Send us Fan Mail

Crossing the stage at dawn. Dancing for 12+ hours. Costumes you choose months ahead. Trinidad Carnival sounds like a party, but the lived reality is a full-body, full-logistics adventure, and we’re telling you what we wish we’d known before we landed in Port of Spain.

We start with the journey from Spain, including the messy parts: route planning, time zone tactics, and the moment a train strike and an electric Uber nearly made us miss our flight. From there, we get into how Trinidad Carnival actually works on the ground, from picking a band and section to understanding what “playing mas” means. We played with Hearts (Bacchanal In Bloom, Wild Bloom) and talk through costume timing, deposits, delivery, and why hotels and packages need to be booked shockingly early.

Then we break down the two-day rhythm: Monday wear vs Tuesday wear, why stockings are basically non-negotiable, and how professional Carnival makeup becomes part of the production. We also share the real survival checklist: shoes, hydration, sunscreen, sleep, safety, and how the parade flow works with music trucks, moving drinks carts, lunch stops, and crowd management. If you’ve ever wondered whether you could do it, we answer honestly and we even debate how we’d do Carnival differently next time.

We also share a special giveaway with a boutique “museum hotel” in Pátzcuaro, Mexico, plus our take on Road March controversy, soca culture, and where Carnival lives outside Trinidad. If you enjoy this peek into living Carnival, subscribe, share the episode with a friend, and leave us a review so more travellers find it.

Send a text

Port of Spain flips a switch when Carnival season hits, and suddenly the city isn’t just hosting a festival, it’s showing you what identity feels like when it’s sung, danced, and defended in public. We’ve just come back from Trinidad and Tobago, and this first part of our two-part Carnival series is our debrief on what surprised us most: the pace of the capital, the warmth of the people, and the sense that even outsiders get pulled into something that feels generational.

We trace the roots of Trinidad Carnival through colonial history and cultural remixing, from French masquerade traditions to Canboulay and the pushback against suppression that helped shape modern street culture. That context changes how you hear everything, especially soca music. Once we understood soca as the high-tempo evolution of calypso built for the road, it made sense why it’s everywhere, why artists grind all season, and why Road March matters so much.

Then we get practical and very honest about the Carnival ecosystem: fetes like Hyatt Lime, ticket access, day parties, cooler party culture, and why waking up at 3am for Soca Street somehow becomes a highlight. We also share a few slice-of-life details that taste like Trinidad to us, from Crix crackers to salted prunes steeped in tequila, plus our giveaway with a boutique museum hotel in Patzcuaro, Mexico.

If you’re curious about Trinidad Carnival, Port of Spain travel, soca culture, and what it really feels like on the ground, hit play, subscribe, share this with a friend, and leave us a review. What part of Carnival would you want to try first?

Send us Fan Mail

Dreaming of a home in Spain but unsure what’s real and what’s just sunshine? We pull back the curtain on the Costa Blanca North market and walk you through the parts most foreigners never see: why many listings start overpriced, how verbal offers actually work, and the legal power of a well-written arras contract. With luxury broker Darcy Maxim as our guide, we map the stretch from Denia to Alicante, show how different nearby towns feel in daily life, and explain why a great agent becomes your researcher, negotiator, and project manager in a system that isn’t built like the US or UK.

We get practical fast. Inspections aren’t standard in Spain, so we break down how to commission your own and what to test, from electrics and HVAC to humidity and roofs. We talk furniture inventories, because deals often wobble over “personal items,” and we outline a clear sequence from shortlisting and viewings to negotiation, deposit, and the notary. Expect a formal closing: assigned seats, a full deed reading, identity checks, and verified funds. It’s slower, yes, but designed to keep the transaction clean.

If you’re investing, we cover where returns still make sense and how to match budget to strategy. With around €500k, consider off-plan new builds with 10–20 percent uplift at delivery or a sea-view refurb with bright, Mediterranean finishes. At €1.5m, scarcity, views, and walkability lead, with rentals strong if you follow evolving local rules. We also share hard-won lessons from rental horror stories and why platform protection matters. Love Spain for the lifestyle, but buy with discipline: test towns at night, question the price, and never sign blind.

