Merry Christmas from The Spanish Touch

Merry Christmas from The Spanish Touch!!

Bon Nadal des de The Spanish Touch!!

Feliz Navidad desde The Spanish Touch!!!

Wishing you and yours the very best this holiday season, and remember to enjoy responsibly!!

Hasta Pronto
The Spanish Touch

Visiting Spain - so much more than sun and beach

Recently I came across this quote:

“They want to live like the Spanish, go out for tapas and get to see all the possibilities that the big cities offer. It is not a tourism that is focused on sun and beach but rather on culture, the cities, and with a heavy interest in the food and wine”...

It was in reference to Brazilian travelers, but i think it fits in perfectly with what The Spanish Touch has been saying for the last eight years: Spain is so much more than what it was presented as for much of the twentieth century. We are still fighting the image of a country where everything is about sun, cheap wine, Flamenco and lying on the beach. But little by little people are beginning to realize just how much Spain has to offer. 

I feel privileged to be able to help people discover a part of that. The idea of seeing Spain like the Spanish do, going out for tapas, and really getting into the heart of the culture is what first brought us to create this company. And it is encouraging to see how the Spanish government is getting behind the idea as well. It won't happen overnight. There are stigmas that will take time to get past, and not all of them are bad (Personally, a night out in Seville for tapas and then a Flamenco show is right up there for a great way to spend a night!!), but just as Spanish cuisine has been brought to the world's forefront by a few creative geniuses, let's hope that the culture and heritage of the Iberian Peninsula will get their due. 

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

MAY 2013 Tour - Patios of Cordoba Festival

Come join The Spanish Touch for a truly Andalusian experience! Flowers, dancing, culture and just a little bit of Sherry to help you along your way as you join in the celebration of Cordoba's internationally recognized Patio competition, and The Spanish Touch wants to be your personal guide to make your experience a once-in-a-lifetime event!!

May 11: Arrival in Madrid. Transfer to hotel. Afternoon walking tour of Madrid city center. Evening welcome meal.

May 12: Breakfast at hotel. Transfer via AVE high-speed train to Cordoba. After leaving our luggage at the hotel, head over to the old city to wander the narrow streets and engage with the locals during the Patios of Cordoba Festival!

May 13: Breakfast at hotel. In the morning, take a private tour of the city of Cordoba, including the magnificent Mezquita-Cathedral, the old Jewish Quarter and the Roman bridge. After lunch spend the afternoon discovering the beauty of the Patios of Cordoba, which will be in full bloom and brightest display as more than 20 patios vie for the title of best patio of the year.

May 14: Transfer to Sevilla. Afternoon private tour of Seville city center, including the Alcazar and the old tobacco Factory, scene of Bizet's Opera Carmen. In the evening why not take a walk along the river to see the Torre de Oro, the Bullring and the Maria Luisa Park.  Optional Tapas dinner in the evening.

May 15: Breakfast at hotel. Morning private tour of Seville Cathedral, central point of Seville's historic center and final resting place of Christopher Columbus as well as the largest Gothic cathedral in the world. Afternoon at leisure. Optional Flamenco show in the evening.

May 16: Breakfast at hotel. Morning drive to Jerez de la Frontera to witness the Royal Equestrian Horse Show before stopping at one of the best wineries for a chance to sample the classic of all Spanish wines: Sherry!

May 17: Breakfast at hotel. Transfer back to Madrid for last evening in Madrid and a farewell dinner at one of Madrid’s classic restaurants.

May 18: Breakfast at hotel. Transfer to airport for return flight.

Medieval Fair of Vic - Medieval fairs in Medieval cities

This weekend is the annual Fira Medieval de Vic, (Medieval Fair of Vic), about an hour and a half north of Barcelona. Along with the fair in Montblanc, this is one of my favorite medieval fairs. Dating back more than 2500 years, the city of Vic enjoyed its zenith during the Middle ages, and this fair brings that heritage to life. From the local stalls and displays of trades that can be traced back through generations, the Vic fair is an extremely popular early December tradition for locals and inquisitive visitors. One of the highlights is the Medieval Market, a remarkable, detailed reproduction of a 15th century market in the heart of the old city.

The fair runs from 10 in the morning through 8 in the evening, December 6 through December 9.

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

El Puente de la Purisima - The Start of the Christmas season

In the US we have Black Friday to mark the beginning of the holiday season. In Spain they have the "Puente de la Purisima", or the long weekend of December 6 (Dia de la Constitucion) and 8 (Immaculate Conception), both national holidays. The two days mark the last holiday in Spain before Christmas itself, and as such the real start of the Christmas season. The lights have been up for a couple of weeks now, but this weekend, holiday or no, stores throughout Spain will be open as residents and visitors alike jump into full Christmas Spirit. the Christmas Markets are open and everything is ready for the season to hit full stride. If you are in Spain during the month of December take a moment to catch some of the best of wherever you are. It's usually fairly easy to find something unique, from the local town hall celebrations to the lights to the sweets and traditional Christmas cuisine, indulge yourself a little bit!

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