Notes from Spain

By Notes from Spain

What's Notes from Spain about?

Having lived and worked in Spain for the last 7 years, Ben Curtis, and his Spanish wife Marina, bring you sound seeing tours, news, advice and travel secrets from one of the best countries in the world. See notesfromspain.com for an up-to-date blog and the entire Notes From Spain podcasting archive. Hasta Pronto!

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Notes from Spain episodes:

05.30.2011
NFS 079 - The Spanish Revolution Continues
Ben and Marina discuss unfolding events in "The Spanish Revolution" in Sol and beyond, and their trip to Cazorla www.notesfromspain.com
05.16.2011
NFS 078 - Big Vultures
Ben and Marina are back, talking about Sepulveda, the Hoces Del Rio Duraton, and more. See notesfromspain.com for full details.
06.21.2010
NFS 077 - Los Gazquez
Ben and Marina talk to Simon at the Cortijada Los Gazquez, an incredible restored country house in a wild Natural Park in Almeria. The house is totally off-grid, has some amazing eco-enhancements, and tremendous art projects on the go. See...
05.31.2010
NFS 076 - Summer Salad Days
The heat returns to Madrid, and Ben has trouble with salad, wonders why shops close at lunchtime in winter, and just can't map his school experiences onto the education system in Spain. www.notesfromspain.com
10.10.2009
NFS 075 - Bilingual Battle and Leaving Madrid
Ben and Marina discuss the battle to teach their baby their own languages first, and why they want to escape Madrid... for good? See notesfromspain.com for more, and to find the 'Madrid Confessions' audiobook...
01.03.2009
NFS 074 - Notes from Ben
Rainy days, Christmas, The state of Spain, and more... comment at notesfromspain.com please!
07.31.2008
NFS 073 - Asturian Blowholes
A trip to the east of Asturias around Llanes.... photos and more info at notesfromspain.com
05.27.2008
NFS 072 - La Renta: Tax for the Church
Should tax payers support the church? How religious is Spain? When will smoking finally be banned in bars? Come to notesfromspain.com to comment!
05.22.2008
NFS 071 - Heading to the Costa de la Luz
From Carmona, to Cadiz, and the Costa de la Luz - full details and photos at notesfromspain.com
05.05.2008
NFS 070 - When Spanish Women Wax
Why does no one wear shorts in the street? Will the new Defense minister change the lot of women forever? Is there a housing crisis in Spain? And is Marina going to have to get the police onto the neighbours?...
04.23.2008
NFS 069 - The Institute of Cold
A true story about the death of a friend - See notesfromspain.com for more details.
01.17.2008
NFS 068 - Ramirez and the Spanish Guitar
The Ramirez family has been making guitars in Madrid for 126 years. We visited their workshops in Madrid, spoke to Amalia Ramirez, and heard one of the these instruments being played. See notesfromspain.com for photos and more information.
12.10.2007
NFS 067 - The Cycle Ride of a Lifetime
If you would like to ride from the Basque country all the way down to the depths of Andalusia, then guess what, you're invited! See notesfromspain.com for more details.
11.20.2007
NFS 066 - Kaliyoga
This week we talk to Jonathon and Rosie, who set up Kaliyoga, a holistic yoga and detox center in the Alpujarra mountains south of Granada. See notesfromspain.com for more details.
11.13.2007
NFS 065 - Lanjaron and the Alpujarras
Ben and Marina take a trip to the wonderful Alpujarra mountains south of Granada. See notesfromspain.com for photos and links.
10.05.2007
NFS 064 - On learning...
Lessons learned living in Spain... and questions for you: What did you last learn? What was the motivation? What did it lead to? See notesfromspain.com to comment!
09.05.2007
NFS 063 - The Bragas Factory
Retro-casting from our terrace, Ben talks about honesty in bars, gypsies, nickers factories, and the future of tourism in Spain. See notesfromspain.com for show notes and to comment.
08.27.2007
NFS 062 - Abadia Retuerta
Ben and Marina head up to Abadia Retuerta for a day sipping wine and exploring the wine-making process. See notesfromspain.com for photos!
07.11.2007
NFS 061 - Patios Competition, Cordoba
Ben and Marina check out the famous flowery patios competition held every May in Cordoba. See notesfromspain.com for photos and further details.
05.31.2007
NFS 060 - Escape to Madrid
Ben and Marina chat to Jamie about a great way of spending a few months in Madrid. See notesfromspain.com for more details.
05.22.2007
NFS 059 - Feria de Caballos, Jerez
One of the greatest fiestas in Spain: fino, horses, and great people watching down in Jerez. Pop over to notesfromspain.com to see all the photos and a short video!
05.11.2007
NFS 058 - Cadiz
Notes from Cadiz: faded glory just as it should be. See notesfromspain.com for more details.
03.23.2007
NFS 057 - Las Fallas
Ben and Marina head down to Valenica for Las Fallas fiestas, and chat to one of the locals before heading off to the most extraordinary Paella cooking events ever seen in Spain! See notesfromspain.com for photos and video.
