Today we took the group to a 16th century Masia in one of the outlying towns of Barcelona for a taste of authentic Catalan cooking: Calcots are back and we can't miss the chance to take our visitors for a treat. After a morning of shopping in the Gracia district, we headed over to the restaurant. Three and a half hours later we left, having been very well fed on calcots, local meats and a delicious creme catalana, we headed up the road back to Barcelona.
We chose the route home that led over the Tibidabo mountain, and stopped along the way for a few panoramic pictures of sunset over the city, stopping by Norman Foster's Tower of Collserola before driving down the mountain back into the city. A wonderful meal and wonderful company on a gorgeous winter's day in Barcelona!
For more information on how we can help plan your private guided tour to Spain, contact The Spanish Touch.
Another great thing about being in Spain at this time of year is that it seems that every year more and more regions and cities are getting into the habit of hosting events that make the culture history and gastronomy more vivid and accessible. This year the Spanish Touch is heading again to Truffle country in the Aragon region, but for those who would prefer to stick closer to Barcelona, from now until the end of January you can take advantage of the "Jornada Gastronomica de la Trufa" (Truffle Gastronomy Days) which are being held throughout the region of Girona just an hour north of the city. These are a great way for people to discover the wonders of the truffle and how it can be mixed with local cuisine to produce some gastronomic delights!
For more information or for help planning your private guided tour to Spain, contact The Spanish Touch.
Halfway between Madrid and Valencia, in the heart of Castille-La Mancha, is the province and city of Cuenca. This unique medieval city of just over 50,000 is a perfect place to discover a new dimension of Spanish history and culture. Like many cities in Spain, the city dates to pre-Roman times, and has been inhabited by Romans, Moors and Christians throughout the centuries. The rich cultural and natural heritage of the region offers discerning visitors the chance to discover some truly fascinating treasures: From the 12th century Cathedral and the old city to the famous Casas Colgadas "Hanging Houses". The houses are perched on the edge of the cliff on which the city rests, and have been a part of the landscape for centuries (they did get a renovation in the 20th century). Mix the majestic scenery, the rich cuisine and a fabulous Parador hotel together and you get the recipe for a great way to spend a day and a night getting in touch with the authentic Spain.
For more information or to for help designing your own private guided tour in Spain, contact The Spanish Touch.
The Three kings have come and gone. All around Spain the kings arrived to delighted crowds of children on January 5, arriving in traditional boats, on exotic animals and even via airplane! And now that the celebration is over, we enter into the last weekend of Spain's traditional holiday break. This means several things for people traveling around the Iberian peninsula this weekend:
1) Be very careful as there will be a lot of traffic as people return from their holidays.
2) It's time for the sales to begin! All over Spain people will be flocking to the malls and city center in search of great values and hidden treasures. It is estimated that the average person in Barcelona will spend between 200 and 250 euros during the next few frenetic weeks of discount shopping. So if you are in the city, or will be coming shortly, make sure you leave some extra space in your luggage, and plan a few hours of shopping into your itinerary!
For more information on how to reserve your own private guided tour of Spain, contact The Spanish Touch.
As with all proper holidays, January 6th has its own special treat: the Tortell de Reis is the traditional dessert cake served after dinner. It comes complete with a plastic figurine of a king baked into the crust somewhere, and tradition dictates that whoever gets the piece of cake with the king gets to be the "king" for the day. Of course, the other side of that is the bean, which, just like the king, has been baked into the cake. The "winner" of the bean is the one who gets to pay for the cake and do the washing up. At least everyone gets to eat a delicious dessert, though!
Here's our recipe for making your own Tortell de Reis for this Thursday's celebration:
Ingredients:
1st dough mix
3/4 cup milk
1/8 cup Bread yeast
1 tablespoon sugar
1 1/4 cups wheat flour
2nd dough mix
1/4 cup milk
1/3 cup butter
2 eggs
1 oz baking yeast
2 1/2 cups flour
Optional Marzipan Filling
1 cup ground almonds
3/4 cup sugar
1/2 cup water
1 tablespoon lemon water
a pinch of salt
1 cup powdered sugar, mixed with grated skin of half an orange and half a lemon
Decoration:
1 egg (beaten)
Sugar (moistened with a drop of water)
Candied fruits
Preparation:
1st dough:
Mix all the ingredients in a bowl with lukewarm water. Form mixture into ball. Cover and let rise for 2-3 hours.
2nd dough mix:
Mix yeast with lukewarm milk
Add flour in a bowl.
Add eggs, butter, salt, water and powdered sugar.
Add the yeast/milk mix and the 1st dough ball.
Mix until uniform.
Put the dough on a greased surface and spread.
Let sit for approximately 4 hours, until it doubles in volume.
Divide the dough in 2 parts.
Using a ring shaped cake mold form the cake and let sit 2 more hours.
