mountains one day, skiing the Pyrenees the next, swimming in the Mediterranean on first day of the year, and eating unlimited lobster at a buffet in a bowling alley. All within a few hours’ drive of where we live in Costa Brava and one of the reasons we chose this place to settle down. Amazing time with friends and family but back to grinding now. Let’s goo

Two weeks in Catalunya and Southern France: Monastery in the mountains one day, skiing the Pyrenees the next, swimming in the Mediterranean on first day of the year, and eating unlimited lobster at a buffet in a bowling alley. All within a few hours’ drive of where we live in Costa Brava and one of the reasons we chose this place to settle down. Amazing time with friends and family but back to grinding now. Let’s goo

12,974 views

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These 4 Aussie mates said no to a $1M mortgage back home, flew to Sicily and bought a €1 house. Ofc, they started documenting the renovation process on IG and grew their account from 0 to 385k followers in about 3 weeks. Very cool to watch and, imagine the energy and attention they brought to Salemi (a little town in northwestern Sicily). (ig: theoneeurodream)

These 4 Aussie mates said no to a $1M mortgage back home, flew to Sicily and bought a €1 house. Ofc, they started documenting the renovation process on IG and grew their account from 0 to 385k followers in about 3 weeks. Very cool to watch and, imagine the energy and attention they brought to Salemi (a little town in northwestern Sicily). (ig: theoneeurodream)

6,250,618 views • 26 days ago

Spain has the longest motorway network in Europe, 17,228km, and most of it is free to drive. I’m 400km into a drive from the Costa Brava to Bilbao and I’ve paid nothing so far. - Catalonia got rid of its main motorway tolls in 2021 = €0 all the way to Zaragoza - the only paid stretch is the AP-68 into Bilbao, €39.90, and most of that goes free on 11 Nov when the concession expires - did a few thousand km in France and Italy this summer, and it’s at least €100 in tolls per 1000km there - btw, Spanish roads are of a better quality than both French and Italian and the drive feels much nicer too - and they are pretty empty too (done this exact trip about 10 times) Driving in Spain is massively underrated.

Spain has the longest motorway network in Europe, 17,228km, and most of it is free to drive. I’m 400km into a drive from the Costa Brava to Bilbao and I’ve paid nothing so far. - Catalonia got rid of its main motorway tolls in 2021 = €0 all the way to Zaragoza - the only paid stretch is the AP-68 into Bilbao, €39.90, and most of that goes free on 11 Nov when the concession expires - did a few thousand km in France and Italy this summer, and it’s at least €100 in tolls per 1000km there - btw, Spanish roads are of a better quality than both French and Italian and the drive feels much nicer too - and they are pretty empty too (done this exact trip about 10 times) Driving in Spain is massively underrated.

1,162,538 views • 12 days ago

Took the Girona to Madrid train this morning, and I don't think I'll fly domestically in Spain again. - 07:23 out of Girona, arrived Barcelona Sants 08:04 (right on the dot). - 21 min connection in Sants. I would never risk that anywhere else (except maybe in Switzerland or Japan). - 08:25 out of Barcelona, and we lost about 20 min on the way due to speed restrictions on the line. Renfe emailed me the new arrival time and arrived at Madrid Atocha at 11:38. - €102.10 return. So €51 each way for 700km, city centre to city centre. - AC, wifi (not the best of speeds though), and I booked a quiet carriage (best €0 upgrade). - no need to come to the station 2 hours in advance. I arrived 15 mins before departure and had time to locate my platform and train. - there's also a cafe on the train, in case you want to grab a coffee or snack (€7.20 for a sambo+coffee). To fly this I'd have to get to El Prat first, do the whole airport thing, then Barajas into the centre. Around 6 hours door to door, a 4am alarm and for more money probably. Btw, Spain has the biggest high speed network in Europe and the second biggest in the world after China. Once you use it properly, you can't go back. Very impressed.

