Pimientos de Padron - traditional tapas with a twist

Pimientos de Padron are a bit misleading. When most Americans see the small peppers they immediately think of various types of hot peppers which bear a striking similarity. However, these peppers are not necessarily hot. In fact, part of what makes eating them such an adventure is that you're never sure if you're going to be the one who gets the hot one! Found in almost every tapas bar in Spain, pimientos de padron arrived in Spain in the 16th century via missionaries coming back from the new world. The best and most traditional pimientos are grown in Galicia.

For information on tapas or for help creating your ideal itinerary for a guided tour in Spain, contact The Spanish Touch at 888-480-0013.

Barcelona's Lesser-known Coast - The Maresme

Barcelona is famous for many reasons, and the region surrounding it as well. But some of these regions have managed to escape the spotlight. At The Spanish Touch we believe that the best way to travel is to be informed about the possibilities, and we view it as a part of our job to help interested visitors to discover the region, beyond just the pictures and "major" tourist attractions. And today's search brings us closer to Barcelona than people generally consider. When we talk about the Coastal regions people think of the Costa Brava, or the Costa Daurada along the south. but the Maresme coast, that stretches between the city of Barcelona and the Costa Brava, offers some spectacular ideas for the inquisitive explorer. 

Take, for example, the capital city of Mataro: originally a Roman city, the town was also the birthplace and home Modernisme's most important figures, Josep Puig i Cadafalch. The town center features pedestrian walkways which wind through the stores and buildings, leading to the 17th century church, a modernista market and even Roman ruins. 

Castle lovers have several options as well, as both the Castle of Vilassar and the Tower of Santa Susanna can be visited, and provide visitors an opportunity to discover the history and legends of the coastal towns.  The ruins of Burriac Castle are one of the most popular sites for hikers in the area.

And speaking of hiking, both the Montnegre Natural Park and the Serralada Litoral foothills offer ample opportunities for a day in the great outdoors, with visits to ancient dolmens, castle ruins, and spectacular panoramas over the sea. Horseback riding and quad rentals are also quite popular as well. 

Finally, i would be remiss if I did not mention food and wine. From having one of the top restaurants in the world (Carme Ruscalleda's Sant Pau) to up-and-coming restaurants like Tresmacarrons to some of the best tapas along the coast, the culinary offering is sure to satisfy even the most demanding palate. 

And the Alella wine region, the smallest in Spain, has been winning awards in recent years for their unique wines and cavas, and enjoying a picnic in the vineyards just a half hour outside of Barcelona is a truly wonderful way to spend a spring or summer afternoon. 

For more information regarding private tours in the Barcelona region contact The Spanish Touch at 888-480-0013. 

The Costa Brava - digging deeper into one of Spain's most popular regions

The Costa Brava (a name made up for it in the 20th century, and much like Crocodile Dundee, it was given because they thought it would be good for the tourism industry), is the stretch of coast that runs along the northern part of Catalonia to the French border. Let's dispel a common misconception: it doesn't actually border Barcelona. Th the coast just north of the city is called the Maresme, and I'll be writing about that area in the future. the Costa Brava is an area which runs from Blanes (about 60 km north of the city) to the French border. Some of its more famous towns include:

Roses -  in the Cap de Creus Natural Park, a spectacular beach town, and the closest "major" town to the now closed "El Bulli" restaurant.
Cadaques - an artists village, once a popular retreat for local and international artists due to its beauty and quiet charm, which, despite the crowds that pile in during the summer months, it still manages to retain most of the year. It's also a 1 km walk to Portlligat, Salvador Dali's home.
Tossa de Mar - another fishing village, most notable for its medieval ramparts right on the sea cliff overlooking the town. 

Lloret de Mar - unfortunately better known for its popularity among European youth for cheap bars and clubs, the town is trying to reinvent itself and focus on the beauty of the region, which includes several botanical gardens which make the visit more than worthwhile. 

But exploring the region a bit more yields so much more. There are medieval castles to be explored in towns like Torreolla de Montgri and Platja D'Aro. For ancient history buffs check out the Roman and Greek ruins at Empúries and  the Iberian Settlement at Ullastret. But if you just want a taste of the traditional, old world fishing village, you can go to the less well-known towns like Palafrugell, L'Escala or Selva. 