Brush with beaten egg and garnish with sugar and candied fruits.
Heat the oven to 400 and cook for 10 minutes, then bring temperature to 350 , cover with aluminum foil and cook 10 minutes. Check to see if it is done with a toothpick.
We're closing in our our annual winter trip into truffle country with our Black Gold and Red Wine tour. On January 27th we will be heading into the heartland of Spanish truffle country to see if we can find some truffle sin the wild, and to talk with the locals at the 3rd annual truffle market. It promises to be a great time with fantastic menus, great wine and unforgettable experiences (like drinking from a porron, as demonstrated by our host Joaquin).
For more information or to set up your own private guided tour in Spain, contact The Spanish Touch.
For the last 17 years the House Museum of Eduardo Chillida has been open to the public to enjoy the Basque Sculpture's works in the setting that he personally chose and created. Unfortunately, due to the present economic situation, the Museum has had to close to the public. The directors of the Organization and the Spanish government are currently working on a deal that would allow for the museum to be reopened sometime in the near future.
At The Spanish Touch we have had the pleasure of taking clients to the museum, and we all hope that the museum is open again soon. For more information or for help planning your next private guided visit to Spain, contact The Spanish Touch.
As the year comes to a close, it's always nice to look back with a smile at all of those people and places who made the last 12 months so special. And at The Spanish Touch, we pride ourselves on our personal relationships with our clients. So thank you all for the memories, for the new friendships forged and the relationships renewed. From January frosty visits to March snow storms, May flowers, harvest festivals, and autumn colors at spectacular castles, it's been a wonderful year.
And to all those who will be visiting in 2011, we look forward to helping you and making new friends!!
Happy New Year!
Feliç Any Nou!
Feliz Navidad!
Urte Berri On!
Feliz Ano!!
Tomorrow is New Year's Eve. And in keeping with the motif of traditions, we bring you a tried and cherished tradition in Catalunya: El Home dels Nassos, The Nose Man. According to Catalan legend, the Nose Man has a nose for every day of the year, but he can only be seen on December 31, so we only ever see him with one (exceptionally large) nose. It's considered good luck and you can still see children running down the street if someone nearby claims to have seen him go by.
In Barcelona of old he would arrive from the sea and could be seen at the Plaza del Palau at exactly 12 noon. In recent years it's easier to find him, as a capgros (literally "big head") strolls down the streets, accompanied by a drum line parade.
For more information or for a private guided tour in Spain, contact The Spanish Touch.
For years, one of the most common complaints I've heard from people is that wherever you go, the smell of cigarettes follow. However, in 4 days all of that will change. Starting on January 2 smoking will be banned in all public bars and restaurants. Spain follows a number of states in the US, and countries like Ireland in Europe in banning smoking in public.
I've always found that the holiday season is a wonderful time to discover a country's traditions. In Spain, for example, we have the ever-present 12 grapes of luck (Las 12 uvas). The tradition, dating back over a century (exact year is up for debate, but the dates range from the mid 1880s to 1909), is in many ways the perfect tradition for an agricultural economy like Spain's. In fact, given that it boast the most land dedicated to vineyards in Europe, it's easy to see why grapes were chosen. The popular story tells us that it was due to a particularly exceptional harvest, and to celebrate (and get rid of the excess grapes), the tradition started of eating a grape for each stroke of the clock.
Since 1962, the Spanish television has shown the Puerta del Sol clock striking 12 and the ensuing celebration tips off the grape eating. A cava toast comes only after you finished the grapes (and you are supposed to finish them before the last bell chimes, a feat made slightly more complicated in that usually the grapes still have the seeds).
For those people lucky enough to be in Madrid, the Puerta del Sol is the place to be on Friday night!
For more information or to arrange a private guided tour in Spain, contact The Spanish Touch.
One of my favorite things about Christmas in Barcelona is that every year I get to experiment traditions and customs which are new (to me) and fascinating. And being the kind of person I am, I am always searching for the roots of the traditions. In a country where lunch is the big meal, there are few occasions to really celebrate the evening meal, and Christmas Eve (Nochebuena) is one of the best.
Many people plan this meal like an American plans thanksgiving, starting the preparations days in advance, so as to have everything ready. The dinner can be an intimate immediate family meal or a feast for family and friends.
In particular I've always liked the desserts, which can vary widely from region to region (and from town to town). Some things, however, are the same. If you are around during the Christmas season, you are sure to see an abundance of Turrons and Dulces de Navidad.
And never forget to have the Cava on hand, and have a very Merry Christmas Eve!
Today is the day that millions around Spain have been waiting for: El Gordo. The national lottery has developed over the years into as much a Christmas tradition as almost anything else, and the pomp and circumstance of the drawing makes watching the numbers an enjoyable experience, even for those who don't win anything. The numbers are drawn, the is a choir of children singing the numbers, even the music is immediately recognizable. This year the average Spanaird spent more than 60 euros on the lottery tickets (at 20 euros a piece).
