Besalu, a Jewish City - March 2012

Besalu is a much admired medieval town, popular among locals and tourists alike for its old world charm, winding streets, plethora of hidden corners, stories and legends. Every Sunday in March the town, about an hour and a half north of Barcelona, will be paying homage to its rich Jewish heritage, including theatrical tours, a medieval market and a chance to explore one of the most important historically Jewish neighborhoods in Spain, including the only surviving medieval Mikvah!

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

Valentine's Day Ideas from The Spanish Touch

Valentine's Day is here again and around the world people are celebrating, and Spain is no exception. Around the country couples are preparing for a day of fun and romance, from Cadiz to Barcelona. If you are lucky enough to find yourself in one of these places, here are a couple suggestions for making your day a magical and unforgettable experience.

In Barcelona, take a stroll through the Gothic Quarter, the winding streets and plazas, or check out the shops of the Born district. After a romantic lunch (maybe at the Oucomballa or Cafe De L'Academia) head over to the Parc del Laberint (Laberynth park), one of the oldest gardens in Barcelona, and explore the maze. In the evening head up to tibidabo for a panoramic view of the city and dinner.


In Madrid, start the day with a delicious breakfast of churros con chocolate for two before heading over to El Prado museum to see how love was depicted by the great masters of art. Afterwards grab a bite to eat in the always colorful St. Miguel Market.   After lunch, head over to Casa del Campo park (and take the cable car out there) or the often-overlooked parque de El Capricho for a lovely stroll. Round off the evening with a romantic dinner in one of the many intimate restaurants that dot the city.

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

MAY 2012 Patios of Cordoba Festival - New Tour Dates

Come join The Spanish Touch for a truly Andalusian experience this May! Flowers, dancing, culture and maybe even 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!!

 Call us toll-free at 888-480-0013 or visit our website for more information on our current offers. 

MAY 2012 Patios of Cordoba Festival

May 7: Arrival in Madrid. Transfer to hotel. Afternoon walking tour of Madrid city center. Evening welcome meal.

May 8: 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 Patio Festival!

May 9: 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 10: Transfer to Sevilla. Mid-day private tour of the Cathedral of Sevilla, the central point of the ancient city, as well as the largest gothic cathedral in the world. After lunch take a walk along the river to see the Torre de Oro, the Bullring and the Maria Luisa Park. Optional Flamenco show in the evening.

May 11: Breakfast at hotel. Morning private tour of Seville city center, including the Alcazar and the old Tobacco factory, scene of the opera Carmen. Afternoon at leisure. Optional Tapas dinner in the evening.

May 12: 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 13: Breakfast at hotel. Transfer back to Madrid for last evening in Madrid and a farewell dinner at one of Madrid’s classic restaurants.

May 14: Breakfast at hotel. Transfer to airport for return flight.

El Invierno, or ideas for Spain in the Winter

Well, the cold weather has found us once again. As the temperatures drop outside and the holiday spirits rise, I'd like to take a moment to talk about winter in Spain. for most people, the idea of Spain is that of Sun and Beach (normal, given the 300+ days of sun and lovely climate, not to mention the hidden coves and beaches that line the coast away from the masses of tourists). However, at The Spanish Touch we have always maintained that Spain is really so much more than that: It is the food, the traditions, the culture, the history and the people. And in winter, the lack of crowds means an even better opportunity to visit some of the best sites (which in summer months can often be crowded).

And some of the best-kept secrets of Spanish gastronomy and culture shine brightest in these winter months. In Asturias there are a number of fairs highlighting the region's cheeses (such as Cabrales or Gamoneu) in January and February. In honor of San Sebastian, towns from around Spain from Frigiliana and Almeria to San Sebastian itself celebrate on January 20th. The wine capital of Vilafranca offers up a traditional Catalan dish at the Xato Festival (January 18-24). And no list is complete without the 2nd Annual Truffle Fair which runs through early March in the town of Graus, in the Somontano wine region.

These are just some of the local festivals designed to warm you up as you visit and explore this fascinating country. Let us be your guide and take you on a once-in-a-lifetime adventure into the heart of Spain!