The Spanish Touch is now offering private tours to the Costa Brava for people who are looking to get more out of their visit to Spain than just the "sun and beach" experience that for so long represented Spain. Day trips, weekend excursions and fully guided vacations can be arranged and customized to fit your particular needs, maximizing your time and your experience.

Old School Record Stores in Barcelona - Guest Blogger Harriet Freeman

Old school Record Stores in Barcelona

Even with the advent of digital music downloads, physical music copies are seeing a raise in sales (15 times more than in 1993). Especially in Barcelona! If you're a hardcore music fan and are looking for records, from Vinyls to CDs, there are a number of stores in Barcelona going stronger than ever that will fulfill your musical needs.

So revisit the days of going into a record shop and discovering new music the tried and tested way. Without further ado, here are some of the best record stores in Barcelona.

1. Revolver Records

Probably the biggest record store company in Barcelona, it's most likely going to be your first point of call for all things musical.  It's very well located too, in the city center, just off of Las Ramblas near Plaza Catalunya. They specialize in practically all music types including rock, indie, metal, punk, garage and more. C/ Tallers, 11.

2. Luchador Records

If you're staying in the Raval Area, then Luchador records will most likely serve you during your trip. This shop in particular is for the collectors out there, those of you who are looking for that hard to find record that you can't get anywhere else. These guys are all about the exclusive and alternative. C/ Ferlandina, 39 (right).

3. Discos Paradiso

Right next door Luchador records is Discos Paradiso, a shop set up by two Catalan music aficionados called Gerard and Arnau. It's a good place to find some golden oldies, but they are also specialists in techno, dub step, house, and electronic types of music. There's also a back room where artists play from time to time! C/ Ferlandina, 39 (left).

4. Subwax

This record store has a long history and was originally located in Sweden. Before it moved to Barcelona, it was the longest running record store there. They mainly focus on electronic music and reggae, and have about 10,000 in their collection. C/ Valldonzella, 3.

5. Wah Wah

This record store is also located in Raval. It's a small store which reminds of me of the record stores I found in Soho, London, when I was an adolescent. It's also a record label which reissues records that are no longer in production. The shop is divided into two sections, "The Classic Section"  run by Shakira where you'll find all sorts of styles, and "The Dance/Electronic Section" run by DJ Zero. C/ Riera Baixa, 14.

Harriet Freeman works in the tourism industry for OK Apartment Barcelona, a company that specializes in Holiday apartments in Barcelona . She is an expert on northern Spain and Barcelona and runs her own blog; Things to do Barcelona.

Paradors and Mines - A Day Tour to Cardona

Cardona is a small town in northern Catalonia where you can find the spectacular castle overlooking the town, which has been turned into one of the most spectacular parador hotels. But at The Spanish Touch want to show you more than just one of our favorite hotels: We want to bring the 30 million year old history of the region to life!

Since well before the arrival of the Romans, the town was a stronghold for the Iberians who built a fortress on the hill next to the "snowy" mountain. Why, you might ask? Because the mountain is a salt mountain, with one of the richest and largest mines of salt in Europe, over 300km of underground tunnels that reached a depth of over 1300 meters!  Join us for a chance to see how the industrial and the historical melded together to produce one of Spain's inspiring stories in a fairytale setting.

Contact The Spanish Touch for more information on this or for help in planning your own private tour of Spain at 888-480-0013.

Day Tour: Nerja and Frigiliana

Malaga is becoming an increasingly popular port destination, and with so much to do and see, it's easy to see why people are starting to see past the "costa del golf" label that has been stuck on it for years. Today we offer you just one of our tours departing from the city itself. and heading into the heart of unspoiled Andalusia.  

The Nerja and Frigiliana tour includes:

Transfer to and from the airport, port or hotel to Nerja and Frigiliana

The Spectacular Balcon de Europa promenade in Nerja, overlooking the Mediterranean Sea.

The Cuevas de Nerja

A Guided tour of the "pueblo blanco" (white village) of Frigiliana, a town of Three Cultures, tucked into the hills behind Nerja. 