Enjoyed the conversation? Follow, rate, and share the show, and tell us your target budget and biggest question about buying in Spain so we can help in a future episode.

Send us Fan Mail

A love letter to Spanish craft and the power of intention. We sit down with Kathryn Thomas, founder of Alice Kathleen & Company, to trace a 20-year journey from a mother’s search for thoughtful clothing to a slow fashion brand defined by timeless design, beautiful fabrics, and shoes built start to finish in Spain. Kathryn opens her sketchbook and her process, sharing how Valencian textiles shaped the brand’s signature and how multi-atelier shoemaking—soles, dyes, and hand-lasted uppers—preserves generational skill you can feel in every step.

We talk about what makes children’s clothing truly enduring: fabric you trust against a child’s skin, fit that moves from playground to party, and finishing details that reward care. She explains how she balances tradition with modern taste by evolving color palettes and subtle fits while guarding the core silhouette. She also reveals why the brand moved from trunk shows to tightly curated collections to protect intellectual property and keep a distinct voice in a crowded market.

Beyond design, we explore culture and memory. From Sunday dressing in Spain to everyday elegance in the American Southeast, these pieces mark births, holidays, and family strolls—and end up in “forever boxes” to be passed down. Kathryn shares the thrill of finally visiting her Spanish partners, previews athletic-inspired capsules influenced by a family passion for tennis, and speaks directly to loyal and new customers with a simple pledge: no shortcuts, ever. If you care about slow fashion, Spanish craftsmanship, children's wear quality, or building a brand with heart, you’ll feel right at home here.

If this story resonates, follow the show, share with a friend who loves craft, and leave us a review—what heirloom piece would you save for the next generation?

Send us Fan Mail

Spain’s wine isn’t just a tasting note—it’s a way of living that turns an ordinary lunch into a small celebration. We dive into the everyday elegance of drinking by the glass, the surprising value you can find under ten euros, and the regional gems that make Spain a world leader by vineyard area and character. From cava’s crisp sparkle to buttery local whites and deep, contemplative reds, we sketch a map you can actually drink, matching mood and meal without the snobbery.

We share a favourite field trip: Masos de Guadalest, a family micro-winery tucked into the mountains near Guadalest. It’s intimate, thoughtful, and beautifully run—a place where three-wine tastings come with simple tapas, olive oil flights, and a tour that explains why staying small keeps quality high. The family’s project doubles as rural revival, proving that craft hospitality can bring life back to mountain towns without losing authenticity. Think curated experiences, fair pricing, and a view you’ll carry home with the bottles.

Along the way, we weigh tortilla against the briny punch of a gilda, admit our rosé reluctance, and celebrate the joy of cava at any hour. We chart the must-know regions—Rioja’s age-worthy tempranillo, Catalonia’s traditional-method sparkling, Galicia’s seafood-loving Albariño, and the Basque Country’s zippy Txakoli poured from a height. Then our slice of life takes a lively detour to Trinidad Carnival prep, complete with a mango chow that set our mouths on fire and a shout-out to our band and costumes. It’s all tied together by a Spanish phrase we love: al pan, pan; y al vino, vino—call things what they are, including your taste.

If this blend of practical tips, regional highlights, and real-life adventures speaks to you, hit follow, subscribe, and leave a comment with your favourite Spanish bottle or tapas pairing. Got questions or local tips? Email us at Ola at madeinspainpodcast.com and join the conversation. Cheers.

Send us Fan Mail

Beauty shouldn’t feel like a secret handshake. In this episode, we open the door on Spain’s beauty and wellness scene — where confidence is built through transparency, cultural openness, and access that feels refreshingly normal.

Click through the link in the description to start your language-learning journey.

Buy $10 and get $5 free for your first lesson using our exclusive promo code MADEINSPAIN. The discount is available for the first 50 users only.

Web: https://go.italki.com/madeinspain2601
App: https://go.italki.com/madeinspain2601app

From PRP for hair and skin to the polynucleotide treatments everyone’s whispering about, we break down real costs, honest results, and how to book smartly in Spain without the gatekeeping.

