I talk to Lisa Sadleir who runs the Family Life in Spain blog about the practicalities of moving to Spain with children. Lisa has spent more than 20 years in Spain and has raised her own two children here and she's also helped many other families make the move. We examine all of the factors to consider when relocating as a family including which type of school to choose, state, private or bilingual. We run through the Spanish State education system and look at the pros and cons for the different...
Oct 29, 2019•59 min
The great Spanish city face-off. Yes, it's the question so many people ask - which city is best, Madrid or Barcelona? And it's a difficult question to give a definitive answer to! To help me compare these two amazing Spanish cities I speak to Daniel Welsch who has the great privilege of actually living in both cities simultaneously. Qué Suerte! or Que Sort! After living in Madrid for 14 years Daniel recently relocated to Barcelona when his girlfriend landed a new job there. But that doesn't stop...
Oct 03, 2019•43 min
I have a flick through the best of Spanish TV to bring you 14 of my favourite TV shows and series. I've rounded up a bunch of programmes that I find entertaining, useful for learning and practicing Spanish and that have given me an insight into Spanish culture, society and history. Put your feet up and join me as I have a zap though some lunchtime trash TV and then sit down to review a selection of drama, comedy, history and reality TV shows that I've really enjoyed over the last couple of years...
Sep 18, 2019•1 hr 8 min
Road trip number two of 2019. Join us for as we holiday across Spain's Costa de la Luz. First stop, Cádiz, one of my favourite Spanish cities. I describe the faded grandeur of this once-powerful city, soak up the atmosphere of its squares and streets and contemplate the city's history and geography. Then on to Conil, a bustling resort with a beautiful but windy beach popular with young Spaniards. From there we head to Vejer de la Frontera, named as one of Spain's most beautiful towns. Then we be...
Sep 05, 2019•1 hr 18 min
This week I explore the vegan and vegetarian food scene in Spain with vegans, bloggers and full-time travellers Sam and Veren. Sam and Veren run a sustainable vegan travel blog, alternativetravelers.com and have spent time living, working and travelling and of course eating vegan in Spain. They've recently published The Madrid Vegan Guidebook and have put together extensive vegan city guides for Madrid and many other Spanish cities. We talk about becoming vegan, what the vegan and vegetarian foo...
Aug 28, 2019•55 min
Lots of sights and sounds from Murcia as I make a last minute trip to the region in southeast Spain. Using Murcia city as our base we explore the city of Cartagena and its Roman Theatre ( The second largest in Spain), wander around the city's harbour and go for seafood. Back in Murcia city I look at the beautiful and architectural eclectic Santa Iglesia Catedral de Santa María, walk through the city's park, The 'Huerto de los Cipreses' and contemplate the sounds of the cicadas and the city of Mu...
Aug 19, 2019•47 min
Author, Kate Boyle talks about her novel Happy as a Partridge - Life and Love in Madrid. Kate spent two-and-a-half years living and teaching English in Madrid. Kate recounts her own experience of living in the Spanish capital which inspired her to write her first book whose protagonist is Evie Fuller, a girl approaching her thirties looking for a change of scene and renewed zest for life. Kate shares the ups and downs of finding herself in Madrid after winning a competition, what made her stay f...
Aug 12, 2019•40 min
An episode dedicated to that quintessential Spanish delicacy, jamón. When visiting Spain it's a must-try tasty treat. I meet food guide Margit Sperling at Hermanos Benito Jamonería in Madrid's Mostenses Market. With the help of 'Jamonero' José Ignacio Benito we sample Ibérico ham and Serrano ham and compare the differences. Margit gives useful advice on what and where to buy jamón and we look at the production process of the different types of Spanish ham and touch on the history of heating pork...
Aug 05, 2019•55 min
What do the Spanish words Hasta, Loco, Barrio, Aceite, Moreno, Ojalá, Chaleco, Tarea and Fideo all have in common? They're all Arabic origin words that have been absorbed into the Spanish language. Spanish has some 1,000 Arabic roots and about 3,000 derived words, so nearly 4,000 in total, that's 8% of the Spanish language. In this episode I'll be exploring the influence of Arabic on the Spanish language with the expert help of David Bowles who's a linguist, writer and university professor at th...
Jul 29, 2019•48 min
I speak to Susan Solomont about her new book Lost & Found in Spain - Tales of an Ambassador's Wife. When Susan's husband, Alan Solomont was appointed US Ambassador to Spain under President Obama, she left her career in philanthropy, her friends and family to join her husband for three-and-a-half-years in Madrid. In this episode Susan tells me about life at and the US embassy in Madrid and its inner workings, how she found a new identity in Spain and how she created a purposeful role for hers...
