The Phylloxera Fair - celebrating the people and the wine

This weekend the Cava capital of the world will be in full dress for the annual "Festa de la Fil-loxera" town party. Complete with parades, elaborate costumes, fireworks, and the famous Catalan "Diables". This annual reminder of how the townspeople, with their vineyards under the threat and attack of the phylloxera insect, rebounded and successfully overcame the infestation to revive the wine trade. It is a dedication to the spirit and character of the people, as well as a tribute to the town's principal resource - wine.

For more information on visiting the region or wine tours in general, contact The Spanish Touch.

Technical Difficulties for The Spanish Touch

I deeply regret having to report that The Spanish Touch has been experiencing technical difficulties on our website. For most of last week the website was down, and we have not yet recovered full email access. Most emails sent during the last week were not received, and I have not been given a time frame for when to expect them again.

I am pleased to report that our website is up and running once more, and we can now receive emails. Please pardon this inconvenience and we hope to have this situation remedied soon.

Eric Hersey

Director
The Spanish Touch
Tel: 888-480-0013
Fax: 267-937-5651

Madrid and Andalusia Tour

Day 1 - Arrival in Madrid: transfer from airport to hotel. Day at leisure in Madrid. Welcome dinner in Madrid. (Madrid)

Day 2 - Morning tour of Prado Museum and surrounding area. Afternoon trip to Toledo. (Madrid)

Day 3 - Transfer to Seville. A brief overview of the city is followed by lunch and a walking tour of the city. In the evening, an optional bullfight at Seville's impressive Plaza de Toros. (Seville)

Day 4 - Day at leisure to enjoy Seville. Optional trip to Jerez, heart of sherry country, for a wine tasting at one of the spectacular wineries. Evening at leisure in Seville. (Seville)

Day 5 - Transfer to Granada, city of Moors and Catholic kings. Along the way, stop for lunch in the historic town of Antequera, just north of the spectacular El Torcal Park. (Granada)

Day 6 - Day in Granada. Visit to the Alhambra, the 12th century Moorish palace and fortress. In the evening, a dinner and flamenco show. (Granada)

Day 7 - Travel up to Madrid via Cordoba, ancient home to the Caliphs of the Moorish empire, and the majestic Mesquita. Evening farewell dinner in Madrid. (Madrid)

Day 8 - Transfer to airport, hotel or port.

The price includes:

Private guided tours as per itinerary.
A bilingual Spanish Touch tour guide with 24-hour availability.
Transfers to and from the airport.
All hotel accommodation in Madrid and Barcelona.
All transportation as specified in itinerary.
11 Meals (7 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 3 dinners)
All entrance fees on itinerary.

Price: Starting from $2,645 per person.
Available dates: all year.

For more information please visit our website or contact us.

All our tours can be totally personalized to better adapt them to your needs and preferences.

Paradores Tours, Spain

Many people have asked us about staying in the Parador hotels around Spain, combining luxury with affordability. Staying in a Parador is not just the treatment you would expect for a 4-star hotel, with large, comfortable room and excellent service, it is much more. Most of the hotels are strategically located throughout all of Spain, in exquisite locations and always surrounded by the best of the natural environment of the region, or else close to, and often in, historically significant places that offer a true slice of Spain. In fact, the hotels themselves are sometimes architechtural gems. Between the key locations and the beauty of the places and the hotels, from The Spanish Touch we offer tours that run throughout Spain incorporating the Parador hotels:

Northern Route: Paradors of La Seu (Catalonia), Vielha (Catalonia), Sos del Rey Católico (Zaragoza), Olite (Pamplona), Ondarribia (San Sebastian), Santillana (Cantabria), Cangas de Onís (Asturias) and Santiago de Compostela (Galicia).

Mediterranean Route: Aiguablava (Girona), Tortosa (Tarragona), El Saler (Valencia), Puerto Lumbreras (Murcia), Mojácar (Almeria) and Nerja (Málaga).

Castille and North Central Spain: Teruel (Aragon), Cuenca (Castilla la Mancha), Chinchón (Madrid), Gredos (Avila), Salamanca and León.

Andalusia and Southern Spain: Carmona (Seville), Córdoba, Ronda or Antequera (Málaga), Ayamonte (Huelva), Zafra (Badajoz).

