Hola!, and welcome back to Spanish Loops. 

As always we bring you the human stories hiding behind history, and today’s chapter is a cracker: Ramón Franco, the daring aviator and paradoxical brother of General Francisco Franco. 

Ramón shot to fame after commanding the 1926 Plus Ultra transatlantic flight, a feat that made him a celebrity and symbol of modern Spain.

But Ramón’s politics and personality couldn’t have been more different from his sibling’s. He publicly clashed with the Primo de Rivera dictatorship, embraced republican and left-leaning causes in the 1930s, and lived a life full of bold gestures and sharp contradictions. 

This episode unpacks his achievements in aviation, his fiery confrontations with establishment figures, and his brief but intense political career during the tumultuous years of the Second Republic. 

We also examine the tragic, contested circumstances of his death: Ramón died when his seaplane crashed on October 28, 1938, at a time when his brother was rising to supreme power during the Civil War, a family rupture with resonances that last to this day. 

Tune in as we weave data over a fresh narration to tell the story of a man who defied expectation and became one of Spain’s most unforgettable, and misunderstood, historical figures. 

Listen, reflect, and decide what history should remember today.

Welcome back to Spanish Loops, where this week you are taken into a place that any traveler never see, yet every restaurant, bar, and seafood stall in Madrid depends on it.

It’s one of the biggest fish markets in the world, second only to Tokyo’s. Yes, right in the heart of Spain, hundreds of Kilometres from the coast, lies a seafood empire that feeds millions every day.

We’ll take you behind the scenes of this fascinating world where trucks roll in before dawn, where chefs and retailers handpick the freshest catch, and where tradition meets high-speed logistics.

You’ll discover how this market was born, why it became the seafood heartbeat of Madrid, and how it reflects the Spanish passion for fish, freshness, and flavour.

Spaniards eat more fish per capita than almost any other Europeans, and this place makes it all possible. It’s not just a market, it’s a window into Spain’s way of life, its relationship with the sea, and its unshakable commitment to good food.

So, tune in and join Jorge and Fran as they explore the stories, the smells, and the spirit of Madrid’s own “ocean in the city.” You’re about to discover why, when it comes to seafood, Spain truly lives by the tide.

Buen provecho!

Hello Chicos and welcome to another exciting edition of Spanish Loops, your passport to the culture, stories, and heartbeat of Spain.

This week, we open the doors to one of the most famous noble families in the world "La Casa de Alba", the House of Alba.

We’re talking about a lineage that’s been shaping Spanish history for centuries, from the royal courts of old Castile to the modern palaces of Madrid.

These are people whose family tree is tangled up with kings, queens, artists, and adventurers. Inside their walls you’ll find priceless art collections, historical manuscripts, and a legacy that has endured through wars, revolutions, and the passage of time.

Today, we take you on a journey through the fascinating story of the Fitz-James Stuart dynasty, from its medieval origins to its present day heirs. We explore how the family influenced Spanish politics, supported the arts, and became one of Europe’s most recognizable noble names.

But this isn’t just a history lesson. You’ll also hear about the modern face of the Alba family, how they’ve opened their palaces to the public, embraced cultural projects, and kept their traditions alive in the 21st century.

So grab your headphones and join Spanish Loops for this captivating program about La Casa de Alba, where the past meets the present, and history truly comes alive.

Listen now on your favourite podcast platform or watch us in YouTube!!

Hey what’s up loop-lovers!

These are your celebrity friends tuning in, and we are so stoked to introduce the latest episode of Spanish Loops, just in time for the spooky season!

This week, we get into the ghostly corners of Spain and some haunted legends, eerie personal experiences, and why the Iberian Night has a story to tell.

From the shadowy alleys of old towns to whispered folklore by candlelight, they’ll serve up chills, thrills, and that authentic Spanish horror vibe.

If you’re into ghost hunting, supernatural stories, or just love a good scare with a glass of vino, this episode is totally made for you.

And yes we’re talking high-octane: Spanish ghosts, haunted Spain, spooky legends from Spain, paranormal tales in Spain, you name it.