For more information about his or other private guided tours in Malaga, contact The Spanish Touch at 888-480-0013.

Modernism and Mosaics in Barcelona - a hands-on experience

Mosaic is a style that is intimately linked to Barcelona. The most prominent are the Modernista examples, the lavish decoration of Park Guell's Drac and the fairytale-inspired guard houses, the Palau Baro de Quadras or the decorative art of the Palau de la Musica Catalana. But there are other examples as well, from Roman houses to Joan Miro's work on Las Ramblas, Barcelona offers an abundance of styles and examples of over 2000 years of artistic heritage. The Spanish Touch is now offering an exciting way to get involved in the history and culture of Barcelona: a Mosaic in Barcelona Full Day Tour!

The itinerary for the tour:
9:30 Meet your guide/driver at your hotel.
9:30 - 1:30 Spend the morning visiting some of the most important Mosaic sites in Barcelona, including:
Palau Guell
Park Guell
Palau Baro de Quadras
Casa Comalat
Las Ramblas
1:30 - Transfer to Mataro 
2:00 - 3:00 Tapas Lunch     
3:00 - 6:00 An Introduction to Mosaic course with local artists at Can Manetes.
6:00 - 6:30 transfer back to your hotel in Barcelona

 The course offers an introduction to the style most-associated with modernisme:Trencadis. Participants have the opportunity to create their own decorative work, which, naturally, they can take with them when they go.

The tour includes:
Transportation to and from hotel/port/airport
Guided tour in BarcelonaAn Introduction-to-Mosaic class with a local bilingual artist
All materials and tools necessary for the class
Tapas lunch in Mataro
A Bilingual Spanish Touch guide

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

Roots and Vines - Priorat Day Tour

The Spanish Touch is offering tours for anyone who wants a deeper insight into one of Spain's premier wine regions: Priorat! As one of only two DOQ (Denominación de Origen de Qualidad) - the other is Rioja - Priorat has been the poster child for Spanish wine growth over the last decades. And The Spanish Touch wants you to be able to experience the region, from the roots to the glass and everything in between.


On the roots and vines tour, you will visit the heart of the region, the Scala Dei Monastery, where the thousand year history of the region's winemaking all began, and where they still make an excellent wine. Afterwards enjoy a tasting at a Moderniste winery before enjoying a full lunch at a local restaurant. Walk off your lunch (and the wine) with an afternoon visit to the Bellmunt Mines before returning to Barcelona in time to freshen up, relax and maybe go out for a few tapas!

For more information regarding this or other private wine tours in Spain, contact The Spanish Touch at 888-480-0013.

Private Shore excursions in Barcelona

Barcelona is one of those magical places that seems to draw people into its very essence. The kind of place where people come time and again and never fail to discover something new. At The Spanish Touch we offer private day trips and shore excursions for everyone from first-time visitors to those who have "been there, done that" and are looking for a new experience. We work with you from the beginning to create a custom tour fit to your demands. All of our guides are billingual experts whose main priority is you. our small group tours offer the advantage of getting into more intimate locales and giving you the chance to meet the people and see the sites that make Barcelona such a special place.


For your next visit to Barcelona, contact The Spanish Touch at 888-480-0013 for a free estimate on your private tour or shore excursion.

A day trip to southern France - Rich and Rose day 9

One of the reasons people can keep coming back to Barcelona is the seemingly unending possibilities to do something completely different in the space of a single day. Walled medieval cities, spectacular mountains, the beach, architecture, museums, exploring ancient civilizations and abandoned castles...all within an hour or two's drive of the city. And yes, even visiting France. On their last full day in Spain, we decided to cross that border. So up through the Pyrenees we headed and over the border into France. It was the first time in a long time for Rose, and the first time ever for Rich, in France. 

Our destination was the town of Elne, only about 3 miles from the coast and overlooking the Roussillion Plain. While the weather had cooperated with us throughout most of the trip, today was slightly overcast and threatening to rain all day. We parked the car and walked the streets of Elne, enjoying the fact that we had traveled to another country and pointing out the cute houses and interesting signs. 