For more information about our Paradores Tours, please visit our website or contact us.

All our tours can be totally personalized to better adapt them to your needs and preferences.

Barcelona and Costa Brava Tour

Day 1 - Arrive in Barcelona. Transfer to hotel. After lunch, take a walking tour around the area to familiarize yourself with your surroundings. An evening drink and brief overview of your itinerary at your hotel will be followed by dinner. (Dinner)

Day 2 - Breakfast at hotel. Tour the Heart of Barcelona, including La Pedrera and Casa Battlo, the Plaza Catalunya, and the world-famous Las Ramblas. After lunch, take in the famous Barrio Gotic, one of the best preserved examples of the gothic times. Perhaps stop in for an afternoon coffee and chocolate stop near Fargas, the oldest and most beloved chocolate shop in the city. Evening at leisure. (Breakfast)

 Day 3 - Breakfast at hotel. Morning tour of the Sagrada Familia and Parc Guell, the two most admired masterpieces of Gaudi. After lunch, we head up to Montjuic Palace, visit the Olympic Stadium and the Poble Espanyol, where an optional Flamenco dinner show can be taken in. And after the show, why not check out a different show: the Magic Fountains of Montjuic. (Breakfast)

Day 4 - Breakfast at hotel. Morning trip up to Montserrat Mountain, including a visit to the Monastery, and take a cable car up to the top of the mountain. After lunch, take an excursion into wine country, where you can tour a classic artisan winery and see how they make the famous Spanish Cava. Enjoy a dinner with wine in the region. (Breakfast)

Day 5 - Breakfast at hotel. Transfer up to the ancient city of Girona for a tour which includes, the Jewish Quarter, the Arab Baths, and the 11th century Cathedral. After lunch in the old city, visit the town of Figueres, birthplace of Salvador Dali. Visit Dali's one-of-a-kind Theater-Museum of Dali. In the Evening, dine in the old city charm of Girona.Night in Girona. (Breakfast, Dinner)

Day 6 - Breakfast at hotel. Morning trip up to Besalu, an classic medieval town. Continue up the Nuria Valley, nestled into the foot of the Pyrenees Mountains. Night in the Pyrenees. (Breakfast)

Day 7 - Breakfast at hotel. Take a morning trip out to the Costa Brava town of Cadaques, a splendid example of the Catalonia coast, and home to the medieval castle now known as the Casa-Museu Dali. Lunch at a seaside restaurant. Enjoy the afternoon at the beach, or pay a visit to the Centre D'art de Perrot-Moore. In the evening, head back to Barcelona. (Breakfast, Lunch)

Day 8 - Breakfast at hotel. Day at leisure in Barcelona. Why not visit the Olympic Village of Barcelona, or visit the Arc de Triumf and have a coffee in one the squares in the Gracia district. In the evening, meet for a farewell dinner. (Breakfast, Dinner)

Day 9 - Breakfast at hotel. Transfer to airport.

The price includes:

A bilingual Spanish Touch tour guide with 24-hour availability.
Transfers to and from the airport.
All hotel accommodation in Barcelona and Girona, as specified in the itinerary.
Intercity transportation as specified.
11 Meals (7 breakfast, 1 lunch, 3 dinners)
All entrance fees on itinerary.

Price: Starting from $2,864 per person
Available dates: all year.

For more information please visit our website or contact us.

All our tours can be totally personalized to better adapt them to your needs and preferences.

Barcelona and Basque Country Tour

Day 1 - Arrive in Barcelona. Transfer to hotel. Enjoy an evening stroll around the city center, and a welcome dinner where we will review your tour itinerary.

Day 2- Morning tour of Barcelona, including the Gothic neighborhood, the world-famous Las Ramblas, and the Maremagnum port area. In the afternoon, visit the Sagrada Familia church and spend some time wandering through Park Guell.

Day 3 - Morning trip to Montserrat, including a visit to the Monastery and the Santa Cova. In the afternoon, perhaps take a trip into wine country to visit a winery and enjoy some Cava, Spain´s sparkling wine.

Day 4 - This morning, head up to Girona and walk around the old Roman walls and the 11th century Cathedral. After lunch, head over to the town of La Seu D’urgell, one of the most important Catalonian towns in the Middle Ages, famous for its spectacular Romanesque churches and Cathderal. Night in La Seu D’Urgell.