We share first-hand experience about how Spain’s private dermatology system makes high-quality care genuinely accessible.

We also explore the full spectrum of clinics, from neighbourhood medispas to elite longevity centres offering full diagnostics and personalised health roadmaps.

Not into needles? We spotlight an unexpected Spanish beauty favourite hiding in plain sight: Mercadona’s Deliplus line — from makeup dupes and sturdy brushes to pigment-fighting serums and the cult dragon’s blood cream travellers request by name.

Beyond treatments and products, we unpack a cultural shift that feels uniquely Spanish: people openly talk about what they’ve had done. That honesty helps you make better decisions, set realistic expectations, and stop chasing perfection in silence.

We round things out with simple seasonal habits — citrus-forward nutrition, plus early notes on Madrid’s upcoming F1 for anyone pairing self-care with a major city event.

Subscribe for more grounded guides to living well in Spain. Share this episode with a friend planning a beauty trip, and leave a review with your favourite Spanish product or clinic tip — your recommendations shape future episodes.

Send us Fan Mail

Looking for a city that gives you history, flavour, and space to breathe? We head to Murcia and find a place where the cathedral hums with local life, tapas are taught in dialect, and style is less about labels and more about respect. We start with a listener’s question on how to pack without shouting “tourist,” then build a practical wardrobe for Spain: neutral layers, a light blazer or trench, flat shoes that can handle cobbles, and a black dress you can dress up or down. The goal isn’t to hide; it’s to show up well in rooms that still care about showing up well.

Our walk lands at the Catedral de Santa María, a time capsule that traces Gothic bones through Renaissance, Baroque, and neoclassical details. Instead of queues and selfie sticks, we find quiet, low-cost entry during museum hours, and a full house for Mass that proves it’s still a working church. A few blocks away, we step into Murcia’s “casino,” which isn’t a casino at all but a 19th‑century social club with Moorish-inspired interiors, salons, and a courtyard that feels like a pocket Alhambra. It’s the kind of building that explains a city’s pride: member-funded, carefully kept, and open to curious visitors.

Food ties it together. We taste pastelitos, learn about paparajote, and dive into tapas that carry grammar lessons: marinera with oil-cured anchovy, marinero with vinegar-cured boquerón, and the matrimonio that marries both. Because Murcia sits in the Orchard of Europe, produce shines, prices stay gentle, and the best finds are often places without perfect ratings but full of locals. Add the Mar Menor coastline, golf, small-town castles like Lorca, spring festivals, Holy Week processions, and concert dates that are kinder on the wallet, and you’ve got a destination that beats the obvious without trying.

If this guide helps you see Spain with fresh eyes, follow the show, share it with a friend planning a trip, and leave a quick review. Your notes help us choose the next city to explore and the next local table to sit at.

Send us Fan Mail

Planning a girls’ trip or a festive getaway and want Spain to feel effortless, joyful, and great value? We kick off with a listener question and map out a smart Madrid hub strategy: take fast trains, book early for the lowest fares, and choose destinations that deliver big experiences without long drives. Alicante shines in May with easy rail links and beach weather, Sevilla brings Andalusian heart in two days, and the Basque coast rewards food lovers and sea seekers. We share where to save, where to spend, and how to walk away with memories that outlast price tags.

From there we slip into December and watch Madrid light up. The city invests in energy-efficient displays, lively markets, and neighbourhood scenes that turn a night walk into an event. We talk belenes, chestnuts roasted on street corners, and the social rhythm that keeps you outdoors and together. The Spanish holiday calendar runs long: Nochebuena on the 24th, a relaxed lunch on the 25th, grapes for luck at midnight on New Year’s, then the Cabalgata and gifts on Three Kings. Expect hot chocolate with Roscon de Reyes, busy restaurants, and a festive mood that feels both sacred and playful.