Took the Girona to Madrid train this morning, and I don't think I'll fly domestically in Spain again. - 07:23 out of Girona, arrived Barcelona Sants 08:04 (right on the dot). - 21 min connection in Sants. I would never risk that anywhere else (except maybe in Switzerland or Japan). - 08:25 out of Barcelona, and we lost about 20 min on the way due to speed restrictions on the line. Renfe emailed me the new arrival time and arrived at Madrid Atocha at 11:38. - €102.10 return. So €51 each way for 700km, city centre to city centre. - AC, wifi (not the best of speeds though), and I booked a quiet carriage (best €0 upgrade). - no need to come to the station 2 hours in advance. I arrived 15 mins before departure and had time to locate my platform and train. - there's also a cafe on the train, in case you want to grab a coffee or snack (€7.20 for a sambo+coffee). To fly this I'd have to get to El Prat first, do the whole airport thing, then Barajas into the centre. Around 6 hours door to door, a 4am alarm and for more money probably. Btw, Spain has the biggest high speed network in Europe and the second biggest in the world after China. Once you use it properly, you can't go back. Very impressed.

1,010,287 views • 1 month ago

My 4 day Ibiza trip has come to an end and here are my thoughts: - you don’t need to be a millionaire to holiday there. We stayed in a 3 star hotel with better views than Nobu - food is soo good everywhere. Our hotel restaurant had a menu del dia (3 course meal) for €21 p/p and it was top - if you are comfortable on 2 wheels get a Vespa and explore the island. You won’t regret it - beaches/coast/restaurants/clubs/sunsets/vibe/things to do are second to none - clubbing: Hi Ibiza is okish, UNIVRS is wow, Cova Santa is v. cool. Prices for beverages are crazy (we paid €38 for 2 small bottles of water). David Guetta remains the goat! - people: most are well dressed, stylish and fit but clubs are full of drug users too - safety: felt safe at all times everywhere we went and surprised to see so little police Overall 10/10 and the memories you’ll create will stay with you for life.

My 4 day Ibiza trip has come to an end and here are my thoughts: - you don’t need to be a millionaire to holiday there. We stayed in a 3 star hotel with better views than Nobu - food is soo good everywhere. Our hotel restaurant had a menu del dia (3 course meal) for €21 p/p and it was top - if you are comfortable on 2 wheels get a Vespa and explore the island. You won’t regret it - beaches/coast/restaurants/clubs/sunsets/vibe/things to do are second to none - clubbing: Hi Ibiza is okish, UNIVRS is wow, Cova Santa is v. cool. Prices for beverages are crazy (we paid €38 for 2 small bottles of water). David Guetta remains the goat! - people: most are well dressed, stylish and fit but clubs are full of drug users too - safety: felt safe at all times everywhere we went and surprised to see so little police Overall 10/10 and the memories you’ll create will stay with you for life.

1,110,905 views • 2 months ago

I would take the ferry vs a plane to Spain from Ireland anytime. Takes 2 nights at sea to reach Bilbao vs 2,5 hrs flight but it’s totally worth it. Cost wise is exactly the same as the flight would’ve been (€1,200) but then we’d need to rent a car, pay for baggage, deal with airport stress with kids and so on. This way we just packed the car with everything we need for three weeks. No limits and no stress. Kids (and us too) are treating it like an adventure. We’ve got restaurants, entertainment, our own cabin with bathroom, tv with preloaded movies and beds. There is even an open air small gym on the deck. This is how we’re doing Christmas this year. Should I do a quick tour of the cabin and some parts of the ferry tomorrow? I’ll have plenty of time over the weekend 😃

I would take the ferry vs a plane to Spain from Ireland anytime. Takes 2 nights at sea to reach Bilbao vs 2,5 hrs flight but it’s totally worth it. Cost wise is exactly the same as the flight would’ve been (€1,200) but then we’d need to rent a car, pay for baggage, deal with airport stress with kids and so on. This way we just packed the car with everything we need for three weeks. No limits and no stress. Kids (and us too) are treating it like an adventure. We’ve got restaurants, entertainment, our own cabin with bathroom, tv with preloaded movies and beds. There is even an open air small gym on the deck. This is how we’re doing Christmas this year. Should I do a quick tour of the cabin and some parts of the ferry tomorrow? I’ll have plenty of time over the weekend 😃

4,909,382 views • 8 months ago

We do this trip a few times a year now. Ireland to Spain, by ferry, instead of taking the plane. The cost for a one way trip is ~€500. A flight would’ve been cheaper, maybe €150 to €200, but then you’re adding bag fees, a rental car once you land, and time lost to airports on both ends. By the time you add it all up it’s not actually that different, and you still arrive with nothing but a suitcase. Takes about 28 hrs instead of a 2.5 hour flight. But we’ve got restaurants, a cabin with a bathroom/tv, an open deck with a small gym area and kids playground, they even have a band playing music, and the kids treat it like a holiday rather than a way to get there. Totally recommend, especially during summer.