Day 5 - Take a trip across to the natural park of Ordesa National Park, and enjoy the day walking the trails. Enjoy a picnic lunch in the park.

Day 6 - Moving across the country, we head toward the famous town of Pamplona, where the famous Running of the Bulls takes place. Stop in one of the picturesque towns along the way for lunch. Spent the night in Pamplona.

Day 7 - Today, head up the coast toward the border town of San Sebastian, and enjoy the afternoon in this charming fishing town. Late evening arrival in Bilbao.

Day 8 - Morning tour the city of Bilbao, visiting its many fascinating sites, including the Guggenheim Museum. Afternoon at leisure or take an optional excursion to one of the Basque country’s fascinating villages.

Day 9 - Transfer to Bilbao airport for return flight to the USA.

The price includes:

A bilingual Spanish Touch tour guide with 24-hour availability.
Transfers to and from the airport.
All hotel accommodation in Barcelona, La Seu D’urgell, Pamplona and Bilbao as per itinerary.
All transportation as specified in itinerary.
Meals as per itinerary
Private guided tours as per itinerary.

Available dates: all year.
Price: Starting from $2,100 per person.

For more information please visit our website or contact us.

All our tours can be totally personalized to better adapt them to your needs and preferences.

Romanesque Route and the Pyrenees Tour

Day 1 - Transfer from Barcelona Airport or your hotel to Barcelona. Afternoon Tour of Barcelona. Night in Barcelona.

Day 2 - Full Day tour of Barcelona and Montserrat Mountain. Night in Barcelona.

Day 3 - Transfer to Pyrennes (about 3h and 30 minutes). Afternoon at leisure in Vall d´Aran. Night in Vall d´Aran.

Day 4 - Full Day Tour: Romanesque Route, visiting Boí, Taüll, Durro, Barruera and Erin La Vall. Night in Taüll.

Day 5 - Walking tour or 4x4 tour discovering the National Park of Aigüestortes and Sant Maurici Lake. Night in Taüll.

Day 6 - Full Day Tour in Andorra. Night in Andorra.

Day 7 - Transfer to the Coastal Pyrennes of Garrotxa and Empordà. Full Day Tour of Girona. Night in Girona.

Day 8 - Walking tour of Garrotxa. Night in Girona.

Day 9 - Half-day tour of Besalú. Night in Girona.

Day 10 - Morning tour of Costa Brava and transfer to Barcelona. Night in Barcelona.

Day 11 - Transfer to the airport or port.

Available dates: From April to October. Every year.

Price per person: From $1,990 (price includes tours, acomodation, transfers, entrances and transportation). Price based on a group of six (6) people.

For more information please visit our website or contact us

All our tours can be totally personalized to better adapt them to your needs and preferences.

Siam Park: The best Aqua Park of Europe

The Aqua Park "Siam Park", located in Tenerife (Canary Islands) is one of the big new features that the island offers for 2008. The Aqua Park combines the most advanced technology with the exotic mistery of the old Siam kingdom. The adventure is available for all visitors, regardless of age. Children will enjoy areas specially created for them like “La Ciudad Perdida” ("The lost city"). Visitors willing to test their speed have the “Naga Racer”, the best way to enjoy a family water tobogan race.

If you want to know more about Tenerife and the Canary Islands, please contact us.

Festival de Guitarra de Córdoba

From July 4th to 18th Córdoba is going to be a major international guitar meeting point. Flamenco guitar music, together with jazz and the modern guitar are the stars of the show. Some of the most noteworthy musical guests include Paco de Lucía, Vicente Amigo, and many others. In addition to concerts and shows, there is also a workshop program. Some of the courses available for open participation iclude: guitar-making, flamenco dancing and singing, and of course, guitar classes in the various styles present at the festival.

If you are interested in an Andalusia Tour we can also include this festival in your itinerary or others festivals and celebrations. Just contact us for more information about possible Spain and Andalusia itineraries and the Guitar Festival in Córdoba.

