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Step through the gates of Jerez and into a world where horses dance, leather is stitched by hand, and a French‑style palace shelters Spain’s living equestrian heritage. We head to the Royal Andalusian School of Equestrian Art to see how classical dressage and Doma Vaquera are taught, preserved, and performed with precision and heart. From the first moments on the grounds, the details floored us: spotless stables, braids like artwork, and a team that treats horsemanship as a craft worth a lifetime.

We tour the carriage museum inside a former sherry bodega and discover how engineering and elegance once ruled the streets: royal wedding coaches, ingenious suspensions, and the right‑hand driving legacy that still shapes the UK. In the saddlery room, students work leather the old way, building saddles layer by layer with natural stuffing and careful stitching. This is a real school with five disciplines—dressage, saddlery, grooming, vet, and carriage driving—offering multi‑year training to a select few. For riders, bespoke clinics put you on schoolmaster horses that feel like professors, compressing years of learning into focused sessions.

Then the music starts. Como Bailan Los Caballos Andaluces unfolds like a ballet: pirouettes, lateral work, airs above the ground, and synchronised patterns that make a 600‑kilo stallion look weightless. It’s not spectacle for spectacle’s sake; it’s trust, timing, and quiet aids in perfect balance. Along the way we connect the dots between Jerez and sherry—why the region led early electrification, how British merchants and Spanish producers built a global trade, and what makes Pedro Ximénez taste like sunshine concentrated in a glass.

If you love travel, craftsmanship, or horses, this journey belongs on your list. Hit play, get inspired, and share the episode with someone who needs a little Andalusian magic. Subscribe for more Spanish stories, leave a review to help others find us, and tell us: would you ride, study, or just sit back and watch the dance?

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Spain’s October doesn’t pick a lane. One night brings witches, costumes, and playful scares; the next morning, families file into cemeteries with buckets, brushes, and armfuls of flowers. We lean into that contrast and explore why it feels so right: a season that holds both noise and hush, thunder and reflection.

We start with Halloween’s Spanish footprint—Galician echoes of pagan rites, La Noche de las Brujas, and the idea of the veil between worlds. One of us loves the eerie creativity of full-on spooky costumes; the other side-eyes the commercial frenzy. From there we step into 1 November, when All Saints Day turns the country toward remembrance. We talk about social expectations around tending graves, the rows of abuelas at flower stalls, and the flavours that mark the day: huesos de santo from Madrid’s convent lore and panellets from Catalonia and Valencia.

Curiosity pulls us across the Atlantic to Día de Muertos, recognised by UNESCO and rich with colour, marigolds, and altars set with favourite foods. We unpack the calavera story—born from satire—and the deeper message that remembering our dead can be communal, joyful, and grounding. Then we swing back to steins and brass bands as Oktoberfest takes over Spanish coastal towns. Even if you don’t drink beer, the spectacle is irresistible, and the tradition’s origin is surprising: an 1810 royal wedding that turned into a global ritual.

Between sips and stories, we share a slice of life in lederhosen, sample regaliz licorice bark, and reflect on a borrowed Thanksgiving that centres gratitude without the gift-wrapping. A Spanish saying ties it all together: no hay octubre sin trueno ni santos sin duelo. Storms will come; sorrow belongs to remembrance. If this blend of spooky, sacred, and social sounds like your kind of autumn, hit play, subscribe, and leave a review to tell us which tradition speaks to you most.

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First light hits Spain in Javea, and that’s where our day begins: a deliberate detour off the motorway, a coastline that rewards patience, and a kayak glide into La Cova de la Granadella where the water lights up like stained glass. We map Javea’s three faces – the fortress old town, the working port, and the Arenal’s soft sand  – and share the small facts that change how you travel: the easternmost sunrise, pirate alarms woven into church walls, and a raisin trade once called “black gold.”

Curiosity pulls us inland to a narrow street and The Archives, a mother–son vintage boutique with a philosophy that feels both stylish and sane. Deborah restores luxury handbags by hand, while Manoa decodes the craft of authentication, from stitching and hardware to those quiet LV stamp tells. It’s a masterclass in buying well, repairing better and keeping pieces in circulation because they deserve more years, not more landfills. You’ll hear how to spot fakes, why date codes matter, and how sustainable fashion can still feel glamorous.

