Join me for a rainy day stroll along what is probably Madrid's most iconic street. We start off at the bottom end of Gran Vía where it joins Calle Alcalá and follow its 1.3 kilometres all the way to Plaza de España. Forget chain stores, hotels, and touristy restaurants! Along the way we'll take in the street's most famous buildings and landmarks and explore the fascinating stories behind them. Think clocks, bombs, cocktails, neon lights, theatres, skyscrapers, and a Phoenix. Locations: Edificio ...
Feb 16, 2024•1 hr 11 min
The cool autumn evenings have arrived in Madrid and on a wander down Madrid's Calle de Arenal, I had a sudden craving for Spain's favourite warm, sweet treat — churros y chocolate! This a quintessentially Spanish snack that can be enjoyed at any time of year, but I think during autumn and winter churros y chocolate are a perfect comforting warmer. Join me as I visit Madrid's iconic Chocolatería San Ginés and pull up a chair at an old marble table in its dining room that dates back to 1894. As I ...
Sep 20, 2023•44 min
Walk with me through the charming city of El Puerto de Santa María. We'll take in the famous sherry bodegas, explore Christopher Columbus's link to the city, take a look at the Castillo de San Marco, where Juan de la Cosa famously drew the first map of the world to include The Americas. Along the way, a few observations on the crumbling charm of Cadiz's sister city, a stroll through the lively Plaza de España and a stop at an even livelier local sherry bar. To round off, some top tips on what an...
Sep 13, 2023•1 hr 6 min
Join me for all the sights and sounds on a visit to the university city of Salamanca during Spain's 'Semana Santa'. I take in what is possibly Spain's most impressive Plaza Mayor, explore the city's ancient university — including a frog hunt — dodge religious processions, and gaze in wonder at one of the city's cathedrals — yes, it has two! Plus, a splash of history, architecture, and observations for good measure!
Apr 15, 2023•43 min
After a loooooong break I'm back with a beautiful spring evening wander down one of my favourite Madrid streets — Calle de Santa Isabel. We'll be taking in the sights and sounds with stop-offs in El Cine Doré (Cinema and home to Spain's national film archive), San Antón municipal market, El Amor de Díos Flamenco school, Bar Benteveo (one of my all time favourite Madrid bars with its kitch interior), The Santa Isabel convent and a few other points of interest before the final stop just outside th...
Mar 31, 2023•55 min
Where should you visit in Spain if it's your first time? Where should you visit if you only have two weeks? Can you see it all? No. So how do you decide what to include on you itinerary? That's what this episode of When in Spain tries to answer! Join Spain travel consultant, Karen Rosenblum and myself as we try to answer these huge questions to help you get the best out of your trip to Spain. Karen helps us break down Spain by topics so that anyone visiting can decide where to include in their t...
Apr 29, 2022•1 hr 34 min
I'm whisking you away on the high-speed AVE train for a day trip to the beautiful medieval city of Cuenca. Join me as I stroll around Cuenca's charming streets and squares, admire the gothic cathedral (one of the earliest examples in all of Spain) and cross the San Pedro bridge to admire the famous 'casas colgadas' , or hanging houses. Later I walk up to the castle neighbourhood and get some breathtaking views of the city from the old castle remains as I reflect on the turbulent history of this ...
Apr 18, 2022•32 min
After a six-month break When in Spain is back! And to celebrate we're taking you on a tour of ten classic Madrid bars. Our guide is Chris Lynch, Spanish wine-buff, former Spanish bar owner, and founder of the Spanish Wine Collective. If you're on a first visit to Madrid these ten bars are required drinking and eating! From the cosy Casa González bar in the centre of Madrid and over a bottle of cava, Chris takes us on a virtual tour of his ten favourite bars of the Spanish capital. He recommends ...
Apr 11, 2022•1 hr 12 min
Want to sound super Spanish? I run through ten useful and fun Spanish interjections that you can pepper your conversations with to help express yourself even more clearly when you're chatting en español. ¡Anda! When I first started learning Spanish and hanging around with native speakers I kept hearing these noises that popped up in conversations and always wondered what they meant. I'll look at some of the most common interjections and make comparisons with English and give you some examples. I...
Sep 25, 2021•45 min
In this episode I take you on a trip around Spain's most arid provinces, Almería. We explore the Tabernas Desert and its Spaghetti Western filming locations, the beautiful wild beaches of Cabo de Gata including the dramatic Playa de los Muertos (Beach of the Dead), and I guide you through Almería City's top sights including the imposing Alcazaba. We'll also wander the back streets of the hilltop village of Mojácar, officially one of Spain's most picturesque pueblos. Along the way I uncover the t...