San Juan Festivital

Last Monday night, the 23rd of June, once more played host to a raucous, vivacious party throughout all of Spain, and especially along the coastline: the San Juan Festival. While the best way to understand this festival is to experience it live, here are some pictures to give you an idea. The night is filled with fireworks, the beaches lit up with bonfires and the party to welcome in the summer can easily last until daybreak. Along the coast, it is typical for whole families to celebrate on the beach, with friends and neighbors. When attending the dinner, it is also important not to forget to bring dessert, the "Coca de San Juan". This fruitcake-like dish is served with candied fruit, or nuts, or both. And to accompany it, remember to bring your Spanish Moscatel or Cava.

The following day, the Day of San Juan, is a National holiday, and although adults and children alike have watched and set off uncountable fireworks and firecrackers the previous night, most people take advantage of the free time to enjoy a relaxing day in the open air, in a truly Spanish welcoming of the season.

"Veranos de la Villa" Madrid Festival

From July 1 to August 24 we have a date in Madrid: the "Veranos de la Villa" Festival, which has been celebrated for the past 23 years as a way of welcoming in the summer. More than 180 shows including music, dance, theater, flamenco, cinema and circus acts will be open to the public and showing in places like Sabatini Gardens, el Teatro Español or the Conde Duque Cultural Center. Some of the most anticipated acts are Diana Krall, Gloria Gaynor and Crowded House.

Contact The Spanish Touch for more information about this summer tradition and see how we can help make your trip to Spain unforgettable!

Bike Tourism in Sabiñánigo, Aragón

On the 21st of June, in what is now an annual event, one of the most important events for cycling enthusiasts in all of Spain takes place: “La Quebrantahuesos 2008”, the bone-breaker. Cyclists from around the world will go 204 km climbing from the ports of Somport, Marie Blanc, Portalet and Puerto de Hoz. At the same time celebrations will be going on with tributes to great cycling legends, expositions, demonstrations, etc.
For those who are not as accustomed to long bike journeys, the last few years have offered an alternative, 90 km course on the same day, which also starts and ends in Sabiñánigo.

From the Spanish touch we can recommend this race not only for cycling fans but also for everyone who loves nature as well. The Alto Gállego region, situated close to the Pyrenees offers some spectacular panoramic views and will certainly leave everyone who sees it wanting more.

For more information, please contact The Spanish Touch.

Jean Leon Wine Festival, Barcelona

From June 27 to the 29th, the Second Annual Jean Leon Wine Festival will be held at the Jean Leon estate in the Penedes region of Spain. A little over an hour from the center of Barcelona, the winery was founded by the legendary owner of the La Scala restaurant in Hollywood. The estate now produces some of the best wines in the region, maintaining a quality control above and beyond the already high requirements of the Penedes D.O.

The Festival is a chance to explore the culture of the region, its gastronomy, and recognize the acheivements of the man, Jean Leon. Oh yes, and it wouldn’t be complete without an outstanding opportunity to sample the wines from Bodegas Jean Leon.

For more information or to join us at the Festival, please contact us: info@thespanishtouch.com or visit our website www.thespanishtouch.com.

Dali and Montserrat Tours

The Turcos and Hrabchaks chose a couple of beautiful days for their visits to Montserrat mountain and the Dali route. And with the added visit to the Cava winery, the two days turned out great! One of the highlights of the Cava visit was the lunch stop in the Town Square in San Sadurni D'Anoia, the capital of Cava country. It was a quiet, unassuming little place, and a nice table tucked on the terrace on a sleepy Tuesday afternoon made it a great way to recover a bit from Montserrat's hike and prepare ourselves for the wine treat that was to come. Many thanks again to Ernest from Rimarts for his willingness to work with us on short notice (They asked me on Tuesday morning if we could visit a winery that afternoon), and for his wonderful explanations and of course the great wines.

The small town of Portlligat has very little to offer a tourist except the Dali house-museum, as if that weren't enough! Every time I visit, I feel like I understand Dali a little more. As someone with little artistic background, visiting his house and his museum in Figueres is always interesting, and the Turcos and Hrabchaks made it even better by being wonderful clients, very easy to work with, and very interested in the culture and heritage of Spain.

To see pictures of the tour and view the itinerary, click here.

