Ronda's Pedro Romero Festival - Tradition on display

Ronda is a uniquely Spanish town, famous for its inspiring landscape, cultural heritage and its bullring, the very first in Spain. And for the first week of September, Ronda hosts the only Feria De Ronda, the Town Fair dedicated to a bullfighter, the 18th-century legend  Pedro Romero. As you would expect in a town with such a deeply-rooted tradition, the bullring is one of the main stages for the festival, and the highlight of the festival is the Corrida Goyesca, a tradition which began in 1954 to celebrate the bicentennial of Pedro Romero's birth. The end of the summer holidays doesn't necessarily mean the end of the party, so come to Ronda and see why people like Hemmingway and Orson Welles were charmed by the city and its inhabitants.

For information on designing your own private guided tour in Spain, contact The Spanish Touch at 88-480-0013.

Jewish Culture Week in Toledo

The walled city of Toledo has inspired many with its majestic Cathedral, winding streets and picturesque location. But it is also known as the city of three cultures: Christian, Muslim and Jewish people lived together for centuries in this city, and any visit to Toledo is incomplete with a visit to the Synagogues (Santa Maria La Blanca and El Transito), Mosque (del Cristo de la Luz). This week the XII annual European Jewish Cultural festival is taking place, and what better place to celebrate than Toledo, with the Semana Sefardi de Toledo (Sephardic Week of Toledo).

From August 29 Through September 5, Toledo's Sephardic history and culture will be the center of attention, with seminars, guided visits, craftshows, and concerts! Take this opportunity to visit and learn more about the fascinating heritage and legacy that the Jewish population left in Toledo!

For more information or for help planning your private guided tour in Spain, contact The Spanish Touch at 888-480-0013.

Festa Major = Major fun this week in Vilafranca del Penedes

Two weeks ago was the Festa Major de Gracia. Last week it was the Festa Major de Sants. This week we head out of the city of Barcelona to the capital of the Penedes region to find our Festa Major: Vilafranca del Penedes offers a great setting for a great time for all! Wander the medieval streets  that wind and find hidden treasures (the occasional Modernista  building sneaks up on the unwary), decked out in full celebratory gear. Enjoy the parades, the music and the general fetivies less than an hour from Barcelona! Now through Friday take the opportunity to get out and celebrate with the locals, and while you're there, don't forget to visit the wineries of the region!

For more information or to design your private guided tour in Spain, contact The Spanish Touch at 888-480-0013.

Gardens of Granada September 2011

Gardens of Granada is a 3 day experience which will be taking place in September (6^th-8^th) in one of the most beautiful cities in all of Spain: Granada! This package, put together by Lucy at Go Granada!, offers a unique way to discover the city. Visit 7 very different gardens and discover the curious and  delightful stories behind the secret carmens (enclosed gardens), learn about the fascinating history of the Alhambra Palace and Generalife Gardens, hear interesting fables about life in bygone times and explore the historic center.  Optional extras include a tapas tour, a flamenco show, Arab baths with massage, a walking tour and an accompanied shopping trip.

For more information on your private guided tour in Spain, contact The Spanish Touch at 888-480-0013.

Changing our website and some other news!

We are currently updating our website and changing its appearance a little. In the next few days, you will find more detailed information about our wine and food tours, cultural tours, offers and some news we want to share with you. We will keep you informed!

Please, let us know if you like our new website, your opinion is very important to us!

La Festa de La fil.loxera - A cava celebration of triumph

Every year in the beginning of September the tiny town of Sant Sadurni D'Anoia lights up. In part this is due to the nonstop action of the ongoing harvest, bringing in the famous "trinity" of grapes to be used for this year's Cava reserves, Macabeo, Xarel.lo and Perellada. But from September 6 through the 8th, the town is in full celebration with the Festa de la Fil.loxera. The festival, which was begun in 1982, celebrates the region's triumph over the phylloxera plague that devastated most of Europe at the end of the 19th century.

The festival is a demonstration of, and tribute to the courage and spirit of the farmers and winemakers who refused to give up and whose determination made Sant Sadurni what it is today: The capital of Spain's sparkling wine.

Come join the celebration with live music, dancing, parades and, naturally, cava!! For more information or for help planning your private guided tour in Spain, contact The Spanish Touch at 888-480-0013.

Festes de Gràcia in Barcelona

Poster 2011

What was once a town close to the city of Barcelona today is one of the most emblematic and bohemian neighborhoods of the city. That's why the annual festes celebrated are becoming more and more renown throughout the world. This year the festes began on Monday the 15th and will continue in full swing through Sunday the 21st.

Streets elaborately decorated, concerts and live performances, bars and terraces in the open air, craft fairs where local products are bought and sold, competitions, raffles, ... both day and night there are activities for everyone from the smallest visitors on up. This is a party that you don't want to miss!

Summer nights at La Pedrera (Casa Milà), Barcelona

In one of Barcelona's most emblematic modernista buildings, commonly referred to as "La Pedrera", the hot August nights transform into a magical and charming respite where you can enjoy a night of local jazz music as well as visiting the "L'espai Gaudí", located on the buildings first floor. If your time in Barcelona is tight during the day, this is a great way to take advantage of the night to make the most of  your visit.

For more information about different activities both in the city itself and in the surrounding area during the dog days of summer, contact The Spanish Touch.

Modernista Routes along the Maresme, Barcelona

Can Garí, Argentona (Barcelona)

The region of the Maresme is just 30 minutes north of Barcelona. Towns like Mataró, Argentona, Alella, among others, offer a piece of the Modernista route that goes beyond what you see in the city of Barcelona.

