Who said Las Fallas are only in Valencia? Las Fallas of Cordoba 2016

Las Fallas is one of the biggest and most famous celebrations in Spain. And they take place in Valencia every year in March. However, no one ever said that they only take place in Valencia. This year marks the fourth consecutive year that the group "Fallers pel Mon" (Fallas-makers of the World) will hold a second Fallas festival within Spain with the aim of helping the rest of the country to understand and appreciate the culture, language and traditions of Valencia. If you needed any further proof that Spain is a multiecultural and plurinational country, this is it.

The idea of a "Plantà i Cremà" fallas celebration began in the city of Avila in 2013. Its resounding success and the interest it generated in Valenci's culture and heritage inspired the group to continue their endeavors over the next years, each time choosing a different national location. In 2014 it was the city of Granada, and in 2015 Toledo. This year the magic touches down in Cordoba, a city well-known for its own festivals and for the amiable nature of its inhabitants.

From April 2 through April 4, Cordoba will host Valencian "Fallers and Falleras" who have come to proudly share their culture and their festival with other regions. In two intense days the Valencians will take locals through the highlights of the Fallas festival, including the "Crida", "Plantà", "nit de foc" and the "Mascletá". There will even be the traditional floral offering to the Virgen.

If you missed out on this year´s Las Fallas in Valencia, this is a great way to see what it is all about. Discover just how diverse and unique is the country of Spain, and learn about the culture and traditions without having to leave Andalusia.

Contact us for more information or for private tours in Cordoba or Valencia.

The Spanish Touch

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The Iberian Lynx, endangered species

Picture taken from www.lincepedia.com

The Iberian Lynx is considerd the most endangered feline in the world. The only known surviving members of this species are found on the Iberian Penninsula. In recent years a lot of efforts have been made to make sure the lynx doesn't disappear completely, and to raise awareness of the situation. One of the habitats of the lynx is Doñana Park, in Andalusia. In Seville this year, in the month of April the 5th annual International Seminary on the Conservation of the Iberian Lynx will take place, with the aim of designing a long term conservation strategy that will allow for the continuing of the work that has already begun and will facilitate the incorporation of new suitable places on the Penninsula for the lync to live (Castilla-La Mancha, Aragón, La Rioja, Valencia,…). In order to accomplish all this, the main idea behind the Seminar will be to determine the work needed to be done in order to move the Iberian Lynx from "endangered" to "vulnerable", as well as the financial aspect which would make the work possible. Coinciding with the seminar and also in Seville are the so-called 'Jornadas Iberlince', workshops directly basically at the younger public and done in a festive environment to help children learn about the lynx in a fun, dynamic environment. 

Contact us for a Doñana Tour or check out our other tours in Seville and Andalusia:

The Spanish Touch

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Lanzarote creates the largest underwater museum in Spain

From the waters of Cancun, where we find the largest underwater museum in the world, to the waters of the not-less-exotic Lanzarote, we find Europe's largest underwater museum. The "Museum of the Atlantic", as it is known, of Lanzarote in the Canary Islands has a collection of 400 pieces by British artist Jason deCaires.

This initiative is not just a way to add a little something extra to your visit to Lanzarote, in addition to enjoying this amazing show you will be collaborating with the research and understanding of the richness of the marine species and the sea bottom of Lanzarote since 2% of the profits go directly to the cause.

For more information or to book your vacation in the Canary Islands, please contact us: 

The Spanish Touch

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The meaning behind Madrid's 'El oso y el Madroño' statue

One of the most common pictures taken in Madrid is unquestionably at the statue of 'El Oso y el Madroño'' (the Bear and the Strawberry Tree). But what is the significance of this statue, right in the heart of Madrid?

The bear and the strawberry tree also appear on the coat-of-arms for the city of Madrid.

Historians tell us that the origin of this coat of arms is a familiar story for medieval standards, and can be traced back to the 12th century when it was used as a standard for the army to distinguish groups of knights. It was first used by the troops from Madrid in the campaigns against the Moors in Andalusia.

According to legend, the bear was chosen as the emblem in honor of a brown bear that King Alfonso XI killed on a hunting trip in the mountains surrounding the city. At that time it was not uncommon that these large animals would wander into and around the city limits.