As we reached the medieval quarter and walked through the winding streets, we spotted a particularly likely restaurant, with views out over the valley. Lunch was spectacular (the eggs hollandaise and salmon were mouthwatering, and the pork looked every bit as delicious). On the way back we stopped at a local winery and spoke with the owner for a few minutes before picking up a couple of nice bottles of wine. 

It's great to have so many options for a day trip from Barcelona, the hardest part is deciding which ones you want to do this time, and which ones you will save for your next visit! 

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

Walking the hills of the Maresme - Rich and Rose day 8

After having visited the beach yesterday, today we headed to the hills for a different kind of relaxation. When    you leave the paved roads of the towns and the last house disappears you know you are getting close to where you want to be. The best part is that we only had to drive about 15  minutes to get there, and yet somehow it felt much more remote. Parking the car close to the picnic area at the base of the walking route, we began our uphill walk, taking in the plants and flowers (an early year for the almond blossoms) as we walked. After learning about the indigenous flora at the Santa Clotilda Gardens yesterday, we spotted a number of varieties of plants and trees that we recognized. It was a highly enjoyable afternoon hike, as we walked up to the statue overlooking the towns of Teia and El Masnou, with Barcelona in the background.

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

The other side of the Costa Brava - Rich and Rose Day 7

There are places along the Spanish coast that have earned a certain amount of infamy among travelers: The Costa del Sol towns of Torremolinos and Benalmadena, for instance, or the Costa Brava towns of Lloret de Mar and Calella have reputations for attracting hordes of young Europeans enticed by the idea of good weather and cheap alcohol. And these reputations have proven hard to shake. In part because there is still a fair amount of truth to it during certain seasons of the year (spring break, summer holidays, etc), but the rest of the year it's easy to overlook the original reason these towns got gained popularity: they are beautiful towns, with picturesque coastlines and the charm of the old world within driving distance of major international airports. 

So with the forecast calling for rain (despite the crystal blue sky and distinct lack of clouds), we packed an umbrella and headed up to Lloret de Mar for a morning excursion. If you take the alternate to the highway, a slightly more expensive but more picturesque route, you can get to Lloret in just over an hour. Our first stop was the Santa Clotilda Gardens overlooking the town. Established in 1918 on the cliffs overlooking the Costa Brava, and mixing Italian Renaissance and Catalan Noucentisme, the gardens offer a spectacular look into the combination of history and natural beauty which first made the region famous.

The exploration of the garden, with its descriptions of the various flora  (both native and imported) was followed by a walk over to La Dona Marinera (the fisherman's wife), a tribute by sculptor Ernest Maragall to the women of past ages who were responsible for taking care of the whole house and everything else while their husbands went to seek their fortunes at sea. The walk along the cliff to the statue is lovely, and the view over the town center and the beach makes the walk even more special.


For more information about private guided tours along the Costa Brava or in Barcelona, contact The Spanish Touch at 888-480-0013.

Down time in Barcelona - exploring Gracia - Rich and Rose day 5 and 6

One of the most common complaints of overly-ambitious travelers is that they end up trying to do too much. Every day has to be packed with activities both morning and afternoon, always on the go, trying to maximize your time. But for many people, this style ends up actually making the experience less enjoyable, as you don't have the down time to settle down at a local cafe, sip a cafe con leche while nibbling on a local delicacy like melindros or even churros con chocolate, and just reflect and relax, letting the culture and the city wash over you.

Rich and Rose took their down time to visit the Gracia district, one of the more popular, and in my humble opinion, best places to do just that. Filled with plazas and small streets, Gracia feels more like a town than anything else, despite being connected by Passeig de Gracia and just a stone's throw from some of the city's liveliest attractions. Going there with a local, someone who grew up in the area and knows all the back streets and where to find the best egg shop, or the olive oil specialist, or even where to find the best tea - coffee is the  big dog in Spain, so finding a good tea shop can sometimes be more complicated than it might first appear.

So a few hours spent wandering the streets, and the chance to stumble upon something magical, in this case the local town hall was open and the parade figures where on display. Sometimes it's the down time that turns out to provide some of your trips most memorable moments.