We do this trip a few times a year now. Ireland to Spain, by ferry, instead of taking the plane. The cost for a one way trip is ~€500. A flight would’ve been cheaper, maybe €150 to €200, but then you’re adding bag fees, a rental car once you land, and time lost to airports on both ends. By the time you add it all up it’s not actually that different, and you still arrive with nothing but a suitcase. Takes about 28 hrs instead of a 2.5 hour flight. But we’ve got restaurants, a cabin with a bathroom/tv, an open deck with a small gym area and kids playground, they even have a band playing music, and the kids treat it like a holiday rather than a way to get there. Totally recommend, especially during summer.

1,138,966 views • 2 months ago

So here’s what €1,200 for 4 people and a car on this ferry actually gets you: Private cabin, 4 beds, bathroom, TV with movies, window looking out to sea. Plus restaurants, entertainment, open deck. Kids are treating it like a hotel. We’re 14 hours in and they haven’t asked ‘are we there yet’ once.

So here’s what €1,200 for 4 people and a car on this ferry actually gets you: Private cabin, 4 beds, bathroom, TV with movies, window looking out to sea. Plus restaurants, entertainment, open deck. Kids are treating it like a hotel. We’re 14 hours in and they haven’t asked ‘are we there yet’ once.

3,476,303 views • 8 months ago

Booked the VIP Lounge at Barcelona's El Prat airport for the first time through Revolut. €74 for 2 - €16 Metal plan discount - €14.04 RevPoints Total: €43.96 AC, comfortable and chill working areas, unlimited food, drinks, snacks. Feels like a bargain and no idea why I didn't do it before.

Booked the VIP Lounge at Barcelona's El Prat airport for the first time through Revolut. €74 for 2 - €16 Metal plan discount - €14.04 RevPoints Total: €43.96 AC, comfortable and chill working areas, unlimited food, drinks, snacks. Feels like a bargain and no idea why I didn't do it before.

623,643 views • 2 months ago

Madrid people are really cool. Another X person Morales saw that I'm in the city (and probably that my fashion sense sucks) and offered to give me a tour of the high-fashion district. We visited a few stores, but the coolest one was Casa Sartorial, run by two young lads - Christian and Adolfo (video). You can see in the pic my style vs the style of the 2 Madrileños. I urgently need to up my game, but it was a great experience hearing their stories, what they do for a living and so on. Carlos runs a free local newsletter covering fashion and the best spots to eat and drink in the city. It's in Spanish for now but he promised to switch to English soon, so if that's your kind of thing, give him a follow. I'll also drop his newsletter in comments. Time to head back home. Nos vemos pronto Madrid! (as always this is not a paid post. Simply sharing my experience and the beauty of life).

Madrid people are really cool. Another X person Morales saw that I'm in the city (and probably that my fashion sense sucks) and offered to give me a tour of the high-fashion district. We visited a few stores, but the coolest one was Casa Sartorial, run by two young lads - Christian and Adolfo (video). You can see in the pic my style vs the style of the 2 Madrileños. I urgently need to up my game, but it was a great experience hearing their stories, what they do for a living and so on. Carlos runs a free local newsletter covering fashion and the best spots to eat and drink in the city. It's in Spanish for now but he promised to switch to English soon, so if that's your kind of thing, give him a follow. I'll also drop his newsletter in comments. Time to head back home. Nos vemos pronto Madrid! (as always this is not a paid post. Simply sharing my experience and the beauty of life).

307,422 views • 1 month ago

Getting pulled over in Italy be like..

Getting pulled over in Italy be like..

1,013,837 views • 11 months ago

Christmas Eve dinner with the family and we’re at a buffet in a bowling alley that’s harder to book than most Michelin restaurants. Les Grands Buffets in Narbonne, France, shares a parking lot with a bowling alley and swimming pool, but this buffet received 2.3 million booking requests last year so you need to book months in advance. The inside is really cool, it’s like a 19th century palace serving 150 Auguste Escoffier recipes all unlimited, with a lobster cascade, 111 different cheeses (Guinness World Record), 9 types of foie gras, and 50 desserts made by 7 pastry chefs. €66 per person with wine at producer prices, and you are greeted like royalty. Also The New Yorker called it “the hottest restaurant in France.” The place is packed with French and Spanish families on Christmas Eve and you can see why people treat this as somewhere to celebrate something special. Have a blessed Christmas!