We round the night in Benidorm, where Pride’s closing concert turns into a neighbourhood party: tribute acts, kids on shoulders, abuelas down from the flats with beers in hand. The vibe is welcoming, the parade joyful, and yes, not every tribute lands– an uneasy Amy Winehouse moment reminds us homage has edges – but the wider feeling is freedom shared in public. Between scenes we dip into very Spanish comforts: ensaladilla rusa on crisp breadsticks, a friendly debate on whether mayonnaise is Menorcan or French, and a plastic-cup salute with Tinto de Verano because sometimes convenience is the right flavour.

Come for the sunrise, stay for the bag spa, dance for the encore. If this journey made you smile, learn, or plan a trip, tap follow, rate the show, and share it with a friend who loves Spain’s coast and its hidden stories. Your reviews help us keep exploring and bring back the good stuff.

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Ever wondered what happens when you mix 10,000 locals, 22,000 visitors, and 150,000 kilograms of tomatoes in a tiny Spanish town? We plunged headfirst into the chaotic wonder of La Tomatina to find out!

This annual festival transforms the sleepy town of Buñol into ground zero for the world's largest food fight. Armed with media passes and a healthy dose of caution, we navigated the narrow cobblestone streets alongside revelers from across the globe. The atmosphere was electric – locals offering food and drinks from their homes, music pumping through the streets, and morning drinks flowing freely (though we stayed sober for the drive home).

What struck us most was the surprising diversity of participants. From young children gleefully pelting their parents with tomatoes to elderly folks with canes, La Tomatina draws people of all ages. The festival follows strict traditions: the greasy pole challenge where brave souls attempt to climb for a ham, the cannon blast at noon signaling the start, and the precision one-hour timeline that ends exactly at 1 PM – a remarkable display of punctuality in a country not typically known for it!

We learned the fascinating history behind this bizarre tradition, which began spontaneously in 1945 and was once banned by Franco for being "un-Spanish." Today, it's one of Spain's most internationally recognized festivals, inspiring similar events worldwide. The tomatoes themselves aren't even edible varieties – they're specifically grown for the festival, addressing concerns about food waste.

Whether you're planning your own tomato-soaked adventure or just curious about Spain's more unusual traditions, this episode offers an intimate glimpse into an event that defies easy explanation. As we discovered, La Tomatina isn't just about throwing tomatoes – it's about release, community, and the strangely therapeutic joy of embracing absurdity.

Ready to add this messy bucket-list experience to your travel plans? Listen now for our complete survival guide, including how to secure tickets, what to wear, and why you absolutely need goggles!

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Saddle up for a refreshing summer roundup as Laura and Nalini return for Season 4 of Made in Spain! After discovering a shared passion for horseback riding (despite choosing Spain's hottest months to begin this adventure), the hosts swap stories of how they navigated the notorious Spanish summer.

Nalini whisks us away to Toronto, where she rediscovered her hometown from a new perspective, tried heated dark Pilates classes, and even traveled with her surprisingly well-behaved dog Luna—though hilariously, no airport official ever actually checked if there was really a dog in her carrier! Meanwhile, Laura reveals her highlights included magical sunset trail rides overlooking the Peñón de Ifach in Calpe and precious beach moments with her family.

The pair doesn't shy away from the realities of Spanish summers—the exodus of locals, quadrupled hotel prices, impossible parking situations, and the futility of trying to accomplish anything beyond tourism in August. As Nalini puts it, "It's like Groundhog Day—you wake up and it's vacation day again." They share candid insights about attending a White Party (complete with belly dancers and an unexpected baby wild boar), traveling to Formula One qualifying in Austria, and discovering the refreshing joys of zero-alcohol drinks for beating the heat without the hangover.

Whether you're planning a Spanish getaway or simply curious about expat life on the Costa Blanca, this episode offers both practical wisdom and entertaining anecdotes about making the most of summer's challenges. Subscribe now to catch upcoming episodes featuring La Tomatina festival, Benidorm Pride, and Alicante's rising gastronomic recognition!

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Step into Madrid, a city that confidently wears contrasts like a second skin. From our first moments exploring the Spanish capital, we were struck by its ability to simultaneously embrace luxury and grit, tradition and rebellion, elegance and edge.