Here's a pdf link for a more information about this route, or contact The Spanish Touch at 888-480-0013.

A different view, a different history: the shelters of Barcelona during the Civil War

During the Spanish Civil War, underground bomb shelters were built throughout Spain. In Barcelona alone there were more than 1000 constructed. One of these shelters, named "Refugi 307", features an impressive track of more than 200 meters of tunnels. This was a place where 2000 citizens could go during the constant bombings, and it was considered one of the safest in the city. Even so, the bombs damaged the tunnel and collapsed a part of it. Currently it is being restored but for the curious visitor it offers a chance to see a different side of the city's history, including the areas where you could find the nurse station, the toolshed, bathrooms, etc.

For more information of to plan your own private guided tour in Spain, contact The Spanish Touch.

Sant Pau Hospital, the largest Modernista complex in Europe

The Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau (more commonly referred to as Sant Pau) is a major part on the Modernista Route in Barcelona. The hospital is actually the most important and largest complex of modernista buildings in Europe. Currently visitors have limited access to the complex due to the rehabilitation of the buildings that is being carried out, but even so in July daily guided visits were established so that people can still see the buildings, not only from the outside, but also the tunnels of the historic ocmplex, that served to connect the various medical buildings without having to go outside). The buildings, most of which no longer function as an active part of the hospital itself, represent one of the crowing acheivements of the architect Lluis Domenech i Montaner, one of modernisme's most recognized figures.

We at The Spanish Touch can highly recommend that, if you haven't already done it, you sign up for a guided visit to discover the secrets of this jewel of modernisme in Barcelona. Here are a few photos to give you an idea of what's in store.

For more information, visit:
http://thespanishtouch.com/daytours_barcelona_modernista.htm

La Palma Walking Festival - a different kind of summer festival

festivaldesenderismo on livestream.com. Broadcast Live Free

Yesterday we talked about the Spanish summer fairs, and today we want to present a different way to experience the local culture, with the La Palma Walking Festival in the beautiful Canary Islands. August 19 through the 21st will see the island of La Palma host trekkers from around the globe who want to explore this incredible island for the third year in a row. The festival will provide nature lovers and hikers the chance to get to know the culture, landscape and scenery of one of Spain's most beautiful islands.

Fore more information on how to plan your private guided tour in Spain, contact The Spanish Touch at 888-480-0013.

August Town Fairs in Spain - a local experience

August is the hottest month of the year. And that presents problems for many people when it comes time to travel. But in Spain, it represents one of the best months to explore the Ferias (town fairs), from the big festivals such as the Malaga Summer Feria and the Aste Nagusia in Bilbao to small village fairs like the Jimera de Libar Fair, these fairs are a fantastic way to get to see and experience local culture.

For more information about the summer festivals or to plan your next private guided tour in Spain, contact The Spanish Touch at 888-480-0013.

Bordeaux Wine Experience Harvest Tour

The Spanish Touch is working with the Bordeaux Wine Experience to make your 2011 harvest wine tour an unforgettable experience!

Join the Bordeaux Wine Experience from September 26 - October 1, 2011 for a 6/day, 5 night wine tour. This all-inclusive tour features visits to wineries such as Haut Brion, Pichon Baron and even Chateau Yquem, meals in a Bordeaux Chateau and a two michelin star restaurant, and a small group size guaranteeing personalized attention at every turn. 


For more information about the itinerary and prices contact The Spanish Touch at 888-480-0013.

It's almost time for Harvest tours again!

As we enter the sweltering heat of August and are confronted with an all-too-quickly-approaching end of summer, I cannot help but think of the upcoming harvest, and the innumerable festivals, local town fairs and exquisite winery visits that this time of year offers. So keep your eyes peeled as we will be starting a rundown of our personal favorites in this space in the coming days!

For more information regarding private tours in Spain, contact The Spanish Touch at 888-480-0013.

Atlantic Botanical Garden of Gijon - step away from the city and into a world of green

Gijón is one of those tucked away places that visitors to Spain can all too easily overlook. Located along the northern coastal province of Asturias, the city is known as the capital of the Costa Verde in Spain. And one of the must-see sights for anyone looking to escape from your normal city sightseeing routine is a visit to the Atlantic Botanical Garden (Jardin Botanico Atlantico) located less than 2 miles from the city center. The garden is home to over 30,000 plants and offers the city-weary visitors a chance to discover more about the natural life in northwest Spain. It is open from 10:00 to 9:00 during the summer and offers a range of activities to keep the whole family happy.

For more information or to plan your private guided tour in Spain, contact The Spanish Touch at 888-480-0013.

A day in the Alpujarra (Granada)

The Alpuharra (or Las Alpujarras) is a part of Andalusia that includes a part of the provinces of Granada and Almería, just on the southern face of the Sierra Nevada Mountains.

Our route begins in Lanjarón, entranceway to the region. Lanjarón is known for its spa and the medicinal properties of its waters. After a short visit to the town and the Parroquia de la Encarnación, we will visit Lanjarón Castle, an Arab building from the 12th and 13th centuries. From there you can admire the beauty and tranquility of the landscape.

From Lanjarón we continue on to El Paraje de Tello. From here there are various walking routes that you can enjoy: The carril de la sierra takes you to the foot of Cerro del Caballo, one of the highest peaks of the Sierra Nevada, where the carril de la Chaparra will lead you to the Tajo Expósito, a spectacular gorge. Other possible routes include visiting the Tajo de la Cruz, where it is said that the witches of the region would congregate, or the Huerta de las Monjas, a recreational area along the banks of the Lanjarón River.

Contact The Spanish Touch for more information or for help planning your private guided tour in Spain.