Spain's gastronomy comes out on top ... again

Yesterday the list of the 50 top restaurants in the world was released. And for the third year running, El Bulli, the tiny little restaurant tucked along the Mediterranean Coast north of Barcelona was top of the list. Given its fame over the last few years, maybe that's no great surprise. However, that there were two other Spanish restaurants in the top 10 certainly opened some eyes. Mugaritz and Arzak, both located in the Basque region close to San Sebastian, have been climbing up the list for the last few years. Clearly, Spain's gastronomic acheivements have not gone unnoticed by the epicurean culture.

These fantastic restaurants are just the tip of Spain's incredible gastronomic wealth. The country that gave us Paella and Gazpacho is also full of local delicacies. Anywhere you go, in every region, the food is on prominent display. From the Cocido in Madrid to the Butifarra amb mongetes in Catalonia to the codfish in Bilbao, Spanish cuisine is always inviting visitors to share in the culture. And the wines that accompany these dishes is as bountiful and diverse as the ingredients of the food.

At the Spanish Touch we can organize your private food and wine tour through some of Spain's most spectacular regions. Contact us for more information or for a free quote for your personalized tour.

Once every two hundred years or so...

Well, we've come through another whirlwind Semana Santa in Spain. The Holy week processions, many of which were cancelled due to rain, are some of the most beautiful and moving acts in all of Spanish culture...in fact, I would say they are some of the most moving in any culture. To see the pride and devotion of the men carrying these massive floats, inching slowly through the streets, is singularly unique and utterly fascinating.

However, what made this year even more intense was that the Fallas festival in Valencia coincided with Semana Santa. It was the first time in over two hundred years, and don't wait around for the next one, as it will be a long time from now. Las Fallas reached its peak on March 19, with the burning of more than 500 ninots and a grand celebration that attracts thousands of people every year.

It's never too early to start planning for next year, and The Spanish Touch will be here to help you with everything from where to stay to what to eat during this cultural phenomena.

Toledo Segway Tours

The newest way to discover one of Spain’s grandest treasures is also one of the most enjoyable: take a Segway tour of Toledo and experience the city as never before! Toledo, one of the most emblematic cities in all of Spain, is a veritable goldmine of historical, archeological and cultural treasures, the most famous of which is the Toledo Cathedral. If you’ve ever wondered where the expression “Holy Toledo!” came from, look no further than this magnificent building in the center of the city. And while you are there don’t forget to try some of the local dishes, from wild game to fresh vegetables, your table is ready and Toledo is waiting...

Visit The Spanish Touch for more information about the route and prices for the Segway tour in toledo.

Note: Segway is an advanced personal transport system, electrically powered, that imitates human balance and is designed to be able to go anywhere a person can walk.

The best wine in the World comes from … Laguardia, Rioja

El Puntido 2004, from the Viñedos de Páganos de Laguardia, has been named best wine in the world 2008 following a rigorous selection process by the magazine Wine Enthusiast.

Popularly known as the “wine capital” Laguardia belongs to a part of the region called Laguardia-Rioja Alavesa. The region has numerous wineries and is one of the obligatory stops along the celebrated “Ruta del Vino”.

For more information about the “Ruta del Vino” in Rioja and the rest of Spain, please contact The Spanish Touch.

Get ready for the Fallas Festival in Valencia, Spain! March, 2008

If you still haven’t heard about “Las Fallas”, allow me to attempt to describe it briefly: a celebration with fireworks, music, parades, and of course, ninots (giant paper maché dolls) being pulled through the streets which, at the end of the festival, are burned. It is one of the most spectacular parties in all of Spain. Lasting 20 intense days, from March 1st to March 20th, Las Fallas brings people from all over Spain to witness the festivities.

If you want to be a part of this year’s Las Fallas celebrations, contact The Spanish Touch and we will make your trip easy: From designing the itinerary so that you don’t miss the highlights of each day, transfers from the airport and hotel, hotel reservations, transportation… everything necessary for you to discover Valencia and Las Fallas and not have to worry about anything.

Check out our Barcelona and Valencia Fallas 2008 Tour which we have designed for you.

At The Spanish Touch we give you the peace of mind of knowing that your trip is in good hands.

Canary Islands, always summer!