The city's personality reveals itself in layers. You might start your evening sipping expertly crafted cocktails beneath the chandeliers of the Four Seasons, only to end the night in a historic dive bar where the floor sticks to your shoes and the bartender rings a school bell when patrons get too rowdy. This is Madrid – unapologetically authentic and full of surprises.

Our whirlwind day began with exquisite Asian cuisine at Li Long, where we discovered that even upscale restaurants offer affordable weekday lunch menus. The sommelier's passionate knowledge enhanced our meal, particularly when accompanying what might have been the best lobster we've ever tasted. From there, we ventured to the Golden Mile of shopping along Calle Serrano, where luxury boutiques like Purificación García and Carolina Herrera showcase Spanish design at its finest. Pro tip: if you're visiting in early July, even these high-end stores offer significant discounts during Spain's major sales period.

The heart of our Madrid experience came in Malasaña, once the epicenter of Madrid's counterculture "Movida" movement. At Casa Camacho, a bar unchanged since the 1800s, we sampled the authentic Yayo cocktail in its birthplace. The contrast between the morning's luxury shopping bags and this neighborhood dive couldn't have been more striking – yet somehow, perfectly Madrid. We also discovered the Temple of Debod, a 2,200-year-old Egyptian temple gifted to Spain and reconstructed in Parque del Oeste, offering magical sunset views that shouldn't be missed.

A word of caution: Madrid's summer heat is intense. Without coastal breezes, the city can feel like an oven, with even the wind bringing no relief. Many locals escape to the coast in August, but with proper planning (indoor activities during peak afternoon heat), summer visits can still be rewarding.

Have you experienced Madrid's fascinating contrasts? We'd love to hear which side of this multifaceted city captured your heart – the elegant luxury or the authentic local haunts. Either way, Madrid awaits, ready to show you all its fascinating faces.

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Venture beyond Spain's famous Rioja as we uncork the hidden wine treasures of Costa Blanca! What began as a two-hour content creation session turned into a delightful deep dive into the region's surprising viticulture scene.

Nestled near the medieval town of Guadalest, we discovered Masos de Guadalest, a winery reviving century-old traditions after a 100-year hiatus. For a mere €20, their tastings offer premium wines paired with local cheeses and charcuterie, all served with the kind of hospitality that makes you feel like their most important guest. They're even opening a boutique wine-themed hotel later this summer – perfect for oenophiles seeking immersion in Spanish wine culture.

Our most fascinating find was Mar de Vins, a micro-winery where a husband-wife team ages bottles 30 meters underwater in the Mediterranean Sea for six months! Using local Maravilla and Hero grape varieties, they create uniquely "clean" wines with distinctive character. Their submarine-aged bottles (around €80) are limited production treasures worth seeking out.

We also explored La Nucía's annual "Night of Wine" festival, a celebration featuring 150 wine and food experiences from local producers. Unlike many wine events dominated by commercial brands, this festival spotlights small, passionate winemakers sharing their stories and craft. The eco-friendly approach – reusable wine glasses and cleaning stations instead of disposable cups – perfectly complemented the authentic experience.

Whether you're planning a visit to Costa Blanca or simply looking to expand your wine knowledge beyond familiar Spanish regions, these hidden gems offer a perfect blend of tradition, innovation, and Mediterranean charm. As the Spanish saying goes, "Donde no hay vino, no hay amor" – Where there is no wine, there is no love!

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Ever wondered where the locals go when tourists aren't watching? Those secret spots that never make it to the guidebooks but hold the true essence of a place? This episode peels back the curtain on Costa Blanca's best-kept secrets—places that even long-term residents might miss without the right insider knowledge.

We journey to Elche, where generations of artisanal shoemakers create masterpieces one stitch at a time. At Brian Stepwise, we discover handcrafted cowboy boots that would cost five times as much anywhere else, made with techniques passed down through generations. These aren't just shoes; they're wearable Spanish heritage at surprisingly accessible prices.

The gastronomic adventures take us to El Crank, a chiringuito perched directly on Altea's golden sands, where the fideuà (noodle paella) has locals booking weeks in advance. Nearby, we explore Calangels in mountainous Polop—a family home turned restaurant where there's no menu, just whatever exceptional ingredients the owner sourced that morning from his network of local producers and fishermen.

