Join me for a rainy day stroll along what is probably Madrid’s most iconic street. We start off at the bottom end of Gran Vía where it joins Calle Alcalá and follow its 1.3 kilometres all the way to Plaza de España. Forget chain stores, hotels, and touristy restaurants! Along the way we’ll take in … Continue reading Gran Vía — Madrid’s most iconic street
The cool autumn evenings have arrived in Madrid and on a wander down Madrid’s Calle de Arenal, I had a sudden craving for Spain’s favourite warm, sweet treat — churros y chocolate! This a quintessentially Spanish snack that can be enjoyed at any time of year, but I think during autumn and winter churros y … Continue reading A guide to churros y chocolate: sheep, a play & Tina Turner
After a loooooong break I’m back with a beautiful spring evening wander down one of my favourite Madrid streets — Calle de Santa Isabel. We’ll be taking in the sights and sounds with stop-offs in El Cine Doré (Cinema and home to Spain’s national film archive), San Antón municipal market, El Amor de Díos Flamenco … Continue reading A little Madrid street with a BIG personality
Where should you visit in Spain if it’s your first time? Where should you visit if you only have two weeks? Can you see it all? No. So how do you decide what to include on you itinerary? That’s what this episode of When in Spain tries to answer! Join Spain travel consultant, Karen Rosenblum … Continue reading Where to visit in Spain with Karen Rosenblum
After a six-month break When in Spain is back! And to celebrate we’re taking you on a tour of ten classic Madrid bars. Our guide is Chris Lynch, Spanish wine-buff, former Spanish bar owner, and founder of the Spanish Wine Collective. If you’re on a first visit to Madrid these ten bars are required drinking … Continue reading Ten must-visit Madrid bars with Chris Lynch
Sarah Willats joins me to talk about Madrid’s public transport network, how to get the best out of it, tickets, passes and trips whether visiting for a holiday, business or making the Spanish capital your home. Sarah, aka Sarah la Viajera (check out her Spain travel blog!) has recently published her book, The Ultimate Guide to … Continue reading Madrid’s public transport with Sarah Willats – Trains, Tickets, Tips & Trips
Hola Spain fans! This is a kind of hybrid episode. Lots of sounds of Madrid as I wander its squares, shops and markets and stop off in a few cafes and bars. Along the way I talk all about the cost of living in Spain. I look at renting and buying property, utility bills, groceries, … Continue reading Wandering Madrid and talking Cost of Living in Spain
In this episode I look at the American writer, Ernest Hemingway´s relationship with Madrid and wider Spain and how Spain and the Spanish capital inspired and influenced his writing. Ernest Hemingway is commonly associated with a handful of places around the world, most notably Paris, Pamplona, Havana, Key West and Ketchum, Idaho, where he took … Continue reading Ernest Hemingway’s Madrid with historian Stephen Drake-Jones
In this episode we look at a fascinating and monumental period in Spanish history – The death of Franco in 1975 and Spain’s transition to democracy that followed in the late 1970s. In this part one of a two part podcast I had the great pleasure of talking to writer and journalist William Chislett. William … Continue reading The death of Franco & Spain’s transition to democracy with William Chislett
Join me for a walk around a little slice of deep Spain, right on Madrid’s doorstep. Located on the Tagus-Jarama river basin, Chinchón is just 45km from Madrid but worlds apart. Although it has grown beyond its village confines, visiting its antique heart is like stepping back into a charming, ramshackle past. Surrounded by vineyards … Continue reading Charming Chinchón – Garlic, Goya, Anis, John Wayne & a picture-perfect plaza