For more information regarding these and other festivals or visits to Spain, please contact us at The Spanish Touch.

A Return to Barcelona - 15 Years later - The Tierney's Barcelona Visit

It had been 15 years since Val and Adrienne Tierney last visited Barcelona. Suffice it to say that there have been some changes. Upon meeting them at the airport (and leaving their luggage in the luggage locker at the airport, an almost forgotten feature in modern airports), we headed into the city center for a Gaudi intensive visit. In 1996, the last time they saw it, La Sagrada Familia didn't have a roof. In fact, it didn't have a lot of things that you can see today. While it remains a site under construction, the enclosed central nave and lack of visible construction site (no piles of tools or plaster casts in the central corridor) was a surprise. Val commented that he had expected the change, but it was still shocking to see just how much it has changed!

The weather for an early January day was not too bad, although no sunshine meant that the promised temperatures approaching 60 were never to be. From the Sagrada Familia we headed over to La Pedrera, to continue our Gaudi rediscovery. While the building itself has not changed in 15 years, the presentation certainly has. The city has gone all in to carefully and faithfully restore and make accessible  so many of the jewels of Modernisme throughout the city.

After a brief tapas lunch we headed into the old city. Again, while a city of 2000 years may not have seen the buildings change too much over 15 years, accessibility and navigability have made giants strides. We also took advantage of the season to visit the walk through manger scene set up in front of the Generalitat. Leaving them at the airport to pick up their bags and continue on to Morocco, leaving as friends and wishing them the best on the rest of their trip!

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

Relaxing with Gaudi

The Tierney's took advantage of Gaudi's double chair to relax for a minute after exploring Sagrada Familia and La Pedrera. Gathering energy for the second part of the day!

American tourism up in Barcelona

The global crisis continues to dominate our plans, but the latest statistics from Barcelona Tourism show that Americans are among the most likely to travel to the Ciutat comtal (City of the Counts). American visitors to Barcelona are now the fourth most populous group, behind the neighboring neighboring European countries.  So come along and see what the city has to offer. But there is so much to offer in Barcelona that many visitors only ever scratch the surface!

Contact The Spanish Touch to design your custom private tour of Barcelona and we'll make sure you have an unforgettable time and treat you to a truly authentic Barcelona experience.

The Hospital of Sant Pau reopens its doors

The Hospital of Sant Pau, the largest Modernista complex in the world, today is reopening the complex. After months of restoration, the central buildings of Domenech i Montaner's stunning architectural design have been unveiled again. The most impressive feature is the newly renovated Clock Tower (Torre del Rellotge), which was designed to be a central feature of the complex. The Hospital complex is a series of beautiful, Modernista buildings which are connected via underground hallways and passages, offering the sensation of being in a quiet village rather than a functioning hospital. Originally built in the beginning of the 15th century, the hospital's makeover was completed in the early part of the twentieth century, and has been under renovation since February of 2011.

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

Off Road Adventures in Barcelona

Many people relate Barcelona with it's beaches, which is understandable given its location on the Mediterranean coast. But as we've mentioned before, this city is surrounded on the other side by coastal foothills which provide ample opportunity for anyone looking for a getaway from the city without having to change hotels. Ideas such as hiking in Collserola or horseback riding in Montseny are just a couple of possibilities.

Today I want to give you another choice: take a quad ride through the Montnegre National Park. In addition to the fun of the ride, you will have access to some spectacular mountain trails and at the top, a breathtaking view over the Mediterranean. Given the temperate climate of the region, this is an activity that can be done all year long, so don't let the approaching winter hold you back!

For more information, contact The Spanish Touch at 888-480-0013.

Visiting wineries with The Spanish Touch

One of the reasons visiting a winery with The Spanish Touch is such a unique experience is our relationship with the wineries themselves. We bring people to the wineries where they can talk to the winemaker or sommelier, someone directly involved in the process who can answer your questions. Last week Paula and David Klein experienced this service firsthand.

Between sampling new wines and learning about the newest trends in Penedes, we stopped for lunch and asked some interesting questions of the winemakers and discovered the fascinating evolution of the wine world in Catalunya.

