Christmas Shopping in Spain

Over the last few days we've been getting you ready for the Christmas seaon with our Christmas Tours in Barcelona and Madrid, And the season is almost upon us! All the cities and towns around Spain are starting to make their Christmas preparations. The streets are adorned with the traditional Christmas lights, the shops are beginning to decorate, the cold weather has arrived.... Spain doesn't celebrate Thanksgiving so everything is beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

Even though in Spain we have the bad habit of leaving the Christmas shopping for the last minute, the cities are doing their part to change that, especially in the last few years. There are more and more of the smaller, alternative "mercadillos" (Christmas markets) that, from very different and unique settings, flip the switch on for the Christmas season. 

In this case we're talking about the Christmas Market that will take place this coming Sunday, November 29, in the Botanical Gardens of La Concepción, in Malaga. There is free entry to the market.

Aside from the Christmas Market, there are also activities for children, a food truck, and a visit from the "castañera" (a woman who sells chestnuts who is tightly bound to the culture and traditions of the autumn as well as the world of literature). 

Contact us for more information or to book one of our ChristmasTours:

The Spanish Touch

1580 E. Butler Pike
Ambler, PA 19002

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

Christmas tour in Madrid, Spain

From December 1st to January 6th we have designed a special Christmas Tour in Madrid.

This is a 3 hour walking tour of Madrid city center where you will discover some of the most important and interesting sites in Madrid and will stop in a couple of churches and convents to visit the Nativity scenes exhibited inside. This is a great opportunity to learn more about how Spanish people celebrate Christmas, the New Year and the Three Kings Day celebration while we take you around the different shops in one of the most important Christmas markets in Madrid.

This tour includes: a private English-speaking guide and a pick up at your hotel.

Christmas market in Madrid

Christmas decorations

Nativity scene

Contact us for more information and to book the Christmas tour:

The Spanish Touch

1580 E. Butler Pike
Ambler, PA 19002

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

Christmas tours in Barcelona, Spain

We have designed 3 special Christmas tours in Barcelona, where you will discover some of the most important and interesting sites in Barcelona and the surrounding areas. Learn more about how Spanish people celebrate Christmas and the different traditions Catalans have during this time of the year! 

1. Enjoy a Medieval Christmas Market Tour
From December 5th to December 8th, you can enjoy a private tour in Vic, an hour outside Barcelona where every year one of the most anticipated markets in Catalonia takes place. It is a stage that recreates medieval times, with music and street plays and a wide range of activities for visitors. The re-creation of the medieval crafts is also a classic. You will enjoy stalls and demonstrations of these craftsmen and exhibitions of raptors such as eagles, falcons, vultures and owls.

2. Private Christmas Market and the Nativity Christmas Tour in Barcelona
From December 1st to January 6th, join us as we take you on a route through the streets of Barcelona to show you the most traditional, interesting and unique aspects of Christmas in the city. You will learn about the history and traditions that surround the Christmas season, visit a Christmas market and a nativity scene, and have the chance to sample traditional Christmas sweets.

Christmas Market in Barcelona

Learn more about the Catalan Christmas Traditions

Learn more about the Catalan Christmas Traditions

Visit the Nativity Scenes

3. The Living Nativity Tour in Barcelona

Enjoy one of the most important and oldest living nativity scenes, set up every year since 1962 just 45 minutes outside of Barcelona. It is a living representation of the birth of Jesus in an incomparable setting that makes this nativity scene one of the most magical. The representations are shown in the evenings from November 30th through January 12th.

Optionals:

• Before visiting the Living Nativity, take the opportunity to visit the modernista Colònia Güell and its crypt, designed by Gaudi. Check out more information about Colònia Güell. 
• While you are there, enjoy a special lunch or dinner where you can try some of the most traditional Christmas dishes of the region. 

Contact us for more information and to book the Christmas tour:

The Spanish Touch

1580 E. Butler Pike
Ambler, PA 19002

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

Christmas tours in Spain (from December 1st to January 6th)

One of the most wonderful things about travelling is discovering other cultures, their traditions and their local festivials. That's why we always try to include that cultural touch in our tours that makes a trip unforgettable.

During the Christmas season (from December 1st to January 6th), we have designed some special tours in Spain that will help you discover Madrid, Barcelona and Valencia and about how Spanish people celebrate Christmas, the New Year and the Three Kings Day celebration.

CHRISTMAS TOUR OF MADRID (3 HOURS)

THE LIVING NATIVITY TOUR

BARCELONA CHRISTMAS MARKET, TRADITIONS AND NATIVITY TOUR

MEDIEVAL CHRISTMAS MARKET TOUR

Let us know if you also need accommodation, a rental car or any other service in for your trip to Spain. We can take care of every detail of your vacation. 