Jul 22, 2019•48 min
Giving everyone two kisses, mixing up Spanish and English, drinking coffee in glasses, wearing flip-flops indoors, being more stingy when tipping and buying everyone a drink when it's MY birthday. All things I never used to when I lived in the UK! These are just a handful of habits I've picked up since living in Spain. In this episode I talk about these habits and many more that I've adopted after years of living in Spain. Some of them have come easily others, not so much! It's all part of becom...
Jul 15, 2019•52 min
In this episode I talk to Adrian Flude, an avid walker of El Camino de Santiago, Spain´s famous pilgrim route to the city of Santiago de Compostela. Adrian has walked El Camino no fewer than seven times and is something of an expert on The Way of St James. We explore the history of the Camino, talk about some tips and tricks in preparing and walking, describe the different routes to walk and the pros and cons of each one. As well as his personal insights Adrian also talks about Soul Camino, pers...
Jul 01, 2019•51 min
This week I’m talking all about el vino, Spanish wine. To help me explore the world of Spanish wine I’ve enlisted the help of wine lovers, wine experts Luke Darracott and Roque Madrid. In the episode I head along to their wine shop called Madrid & Darracott where we talk about the history of Spanish wine, the various regions and D.Os, styles and general wine appreciation. We talk a little about what to try, how to order and where to go if you want to visit wineries in Spain. Luke and Roque a...
Jun 23, 2019•1 hr 7 min
Talking and tasting tapas with Margit Sperling from Walk and Eat Spain tour. Margit runs her own neighbourhood food tours in Madrid with a focus on the Malasaña barrio where she lives. In this episode we stop off in a couple of Margit´s favorite tapas stops, to sample cheese, wine and cañas. Along the way we talk tapas, how and what to order, our personal favorites and a few tips for those of you are ´tapeando´ for first time. Margit also talks about how her love of Spanish food started and what...
Jun 17, 2019•54 min
In this episode of When in Spain I'm talking about refugees in Spain and a fantastic project and association based here in Madrid called Chefugee. What is Chefugee? Chefugee collaborates closely with refugees and asylum seekers from all over the world to organize culinary events – from pop up dinners and lunches to catering, team building activities and cooking classes. I talk to Natalia Diaz who oversees the Chefugee association here in the Spanish capital and she'll be explaining more about th...
Jun 11, 2019•30 min
I discuss the growing craft beer scene in Spain with David Ross and Patrick Tuck at their new Madrid pub La Osita. (The little bear) David and Patrick are craft ale brewers, pub owners, friends and business partners. I head along to meet them at their newly-opened craft beer pub in the heart of Madrid. We talk about about the growing popularity of craft beer in Spain, how the scene compares with the UK and USA and what Spaniards make of this new flavoursome arrival competing with Spain's more tr...
Jun 07, 2019•32 min
This week I'm talking Flamenco, that unmistakable Spanish art form, some might argue the very quintessence of Spain. Listen in as I attend a flamenco dance class for professional 'bailaoras' or flamenco dancers given by Belén López at Madrid's Centro de Arte Flamenco y Danza Española Amor de Dios, a prestigious dance school. While I was there I met up with friend and professional flamenco dancer Lia Grainger who runs her own professional flamenco ensemble Fin de Fiesta Flamenco. In this episode ...
May 30, 2019•40 min
An interview with award-winning Spain blogger and Andalucía expert, Molly Piccavey. In this episode dedicated to Spain's southern region of Andalucía, we talk about how Molly set-up and has grown her blog piccavey.com to a top 50 travel blog. Molly shares here take on what to see, visit, eat and drink in Andalucía. We'll also look at the Andalusian culture and Molly offers some tips and tricks about getting the most out of a trip to Andalucía. About Molly Molly runs Piccavey.com, an award-winnin...
May 24, 2019•40 min
With the Summer holiday season just around the corner, you might be contemplating which books to pack to while away the hours while relaxing or travelling. Assuming you're a big fan of Spain, I've put together a 'When in Spain Reading List' of 16 of my favourite reads about Spain. My recommendations include books on Spanish history and society, light reads about moving and adapting to life in Spain, Flamenco, The Moors, culinary tradition and a great Spanish recipe book, that's a must-have if yo...
May 20, 2019•50 min
I wanted a biscuit to enjoy with my coffee. But this week instead of heading to a supermarket for a run of the mill cookie, I went on a more mysterious shopping expedition to satiate my sweet fix. Yes, I went to see a nun. Well, actually not see, because like all nuns who bake beautiful biscuits and mouthwatering sweets, they're cloistered and hidden away in convents all across Spain, having taken a vow not to have contact with the outside world. Hear my religious biscuit buying experience in th...