For more information or to plan a private wine tour in Barcelona, contact The Spanish Touch at 888-480-0013.

A Day Making Wine with The Spanish Touch

At The Spanish Touch we are always looking for ways to make your experience more personal, unique and especially more unforgettable. This year's January and February Truffle Tours feature an optional day of learning to blend your own wines at a local winery! We've decided to add this exciting new option this year in addition to the chance to go on the hunt for truffles and enjoy some of the finest in local Spanish culture and cuisine. 

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

Truffle Tour - Wine and Truffles in Spain with The Spanish Touch

The Spanish Touch is offering the chance to get your hands dirty, as we head into the hills with a local truffle farmer, and also get the chance to make your own wine at one of the region's wineries! Enjoy this comprehensive tour complete with local guides, folklore and heritage, as well as a chance to reap the benefits of the season with the fruits of the harvest and the fabulous Spanish cuisine.

For more information or to sign up for this unique opportunity, contact The Spanish Touch at 888-480-0013.

Barcelona has Restaurant Week, Valencia has Cuina Oberta

For the last week almost 30 top restaurants around Barcelona have been celebrating Barcelona Restaurant Week by offering a selected menu for just 25 euros. This weekend is the last weekend to take advantage of this great offer (at least until next year). But if you aren't in the northeastern area, you can also check out the restaurants in Valencia, which through November 27 features 82 restaurants that are offering set menus for lunch (25 euros) or dinner (30 euros) to tempt the palate. This is another initiative of the Valencian community to draw visitors' attention to the mouthwatering diversity of the region's cooking, which extends well beyond the   measures of Paella. 

But Cuina Oberta, like the gastronomic selection of the region, also extends beyond the borders of the kitchen. This weekend you can take a workshop on cooking, tour local wineries or even head down to the Albufera for a Paella cooking (and eating) class.

If you can't make it this weekend, fear not! As the world opens its eyes to the delights and diversity of Spanish cuisine, these events will become more accessible and more common, meaning more eye-opening and mouthwatering ways to spend your vacation in Spain!

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

Thanksgiving in Spain

With the Thanksgiving festivities rapidly approaching, I find myself thinking about my youth, about the dinners spread over groaning tables and 20+ people gathered together for a day of friendship and sharing. Thanksgiving is a uniquely American holiday, but that doesn't mean that the Spanish are not open to trying new things. And any holiday which involves food and friends is certain to go down like a great glass of cava.

Every year we host a Thanksgiving Day feast (okay, so it's on Saturday, because everyone here has to work Thursday and Friday), and you would be amazed at the reception it gets. The most fun is the turkey which, as a native of the Americas, is anything but a traditional dish on the old continent. In fact, the word for turkey in Catalan literally translates as "rooster of the Indies".

On behalf of the entire crew at The Spanish Touch, I also want to say how thankful I am to be doing what I do, and that I am able to help people enjoy the best of what Spain has to offer is a wonderful way to celebrate Thanksgiving!

Ice Skating in Barcelona? 'Tis the season!

This year in the city of Barcelona there is a plan to set up the Mediterranean version of Rockefeller center's ice rink in the center of the Plaza Catalunya. While many of the details are still unconfirmed, it appears as if the skating rink will be set up in the center of the square, which is right at the top of Las Ramblas, and is one of the main plazas in the city. The idea is to offer people the opportunity to step onto the ice from December 2 through January 9, including all the major holidays of the season. As of yet Barcelona city hall has yet to confirm the plan, but if it proceeds it will add another aspect to an already vibrant holiday scene in the capital of Catalunya.

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

Dance of the Giants - Barcelona's medieval culture on the streets

This Saturday evening, starting at 6:30 in front of the Santa Maria del Mar church in the historic Born district of Barcelona, is the 8th annual Dance of the Giants (Ballada del Gegants). The giants, whose history dates back to medieval times, will meet in front of the 14th century church and begin their dance. Then, at 7:15 they will parade through the streets of the Born district, just as they might have done 500 years ago. The parade ends where it begins, with a dance inside the church itself at 8:15. A great way to cap off a Saturday in Barcelona, and then why not go for some tapas in the area, which hosts one of the city's most vibrant tapas scenes!