The bear was initially seen with a tower, which was later substituted for the strawberry El oso estaba al principio unido a una torre, que sería sustituída ree. These evergreen trees were a common site in the outskirts of the city during medieval times. However, the origin of this image has a concrete act that took place in the 13th century. At the time there was a dispute beween the city and the clergy about some lands that both sides claimed. They finally reached an agreement with the town kept the tree-filled area and the clergy kept the pastures. That explains why the tree is in the city crest, and the bear was included because at that time it was believed that eating the leaves of the strawberry tree was a rememdy for the Plague.

This is part of our job: telling you the stories and histories of the things you see in Madrid (or any other city) that might otherwise have gone by unnoticed.

Check out our private tours in Madrid and contact us for more information: 

The Spanish Touch

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The Hanging Bridge of Bizcaia Tour

The Hanging Bridge of Bizcaia

Portugalete

This 4-hour tour take you to one of the most important industrial and commercial sites in the region along the banks of the Nervion River: The Hanging Bridge of Bizkaia. Selected as a World Heritage Site in 2006-07, the bridge was built in 1893 and was the first metal-structured transporter bridge in the world. That fact and the industry that passed beneath it have made the bridge one of the symbols of the re-emergence of the region’s powerful industry. Considered one of the engineering wonders of its age, this iron-plated masterpiece has overcome its own pragmatic function and a number of mundane disputes to become a symbol of the whole region.

After crossing the bridge on its panoramic walkway, we will visit the village of Portugalete. This 700-year old village sits on the end of the Nervion River, and was once one of the most fashionable places for the upper classes to visit. Visit the Iron Wharf, the Salazar Tower and walk the cobblestone streets of the Medieval town center.

Contact us if you want to take our Hanging Bridge of Bizcaia Tour or for more information about our private tours in Bizcaia and Bilbao. 

The Spanish Touch

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Tarragona Day Tour, just an hour outside Barcelona

More and more of our clients are choosing the city of Tarragona as one of their choice day tours while they are in Catalonia. Many people use Barcelona as their base but visit sites outside the city like Montserrat, Girona, the Costa Brava, the Dali Museum ... as a part of their Catalonia itinerary. that leaves Tarragona on the outside looking in. But Tarragona wins its visitors as soon as they visit the city, and it often becomes one of the highlights of their trip. One reason is that visiting Tarragona is like visiting an open history book. The sheer quantity of remains from past times is astounding: the amphitheater, Roman aqueduct, the Roman circus, the Gate of Sant Antoni.... it's not a coincidence that the city has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage City.

Let us dive in together into the history of the Tarragona region, its culture and its people. We will show you its hidden corners and curiosities and legends, and you too will fall in love with the city. 

Contact us for more information about our private tours in Tarragona. 

The Spanish Touch

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'Ninot' exhibit before Las Fallas in Valencia

You still have time (until March 14) to enjoy the exhibition of the 'ninots' that is celebrated every year before the Las Fallas festival. This year you can visit the exhibition within the grounds of the Ciutat de les Arts i Les Ciències (City of Arts and Sciences), at the Science Museum.

A "ninot" is one of the enormous paper maché dolls that fill the streets of Valencia during Las Fallas and are especially decorated for the festival. The lifespan of the "ninots" is short. It takes a year to build them, and then at the end of the Las Fallas festival - on the last night - they are burned in a tradition called 'La Cremà'.

Every person who visits the exhibit has the chance to vote for his or her favorite 'ninot'. When the exhibit closes, the votes are counted and the ninot with the most votes get special exemption: it has the honor of being the only doll that will not be burned during 'La Cremà'.

Contact us for a private tour of Valencia

The Spanish Touch

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What is a 'ninot' or a 'mascletà' during Las Fallas in Valencia?

It's almost time for us to celebrate Las Fallas in València. If you are looking for more information about this festivity, you will find different "key words" that make up the "popular slang" and that are important in order to understand what Las Fallas really are. Some of the key words you will see are:

• Ninot o falla: A "ninot" is an enormous paper maché doll that fill the streets of Valencia during Las Fallas and are specially decorated for the festival. The Valencians who work on the ninots spend the entire year getting them ready. The ninots traditionally represent the current sitaution or a character in a burlesque and critical way. There are two types ninots and fallas: childrens' ninots (they are smaller) and the full-sized festival fallas. 

• La Cremà: The lifespan of the "ninots" is short. It takes a year to build them, and then at the end of the Las Fallas festival, on the last night in fact, they are burned in a tradition called 'La Cremà'. This year la Cremà will take place on March 19. The childrens' fallas will be burned at 10:00 at night and around midnight the big ones go up.
  