03.15.2007
NFS 056 - A year in Europe
Ben and Marina talk to Scott and Sheryl who gave up everything for a year on the road, and have just spent two months in Andalusia. See notesfromspain.com and ayearineurope.com for details.
02.01.2007
NFS 055 - Victimising the Spanish!
Richard Morely explains to Ben and Marina how he spends his holidays taunting the Spanish! See notesfromspain.com for full details...
01.17.2007
Notes from Spain 54 - La Fiesta de San Anton
Every year on January 17th, people bring their pets to be blessed on the Calle Hortaleza in Madrid. See notesfromspain.com for details.
12.18.2006
Notes from Spain 53 - Monasterio de Piedra
A beautiful area of waterfall-filled parkland on the way to Barcelona from Madrid. See notesfromspain.com for photos.
12.04.2006
Notes from Spain 52 - Back Street Barcelona
14 minutes in the back streets of Barcelona. Who needs Gaudi? See notesfromspain.com for more Barcelona recommendations.
11.21.2006
Notes from Spain 51 - Rambling
Despite all appearances no alcohol was consumed before the making of this podcast. See notesfromspain.com to comment...
11.13.2006
Notes from Spain 50 - Siguenza
Ben and Marina spend a night in Siguenza castle, now a Parador, deep in Castilla La Mancha. See notesfromspain.com for more details.
10.16.2006
Notes from Spain 49 - Living in Spain - Alan and Brian
Many of you will know Alan (AKA 'El listo') and Brian (AKA 'Greytop'), from the forums, and here they are in reality! - See notesfromspain.com for full details.
10.01.2006
Notes from Spain 48 - The Rastro Market
Ben and Marina check out Madrid's famous Sunday market. See Notes from Spain for more details.
09.11.2006
Notes from Spain 47 - Chris Stewart Interview
An interview with Chris Stewart, author of Driving Over Lemons, on his farm in the Alpujarra mountains. See notesfromspain.com for more details.
09.01.2006
Notes from Spain Podcast 46 - Vallecas
Not many people put a trip to Vallecas at the top of their birthday list, but it really appealed to me! Another wonderful market lies at the centre of a very traditional Barrio MadrileÃ±o. See notesfromspain.com for details and photos...
08.14.2006
Notes from Spain 45 - Fiestas in Madrid
Ben and Marina check out the summer fiestas in Madrid. See www.notesfromspain.com for details.
08.03.2006
Notes from Spain 44 - Ourense Market
Ben and Marina bring you a soundseeing tour from Ourense Market, see www.notesfromspain.com for details!
07.17.2006
Notes from Spain 43 - Moving to Spain
Helpful hints for all of you who hope to make the big move to Spain soon! See www.notesfromspain.com for full details.
07.06.2006
Notes from Spain 42 - Ramblings from Gandia
Heat stroke may account for these random ramblings from the beach. See notesfromspain.com for details.
06.21.2006
Notes from Spain 41 - Spanish wine
Ryan from www.catavino.net talks to Ben about why it isn't all just Rioja, Rioja, Rioja... see www.notesfromspain.com for details and to comment...
06.12.2006
Notes from Spain 40 - Flying the flag
Ben and Marina wonder what's going on... it's world cup time and although England is festooned with the national flag, the Spanish flag is nowhere to be seen in Spain... see www.notesfromspain.com
05.28.2006
Notes from Spain 39 - Feria del Libro
Ben and Marina visit the Feria del Libro in the Retiro Park and talk about the rise of the book in Spanish culture. See www.notesfromspain.com for details and to comment.
05.22.2006
Notes from Spain 38 - Ibiza Birthday
Ben and Marina celebrate the NFS 1 year anniversary in Ibiza!
05.02.2006
Notes from Spain 37 - Lavapies
Ben and Marina take a trip back to their old barrio, the emblematic and fast-changing neighbourhood of Madrid.
04.15.2006
Notes from Spain 36 - Easter in Madrid
Ben and Marina sit in Madrid's Plaza de Oriente discussing Easter celebrations, life in the UK, and Fiestas in Madrid.
04.01.2006
Notes from Spain 35 - El Escorial
Ben and Marina head up to El Escorial and fullfil a very special request... Full details at notesfromspain.com
03.26.2006
Notes from Spain 34 - Don Justo Full Version
Full 22 min version. Don Justo is a man who has spent the last 40 years building a cathedral in Mejorada del Campo, a village about 20 kilometres from Madrid. Marina and I, accompanied by her mother and (architect) father...
03.22.2006
Notes from Spain 33 - ETA ceasefire
Ben and Marina comment on the historic decision by ETA to declare a permanent ceasefire.
03.08.2006
Notes from Spain 32 - Enduro India
Ben's 2000 km marathon motorbike trip in Southern India - see notesfromspain.com for more details and photos.
02.12.2006
Notes from Spain 31 - Travel Answers
Ben and Marina answer your questions on Travel in Spain. See notesfromspain.com for more details.
01.29.2006
Notes from Spain 30 - Oviedo
Ben and Marina travel to Asturias for the weekend, to visit the beautiful Asturian capital of Oviedo. See notesfromspain.com for full details.