Christmas Eve dinner with the family and we’re at a buffet in a bowling alley that’s harder to book than most Michelin restaurants. Les Grands Buffets in Narbonne, France, shares a parking lot with a bowling alley and swimming pool, but this buffet received 2.3 million booking requests last year so you need to book months in advance. The inside is really cool, it’s like a 19th century palace serving 150 Auguste Escoffier recipes all unlimited, with a lobster cascade, 111 different cheeses (Guinness World Record), 9 types of foie gras, and 50 desserts made by 7 pastry chefs. €66 per person with wine at producer prices, and you are greeted like royalty. Also The New Yorker called it “the hottest restaurant in France.” The place is packed with French and Spanish families on Christmas Eve and you can see why people treat this as somewhere to celebrate something special. Have a blessed Christmas!

640,096 views • 8 months ago

My 3 day Tuscany trip has come to an end and here are my thoughts: - you can still do Florence cheap. Our hotel was €45 a night in August. Nothing special but slept like a baby - Florence remains one of the most beautiful places on earth. Clean, doesn’t smell. Best way to avoid the crowds is stay away from the busy spots in the morning and go out in the evenings. Museums are closed, tourists are tired and back at their hotels - super hot and humid. August is certainly not the best time to visit - driving is easy. Rented an AT Citroen C3, €72.94 total. Roads aren’t the best (comparing to Spain) so be careful, but they’re empty. Probably the locals are all by the water - best Florentine steak I had was at Regina Bistecca. Massive t-bone Chianina at 9:45pm as they had not free table earlier. €115 for the steak, sides and water, worth every cent - Grosseto hotel was €110 p/n, 4 star but had a shitty AC so I slept with the window open and got destroyed by mosquitoes. Very little sleep that night - Siena: an absolute must visit and my favourite place in Tuscany. Do the Palio if you can - Grosseto: only spent the night so can’t say much. Compared to the rest of the region I thought it was mid - Arezzo: what a classy and gorgeous area. Saw a few farmhouses there, all neat and in good condition. Can still find good deals - Montone (and Umbria in general): if you love Tuscany and are looking to buy, take a look at this region. Still undiscovered and there’s real money going in. The road improved noticeably the second I crossed over from Tuscany, and Montone beautifully restored Overall 9/10, just go in May or September/October instead. Think that’s it.. oh the video is of a Tuscan vineyard in Arezzo.

My 3 day Tuscany trip has come to an end and here are my thoughts: - you can still do Florence cheap. Our hotel was €45 a night in August. Nothing special but slept like a baby - Florence remains one of the most beautiful places on earth. Clean, doesn’t smell. Best way to avoid the crowds is stay away from the busy spots in the morning and go out in the evenings. Museums are closed, tourists are tired and back at their hotels - super hot and humid. August is certainly not the best time to visit - driving is easy. Rented an AT Citroen C3, €72.94 total. Roads aren’t the best (comparing to Spain) so be careful, but they’re empty. Probably the locals are all by the water - best Florentine steak I had was at Regina Bistecca. Massive t-bone Chianina at 9:45pm as they had not free table earlier. €115 for the steak, sides and water, worth every cent - Grosseto hotel was €110 p/n, 4 star but had a shitty AC so I slept with the window open and got destroyed by mosquitoes. Very little sleep that night - Siena: an absolute must visit and my favourite place in Tuscany. Do the Palio if you can - Grosseto: only spent the night so can’t say much. Compared to the rest of the region I thought it was mid - Arezzo: what a classy and gorgeous area. Saw a few farmhouses there, all neat and in good condition. Can still find good deals - Montone (and Umbria in general): if you love Tuscany and are looking to buy, take a look at this region. Still undiscovered and there’s real money going in. The road improved noticeably the second I crossed over from Tuscany, and Montone beautifully restored Overall 9/10, just go in May or September/October instead. Think that’s it.. oh the video is of a Tuscan vineyard in Arezzo.

