The Trekking Pawns' Diary

  Remember our homemade electrolyte experiment? In our last Trekking Pawns adventure, we discovered that LMNT has a recipe for making its electrolyte drink mix at home. The recipe looked simple enough: salt, potassium chloride, magnesium malate, water, and whatever flavoring we wanted. So naturally, we had to try it. And this time, we're reporting back with the results! Spoiler alert: It was ridiculously easy. And perhaps more surprisingly... 30 servings took up way less space than we expected. 🛒 The Shopping Trip Our mission was to get the ingredients we needed without spending a fortune. We purchased: 🧂 Potassium chloride — 1 kilogram 💊 Magnesium malate — 1 kilogram ⚖️ Digital food scale 💰 Total spent: approximately $70 We did not buy sodium chloride. Why? Because we already had a giant container of Himalayan salt sitting in the pantry from Costco. And honestly, it seemed a little silly to buy another container of salt when we already had enough to season approximately 14...

 One of the questions I always ask before traveling internationally is: “How much cash do we actually need?” I don't love carrying a lot of cash when we travel. It's one more thing to keep track of, and if it gets lost, stolen, or accidentally left behind somewhere, there's no handy little "freeze card" button for it. On the other hand, I also don't want to be standing at a tiny tapas bar with a plate of delicious food in front of me while someone tells me, “Cash only.” 😳 So as we prepare for our fall trip to Barcelona, Spain , I decided to investigate. And the good news? 🇪🇸 Barcelona looks VERY credit-card friendly. Spain's official tourism site says Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted, and cards or mobile payments are accepted at most shops, restaurants, hotels and museums. Even better, Spain has been moving strongly toward contactless payments. The Bank of Spain reports that contactless transactions accounted for 93.7% of face-to-face ca...

 Apparently, yes! As travelers, we are always looking for ways to save money, pack smarter, and make things ourselves when it actually makes sense. Electrolyte drink packets are one of those little travel conveniences that can add up quickly—especially when you're buying them for long flights, hot-weather adventures, hiking days, cruises, or just trying to stay hydrated while wandering around a new city. So when we came across LMNT's recipe for making its electrolyte drink mix at home, we had one of those classic Trekking Pawns moments: "Wait... we can make that ourselves?" We found the ingredients online, grabbed a kitchen scale, and decided to give DIY electrolytes a try! The original LMNT homemade electrolyte recipe is surprisingly simple. The recipe uses just three electrolyte ingredients, and then you can add water and whatever flavoring you like. LMNT says its homemade formula is designed to provide approximately 1,000 mg sodium, 200 mg potassium, and 60 mg ma...

 The Trekking Pawns are heading back to Europe! This time, we’re setting our sights on Barcelona, Spain , and we’re planning to visit in the fall. And honestly, I think fall might be one of the best times to experience this city. Barcelona has so much going on that I already know we’re going to have a difficult time deciding what to do first. Architecture? Absolutely. Food? Obviously. Beaches? Yes, please. Wandering through old neighborhoods with no particular destination? Probably one of our favorite activities. And because we’re The Trekking Pawns, we also want to see how much we can experience without spending a fortune . 🍂 Why Barcelona in the Fall? One of the biggest reasons I’m excited about visiting Barcelona in the fall is the weather. We’re looking at the late September/early October timeframe , when Barcelona is transitioning away from the intense summer heat. According to the Barcelona tourism office, average maximum temperatures are around 79°F in September and 69°F i...

 There are destinations that you visit once... and then there are destinations that stay with you forever. China is definitely one of those places. From the ancient stones of the Great Wall to the glittering skylines of Shanghai, peaceful bamboo forests, towering mountain ranges, adorable giant pandas, and some of the world's most incredible food—China is a country that surprises you around every corner. At The Trekking Pawns , we're always searching for unforgettable adventures that don't have to cost a fortune. That's why we're excited to share a fantastic way to save on your next Chinese adventure. Why China Should Be on Your Bucket List Whether you're an avid hiker, history enthusiast, foodie, or culture lover, China has something for everyone. Some of our favorite experiences include: 🏯 Walking along the breathtaking Great Wall of China 🐼 Meeting giant pandas in Chengdu 🌆 Exploring the futuristic skyline of Shanghai 🛶 Cruising the spectacular Li River ...