• Mascletà: Every day from March1 through March 19, at 2:00pm in the town square one of the most impressive acts of Las Fallas takes place: la 'mascletà'. The people gather to listen to more than 100 kg of gunpowder explode in seconds. There are also nighttime and beach 'mascletàs'.
  
• La Crida: This kick-off public event is the invitation to everyone to participate in Las Fallas. This year it took place at the emblematic Serranos Towers on February 28.
  
• Nit del Foc: From the night of March 15 through the 18, every night there is a massive fireworks display (literally a Castle of Fire) over the Alameda (main street). The most spectacular castle is the one that is sent off on the night of March 18, the appropriately named 'Nit del Foc' (Night of Fire). 

All that's left to do now is the enjoy the party!

We are experts in Spain. Contact us for more information about our private tours in Valencia and our Vacation Packages in Valencia and Spain.

The Spanish Touch

Toll free (US): 1-888-480-0013
Spanish office phone: (+34) 616-103-536

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'Tamboradas' during Semana Santa

A 'tamborada' is a large group of dummers all playing together. This is something very typical in Spain, that is done for military or religious motives. during Holy Week in Spain there are a number of places where the "tamborada" is the climax of the local festival.

One such place worth pointing out for its "tamborada" as a part of the local festival is Baena (Córdoba), which is celebrating from March 4 - 6. However, perhaps the most popular of the "tamboradas" takes place in Hellín (Castilla La Mancha). Hellín is famous for its drummers and its "tamborada". In fact, during the local festival it features the greatest concentration of dummers in the world, when approximately 20,0000 drummers meet every year in this small town. Here are some pictures of the festival:

Passion Plays during Holy Week in Barcelona

Every year in Esparraguera (a town about 45 minutes outside Barcelona) during the celebrations of Easter Week, you can see the theater show of "The Passion". This is one of the must-sees if you are in Barcelona from Februrary 28 to May 1, 2016. The Passion is divided into two parts and 48 scenes: the life of Jesus and the Passion; and the second part: Death and Resurrection. There are morning and afternoon performances.

The Passion itself is a logical evolution of the "mysteries" of the faith. A "mystery" began as a dramatic representation of Medieval origen in which passages of the life of Jesus, Mary and the saints were acted out in public. Eventually the genere evolved: the scenery became more complex, the performances went from inside the church into more public forums, music became an increasingly important part, the clergy ceaased to be the only actors, fraternities were formed around the plays...

The evolution continued until be the 14th century the mysteries had become full theatrical productions in their own right.

For more information do not hesitate to contact us:

The Spanish Touch

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Hiking Tours in Spain

'Camí de Ronda' Hiking Tour (Girona, Spain)

More and more people are looking for hiking tours across Spain. And that's because Spain is a perfect place to walk for its numerous hikes and varying landscapes. It's not just the good weather that allows us to go hiking almost year round, but also for the incredible beauty of the varying landscapes that would be impossible to appreciate any other way. There are so many possibility that what we usually do is offer different possibilities according to the region or area you want to visit. As with all our tours, our hiking tours are private and the group is always accompanied by a professional.

Montserrat Mountain Hiking Tour (Barcelona, Spain)

Some of the Hiking Tours we have posted on our webpage are::

• White Village and El Chorro Hiking Tour (Malaga, Andalusia)
• Antequera and El Torcal Natural Park Tour (Malaga, Andalusia)
• Volcanic National Park of La Garrotxa Hiking Tour (Girona, Catalonia)

Right now some of our clients are also reserving the following Hiking Tours in Spain: 

• Montserrat Mountain Half-Day Hiking Tour (Barcelona, Catalonia)
• 'Camí de Ronda' Costa Brava Hiking Tour (Girona, Catalonia)

Contact us and leave your vacation in the hands of a tour-operator expert in Spain. 

The Spanish Touch

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Spanish office phone: (+34) 616-103-536

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Easter week, the most traditional celebration in Spain

In Spain, Easter week is celebrated with a great deal of emotion. This year Holy Week Semana Santa runs from March 20 to 28. People take an active role in its events and traditions. Easter week is celebrated in all the cities, towns and villages of Spain. Nevertheless, there are some "fiestas" that are especially well known for their unique beauty, and have recieved the International Tourist Interest designation. In Andalusia especially the celebrations are very impressive.

For example, during Easter week in Seville you will see how the Easter brotherhoods manage to support the immense weight of elaborately decorated statues of the Virgin Mary as they parade through the narrow streets of the old town. Easter week in Malaga includes the ritual privilege of the freeing of a prisoner. This is one of the most emotive moments, when the figure of Jesus Christ blesses the inmate.