For more information or for help planning a private trip to Spain, contact The Spanish Touch at 888-480-0013.

The Medieval Fair in Vic - Catalan history comes alive!

During the middle ages, Vic was one of the most important and powerful cities in Catalonia, and the fair, which recreates the city as it was in the 15th century, brings people from all over. The town of Vic itself lends to the authenticity of the show, as it is replete with buildings still standing from those times, including the cathedral, the Episcopal Museum, the walls and the Mercadal.

From December 5 through 8, the 16th annual Mercat Medieval de Vic will allow you to see demonstrations of how craftsmen of the time operated, eat the traditional foods and all the other activities you expect to find at a fair like this, but there are also medieval dance classes and the traditional Catalan Correfocs. It´s a great way to enhance your visit to Spain and your appreciation for the history of the region.

For more information about visiting local fairs or for help arranging your private guided tour to Spain, contact The Spanish Touch.

Chestnuts roasting for Castanyada, or Halloween in Barcelona

For visitors to Barcelona at the end of October, one of the first things that stands out is the smell of roasting chestnuts on the street. Walk a block in the old city and you're bound to see one of these stalls, with a large metal bowl being heated by a small fire and filled with the unmistakeable aroma that I had previously associated with blustery winter days in New York.

But the Castanyada is a Halloween tradition in Catalonia. Furthermore, it dates back more than 200 years, although, like it's more commercial counterpart, it finds its roots in the festival of All Saints Day the following day. And like Halloween, the festival is particularly popular among children, who eat these tasty treats (as well as local cookies and sweets called panellets) with gusto. The image of the Castanyada is traditionally a woman (La Castanyera, who collects the chestnuts) wrapped in an old coat sitting in front of  a bowl of roasting chestnuts.  

Popular legend attributes the idea of eating roasted chestnuts to the enormous amount of energy contained within, enough to keep vigilant family and friends awake through the night to keep the evil spirits away from the cemeteries. But whatever the original reason, the tradition has taken hold and now provides locals and visitors alike with an alluring smell as they wander the streets of Barcelona.

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

Here comes the rain, bring back the mushrooms!

It has been an unusually dry start to the autumn months here in Spain, and while beachgoers and sunlovers everywhere were enjoying the lasting sun and drinking in the lingering summer feeling, the unseasonable weather has not come without consequences. We are now in full-blown mushroom season, and yet the mushroom fairs and market stalls are strangely less-than-full. The reason? with no rain, the mushrooms haven't been growing right. They've even had reports of struggling to fill the stands this year at local mushroom festivals. But this week started off right. While i am not usually one to smile at the vision of gray clouds unleashing months of pent up rain on my head on a Monday morning, this marks one of the few times that it did. Because with the rain comes the mushrooms, and it's about time! There's still time to enjoy the mushroom season, with it's large variety of species growing wild and ready to be picked. A trip to the mountains is in store in the not too distant future!

For more information on mushroom season in Spain, or to create your personal itinerary for a private tour in Spain, contact The Spanish Touch at 888-480-0013.

Mercat de Mercats this weekend in Barcelona - up close and personal at the Market!

Anyone looking for a closer look into the wonderful world of Catalan cuisine this weekend has to go no further than the Cathedral in Barcelona. From Friday October 21 at midday through Sunday evening, the second annual "Mercat de Mercats" fair will be held, with dozens of market stalls offering the best of local products and more than 60 different activities, including demonstrations and presentations from top chefs like Joan Roca (El Celler de Can Roca) Xavier Pellicer (Can Fabes) and Mey Hofmann (Hofmann).

This year the market will also focus on the quality and diversity of the local wines and cavas, with the heading of Celler de Sumillers, offering tastings of wine, olive oils, coffees, cheese, etc. Ferran Centelles, somillier for El Bulli restaurant, will be offering a talk all about the wines of Catalonia!

It promises to be a great way to get to better konw the local products and its convenient location in front of the Cathedral makes it an ideal way to spend a few hours this weekend in Barcelona.

For more information or to plan a private guided tour in Spain, contact The Spanish Touch at 1-888-480-0013.