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

Back on top of Barcelona - Rich and Rose - Day 3

Having been to Barcelona already on several occasions, there were a few loose ends to tie up, and one of them was to get back to Tibidabo, the mountain overlooking the city. On their first visit in 2005, they had made it up there, but only very briefly at the end of the day, and so had been waiting for an opportunity to get back and explore. And on Monday that opportunity arose. The four of us headed up the mountain to the foot of the amusement park, which was closed for repairs and which, combined with the relatively chilly wind and off season,  made parking no problem at all. After parking we headed up, walking past the modernista houses which line the entrance, before arriving at the gates of the amusement park. Before us stood the Sagrada Cor Temple, visible from almost anywhere in Barcelona.

The Tibidabo mountain, coming from the Latin words Tibi Dabo (I will give you) comes from the Bible passage about the temptation of Christ, and the stained glass windows reflect that saying with various scenes of saints and from the Bible. The temple is the creation of architect Enric Sagnier, one of the most prolific, if undermentioned, architects of Barcelona's modernista  movement (close to 300 buildings in Barcelona are said to have been built by him). The first hermitage was established on the mountain in 1886, but the temple construction did not begin until 1902. You can still see the original hermitage at the base of the temple.


Aside from the grandeur of the temple itself, the views over the city are unbeatable. We spent several hours walking up and around the temple, and getting a lay of the city below, from Montjuic to Sagrada Familia and the Agbar Tower, the whole city spreads out before you, and it is both inspiring and humbling to realize just how much work has been done, and how much there is to do and see.

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

Rich and Rose - Day 2 - Local Festivals and a stroll along the beach

On Sunday the sun broke through the clouds and a promising day lay before us. First stop was the local Tres Tombs Festival, a traditional Catalan festival centered around animals. It gets its name from 3 laps (tres tombs in Catalan) which the local animals traditionally did around the church or chapel of the local town before being blessed by the priest. Nowadays the festival features more pets than livestock, but in many ways the traditions remain strong. Locals walk the streets offering neighbors and visitors alike homemade cakes and sweet moscatel wine straight from the porro! 

As the sun soaked streets began to dry out, we headed down to the beach for a stroll along the beach. Several hours, a handful of shells (always a great time to look for shells after a stormy night) and countless pictures later, we headed back for a traditional Catalan lunch of pollaste a l'ast and potatoes. In all a decidely enjoyable way to spend a Sunday and to get into the local culture.

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

Mataro's hidden treasures - A day out with Rich and Rose

After arriving on Friday morning and spending the first day adapting to the local lifestyle (siesta included), we began our tour on Saturday with a trip up the coast to Mataro, where the first train in Spain connected Barcelona and the industrial region. The town of Mataro, built on the Roman town of Iluro, houses a number of hidden treasures. As one of the most important towns during the 19th century Renaissance of Catalonia, Mataro offers discerning visitors historical and architectural gems including the Roman baths, the 15th century church and modernista buildings. We also stopped in to take a look at Can Manetes, our favorite local art shop, where you can take the opportunity to learn how to make the mosaics seen throughout the region in Modernista works. After lunch we visited the Modernista pastry shop El Miracle, and headed out for a bit of shopping before calling it a day.

For more information on arranging a private guided tour in Barcelona, contact The Spanish Touch at 888-480-0013.

The High Speed Trains of Spain - or how to get around comfortably

With this week's announcements of the AVE high-speed train connecting Barcelona to Girona and Figueres, it seems like a good time to talk about the trains in Spain. As the most extensive rail network in Europe, Spain's high speed lines are top for comfort and ease of getting from one place to another. So today I want to give you some ideas for travelling via the high-speed lines around Spain.

It's not necessarily as fast as flying, but you have the advantage that most of the stations are right in the heart of the city, and you don't have to be there two hours ahead of time, and you don't have to worry about overhead luggage space, or the guy in front of you leaning his seat back into your knees, you can actually enjoy the scenery, even at close to 300 km/h, and you can always go tot he bar car if you need to walk around a little bit.