Contact us for more information:

The Spanish Touch

1580 E. Butler Pike
Ambler, PA 19002

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

Navarra, a great stop in Spain!

When we design an itinerary for a trip to Spain we always look to add some great, out-of-the-way stops along the way. For example, if it's your first time in Spain and you want to visit Barcelona and the Basque Country, a great stop could be Navarra. Navarra offers enchanting towns, magnificent castles, spectacular landscapes and a wide offer for all the foodies!

Take 30 seconds to see some of the things you can enjoy in Navarra and contact us if you want us to design your trip to Spain!

The Spanish Touch

1580 E. Butler Pike
Ambler, PA 19002

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

Bardenas Reales, Navarra

Pamplona Cathedral, Navarra

Olite Castle, Navarra

De la Reina Bridge, Navarra

Roncesvalles, Navarra

Xorroxin, Navarra

Calamari 'A la romana' recipe

The other day we were talking about the Calamari Food Festival and our Seafood Tour in Barcelona during October and I have been thinking since then about having some for lunch! So I did. Today I want to share with you a receipe that can be part of a tapas lunch or dinner or you can also prepare it as a main course: Calamari 'A la romana' .

This is a very easy recipe to prepare but delicious at the same time.

Ingredients:

Calamari (I bought three medium sized)
4 cups flour
2 eggs
Olive oil
Salt
A lemon

Directions:

• Clean the calamari. In the fishmarket in Spain you buy fresh calamari but they can clean it for you if you ask for it. Clean it without opening it or cutting it! Rinse it with cold water.

• Once it is clean, cut the head in rings. Don't cut the legs. 
• Mix the calamari with the flour. 

• Prepare a sausepan and add olive oil. Be generous! Let the oil get hot. 
• Beat the eggs with a pinch of salt and soak them.

• Add the calamari rings in the hot oil and let them cook both sides. 
• Serve still hot and add lemon juice on top!

Bon profit!

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

The Spanish Touch

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

E-mail: info@thespanishtouch.com

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Saffron Tour in Spain and the Saffron Rose Festival

Today I want to give you three different reasons why you have to go to Castilla-la Mancha during October:

1. Until October 25th you have the chance to enjoy the annual Saffron Rose Festival in the town of Consuegra. 
2. The saffron flowering period has started! Wide violet fields inundate the plains of Toledo, Cuenca, Ciudad Real and Albacete. 
3. Right now you have the perfect weather to visit Castilla-la Mancha!

Castilla-la Mancha has a very distinctive landscape and character from the rest of Spain. Don't miss out on the opportunity to visit this incredible region just an hour outside of Madrid city. 

Check out some other pictures about Castilla-la Mancha on our facebook page. 

You can also check out more information about our Saffron Tour or you can contact us for more information!

The Spanish Touch

1580 E. Butler Pike
Ambler, PA 19002

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

Cervantes Week: a plan to enjoy Madrid in October

From October 3 to October 24 the city of Alcalá de Henares, in Madrid, pays tribute to its most illustrious figure: Miguel de Cervantes, the author of "The Ingenious Gentlemen Don Quixote of La Mancha". Two of the highlight events are the 'Cervantes Gastronomic Festival' and the 'Quixote Market'. Contact us for more information!

The Spanish Touch

1580 E. Butler Pike
Ambler, PA 19002

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

Seafood tour in Barcelona during October

Galicia is famous for its seafood and fish, but if you are around Barcelona or Girona during October, you can also enjoy the fruits of the sea. Here are a couple of great ideas for you to do:

• Enjoy the Calamari Food Festival ('Jornades Gastronòmiques del Calamarenys'). Enjoy various ways to prepare this classic Mediterranean dish, including: a la romana (breaded and fried), a l'Andalusa (lightly fried), stuffed, or simply grilled. The calamar (squid) is the star of this festival, where restaurants from 10 different towns in the Maresme area, just a half hour north of Barcelona, are participating from October 2nd to October 31st. 
• Visit a Fish Market (Llotja). All along the Catalan coast the fish markets welcome the boats from their daily fishing trips. The catch is auctioned off as it arrives. It's a show unto itself, and a great way to track the freshest fish!
• Visit the Boqueria Market in Barcelona and sign up for a tapas workshop where you will learn how to prepare a paella! 