Given the incredibly high level of participation, and the improbability of winning anything at all, the Spanish have adopted the slogan "What matters is your health", in a typically Mediterranean way of accepting the end results, and remembering to stay focused on what matters.
For more information or for help planning your next private tour in Spain, contact The Spanish Touch.
With the holiday season in full swing, and the temperatures reaching Northeast region-like-levels (it was below freezing this morning when I left the house), it's time to update what's happening in Barcelona. I've already written about the biggest Christmas market in Barcelona - Santa Llucia (in front of the Cathedral). But this weekend there are other markets that are well worth the trip for anyone who's in the region: The Fira de Nadal de la Sagrada Familia.How often do you get the chance to check out all the highlights of a Catalan Christmas fair with such a spectacular backdrop? The Fira dels Reis (Three Kings Fair) on the Gran Via sells gifts and toys to give to the kids on Three Kings Day
Also check out the Trenet de Nadal (Christmas train) on Carrer Padilla, which goes past the Sagrada Familia and runs hourly through January 5 (Christmas and Boxing Day excluded).
Christmas Concerts:
December 20 at L'AuditoriTheater: more than 20 different choral groups from around Barcelona will perform.
December 19 at Tibidabo: Concert for Peace with childrens choirs
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For more information or for help planning your private guided tour of Spain, contact The Spanish Touch.
Come join The Spanish Touch for an 8-day excursion through the regions of Catalonia and Aragon, and warm up the winter with some great wine, food and a healthy dose of authentic Spanish Culture with our Winter Wine Wonderland Tour. The big news is that we are now offering up a third opportunity to take the tour, from February 19-27, 2011!
Check out our website or send us an email for more information on how you can form a part of this great opportunity for a private guided tour through the history, culture and of course the wines of Spain!
For anyone looking for a way to spend Sunday afternoon in Barcelona, come around to the Petit Detall Expo. The expo features some of the best independent artists from the city, including jewelry, mosaics, fashion accessories and children's clothing. The show runs from 2:00 until 10:00 on Carrer dels Carders, 12 in the heart of the Born district. For those looking for a great way to see a less touristy side of the city, come along and talk with us, we'll be at the Bijuteria i Mosaics stand and would love to see you!
For more information about a private guided tour in Spain, put your tour in the hands of professionals and enjoy a truly authentic Spanish experience with The Spanish Touch.
I'd like to take a moment to send a heartfelt thank you to Rita and Ranbir, who sent this lovely note after their recent private tour with The Spanish Touch:
"In all of our years of travelling in Europe, this was perhaps the best trip. Having such an excellent tour director with us at all times made all the difference. Eric was not only very knowledgeable, genuinely concerned that we enjoy the trip, but he was a lot of fun. The local guides hired by Eric were also excellent and able to answer all our questions. Being foodies, it was important to us that Eric's knowledge of local restaurants and cuisine ensured that we had great meals everyday."
Knowing that we are helping people to get the most out of their trips is really what makes this job so special. Thanks to all of you who have traveled with us, and have let us help you discover Spain. Muchas Gracias!!
As the temperatures continue to drop and the ring of the holidays is omnipresent in Spain, The Spanish Touch is gearing up for the winter season. Always on the lookout for new adventures, and new and exciting ways to bring Spain to you, we are going to spend a lot of time in the upcoming months researching new tours, fine tuning others and doing everything in our power to make sure your private vacation in Spain is everything you thought it could be...and more!
For more information about arranging your private guided tour in Spain, contact The Spanish Touch.
'Tis the season for the Christmas markets of Spain. From the big cities to the small hamlets, the squares around Spain will be filled with the annual Christmas stalls selling everything from trees and wreaths to locally produced foods and turrons and handicrafts.
In the Barcelona area, check out the Fira de Santa Llucia, in front of the Cathedral, which has been celebrated for over 200 years, with stall after stall filled with items to fill your mangers, including the distinctly Catalan caganer. In Madrid's Plaza Mayor, another fair which includes well over 100 years of historycan find everything you need for the season, including recipes and seasonal cards.
For more information or for a private guided tour in Spain, contact The Spanish Touch.
As the holiday season approaches, Spain's cities and towns come alive with the holiday spirit. As a predominately Catholic country, manger scenes are typical throughout, and often times towns and cities will have special areas set up for the most elaborate and decorative scenes. Since 2004, the region of Aragon has been offering it's own "Route of the Manger", a great way to visit some of the region's best areas and to see them in full holiday splendor. Visiting towns like Monzon, Fraga, Graus and Barbastro, you will get a glimpse into Spanish culture and heritage while visiting medieval castles, monasteries and rustic towns that still maintain that old-world charm of times forgotten.
For more information or for help planning your next private guided tour in Spain, contact The Spanish Touch.