If you’re planning to stay in Barcelona for a few weeks or a full month, the T‑usual is one of the most affordable ways to get around. It gives you unlimited travel for 30 consecutive days across the city’s entire integrated public transport network, including the metro stations at Barcelona Airport . For frequent riders, it’s easily the best value pass available. What the T‑usual Is The T‑usual is a personal monthly pass that activates the first time you use it. From that moment, it’s valid for 30 days on the metro, buses, trams, FGC trains, and Rodalies commuter trains within the zones you choose. It’s designed for people who ride daily, but visitors staying long‑term can benefit just as much. Where You Can Buy It You can buy the T‑usual right when you land . Both airport metro stations— Aeroport T1 and T2 —have ticket machines that sell it. The machines accept cash or card, and you can load the pass onto a T‑mobilitat card or even your NFC‑enabled phone. If you prefer, you can al...

  If you’re heading to Barcelona and want to explore the city without stressing over transportation costs, the Hola BCN! Travel Card is about to become your new favorite travel buddy. Barcelona is a city best enjoyed by hopping between neighborhoods—Gothic Quarter mornings, beachy Barceloneta afternoons, and Montjuïc sunsets—and this pass makes it all wonderfully easy on your wallet. 💸 Why Budget Travelers Love It The Hola BCN! card gives you unlimited rides on Barcelona’s public transport for 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 consecutive days . That means you can ride the metro, buses, trams, and even the Montjuïc funicular as many times as you want. No fumbling for tickets, no calculating zones, no surprise costs. Even better? It includes your round‑trip metro ride to and from the airport , which already saves you money compared to buying separate airport tickets. 🚇 What’s Included Based on the official TMB information: Unlimited travel for 24–120 hours from first use Airport metro rides (bo...

  Barcelona is one of Europe’s easiest cities to navigate without a car. Its metro, buses, trams, and suburban trains are affordable, frequent, and well‑connected—making them ideal for travelers who want to save money while exploring the city. Below is everything you need to know before riding. 🚇 Public Transportation Options in Barcelona Barcelona’s network includes: Metro (subway) – Fastest way around the city; 12 lines covering nearly all major attractions. TMB Buses – Extensive coverage, great for short hops or areas not served by metro. Tram (Trambaix & Trambesòs) – Clean, modern, and useful for certain neighborhoods. Rodalies (Suburban Trains ) – Ideal for day trips or reaching outer districts. Night Buses (NitBus) – Run when the metro is closed. 💸 Current Ticket Prices & Pass Options (2026) Barcelona offers several passes depending on how often you plan to ride. Single & Occasional Use Tickets Single Ticket: €2.90 (1 zone) T‑Casual (10 rides): €13.00 (1...

  Why We’re Heading Back to Barcelona After wandering through charming streets, hunting down affordable eats, and trying our best to blend in with locals across Europe, we’ve decided it’s time to return to one of our favorite cities: Barcelona, Spain. Unlike our first visit, this trip isn't about checking famous landmarks off a bucket list. We've already stood in awe of the Sagrada Família , strolled down Las Ramblas, admired Gaudí's masterpieces, and visited the city's biggest attractions. This time, we're approaching Barcelona differently. As the Trekking Pawns, we're heading back with a slower pace and a local mindset . We want to spend our days discovering neighborhood cafés, lingering in public squares, exploring markets, and experiencing the rhythms of everyday life. Barcelona feels like the perfect city for that kind of adventure. Between its diverse neighborhoods, Mediterranean lifestyle, and excellent public transportation, it offers endless opportuniti...

Your Paw-sitively Fun Guide to Picking the Perfect Basecamp in Barcelona. We've been to Barcelona before, but just for a few days and saw all the tourists spots. It's been a couple years, thus now we are going back for a slower adventure and meet ups with locals!  Barcelona is one of those cities that grabs you by the heart, feeds you tapas, dazzles you with Gaudí architecture, and then whispers, “Stay a little longer…” But with so many neighborhoods and hotel styles, choosing where to stay can feel like trying to pick the best churro in a city full of churros. Fear not, fellow Pawns — we’ve scouted five great stays from our Expedia affiliate list and broken down the pros and cons for each. Whether you're chasing nightlife, beaches, culture, or easy metro access (because we’re rolling car-free), this guide has you covered. Pros & Cons Breakdown  ⭐ 1. Hotel Royal Passeig de Gracia — For the Culture Buffs Pros: Steps from Gaudí masterpieces Amazing rooftop bar Metro conn...