We also unpack El Gordo, the Christmas lottery that’s more community ritual than mega-jackpot, and highlight how Madrid handles big stages—from an 80,000-strong NFL game at the Bernabéu to arena shows that start on time and keep crowds safe. For splurges, think med-spas, well-run beach clubs on the mainland coast, and Spanish-made fashion or artisan jewelry. For savings, book trains early and take advantage of seasonal sales. And if Zara or Mango is on your list, the prices here often beat what you pay abroad for the same pieces.

If you enjoyed the stories and tips, tap follow, share this with a friend planning Spain, and leave a quick review telling us where you’d base your own trip. Your ideas and questions shape what we explore next. 

Send us Fan Mail

The Atlantic changes everything. Drive across the vast bridge into Cadiz and the city tightens around you: lanes narrow, façades lean in, and the wind smells like old voyages and fresh salt. We set out to understand why this port at the edge of Spain feels so singular, and found answers in history, humour, and a cave that sings.

Cadiz claims the mantle of Western Europe’s oldest continuously inhabited city, a Phoenician outpost older than Rome where Columbus launched two voyages and a gold-domed cathedral once guided sailors home. Gaditanos learned to laugh sharp and loud; their carnival favours satire over glitter, scoring the news with bite and melody. The sea feeds a daily ritual too: anglers posted along the promenade, rods bowed to Atlantic depth, and a local devotion to red tuna that borders on religion. The beaches are wilder here, the dunes higher, the water colder, and the horizon points straight to North Africa.

The heart of our journey beats underground at La Cueva del Pájaro Azul. Tucked beneath the Barrio del Pópulo, this former Phoenician shipyard is now an intimate tablao where flamenco unfolds with no microphones and no distance. A singer’s cry, a guitarist’s pulse, palms clapping, heels carving rhythm into wood: the room compresses sound into something raw and immediate. We trace the cave’s story from shipbuilders to smugglers to a mid-century golden era that drew legends, and we talk duende in the only place it truly makes sense—close enough to feel the air shift when the dancer turns.

This trip stretches further than a map suggests. Andalusia grows avocados and even mangoes now; Jerez’s horses step like drums; Madrid’s Time Warp festival pounds hard techno through IFEMA till dawn. Tradition and modern energy share a charge: precision, surrender, and the thrill of a room moving as one. If Cadiz is on your list, give it time: walk the old town, watch the fishermen, eat tuna two ways, find the cave, and let the Atlantic wind write the rest. Enjoy the journey south with us, and if you loved this, tap follow, share it with a friend, and leave a quick review!

Send us Fan Mail

A city best known for its airport and beaches just stole our hearts with rock and flavour. We start beneath the mountain in Busot’s Cuevas de Canelobre, where a chill 18°C air, vaulted limestone, and centuries-old formations set the mood for a story about time, patience, and the hidden power of place. From there we surface into a surge of taste: Alicante has been named Spain’s Capital of Gastronomy for 2025, and the title feels earned the second you start eating your way through town.

We walk you through Alicante Gastronómica at the IFA convention centre, a sprawling, well-run festival that blends market energy with masterclass insight. Think 260 exhibitors, 130 chefs, live competitions for tortilla and arroces, pastry art from Paco Torreblanca, and generous tastings that range from olive oils to unexpected sips like Chinese whisky. It’s the kind of event where you can chat to producers, learn why a fish broth matters, and pick up tips you’ll actually use. Along the way we spotlight the dishes that define the region—arroz a banda, pericana, salazones—and the sweet icon with its own denomination, turrón de Jijona.

To make your itinerary sing, we share two standouts at different moods and price points. Manero brings polished tapas, preserved seafood, tomato salads, truffled omelettes, and a stellar Russian salad in a room with vintage charm. Natsu Ramen delivers fast, soulful bowls that justify the queue and prove Alicante’s palate is wider than many imagine. Add in strong Arabic and halal options, plus local wines, mistela, and gins that speak of citrus and scrub, and you’ve got a city ready to reward curiosity without breaking the budget.

Hungry for more journeys like this? Follow and subscribe so you never miss a plate, share the episode with a friend who loves Spain, and leave a quick review to help others find the show. What should we eat next time we’re in Alicante? Tell us on Instagram.