But other traditions are worth mentioning as well, including:

• The 'empalados' de Badajoz. An 'empalao' is a person who carries approximately  a 60 kg (about a 130 pound) wooden post plus 60 m of a thick rope (covering the upper body and binding the arms to the wood to support the weight and ankle chains on their feet. 12 people carry that weight for 2 hours through the town barefoot in a complete and respectful silence where the only noise is the clanking of the ankle chains against the ground.
• La Tamborrada, also in Badajoz, when the sound of up to 20,000 drums invades the town.

Each one of these celebrations is special, unique and different. OtherEaster week events that have the International Tourist Interest designation are on display on the following cities: Granada, in Andalusia; Zaragoza, in Aragon; Crevillent and Orihuela, in the Valencia Region; Medina de Rioseco, Medina del Campo, Ávila and Palencia, in Castile-León; Toledo, in Castile-La Mancha; and Viveiro and Ferrol, in Galicia.

Once you have discovered them, you'll want to return to Spain for Easter week.

Contact us and make your vacation a unique one with our private tours:

The Spanish Touch

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Toledo Day Trip from Madrid

One of our 'best selling tours' in Spain is our 'Toledo Day Trip'. Toledo is a monumental walled city just 30 minutes outside Madrid. It has a long history dating back to the Romans and the influence of the Moors, Jews and Christians who have called it home are evident in its streets and sites. That’s why Toledo is called ‘the city of three cultures’. Toledo is the perfect city to walk around in, taking in its narrow stoned streets, impressive monuments and an atmosphere that takes you back to another time.

Check out more information about this tour on our website 

and contact us for more information or to book it!

The Spanish Touch

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Segway Vineyard Tour in Barcelona

Enjoy a different wine visit about an hour outside of Barcelona. A visit through the Penedes vineyards without having to worry about walking. The cool and exciting way to glide through the vineyards, you join us as we take a Segway tour to learn about the grapes, the history of the land and the region.

Some of the highlights of this tour include:

• A one-hour guided Segway tour of the vineyards.
• A visit the winery itself.
• A wine tasting (3 wines).

Optional:

• We can include other winery visits to this tour. 

For more information do not hesitate to contact us:

The Spanish Touch

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Spanish office phone: (+34) 616-103-536

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'Pan de leche' Spanish Sweetbread Recipe

Tonight I am going to make this bread again for dinner. It's a spectacular dinner if you accompany it with paté, a little tomato, cheese, cold cuts....

Ingredients:

One packet of baking powder (15gr.)
175 ml. of whole milk (at room temperature)
10 gr. maple syrup or honey
250 gr. flour
5 gr. salt
15 gr. melted butter

Directions:

• In a bowl, mix together the milk and maple syrup (or honey). In a separate bowl, combine the flour, baking powder and salt. Mix the ingredients of the two bowls together by hand. Once the dough is sticky, add the butter. Knead the dough with a bit of olive oil approximately 12 times. Let it sit in a greased bowl covered with cling film. Let it sit 15 minutes in a warm and dry area. Knead the dough 12 more times and let it sit for another 15 minutes. Repeat twice more and after the second time let the dough sit for at least 30 minutes.
• Divide the dough into two equal parts.  Using your hands roll each half and twist them around each other on top of a piece of baking (wax) paper. Brush the tops with milk and then add the poppy seeds to decorate. Let it sit until it doubles in size. Cover. 
• In the meantime, preheat the oven to 410ºF with an oven-proof dish filled with water inside. When it reaches the right temperature and the dough has doubled, bake it in the oven for 15 minutes, then lower the temperature to 350ºF and bake for 25 minutes more. 

Buen provecho!

Check out our food tours in Spain and our Cooking Classes!

The Spanish Touch

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Wine and Chocolate Tour in Barcelona

We have began 2016 with some new tours in Spain. In Barcelona we have a great tour that combines two delicious pleasures: chocolate and wine. On our Wine and Chocolate Tour you will have the opportunity to enjoy some of the best wines of Catalonia and Barcelona, taste local chocolates and learn how to pair the two together: delicious!

This is a 5-hour tour that is already one of our top selling tours of 2016!

Don't hesitate, Contact The Spanish Touch and join us for this unique experience!

For more information you can visit our website: 

http://thespanishtouch.com/daytours_barcelona_wine_chocolate_tour.htm

The Spanish Touch

Toll free (US): 1-888-480-0013
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Clam and white beans recipe

Ingredients:

1 jar of pre-cooked white beans (400 gr.)