What's Notes from Spain about?

Download our free app to listen on your phone

Notes from Spain episodes:

NFS 079 - The Spanish Revolution Continues

NFS 078 - Big Vultures

NFS 077 - Los Gazquez

NFS 076 - Summer Salad Days

NFS 075 - Bilingual Battle and Leaving Madrid

NFS 074 - Notes from Ben

NFS 073 - Asturian Blowholes

NFS 072 - La Renta: Tax for the Church

NFS 071 - Heading to the Costa de la Luz

NFS 070 - When Spanish Women Wax

NFS 069 - The Institute of Cold

NFS 068 - Ramirez and the Spanish Guitar

NFS 067 - The Cycle Ride of a Lifetime

NFS 066 - Kaliyoga

NFS 065 - Lanjaron and the Alpujarras

NFS 064 - On learning...

NFS 063 - The Bragas Factory

NFS 062 - Abadia Retuerta

NFS 061 - Patios Competition, Cordoba

NFS 060 - Escape to Madrid

NFS 059 - Feria de Caballos, Jerez

NFS 058 - Cadiz

NFS 057 - Las Fallas

NFS 056 - A year in Europe

NFS 055 - Victimising the Spanish!

Notes from Spain 54 - La Fiesta de San Anton

Notes from Spain 53 - Monasterio de Piedra

Notes from Spain 52 - Back Street Barcelona

Notes from Spain 51 - Rambling

Notes from Spain 50 - Siguenza

Notes from Spain 49 - Living in Spain - Alan and Brian

Notes from Spain 48 - The Rastro Market

Notes from Spain 47 - Chris Stewart Interview

Notes from Spain Podcast 46 - Vallecas

Notes from Spain 45 - Fiestas in Madrid

Notes from Spain 44 - Ourense Market

Notes from Spain 43 - Moving to Spain

Notes from Spain 42 - Ramblings from Gandia

Notes from Spain 41 - Spanish wine

Notes from Spain 40 - Flying the flag

Notes from Spain 39 - Feria del Libro

Notes from Spain 38 - Ibiza Birthday

Notes from Spain 37 - Lavapies

Notes from Spain 36 - Easter in Madrid

Notes from Spain 35 - El Escorial

Notes from Spain 34 - Don Justo Full Version

Notes from Spain 33 - ETA ceasefire

Notes from Spain 32 - Enduro India

Notes from Spain 31 - Travel Answers

Notes from Spain 30 - Oviedo