Sep 20, 2021•1 hr 6 min
Chris Atkin, author of his new book, (Just As Well) It's Not About The Bike: A Journey Across Southern Spain, joins me in this episode to chat about his experience pedaling 1300 kilometres from Valencia to Gibraltar on a basic bike with only seven gears and barely enough room for panniers. Chris describes some of his favourite stops on his six week journey, including a grueling ride across Spain´s Sierra Nevada, Gandia´s ghost town vibe, picturesque Altea versus the untamed tourism of Benidorm, ...
Sep 01, 2021•1 hr 2 min
Join Karina, me and friends, Adam and Ollie, for a day trip to the charming medieval town of Brihuega and its beautiful lavender fields. A slice of Provence right in the centre of Spain! Brihuega is famous in Spain for its lavender cultivation and surprisingly, it is one of the world's major producers of lavender products, including lavender oil which is used by one of the big Spanish perfume brands. But, away from the lavender fields, we discovered that Brihuega has much more to offer than Inst...
Aug 03, 2021•46 min
Sarah Willats joins me to talk about Madrid's public transport network, how to get the best out of it, tickets, passes and trips whether visiting for a holiday, business or making the Spanish capital your home. Sarah, aka Sarah la Viajera (check out her Spain travel blog!) has recently published her book, The Ultimate Guide to Madrid’s Transportation Networks which she spent two years researching and which involved riding every Madrid Metro line, many of the city's buses, commuter trains and bik...
Jul 19, 2021•49 min
Join us for all the sights and sounds on a road trip along Spain's rugged Costa Brava. Discover the beautiful seaside towns and villages of Tossa de Mar, Calella de Palafrugell, Platja Fonda, Roses and of course Cadaqués, home to Salvador Dalí's former house, now a wonderful, eccentric museum. We explore the coves of turquoise waters, the back streets of fishing villages and the stunning medieval fortress village in Tossa. Tune in to hear about the Costa Brava's turbulent history and a slice of ...
Jul 08, 2021•59 min
Writer, historian and guide, Nick Lloyd walks us through Barcelona to explore the history of the Spanish Civil War and the city's relationship with this dark chapter from Spain's past. Nick guides around the key locations in the Catalan capital which hold historical significance and reveals some chilling stories of death and destruction. He also describes the walking tour that he runs in Barcelona and how some of his guests inspired him to start collecting fascinating artefacts which help him te...
Jun 03, 2021•50 min
Think you can speak Spanish? Think again if you move to Andalucía! Adam Harrison moved to Huelva province seven years ago and realised that the local dialect was very different to the Spanish he had learnt. So on a quest to share is observations and frustrations learning Andaluz Adam set up InglesAndaluz on TikTok and Instagram where he compares English, Spanish and Andaluz through humourous videos. His content recently went viral and he was invited onto a number of Spanish TV programmes to talk...
May 17, 2021•45 min
Travel journalist and writer Tom Chesshyre joins me to talk about his slow train adventure all around Spain. As research for his latest book Slow Trains around Spain: A 3,000-Mile Adventure on 52 Rides, Tom spent 35 days on the tracks and clocked-up 95 hours and 20 minutes onboard all manner of different types of trains, from funiculars, cog trains, narrow gauge, metros and even an aluminium mine train. Tom shares his experience of going unprepared and traveling in an ad-hoc way with a rucksack ...
Apr 02, 2021•49 min
Hola Spain fans! This is a kind of hybrid episode. Lots of sounds of Madrid as I wander its squares, shops and markets and stop off in a few cafes and bars. Along the way I talk all about the cost of living in Spain. I look at renting and buying property, utility bills, groceries, healthcare costs, running a car and average salaries. I make lots of comparisons between costs in a handful of different Spanish cities and also compare the cost of living in Madrid with London and New York. So join me...
Mar 17, 2021•1 hr 14 min
We transport ourselves to the majestic olive groves of Jaén to talk all about Spanish olive oil with special guest and olive oil aficionado, Lucas Soler. Lucas was born in Barcelona but even though he has spent nearly all of his life in the US, olive oil has always remained in his blood. Since a young age 'liquid gold' has been a staple of his diet. When Lucas's mother bought an olive grove for the family in Almería 25 years ago, his passion for olive oil was re-ignited. Faced with a lack of goo...
Feb 26, 2021•1 hr 4 min
In this episode of the When in Spain podcast I explore the Balearic island of Mallorca. Joining me to scratch beneath the surface of the island is guide and long-time Mallorca resident, Gina Vasquez who runs Visit My Mallorca https://www.visitmymallorca.com/ Gina talks us through the ancient history of Mallorca and recommends things to see in the island's capital, Palma, including the city's impressive gothic cathedral, La Seu. It has one of the world’s largest stained glass windows. We also get...