Apr 30, 2019•22 min
Semana Santa or Holy Week is the biggest religious celebration of the year in Spain. What's the story behind those 'pointy hats' (capirotes)? What the difference is between a 'Trono' and a 'Paso' float? And how did this Spanish religious tradition all start? To find out more, Karina and I head down to Málaga to watch the religious processions that include elaborate floats bearing scenes from the Passion of Christ. Although, usually solemn – this is still Spain, which means neither the strong rel...
Apr 25, 2019•33 min
Fancy coming to my Spanish class? My classmates, Cat, Matt and Lia and our Spanish teacher, Ana take a break from grammar and share our favourite colourful Spanish expressions, sayings and vulgar vocabulary. If you're easily offended you might want to skip this episode! Have you ever needed to describe bad sex? Uff! There's a phrase for that. Do you carry a torch for someone or have feelings for an old flame? Do you consider yourself to be jammy? Lucky you! But how do you say all of these things...
Apr 08, 2019•25 min
Products that SCREAM spain! What are they? In this episode of When in Spain I take a walk around Madrid and try to identify 16 quintessential Spanish products, mostly food I have to admit! I also take a look at the stories and history behind the items on my Spanish shopping list. Join me on my shopping trip around traditional family-run shops, delicatessens, grocery stores and my local supermarket and see what items sum-up Spain for me... FOLLOW WHEN IN SPAIN... 📺Subscribe on YouTube: https://b...
Apr 01, 2019•46 min
Want to speak Spanish fluently? I stop off at The Royal Spanish Academy or Real Academia Española, in the centre of Madrid, ground zero for the Spanish language and home of the Diccionario de la lengua española, the official dictionary of the Spanish language. The Academy's mission is to ensure the stability of the Spanish language and promote linguistic unity under the motto "Limpia, fija y da esplendor" "Cleans, fixes, and gives splendor". Overcome with the splendor of the Spanish language I f...
Mar 15, 2019•1 hr 2 min
Nine Spanish culture shocks that I still can't get my head around, even after living in Spain for nearly six years. Here they are... 1. Volume control? According to the World Health Organisation Spain is the second noisiest country in the world after Japan. This would explain why several times a week I wish I had a universal mute button. Almost everywhere you go it’s loud. In Spain people tend to live on top of each other in densely packed apartments which has created a phenomenon known as 'radi...
Feb 27, 2019•49 min
Feliz Día de San Valentín! Love and romance en España. Today is the el 14 de Febrero – the14th February and well rather predictably this episode takes a loving look at Valentine's Day here in Spain. I'm going to look at what loved-up Spaniards get up to on this special day for lovers – i'll be comparing the Spanish Valentine's Day with Valentine's Day back home in the UK and examining some of the romantic traditions that happen here. I'll also check out regional romantic celebrations, such as Ca...
Feb 14, 2019•48 min
If you want to see the beauty of this walk then check out my video of 'el caminito' on YouTube. https://youtu.be/-bKWkSSOe5s Get your a head for heights on because in this episode of When in Spain I take you on a dizzying walk along El Caminito del Rey - The King's Little Path, once dubbed the most dangerous path in the world. The route is famous for its 300 feet-high boardwalks that guide you above plunging gorges and roaring rapids of the Guadalhorce River far below. The route was completed in...
Jan 10, 2019•17 min
If you'd like to see as well as hear the sights in this episode, check out this episode as a video on the new When in Spain YouTube channel. I hit Madrid's Christmas market to see what's on offer and talk about the Spanish Christmas and New Year timetable. I head up to Doña Manolita's - the place to buy a lucky Christmas lottery ticket and look at why 'El Gordo' is an essential part of the festive season. Then a stop at 'Cortylandia' a slightly tacky spectacle and a must see for families and the...
Dec 28, 2018•45 min
In this week’s When in Spain episode I take us on a wander around El Rastro, Madrid's sprawling outdoor market where you can find almost anything. Whether visiting as a tourist or living in the Spanish capital, El Rastro flea market is a must-see and is one of the most 'castizo' things you can experience in the city. Whether visiting as a tourist or living in the Spanish capital, El Rastro flea market is a must-see. I survey what's on offer at the weekly market, from antiques, to denim jackets, ...
Dec 05, 2018•39 min
Do Spaniards like the dark despite Spain being one of the sunniest countries in Europe? Maybe you can have too much of a good thing! Spain has between 2,500 and 3,000 hours of sunshine in an average year, compared with just 1,600 in countries such as the United Kingdom. In this episode I ponder the Spanish obsession with window blinds and why Spanish homes are often dark with the lights on during the day. You’ll hear the ritual of slamming shop shutters up and down during the day, on the street ...
Nov 24, 2018•27 min
