Rod and Jessica Take on Spain - Day Seven!

 Day 7!

Skydiving Over the Coast of Spain — A Dream Come True

Today was one of those pinch-me kind of days — the kind you dream about and never forget!

When I first found out we were going to Spain, I half-joked that we should go skydiving. Our girls immediately jumped on the idea (pun intended!) with way too much enthusiasm. We started googling to see if it was even possible — and to our surprise, not only was it possible, but Spain happens to have one of the best skydiving centers in the world! Skydive Empuriabrava is world-renowned and ranks among the top five skydiving facilities globally. I was instantly sold.

Rod and I sent the idea to our group chat — and at first, everyone thought I was kidding. Once they realized I was completely serious, there was a mix of hesitant laughs and nervous “okays.” I wasted no time making reservations.

Then, a little setback — Rod tore his other bicep before the trip. We weren’t sure if the jump would be safe for him, and to top it off, Karalee started getting cold feet. It was looking like just Matt, Natalie, Scott, and me would be taking the leap.

I asked a friend who’s a licensed skydiver if Rod could still go, and he said it should be fine. Rod still didn’t commit — at least, not before the trip.

After picking up our rental car, we headed north from Barcelona toward Empuriabrava, a little coastal gem often called the “Venice of Spain.” The two-hour drive was stunning — rolling hills, fields, and glimpses of the Mediterranean along the way.

When we finally arrived and checked in, the energy in the air was contagious. And to my absolute surprise (and delight!), Rod and Karalee gave in to the peer pressure and decided to jump after all! I was so proud of both of them.

They split us into two groups — Matt, Natalie, Karalee, and Scott went up first, while Rod and I waited for the second plane. Watching them take off and disappear into the sky made everything suddenly very real and so exciting!

The instructors were amazing — calm, funny, and confident, which definitely helped the nerves. And then came the view. Oh my goodness, the view! From 15,000 feet up, we could see the glittering coastline, the canals of Empuriabrava, and even France just ten miles away.

And then — we jumped.

Free falling over the Mediterranean was pure magic. The rush, the silence, the beauty — it was unlike anything I’ve ever experienced, and this was my seventh jump!

Skydiving over Spain truly was a dream come true — and easily one of the most unforgettable moments of my life. It was so special to do with Rod - and I am still so proud of him for having the courage to go!

After skydiving, we didn’t really have any set plans — we were just riding that post-adrenaline high and soaking in the moment. So, we asked one of the girls at Skydive Empuriabrava for a local recommendation. Without hesitation, she told us to check out her hometown, Roses, Spain.

Best. Suggestion. Ever.

Roses turned out to be the perfect seaside town — full of charm, ocean views, and that laid-back coastal vibe you instantly fall in love with. We found a cozy spot for lunch overlooking the water, then spent the afternoon strolling along the beach, people-watching, and enjoying the sunshine.

Scott decided to go all in and jumped straight into the Mediterranean (because, why not?). Along the way, we spotted a few jellyfish washed up on shore — and, let’s just say, more than a few topless sunbathers… most of them of the “retired and confident” variety.

Our skydiving pictures uploaded while we were eating lunch. We were dying laughing at the faces each of us pulled, but what was even funnier was when we described getting ready to jump and the positions we were all in. Natalie suddenly goes "wait, you guys walked/crawled out? My guy just carried me!" She is tiny! Matt demonstrated how she jumped out of the plane!

We finished our stay in Roses with delicious gelato, and loaded up in the van. 

After our skydiving thrill and beachside detour in Roses, we had no idea what to do next. So, Natalie decided to let ChatGPT plan the rest of our day. (Honestly, best decision ever.)

We had no idea there were so many incredible places nearby — and by the end, we were wishing we had more time to explore them all!

Out of convenience and lack of time, we stopped in a coastal town called Tossa de Mar, and wow… what a hidden gem. Tossa de Mar is found right along Spain’s Costa Brava, and is famous for its medieval walled old town, golden beaches, and stunning sea views that look straight out of a postcard.

As we wandered through the cobblestone streets and looked up at the ancient stone towers overlooking the Mediterranean, I couldn’t help but feel like we’d stepped into a romance movie. The whole place had this storybook charm — cozy cafes, ivy-covered walls, and the smell of the sea in the air.

It was absolutely darling, and one of those spontaneous travel moments that felt straight-up magical. It was such a fun find! I told the girls it's the kind of place I'd love to take them to one day. 

We were running out of daylight and had to get the car back before 9 pm, so we had to call it a day. Matt and Scott dropped Rod, Karalee, Natalie and I off in the city center to find empanadas for a quick dinner and then drove like mad men to get the car back in time. 

This is the little empanada place. Matt's Spanish is . . . interesting??!! This started out as a whole bunch of crazy phrases and ended up as ten big titties. We died laughing every time!

We have truly had the time of our lives, but we are EXHAUSTED and ready to go home! On to the next adventure!