Expect goosebumps. Expect “did that just happen?” moments. Expect the unexpected.

So, plug in your earbuds, turn the lights down low, maybe pull the curtains, and join us on this spectral journey. Because when the moon rises and the wind whispers through thecobblestones… the stories come alive.

Catch you on the flip side. Stay spooky!

Welcome to the latest chapter of Spanish Loops, a mouth watering splash into tapas culture in the south of Spain.

In this episode we trace tapas from humble tavern lids to a national obsession: the legends (from King Charles III “bite with your wine” tale to seaside slices that kept sand out of drinks), the social rituals, and how small plates became thesocial glue of Andalusian nights.

We explain the layered history and regional variations that make tapas more than food. They’re edible stories that foldculture, politics and conviviality into every tiny plate.

Granada earns a special episode length spotlight: often called a tapas paradise, bars in Granada famously still serve complimentary small plates with many drinks, creating a bar crawl culture where each stop feels like a mini feast and surprise.

We profile classic Granada bites and sit down with local hosts to map the best barrios for free tapas and unforgettable pairings.

Jaén and the olive-oil rich provinces get their due: from rustic montaditos topped with local aceite to jewel-like frituras, tapas here pair perfectly with a couple of cold beers or a glass of local wine, the kind of place where a short stop becomes an evening.

We also unpack tapas’ disputed origins: from medieval “covers” to royal edicts, and why tapas evolved as both practical and political fare across centuries.

Expect immersive scenes: clinking glasses, sizzling plate sounds, the whisper of olive oil, and locals teaching you to order like a pro: “una caña y una tapa”, while the hosts debate their favourite hidden bars.

The narrative balances history and travel tips so listeners learn where to taste, how to order, and which tapas pair best with beer or a young red. Perfect for food-loving travelers, culture curious listeners…

Buen apetito Amigos!!

Hola Chicos!

Jorge and Fran here with Spanish Loops, and today we’re slipping into something silky: Spain’s legendary spas and “Balnearios”. 

From steaming thermal springs tucked into ancient villages to ultra-chic coastal resorts, Spain’s water culture blends Roman roots, medieval rituals, and modern wellness tech into purerelaxation. 

There are historic bath houses where locals still soak like they did centuries ago, we chat about the rituals that made these places famous. Expect stories from Mondariz to Archena, insider tips on how to book quiet mornings, and a peek at coastal balnearios where sea air doubles the detox.

Think mosaic pools, steam rooms with old stonework, and sunset plunge pools plus practical low-cost spa ideas for a weekend reset.

Chase wellness history, plan a romantic getaway, or mix heritage, luxury, and local flavour. Tune in for laughter, nudges toward mindful self-care, and our top balnearies favourites.Press play, breathe in, and let Spain’s healing waters wash your stress away.

Subscribe, leave a review, and send us your balnearies stories. Follow Spanish Loops and get ready for warm water, soft music and good conversation.

Hit play and join us now. Enjoy.

Good morning, good afternoon or good evening, wherever you are in the world. This is Spanish Loops, and today we bring you the story of a cathedral that has puzzled architects,historians, and visitors for decades: Madrid’s very own Cathedral of the Almudena.

 Now, imagine this: a project that began with grand ambition in the late 19th century, yet didn’t see its official inauguration until 1993.

That’s right, more than a century of waiting, redesigning, and political storms. Why?

Because the Almudena was not just about stone and mortar. It became a mirror of Spain’s shifting identity, a tale of monarchy, republic, civil war, dictatorship, and democratic rebirth.

Under Franco’s regime, the cathedral became a symbol tangled with politics and national pride. Money ran out, styles clashed, and plans were rewritten again and again.

The result? A building that looks part Gothic, part Neoclassical, and part modern patchwork.

Critics call it confusing; others see it as a living timeline of Spanish history carved in stone.

When Pope John Paul II finally consecrated the cathedral in 1993, Madrid celebrated not just the completion of a long awaited temple, but the endurance of a city’s faith and resilience.

