Products that SCREAM spain! What are they? In this episode of When in Spain I take a walk around Madrid and try to identify 16 quintessential Spanish products, mostly food I have to admit! I also take a look at the stories and history behind the items on my Spanish shopping list. Join me on … Continue reading Top Spanish products – A shopping list of food, drink, fashion & a mop
Want to speak Spanish fluently? I stop off at The Royal Spanish Academy or Real Academia Española, in the centre of Madrid, ground zero for the Spanish language and home of the Diccionario de la lengua española, the official dictionary of the Spanish language. The Academy’s mission is to ensure the stability of the Spanish language and promote … Continue reading Learn to Speak Spanish Fluently : 8 tips to master Spanish – WIS029
Nine Spanish culture shocks that I still can’t get my head around, even after living in Spain for nearly six years. Here they are… 1. Volume control? According to the World Health Organisation Spain is the second noisiest country in the world after Japan. This would explain why several times a week I wish I … Continue reading Nine Spanish culture shocks: Habits in Spain I can’t get used to
Feliz Día de San Valentín! Love and romance en España. Today is the el 14 de Febrero – the14th February and well rather predictably this episode takes a loving look at Valentine’s Day here in Spain. I’m going to look at what loved-up Spaniards get up to on this special day for lovers – i’ll … Continue reading Valentine’s Day in Spain – Latin lovin’, traditions & soppy vocab 101
Do Spaniards like the dark despite Spain being one of the sunniest countries in Europe? Maybe you can have too much of a good thing! Spain has between 2,500 and 3,000 hours of sunshine in an average year, compared with just 1,600 in countries such as the United Kingdom. In this episode I ponder the … Continue reading Are Spaniards vampires? Shutters, bars & balconies – WIS023
In this bonus episode I answer a few questions from listeners…Alternative things to see and do in Madrid, advice for moving to Barcelona and a future episode on healthcare and health insurance in Spain. Also, how about some When in Spain episodes in Spanish? Over to you… FOLLOW WHEN IN SPAIN 📺Subscribe on YouTube: https://bit.ly/2SOrKrL … Continue reading Alternative things to do in Madrid & moving to Barcelona – WIS020
This week an episode on Spain’s most controversial tradition, bullfighting. During the show I attend a ‘corrida’ at Madrid’s Las Ventas bullring with a Spanish friend to see this ancient spectacle in the flesh. I didn’t enjoy or agree with what I witnessed, that I expected. But I wanted to see if I could understand … Continue reading Bullfighting. Art or bloodsport? A trip to Madrid’s Las Ventas bullring – WIS018
Evening meals at 11pm! Two-hour lunch breaks! Hitting bars until 7am! In this episode I try to stay awake to look at Spain’s daily routine, timetables, mealtimes and work schedules and try to work out if Spaniards really do ever sleep. I examine the history of the infamous Spanish siesta (Think ancient Rome, Franco and … Continue reading Siesta & fiesta! What’s up with Spain’s crazy daily routine!? – WIS016
Cerveza! Yes, a whole episode dedicated to beer! Salud! Spain is the 4th biggest beer producer in Europe and the 10th biggest in the world. But, ordering a beer can be a confusing experience. Do you order a caña or a tubo? What’s the difference between a copa and a doble? How big is a … Continue reading Spanish Beer – Brands, Bars and how to order like a native – WIS013
Spain vs England! I examine the cultural differences between Spain and the UK with the help of some of my Spanish friends who live and work in England. Let battle commence! I chat with Paula, Diego, Pedro and English ally Dan about the pros and cons of living in Spain and the UK, the things … Continue reading Spain vs England – The cultures collide! WIS012