But Jordan is not where I went. Jordan is where I\u2019m going next year.<\/p>\n
Long story short: I quit my job.<\/p>\n
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It wasn\u2019t stimulating. It wasn\u2019t making me happy, quite the opposite in fact. So I needed a break. I needed to escape. And I needed to do it before November. Back to the drawing board. Back to Flash Pack. \u2018What have they got?\u2019 I thought. \u2018Now.\u2019<\/p>\n
And low and behold, there it was. A long weekend in Spain<\/a>, careering around the mountains above Madrid on a Vespa. Yes. A VESPA! So what that I\u2019ve never driven one? So what that I\u2019ve never even been on the back of a two-wheeled motorised vehicle? This is exactly what I need in my life.<\/p>\n Read more: Why every man should take a sabbatical once in his life<\/a><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n Four days later I was on a plane heading for 37\u00b0C!<\/p>\n As soon as we boarded the minibus, I knew this was going to be a good few days. It turned out that none of the ten of us had ridden a Vespa before so we were all in the same boat \u2013 excited and nervous \u2013 and hoping not to fall off. We arrived in Tamajon and I was introduced to my trusty steed. It took a couple of goes around the village square to get the hang of it, then we were let loose to cause havoc in this quiet, sleepy community.<\/p>\n Our first jaunt en mass was a 5km ride to a lovely little bar where we were allowed one non-alcoholic beer each. By the time we returned I felt like Audrey Hepburn in Roman Holiday. I had overcome my fears and mastered these shiny yellow wheels.<\/p>\n That evening was spent in our beautiful little guesthouse where our host Elena provided an exquisite meal. Long after she\u2019d gone to bed, we made the most of the delicious local wine and continued putting the world to rights well into the night.<\/p>\n Read more: Being single makes you a brilliant traveller<\/a><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n Day two and we zoomed off into the mountains on a 100km expedition. The roads twisted and turned, getting increasingly higher and cooler. Smells of the surrounding forest and wildflowers filled the air as I cruised along, dust in my wake, wind in my hair (well, whistling through my helmet).<\/p>\n The following days just got better from there on.<\/p>\n I could go on for pages about the fun, laughter, shenanigans, side stories, history, castles, scenery, food, secret natural swimming pools\u2026 but in the end, it was the people that made this trip. You know when you just click? There\u2019s no false pretences, no airs and graces. Just genuine, great people that mean the next four days is only the beginning of our friendship.<\/p>\n We had come from all different walks of life, from all across the globe, but for these few days we came together as a pack. We even changed travel plans to extend our adventures together and are still sharing travel advice and planning reunions in various different continents.<\/p>\n I have been on so many solo holidays \u2013 and I mean solo \u2013 that it was such a revelation to go solo and come back with so many friends.<\/p>\n Since returning, I’m now not the only one of us to have quit their job… let’s just say your perspective is that bit clearer up in the Spanish mountains!<\/p>\n Emily is a London-based home chef and loves food, travel, spontaneity and randomness. Find her delicious Sunday Lunch Club<\/a> here<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/Vespa-Group-Adventure-1024x768.jpg\")
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