Girona Flower Time - decorating one of Spain's most beautiful cities May 2012

We're officially into Spring and the flowers are in bloom. Semana Santa is just around the corner and as the temperatures rise and the sun grows stronger, I'd like to call attention to this year's Flower Show in Girona, the tempsdeflors, which takes place from May 12 through the 20th.


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

General Strike In Spain March 29, 2012

For anyone who is, or will be travelling in Spain tomorrow, March 29, 2012, please be advised that there is a national strike called that will affect transportation, shops, and most everything else throughout the course of the day.

A different kind of Day Tour in Madrid

When you find yourself in a city like Madrid, it's all too easy to fall into the "tourist trap" cycle of staring at maps, bouncing from one museum to another or even tagging along with 50 other people for a whirlwind tour of the city on a bus. That's an easy option, but not really the one most of us like to take. It is the default mode, and not the recipe for a truly memorable experience. So we have a different solution: a new, unique day tour that combines the culture, history and gastronomy, all without leaving the city itself!

Start the day meeting your local guide at the hotel before heading over to the Royal Palace for a guided tour. Follow that with a walk through the old city before stopping for a gourmet tapas lunch. After lunch, enjoy a wine tasting course in the heart of the city!

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

Las Fallas - Valencia's spotlight celebration

One of the biggest and best celebrations in a country famous for them is upon us: Las Fallas 2012 has arrived in full effect in Valencia! For those people lucky enough to get the chance to live the Fallas first hand, it is a truly unique and exhilirating experience. Every year the streets fill up with the Ninots (giant statues), decorations and people, and the whole city becomes a kaleidescope of colors, sounds and lights. The beauty of Las Fallas is that every year is completely different, as the giant paper-mache floats are burned and artists spend most of the year creating new statues to burn for the next year.

This year's celebration kicked off March 1, and continues through the 19, with each day bringing new Ninots and new celebrations.

To visit Valencia during Las Fallas, or to learn more about this or other Spanish festivals, please contact The Spanish Touch.

May in Spain - A Month of Celebration from Girona to Jerez

May is one of my favorite months to visit Spain. Spring is in full bloom, the weather is great, flowers, food and yet still early enough to miss the massive tourist rush of the summer months. There's so much going on in every corner, it's almost impossible to not catch some great cultural festival. Whether it's the Patios de Cordoba Festival, the Temps de Flors in Girona, Tarraco Viva or the Jerez Horse Fair, visitors have ample opportunities to feel the magic of Spain.

It's a wonderful time with so much on display, so why not take an early summer trip and visit Spain with The Spanish Touch. Let us bring you with us into the heart of the culture and the people, and enjoy a vacation unlike any other!

For more information about planning a private guided tour in Spain, contact The Spanish Touch at 888-480-0013.

Strolling through history - The Haws' day in Barcelona

The initial forecast for Sunday was showers throughout the day. But first thing in the morning in Barcelona a sunny, warming sky welcomed us as the Haws gathered and we began our day walking down Passeig de Gracia to Barcelona's old city. As we walked through the streets, learning about the history and talking about urban planning, the symbology of the statues around the city and how the city has grown through the centuries. After a stop for a typical tapas lunch in the old city, we met up with our bus and headed up to Montjuic  for a great view over the city and a chance to explore a bit of the castle. Our final stop for the day was Park Guell, and a chance to explore Gaudi's urban development. The weather, which had cooperated all day, finally showed a break and as the rain began to fall we headed back to the bus to reflect on a wonderful, full day of lively history and conversation.

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

Barcelona Beer Festival - another reason to visit

The weekend of March 9-11 offers visitors to Barcelona a great chance to discover one of the newer aspects of the region: the burgeoning craft beer culture that is gaining prestige in and around the region. As craft brew festivals go, how many of them can claim to be held in a gothic building? The Barcelona Beer Festival will take place in the Gothic cloister at the Sant Agustí Convent of Barcelona More than one hundred beer varieties from around Spain and abroad will be available. 

There will be also workshops and tips about which food & beer combinations work best 8and many can be sampled right at the festival. The festival is free to visit to enter, although drinks are not. This is a great way to get to know more about this blossoming culture and some of the great craft beers being produced! For more information about the festival check out the web link above. Hope to see you there!

For more information about Barcelona or to design a private guided tour of Barcelona, contact The Spanish Touch at 888-480-0013.

Sant Medir - a celebration in Gracia for everyone!

This Saturday in the Gracia district of Barcelona the celebration of Sant Medir will run its annual parade, showering the observers with sweets and candies! The festival dates from the 16th century, and every year on March 3 Gracia brings out its best to impress and especially to make sure everyone has a great time. At 8 o'clock this evening at the Jardinets de Gracia  (continue straight up from the Passeig de Gracia, in front of the Casa Fuster Hotel) the parade, with horses and floats, will bring the celebration to a head with a fireworks display. Come out and join the fun!

For more information or for help designing your private tour in Spain, contact The Spanish Touch.