The Canary Islands, as you might have guessed from the name, is an island group in the Atlantic, closer to Africa than mainland Europe. Belonging to Spain since the days of Ferdinand and Isabella, these islands offer an average temperature of about 72ºF year round. Visiting the Canaries is visiting a group of 7 main islands, each one distinct from the others, with its own charms and, often times, radically different landscapes. El Hierro, La Palma, La Gomera, Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Fuerteventura and Lanzarote are the 7 main islands, and all are well connected with mainland Spain. Aside from splendid weather and miles of beaches, the islands offer 4 National Parks, more than 14 protected natural spaces and 4 Biosphere Reserves, including everything from completely volcanic (Lanzarote) to the immense beaches of Fuerteventura (known as the Isla Tranquila). A winter-time visit to the islands is the perfect escape for those of us who have to deal with a colder climate.

And while you are there, do take the opportunity to sample some of the local cuisine and the unique wines (even the volcanic region of Lanzarote is making wines, and some of them are pretty tasty at that!).

Zaragoza and the Expo 2008

Zaragoza has always been a spectacular city, not just for its architectural treasures but for the warmth and friendliness of its inhabitants. It is one of those Spanish cities which is a hidden jewel waiting to be explored. This summer visitors will have a unique opportunity to discover this great city thanks to the Expo 2008, which will take places between June 14, 2008 and September 14, 2008.

Three months under the theme “Water and Sustainable Development”, during which time you can enjoy some of the more than 3,400 open air performances, the brand/new auditorium and the Palacio de Congresos, thematic expositions in any of the more than 10 pavilions and plazas, as well as enjoy the food and culture of more than 100 countries, together with people from around the world.

Come and enjoy this once-in-a-lifetime experience. Do you want to miss it?

Contact The Spanish Touch for more information.

The Three Kings Day in Barcelona

The night of the 5th of January is one of the most exciting for all Spanish children. The Three Kings (Melchor, Gaspar and Baltasar) arrive at their homes with all sorts of gifts. The big day is January 6th, when children can open their gifts ans have lunch with the hole family. The menu can vary a lot from one family to another, but the dessert is the most important and traditional dish: "El Tortell de Reis", a fruitcake-like pastry. It is a very fun and special day and even the dessert is part of the game: inside the Tortell there are two figures, the fava (bean) and a figure of one of the Three Kings. Traditionally, the person who finds the fava in his/her Tortell, pays for the Tortell, and the one that finds the figure of the King, will be for one day "The King of the family" and will wear a paper crown.

If you want to try to cook the Tortell de Reis, here you have the recipe. Enjoy it!

Tortell de Reis Recipe

Ingredients:

500 g flour
100 g sugar
150 g butter
20 g yeast
1/4 litre milk
1 teaspon salt
Grated lemon rind
1 egg
Crushed almonds
Crystallized fruit (orange, melon, cherry, etc)

Don´t forget to find a bean (fava), a paper crown and a King figure or any other figure!

Directions:

Form the flour into a volcano on the mixing table. Inside the crater mix the yeast, sugar, butter, salt, lemon peel and milk (room temperature is much better than cold). With clean hands mix all the ingredients until the dough reaches a solid consistency that can be easily manipulated. (Pointer: you know the dough is ready when it no longer sticks to your hands)

Once the dough is ready, put it into a bowl in a cool place and let it stand for a minimum of 4 hours. Then take the dough and stretch it from the ends until it forms a ring, and place it on an oven-safe baking tray. Wrap the figure of the king (or the surprise of your choice) and the Fava in aluminum foil and stick them both into the dough wherever you please, making sure that they cannot be seen from the outside.

Next, beat and egg and with a brush coat the dough. It should shine. Coat the exterior with sugre and coated almonds and attach the candied fruits. In the meantime, pre-heat the oven to 300ºF. When the oven reaches the correct temperature, put the cake in for 30 minutes or until done.

Once the cake is finished, make a cardboard crown and put it next to the cake...and there you have yoru very own tortell de Reis!

Christmas in Spain

Spain is famous for its fiestas, and their Christmas celebrations go on for a bit longer than ours in the States - these pictures are from January 5, the 3 Kings Procession, celebrating the journey of the 3 wise men (Reyes or Kings in Spain)to give gifts to the baby Jesus. January 6 is the big day, but on the 5th there is the traditional parade to celebrate the arrival of the kings. For towns along the coast, like Barcelona, the kings arrive on a boat, and ride through the town in a procession that takes most of the evening. The kings also give out "presents", throwing caramels and other goodies from their floats to the children who line the streets waiting to see them pass.