I'm an American who has lived in Spain for 7 years. I've spent the past 5 years in Murcia, and I've enjoyed continually connecting with the local community. In June 2026, I graduated from UCAM university with a Master's in Innovation and Marketing in Tourism.

I have an Instagram account "Murcia Secreto" where I create content that encourages slow and sustainable travel and living in the Region of Murcia, with a special focus on the capital city. I mostly share food-related posts, vowing never to (knowingly) promote non-Murcia chains or franchises.

My Instagram and everything that has come as a result-- friends I've made, lessons I've learned, experiences I've enjoyed-- paved the way for my Master thesis topic. Upon observing the need for English-speaking tourism support in the capital, particularly in the food and wine sector, I designed a gastronomic guide for the city of Murcia. The "Paparajote Passport" seeks to highlight local bars and restaurants, and through gamification, educates tourists and residents alike on how to engage with the city in a meaningful way.

I started the Murcia Secreto Instagram account because I was tired of being an outsider and I wanted to connect with the people who live here and manage to make my new city feel like home. And that remains my objective. I know how difficult it is to make friends in a new place, so I strive to be the bridge that connects the foreign community with the local community.

Therefore, beyond click-baity (yet informative) videos about "The Top Tapas in Murcia", I regularly organize events, aimed at connecting cultures. I run a weekly trivia quiz every Thursday, offer guided foodie experience walks around the city, organize wine and beer tastings and secret dinners, and occasionally lead earring-making workshops. You can follow me on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok and/or on Substack to learn more about these events (links below).

Whereas my Instagram is short-form video content for foodies and curious travelers in Murcia, my Substack goes deeper. It is long-form written content about the gastronomy of Murcia, from restaurant and food reviews to tapa and wine routes around the city (similar to what one would find in the Paparajote Passport). I also share the specific Murcia Secreto plans which I organize, as well as general events around the city (fería, festivals, concerts etc.) Additionally, I share personal essays and articles about life abroad.

The vast majority of my content on Substack is free, but I do offer a reasonably-priced paid tier. Paid subscribers enjoy the benefit of receiving early, insider information and occasional discounts to the aforementioned plans and events. They will also receive curated routes for self-guided tapa routes in the city. If you would like to access only the Google Maps links to these curated routes without committing to a monthly subscription, I have made them available for purchase here.

I try to keep everything I share as accessible as I can. I don't want to be greedy or take advantage of your desire to learn and travel responsibly. However, providing these resources does require significant time and energy, and it is only with community support that I can continue to share such high-value content. I hope to develop the Paparajote Passport beyond a theoretical proposal, and I am grateful any assistance in helping me to make that dream a reality.

I understand that money is tight for folks and it's not always possible to show financial support. One-time donations are greatly appreciated, but so is engagement with Murcia Secreto social media. Follows, likes, comments, and shares go further than you may think. They signal to others that what I've created is valuable and interesting, that it's worth paying attention to. The links to my Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and Substack are below.