Contact us for more information and to book a food tour:

The Spanish Touch

1580 E. Butler Pike
Ambler, PA 19002

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

Zaragoza during its Pilar Festivities

Last week I was in Zaragoza visiting my family. From Barcelona it is a really nice drive specially because you go through the Monegros Desert. Next week it is a big week for them. From October 10th to October 18th, they are going to celebrate the Pilar Festivities. These are the main annual fiestas in the capital of Aragon characterised by a broad range of activities: theatre performances, concerts, dance, bullfights, craft exhibitions, different activities for children (clowns, magic ...) ... There are also fireworks and the traditional giants and big-heads parade.

The most important day is October 12th, the feast of La Virgen del Pilar, patron saint of the city. A mass floral offering takes place from early that morning: thousands of people from all over the world, dressed in traditional costumes, come to Plaza del Pilar to leave flowers before the Virgin. And on October 13th, the Rosario de Cristal takes place. It is a procession of carriages and glass lanterns that runs through the streets of Zaragoza.

If you are going to be in Spain during those dates, don't hesitate to visit Zaragoza during its fiestas!

Contact us for more information:

The Spanish Touch

1580 E. Butler Pike
Ambler, PA 19002

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

Seafood Festival in O Grove (Galicia) 2015

From October 1st to October 12th, O Grove, on the coast of Galicia, celebrates its Fiesta in Honour of Seafood. During the celebrations, fish and shellfish go on sale at special prices, prepared and served by town locals. The excellent regional produce attracts thousands of people every year, making this event a point of reference, and earning O Grove its nickname of "seafood paradise". There is also music, traditional dance, competitions and sporting events, as well as seminars and exhibitions.

Come to Galicia with us and enjoy our seafood tour!

Contact us for more information:

The Spanish Touch

1580 E. Butler Pike
Ambler, PA 19002

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

It's mushroom picking time again!

Every year the advent of autumn ushers us into the strange and wonderful season of "mushroom-hunting". The brisk air and chilly nights make for the perfect breeding ground for the best mushrooms you can eat. And it seems like everyone, whether a city dweller, suburban homeowner or farmer living in the plains of the region, heads up to the hills and forest in search of these highly-prized treats.

A true "Boletaire", or mushroom-hunter, is usually out at the crack of dawn on the weekend, on the lookout for new growths, and especially the prized Rovellons, a particularly delicious variety of milk-cap mushroom. But there are at least 40 different varieties of mushrooms that grow in the fertile woods in the shadow of the Pyrenees mountains. So even if you don't find any Rovellons, you can always find Gírgoles (oyster mushrooms), Camagrocs (yellow foot) and meadow mushrooms. And even in our modern age of plastic reusable bags, you will find that most people still use wicker baskets. The chances of finding the best mushrooms goes down with each passing hour, so make sure you get out early!

Naturally, not everyone who goes looking for mushrooms is a micologist. In fact, most of us aren't. So what's the problem? Well, the problem is in the dozen or so varieties of poisonous mushrooms, some of which bear striking resemblance to the non-offensive and often delectable ones. How do we get around this problem? Well, firstly, it is highly recommended that you use a guide, someone with years of experience who is willing to show you what you are looking for. Secondly, when it doubt, leave it alone. Some of these mushrooms are extremely toxic, best not to take the chance. And there's a third option. Many of the areas where you can search for mushrooms offer restaurants that will cook your day's haul for you, selecting from the mushrooms you bring in and offering you a hearty meal, carefully weeding out the dangerous ones before serving you with a traditional Catalan meal.

In sum, spending a day, or a weekend, searching for wild mushrooms is a great recommendation for someone who's just visiting, or staying for a short time, during the first half of the autumn months. Just remember to bring a guide, or make sure you talk to the restaurant ahead of time. And don't forget your picnic basket!

Check out our Mushroom Hunting Tours in Spain!

Contact us for more information:

The Spanish Touch

1580 E. Butler Pike
Ambler, PA 19002

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

Guided tour of Collbató Caves: special Halloween tour of Barcelona

Autumn is a transitional period between the hot summer and the winter which is just around the corner. It is a season where the leaves of the trees, and all of nature in fact, seem to be in a state of lethargy, a sinking in to the winter rest. It is precisely at this moment, at the beginning of November, when the border between the world of the living and the world of the dead collide, a time to remember our ancestors and relatives who are no longer with us. And why not let them visit us or even go to visit them?

The Caves of Collbato, in the Montserrat mountains outside of Barcelona, holds more than a few stories about the dark, unknown underworld, and legends of the the creatures from the depths. That's why we are inviting anyone who wants to discover a new way to experience Halloween to come with us on a trip to the depths, going into the deep passages of the cave on a route that takes us from the underworld of the Greeks to the modern celebrations of Halloween.