In this episode, Jorge Román and Fran Glaría peel back the layers of controversy, architecture, and politics to reveal the true saga of Almudena.

It’s not just about a cathedral..., it’s about Spain itself.

Tune in on Spotify, catch us on YouTube, share the journey on Instagram, and see how one building tells the story of a nation.

Hola hola!This is Jorge and Fran again back on Spanish Loops, the podcast where stones, myths, and history collide.

Buckle up, because in our next episode, we’re unravelling “The Hand of Irulegui”.

A recent archaeological marvel from the Basque lands, glowing like a beacon in the darkness of our linguistic past. This isn’t just a statue or relic, it might be the missing clue to where the Basque language came from. Could it be that thissymbol, half myth, half history, holds the key to understanding who the Basques really are?

We’ll take you from dusty excavation sites to the living culture of today, talking while chasing the whispers of Irulegi. What does this hand-shaped inscribed artefact tell usabout language roots, tribal rituals, mythology, and possibly even how ancient Basque words came to life?

We’ll explore competing theories, the controversies, and what it could mean for Basque identity, not just for scholars, but for anyone with Basque blood, heritage, or curiosity.

Expect nothing and all. The secrets from this stone are still hidden somewhere in an excavation, and the moment the artefact's patterns come into view, the breathing hush of hypothesis, clashes interpretation.

Subscribe, share, and get your questions ready…, because the Hand of Irulegi wants to speak!

Hola!

This are Jorge Román and Fran Glaría, your passport to the hidden stories behind Spain’s stone and stained glass. Today on Spanish Loops we are talking to a subject that is as old as civilization and twice as dramatic: what makes a churchdifferent from a cathedral, a basilica, or an ermita?

From humble chapels tucked into cliff faces to awe striking cathedrals that declared a city’s power, we will trace the architecture, the titles, the rituals, and the politics that turned simple worship spaces into symbols of pilgrimage, prestige, and yes, the occasional palace sized ego!

We’ll stroll through time, Roman foundations, medieval firestorms of reform, Renaissance showmanship, Baroque theatricality and pull apart the real reasons, a place gets called a basilica versus when a bishop sits in a cathedral’schair.

You’ll meet the hermits who birthed ermitas on lonely crags, the popes who handed out basilica status like royal favours, and the clever civic leaders who built cathedrals to put their town on the map.

Expect human stories: miracles, rivalries, secret chapels, and the odd scandal that reshaped whole neighbourhoods.

Are you a curious traveler planning your next Spanish loop?

Do you love a good origin story?

Do you want to sound brilliant at church tours?

This episode is for you. We’ll give you the quick ID points how to spot a cathedral from a basilica in under thirty seconds plus the cultural context that makes every stone matter.

Tune in, subscribe, and share because these buildings don’t just hold prayers, they hold the history of us. Now let’s walk inside and listen to the stones.

See you next week!

Hey there, amigos, and welcome back to Spanish Loops!

If you joined us last week, you know we took a delicious walk through Madrid’s sweet tooth, pastries, churros, and more. Well, this week, we’re heading east to the Mediterranean breeze and Gothic vibes of Barcelona, where sugar meets tradition in the most irresistible way.

Barcelona’s sweets aren’t just desserts, they’re history you can taste. We virtually taste the panellets, those little almond and pinenuts bites that rule the city on All Saints’ Day, and the legacy of turrón that Catalonia claims as its own.

You’ll also discover how chocolate became a Barcelona obsession. This city didn’t just adopt it, it turned it into an art form! And, of course, we’ll talk about coca de Sant Joan, the festive pastry that lights up midsummer nights with sweet, colorful joy.

What makes Barcelona so special is how every sweet carries a story: a festival, a season, a family recipe passed down through generations. In this episode, we’ll share where you can find the best bites today, while peeling back the history that shaped them.

So, whether you’ve got a sweet tooth or just love cultural traditions, this chapter is for you. Put the kettle on, grab a spoon, or maybe a fork and let us take you through the sweet side of Barcelona.

Spanish Loops are ready to roll… are you?