1 bag of frozen clams (500 gr.)

1 onion

1 green italian pepper

2 garlic cloves
1 teaspoon of saffron (optional)
1 teaspoon of spicy paprika

4 tablespoons of white wine (preferably Spanish white wine)

Olive oil (preferably Spanish)
Salt and Pepper (to tast)
A couple of bay leaves

For the parsley oil: 

2-3 teaspoons of dried parsley 

Olive oil (to taste)

Directions: 

• Remove the frozen clams and place them in cold water until the open slightly. If you buy fresh clams, simply rinse them and put them aside.
• In the frying pan, brown the onion and diced pepper together with the garlic cloves. When finished, take them out of the pan and blend everything together in a mixer. Set aside. 
• In a casserole dish, add the bean and enough water to cover them all. Cook over low heat for 20 to 30 minutes. Add the onion, pepper and garlic mixture, as well as the paprika, bay leaves, pepper (to taste), saffron and olive oil. Let it cook over low heat for 10 more minutes.
• In another frying pan, add the clams (well-drained) clams and add a couple of tablespoons of white wine. cook over low heat until the open. Add them to the casserole and let the cook a few minutes all together. 
• When ready to serve, mix the parsley with olive oil to create a homogeneous sauce and pour over the clams. Serve hot.  

Buen provecho!

Check out our food tours in Spain and our Cooking Classes!

The Spanish Touch

Toll free (US): 1-888-480-0013
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Seasonal Tours in Spain

In the Day Tours tab on our website you will see that, depending on the region you select, we have begun offering tours that are only available at certain times of the year, perhaps only for a couple of months or even on specific dates. These are what we call "Seasonal Tours" - unique experiences that are closely linked to the local culture and, in many cases, have been overlooked by most everybody except the locals. Most especially we have been working in Barcelona to introduce these new tours, which have been a great success thus far, and that has encouraged us to continue offering exclusive and varied seasonal experiences around Spain. 

Some of these tours include:

• Grape Stomping Harvest Experience in Barcelona. 
• Christmas Tours in Barcelona. 
• Christmas Tours in Madrid. 
• Truffle Hunting Tour. 

If you are coming to Spain, keep an eye on the new seasonal tours we post, it's a different way to travel and get to know the roots and traditions of Spain and its culture. 

 

For more information don't hesitate to contact us:

The Spanish Touch

Toll free (US): 1-888-480-0013
Spanish office phone: (+34) 616-103-536

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Calçots: the winter culinary experience in Spain

There a few regions in Spain that take part in a strange culinary festival from early January through March: eating calçots. The most likely place you will find this delicacy on the tables in Aragon and Catalonia. 

Calçots are a type of sweet onion, large and long and very flavorful, a flavor which is enhanced even more by dipping them into an almond-based salsa called 'romesco'.

In spain eating calçots a social event. You can eat them in most local, traditional restaurants where they will prepare them for you, but the most traditional way to go is to get a group of friends together and do it yourself! The calçots are grilled in a special grill directly on the coals. It's not a traditional barbacue since calçots take up a lot of space.

Calçots are normally the first course of the meal. Now that you've got the fire going, it's only natural that you cook some meat too.

You know that we like adding experiences to our tours, something that brings you into direct contact with the people and authentic Spanish culture. Well there you have it, if you are coming to Barcelona or Aragon during the winter months, we will definitely suggest that you take part in this experience. You won't want to miss it!

For more information, don't hesitate to contact us:

The Spanish Touch

1580 E. Butler Pike
Ambler, PA 19002

Toll free: 1-888-480-0013
E-mail: info@thespanishtouch.com

Spanish Carnival Festivities

Carnaval is a festival that is celebrated throughout Spain. But there are two places that are especially famous for their celebrations: Santa Cruz de Tenerife (Canary Islands) and Cadiz (Andalusia). These two cities spend the entire year preparing, and when they come out to celebrate they do so in the bright colors and costumes, and the joy of their celebration spills out into the streets and into the people.

This year the Carnaval de Tenerife takes places from February 3 to 14. You can check out the festival programme here: http://carnavaldetenerife.com/en/blog/Items%20de%20portfolio/our-program/

This year the Carnaval de Cádiz will be celebrated from February 4 - 14.

For more information don't hesitate to contact us: 

The Spanish Touch

1580 E. Butler Pike
Ambler, PA 19002

Toll free: 1-888-480-0013
E-mail: info@thespanishtouch.com