Perhaps most surprising is our visit to Gata de Gorgos, an unassuming one-street town that houses Zahati—hat makers whose creations have graced Netflix productions and high-end boutiques across Europe. In their workshop, older generations of craftswomen spend ten hours handmaking each distinctive piece, creating statement accessories that combine traditional techniques with contemporary designs.

We wrap up our hidden gems tour with the delightful discovery of Valencia's coffee parties—afternoon dance events that bring nightlife energy to daylight hours, creating inclusive spaces for people to connect without staying out until dawn.

These treasures represent the authentic Spain we've fallen in love with—where craftsmanship matters, relationships with producers are valued, and traditions evolve while maintaining their soul. Listen now to add these special places to your Costa Blanca adventure, and remember to subscribe for our upcoming episode on Spanish wines and a very unique wine festival we recently attended!

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Beyond the gleaming curves of Bilbao's Guggenheim lie two extraordinary destinations that showcase the true magic of Spain's Basque Country. Our adventure begins in Ghecho – the "Hamptons of Spain" – just 20 minutes from Bilbao yet worlds apart in atmosphere.

Strolling through Ghecho feels like stepping into another era. French-style châteaux line tree-shaded streets, remnants of a time when Spain's industrial elite built summer palaces along this privileged coastline. The town presents two distinct faces: one of aristocratic grandeur with boutiques and refined dining, another more authentic and connected to its seafaring past. What truly distinguishes Ghecho is the UNESCO-protected Puente de Vizcaya – a hanging bridge designed by Gustav Eiffel's student. This remarkable structure isn't just a tourist attraction but a functioning transport system locals use daily, with a suspended gondola carrying pedestrians and vehicles across the river.

But nothing prepares you for San Juan de Gatelugache – better known to millions as Dragonstone from Game of Thrones. Unlike many filming locations that quickly commercialize, this ancient hermitage remains untouched by branding, honoring its centuries-old history as a spiritual pilgrimage site. The dramatic stone pathway leading to the church, with 241 steps carved into rugged cliffs, creates an almost mystical experience as Atlantic waves crash against volcanic rock formations.

What makes this location particularly special is how it's managed. Free timed-entry tickets must be reserved in advance, creating a measured flow of visitors that preserves the site's magic. While queuing, we witnessed dozens refreshing their phones hoping for last-minute cancellations – testament to its popularity even years after Game of Thrones concluded.

Between adventures, we sampled local specialties including Calimocho (the surprisingly drinkable combination of cheap red wine and Coca-Cola) and burnt Basque cheesecake that The New York Times once crowned "flavor of the year." These culinary innovations, born from necessity and creativity, perfectly mirror the resourceful spirit of the Basque people themselves.

Whether you're planning a romantic date (we've included three budget options!) or seeking to escape Bilbao's urban energy, these day trips offer unforgettable glimpses into the region's aristocratic past and dramatic natural beauty. Subscribe to hear more as we continue exploring Spain's hidden treasures in upcoming episodes!

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Venture with us to Bilbao, where culinary contrasts create an unforgettable food experience unlike anywhere else in Spain. The city that gave us the gleaming Guggenheim has quietly revolutionized Spanish dining by excelling at both ends of the gastronomic spectrum.

What makes Bilbao truly special? It's where a €2 pincho might deliver more satisfaction than a fancy tasting menu, yet its 34 Michelin-starred restaurants offer some of Spain's most innovative cuisine at surprisingly accessible prices. We take you inside Kimchoo, where Asian fusion meets Spanish produce, and explore why Bilbao's fine dining scene offers exceptional value compared to other European destinations.

Discover the fascinating history behind pinchos culture, including the origin story of the "Gilda" – the original pincho named after Rita Hayworth because it was "spicy and salty" like her famous character. Learn how to distinguish between authentic pinchos and tapas, and why those little toothpicks are essential to both the eating experience and your final bill.

The Basque Country's proximity to the Atlantic means exceptional seafood, September through December offers the best shellfish experience, but Bilbao's food scene delights year-round with international offerings and local specialties like the irresistible chocolate-dipped palmeras from Arese bakeries.

Whether you're planning your first visit or returning to explore more deeply, this episode provides an insider's guide to eating your way through a city where food isn't just sustenance – it's the beating heart of Basque culture. Join us as we navigate Bilbao's culinary landscape, from rooftop bars to riverside restaurants, discovering why this former industrial city has become an essential destination for food lovers worldwide.