Feb 22, 2021•55 min
In this episode we delve into the curious history, culture and untouched landscape of the balearic island of Menorca. Joining us to guide us around this lesser-discovered island is Lorraine Ure. For Lorraine, Menorca was love at first sight when the cruise ship she was working on docked in the port of Mahón. She has since had a 25 year love affair with the island and now proudly calls it home. Does Mayonnaise really come from Menorca? How did gin become the island's most famous tipple? When is i...
Feb 12, 2021•53 min
Let's banish the winter blues with a trip around some of Spain's most beautiful and secret swimming locations. Forget the packed beaches of the stereotypical 'costas' and let's transport ourselves to secluded coves, white sand beaches, emerald pools, craggy canyons, wild waterfalls and relaxing rivers... Guiding us around these of the beaten track slices of watery wonder are Lola Culsán & John Weller. Lola and John live in London and both are avid swimmers. So much so that they have written...
Jan 27, 2021•48 min
Planning to buy a property in Spain? Maybe it's a future ambition to own your dream Spanish home. Whatever the case, this episode will give you a detailed insight into buying a house or apartment in Spain and is packed with practical advice on buying in Spain. It's a meaty subject so I decided to enlist Spanish property consultant Felix Joseph who shares his expert advice. Felix runs his own property consultancy on the Costa del Sol called Property Under One Roof. He's also written a book called...
Jan 10, 2021•1 hr 4 min
Sit back and join us for some armchair travel to the capital of Andalucía. That's right we're of to the 2,200-year-old city of Seville or Sevilla if you're feeling Andaluz! Our guide for the journey is native Sevillana, Aldara Arias Saavedra. Aldara produces and hosts her own podcast about food and slow, sustainable travel in Seville called Slow Tasters Podcast. She also works as a tour guide in Seville and the wider Andalucía region of Spain and has a passion for promoting slow and sustainable ...
Dec 30, 2020•1 hr 10 min
Thinking about moving to Spain? Think it's too late? Join me to hear the inspirational story from Marsha Scarbrough who proves it's never too late to say yes to a new life in Spain. Marsha left her native California to start afresh in Madrid when she was 70 years old after losing everything in the 2008 financial crisis and declaring herself bankrupt. Marsha spent 20 years working as an assistant director on films and network TV shows in Hollywood but by the time she hit 50 se knew she wanted to ...
Dec 21, 2020•43 min
In this episode of The When in Spain podcast we're talking about Jewish history or Sephardic history - to use the Hebrew word - in Spain. We'll also be talking about a law that Spain passed in 2015 that has laid a pathway for people of Sephardic descent to reclaim Spanish citizenship – and one of those who is going through the process joins me in the episode. I'll be chatting to Nichole Martínez Kruse who relocated from San Diego in the US to Zaragoza in the Spanish region of Aragon after a fami...
Dec 12, 2020•56 min
Drizzle, green hills, pintxos, cider, pelota & bull running. We must be talking The Basque Country! Tucked into the corner of northeastern Spain, País Vasco, or as it is known in the regional Basque language, Euskadi is one of the lesser-known Spains for many. To talk us through the landscape, cities, beaches, language, traditions and food and drink is David Bumstead. David moved to San Sebastian from the UK in 1983 and never left. Join us as we explore this unique corner of Spain and everyt...
Dec 08, 2020•1 hr 1 min
In this episode I look at the American writer, Ernest Hemingway´s relationship with Madrid and wider Spain and how Spain and the Spanish capital inspired and influenced his writing. Ernest Hemingway is commonly associated with a handful of places around the world, most notably Paris, Pamplona, Havana, Key West and Ketchum, Idaho, where he took his own life in July 1961. But, Ernest Hemingway also had a lifelong love affair with Madrid and many of the city´s locations inspired his works such as, ...
Oct 26, 2020•55 min
In this second episode talking to writer & journalist William Chislett we look at current economic, societal and political problems that Spain is dealing with and the future challenges the country faces. William talks us through the education system, unemployment, the Spanish economy, pensions and the implications of the EU’s €140 billion pandemic recovery fund that Spain is set to receive. William is a former Madrid correspondent for the UK´s Times newspaper. He was based in Madrid and repo...
Oct 07, 2020•37 min
In this episode we look at a fascinating and monumental period in Spanish history – The death of Franco in 1975 and Spain's transition to democracy that followed in the late 1970s. In this part one of a two part podcast I had the great pleasure of talking to writer and journalist William Chislett. William is a former Madrid correspondent for the UK´s Times newspaper. William was based in Madrid and reported first-hand on Spain’s transition to democracy from 1975-1978. He even interviewed King Ju...
Oct 02, 2020•40 min