77,653 views • 1 month ago

Our friends from Canada are visiting and they asked us to take them to an interesting place. So we drove for 2 hours (Spain-> France) to Leucate's oyster village. It's basically a big working oyster farm, where local producers raise and sell Mediterranean oysters directly from their huts. These are not Michelin-star restaurants, but family owned small farms and the only food they serve is bread and raw seafood (prawns, oysters, mussels, clams, shrimps, and whelks). And of course French wine. yum!

Our friends from Canada are visiting and they asked us to take them to an interesting place. So we drove for 2 hours (Spain-> France) to Leucate's oyster village. It's basically a big working oyster farm, where local producers raise and sell Mediterranean oysters directly from their huts. These are not Michelin-star restaurants, but family owned small farms and the only food they serve is bread and raw seafood (prawns, oysters, mussels, clams, shrimps, and whelks). And of course French wine. yum!

100,275 views • 1 month ago

Spanish summer: spend all Saturday at the beach, then accidentally stumble into a DJ set at the local chiringuito.

Spanish summer: spend all Saturday at the beach, then accidentally stumble into a DJ set at the local chiringuito.

101,588 views • 1 month ago

On the Lecco side of Lake Como today. Viewed a few properties for clients and checked out a hotel that’s up for sale (send me a dm if interested). Most people picture Bellagio when they think of this lake. But Lecco is quieter, fewer day-trippers and tour boats. It’s a working town with people living here year round, a direct train to Milano and not as pricey. Video is the beach right by the hotel, a couple minutes on foot from the door. Went for a dip and the water was majestic.

On the Lecco side of Lake Como today. Viewed a few properties for clients and checked out a hotel that’s up for sale (send me a dm if interested). Most people picture Bellagio when they think of this lake. But Lecco is quieter, fewer day-trippers and tour boats. It’s a working town with people living here year round, a direct train to Milano and not as pricey. Video is the beach right by the hotel, a couple minutes on foot from the door. Went for a dip and the water was majestic.

117,123 views • 2 months ago

Costa Brava has hundreds of small coves along its coast and this morning we paddled to one of them, Sa Caleta in S’Agaró. About 15 meters long and 15 wide and with a rocky seabed which is why the water is so clear and it’s perfect for snorkelling. There’s also an old stone embarcadero at the end of it which adds to the beauty of it. Ibiza and Mallorca are super popular for this kind of coastline, but Costa Brava has the same but still largely undiscovered I feel?

Costa Brava has hundreds of small coves along its coast and this morning we paddled to one of them, Sa Caleta in S’Agaró. About 15 meters long and 15 wide and with a rocky seabed which is why the water is so clear and it’s perfect for snorkelling. There’s also an old stone embarcadero at the end of it which adds to the beauty of it. Ibiza and Mallorca are super popular for this kind of coastline, but Costa Brava has the same but still largely undiscovered I feel?

70,220 views • 1 month ago

Glorious day here in the Bay of Biscay. Slept for 10 hrs continuously. For some reason I always sleep like a baby on ferries. Went out for some sun and fresh air and maybe some cardio but the exercise area was full of kids and parents. Something else happened that I’ve never seen before. A helicopter landed on the ferry yesterday (you can see the helipad in the 3rd pic). Apparently someone got sick and they came to fly them to the hospital. Good to know you have this service available in case of emergencies. Anyway, getting ready to arrive at Port Bilbao soon 🇪🇸

Glorious day here in the Bay of Biscay. Slept for 10 hrs continuously. For some reason I always sleep like a baby on ferries. Went out for some sun and fresh air and maybe some cardio but the exercise area was full of kids and parents. Something else happened that I’ve never seen before. A helicopter landed on the ferry yesterday (you can see the helipad in the 3rd pic). Apparently someone got sick and they came to fly them to the hospital. Good to know you have this service available in case of emergencies. Anyway, getting ready to arrive at Port Bilbao soon 🇪🇸

119,215 views • 2 months ago

Day one on the ferry to Spain. They’ve got live music, wine quizzes, Christmas crafts for kids, a crew show, morning stretch on deck and so on. Meanwhile Airlines charges you €12 for a soggy sandwich and tells you to sit down. The ferry cost the same as flying would’ve (€1,200 return for a family of 4). This is why we chose the 2-night ferry over the 2.5 hour flight. It’s not just transport, it’s actually part of the holiday. One more night at sea then we dock in Bilbao tomorrow morning.