• DATES: October 30 and 31st, 2015. 
• TOUR LENGTH: 1 hour and 15 minutes plus private transportation from your hotel, port or airport. 
• INCLUSIONS: entrance tickets to the caves, guided tour and private transportation. 
• OPTIONALS: You could add to this tour a guided tour of Montserrat Mountain, a guided tour of Barcelona or a Cava and Wine Tour or a Tapas Tour in Barcelona for lunch or dinner!

Contact us for more information and to book your tour: 

Contact us for more information:

The Spanish Touch

1580 E. Butler Pike
Ambler, PA 19002

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

The Fiestas De La Pilar - Zaragoza's shining celebration

Zaragoza is often overlooked by those visiting Spain. Conveniently located halfway between Madrid and Barcelona, the capital of Aragon suffers in comparison to the glamour and draw of its larger neighbors. But for one week, from October 10-18, it rises head and shoulders above all others as the best place to be to see Spain in full color. The Fiestas del Pilar, which dates to the beginning of the 19th century (although related festivals can be dated back to the 1600s), began as a religious festival (the Cathedral of Zaragoza is dedicated to the Virgen of La Pilar). 


Nowadays it combines the ancient religious meanings with a showcase of the best of Aragonese culture. Join in for a week of parades, fireworks, music and more, and discover one of Spain's best Festivals! For more information or to include a private guided visit to Zaragoza on your next trip to Spain, contact The Spanish Touch.

Pictures of our new Wine Tour in Barcelona: Grape Stomping Harvest Experience

A few days ago we published a post about one of our new tours in Spain: Grape Stomping Harvest Experience in Barcelona, a unique wine tour in Barcelona that combines the traditional wine tour and tastings with the incredible opportunity to press the grapes with your feet to make grape juice like it was done before.

Today I want to show you some pictures of some of our clients enjoying it!

...

Contact us for more information:

The Spanish Touch

1580 E. Butler Pike
Ambler, PA 19002

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

How to order in Spain: our welcome meals

Every time we have a group travelling in Spain for the first time we always offer the opportunity of a welcome lunch or dinner at their arrival. Eating is a unique experience in every country. In Spain normally you order dishes (1st course, 2nd course, etc.) but there are also tapas, pintxos ... We will explain how to order, eating habits and customs in Spain, etc. It is also a chance to review the itinerary and answer any questions you may have. Welcome to Spain!

Contact us for more information!

The Spanish Touch

1580 E. Butler Pike
Ambler, PA 19002

Toll free: 1-888-480-0013

Spanish office phone: +34 616-103-536
E-mail: info@thespanishtouch.com

A disappearing tradition: a wood oven bakery

The weekend we spent a few days in the mountain zone outside Barcelona in a village called Sant Boi del Lluçanès. And while we were there amidst the tranquility of the wooded hills, the perfect late summer temperatures with a barbeque and a fireplace in the evening we were given a treat: the chance to see one of the few remaining wood oven bakeries where the traditional style has not given way to a more 21st century approach.  

The Sant Boi bakery is not only for the people who run it (wonderful people), but also for the quality of their products. There was a long line of people all day to buy the bread, different kinds of coques (a traditional pastry), croissants, etc. Their secret? Continuing on with the traditions of baking the different doughs the sme way they've always done it, with a wood-fired oven. The taste of the bread changes subtly, but it's definitely noticeable. It's tough to describe but I think the best comparison I can come up with is the difference between a nice steak cooked on the stove versus one grilled on the barbeque. It simply taste better!

Thanks to the Pujals bakery in Sant Boi and a few others scattered around that have maintained (and in some cases rescued) this traditional style, we can still enjoy our freshly-baked bread with the same taste that our grandparents enjoyed when they told us about the good old days. This shop actually forms a part of a "bread route" in the area, which takes us to different establishments to learn about the production of the bread and how it was traditionally made. The route shows us some of the secretes of the old bakers, from the wheat fields to a flour mill and finally to the bakery itself.

I'll leave you with an insider's photographic journey through the bakery to encourage you to come visit and get to know not only the traditions they are working to keep alive but also the people and the treasures hidden within the mountains just outside of Barcelona.

A special thank you to Ariadna Casas for some of the photos that she gave us and to the Pujals bakery for their hospitality and for showing us first hand how they are keeping the tradition alive.

Contact us for more information!

The Spanish Touch

1580 E. Butler Pike
Ambler, PA 19002

Toll free: 1-888-480-0013

Spanish office phone: +34 616-103-536
E-mail: info@thespanishtouch.com