Most  of the lines are based out of Madrid, making it easy to get from Madrid to virtually anywhere in Spain quickly and easily. But more and more lines are connecting other cities, like Barcelona or Valencia with Seville, or Barcelona and Malaga. For example (with approximate times):
Madrid - Seville - 2 hours 30 minutes
Madrid - Valencia - 1 hour 40 minutes
Madrid - Malaga - 2 hours 30 minutes
Madrid - Girona -  3 hours 30 minutes
Madrid - Zaragoza - 1 hour 15 minutes





Barcelona - Madrid - 2 hours 30 minutes
Barcelona - Malaga - 5 hours 30 minutes
Barcelona - Seville - 5 hours 30 minutes

Valencia - Sevilla - 3 hours 50 minutes

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

The most unique bars in Barcelona by guest blogger Harriet Freeman

Bars form a large piece of Barcelona culture, so it makes sense that when you visit the city you should visit a few. Many interesting bars are largely traditional where you can buy a drink and some tapas and can usually be found outside of touristy areas. However, for those looking for something a little different; here are some of the most original bars in Barcelona.

Ice Bar Barcelona: This bar is a few years old now and has built up quite a reputation in that time. In this establishment, pretty much everything is ice, from the stools to the cup you drink from. Don't worry about getting cold here though because you are provided with coats, gloves, and everything you need to stay warm. You'll also find some great ice sculptures of symbolic sites from around Barcelona, like La Sagrada Familia. There is a downside though… The prices. It's not all bad though because it's right by the beach. If you've planned your summer trip to Barcelona then its a great place to sunbathe and cool down in afterwards (or vice versa).

El Bosc de les Fades: Time was that this place used to be a well kept secret. Not so much anymore, but don't let that put you off, because you should definitely visit at least once. Located right by the wax museum just off Las Ramblas, this bar will transport you into the world of fairy tales. It is beautifully themed in the form of an enchanted forest and is an absolutely bewildering located to sit down with some friends and chill with a drink. Why mention earlier that it's not a well kept secret anymore? Well, with fame came a price hike, so maybe you should only go once to check it out.

Sincopa: This bar was opened by two french people and it's very unique for a few reasons. The first reason is that there are no tables (though there are several stools around the bar). The decor is also incredibly original to the point that the ceiling is a topsy-turvy  concert stage. The drinks are also more reasonably priced than the last two bars and it's a great place to socialise. You can find it on Calle Avinyó, 35.

Pipa Club: Located in the former studio of the painter Pere Pruna, it's a locale in which various celebrities pass through from time to time. It's a unique space for conversing and social gatherings where you can pretty much enjoy a drink  and feel as if you where at home thanks to the very lovely decor with a focus on Sherlock Holmes and pipe memorabilia, as well as the live piano music. It's a great atmosphere and is sort of a "hidden gem", though it gets pretty crowded with locals and young travelers on the weekends. Again with the prices though, at €4 for a beer or even a cola, you might want to consider making it a one off.

Harriet Freeman is a specialist on northern Spain and Barcelona, and writes on behalf of OK Apartment Barcelona, specialists in cheap accommodation in Barcelona.

High Speed train Barcelona to Girona is here!

In an announcement made earlier this week, the AVE high speed train line from Barcelona to Girona and Figueres will officially start running next week. In just 37 minutes you can go from downtown Barcelona to Girona, one of the jewels of the region for its history, architecture, food...well basically just because it's a great city! And in a few minutes more you will arrive in Figueres, home to the Dali Theater-Museum. Why is that so important, aside from the museum? Well, because from Figueres you can catch the high speed TGV train to Paris! Which means....wait for it..... that the Madrid-Barcelona-Paris High Speed line is now in effect (albeit changing trains in Figueres)!


Prices are reasonable as well, as it will cost just under 25€ round trip from the Catalan capital to Girona and 32€ round trip to Figueres. If you want to take the 17 minute AVE ride from Girona to Figueres it will cost just under 11€ round trip, making renting a car unnecessary for a quick day trip from either Barcelona or Girona to visit Dali's birthplace and museum.



For more information on visiting any of the these cities, or for help planning your private guided tour in Spain, contact The Spanish Touch at 888-480-0013.

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