Day one on the ferry to Spain. They’ve got live music, wine quizzes, Christmas crafts for kids, a crew show, morning stretch on deck and so on. Meanwhile Airlines charges you €12 for a soggy sandwich and tells you to sit down. The ferry cost the same as flying would’ve (€1,200 return for a family of 4). This is why we chose the 2-night ferry over the 2.5 hour flight. It’s not just transport, it’s actually part of the holiday. One more night at sea then we dock in Bilbao tomorrow morning.

265,470 views • 8 months ago

This week we've been having calls with everyone who's already booked for our Italy retreat in October, asking what they actually want to get out of it. Most of them aren't moving to Italy permanently. They want a base for the rest of Europe where they could spend a few months resting and travelling. Some questions that kept popping up: - residency, how it works, what you're allowed without one, what changes if you get one - who looks after the property while you're not there - what's off-market and how you'd ever find it - why the price you see online isn't always the price locals pay We take everything from these calls and build the sessions around it. By the time the retreat ends, you'll know whether Italy's the right move for you and if it is, exactly how to do it. If this is of interest, we still have a few spots remaining. Link with all info is in comments below. Dates: October 13-17 Location: Tuscany p.s. video is of the retreat venue I took while visiting earlier this month :)

This week we've been having calls with everyone who's already booked for our Italy retreat in October, asking what they actually want to get out of it. Most of them aren't moving to Italy permanently. They want a base for the rest of Europe where they could spend a few months resting and travelling. Some questions that kept popping up: - residency, how it works, what you're allowed without one, what changes if you get one - who looks after the property while you're not there - what's off-market and how you'd ever find it - why the price you see online isn't always the price locals pay We take everything from these calls and build the sessions around it. By the time the retreat ends, you'll know whether Italy's the right move for you and if it is, exactly how to do it. If this is of interest, we still have a few spots remaining. Link with all info is in comments below. Dates: October 13-17 Location: Tuscany p.s. video is of the retreat venue I took while visiting earlier this month :)

28,759 views • 25 days ago

We've spent the past few months building the structure for our Italy property retreat in October, and I wanted to share it since some of you have been asking. It's built around five questions, one per day: Day 1 is arrival and framing. Everyone shares their goal, budget, timeline, and where in Italy they're looking, right at the welcome dinner. That becomes the raw material for everything after. Day 2 is status. Can you legally be here, residency routes, taxes, buying as a private individual vs through an Italian company. Day 3 is viewings. What your budget actually buys and what it costs to maintain, seeing real properties in person and asking the agent directly. Day 4 is money, build, earn. Financing as a non-resident, how the purchase process works, renovating, and what a property can realistically earn if you rent it out. Day 5 closes the loop. Everyone leaves with their own plan, a clear understanding of whether buying in Italy is for them and a way to stay connected after the week ends. Whole thing runs 13-17 October at the agriturismo in Val di Chiana, Tuscany. Plenty of time built in for aperitivos, lunch at the local osteria, cooking classes, wine tastings, etc. We've got a few spots left and I'll drop the link in comments. p.s. you can see in the video a small part of the venue that includes a gym, pool, restaurant and 360 views of the beautiful Tuscan countryside 😍

We've spent the past few months building the structure for our Italy property retreat in October, and I wanted to share it since some of you have been asking. It's built around five questions, one per day: Day 1 is arrival and framing. Everyone shares their goal, budget, timeline, and where in Italy they're looking, right at the welcome dinner. That becomes the raw material for everything after. Day 2 is status. Can you legally be here, residency routes, taxes, buying as a private individual vs through an Italian company. Day 3 is viewings. What your budget actually buys and what it costs to maintain, seeing real properties in person and asking the agent directly. Day 4 is money, build, earn. Financing as a non-resident, how the purchase process works, renovating, and what a property can realistically earn if you rent it out. Day 5 closes the loop. Everyone leaves with their own plan, a clear understanding of whether buying in Italy is for them and a way to stay connected after the week ends. Whole thing runs 13-17 October at the agriturismo in Val di Chiana, Tuscany. Plenty of time built in for aperitivos, lunch at the local osteria, cooking classes, wine tastings, etc. We've got a few spots left and I'll drop the link in comments. p.s. you can see in the video a small part of the venue that includes a gym, pool, restaurant and 360 views of the beautiful Tuscan countryside 😍

16,103 views • 13 days ago