There are thousands of rental properties in Spain and finding the best rental properties in Spain can be a big task on your own. It can take hours to go through all of those sites online to find the perfect spot for yourself. But it is still one of my favorite ways for a more authentic and luxurious experience of Spain
Whether you like to call it a Boutique hotel or Design Hotel finding the right one can be difficult. Here are hotels that I personally think meet a higher standard of design, space and most of all excellent service. This is my list of those that are certainly well worth a visit for any fan of boutique hotels.
Madrid has come a long way in ten years, and this year is no exception. In addition to all the monuments, museums, and activities in Madrid, the city is packed with great things to do whether with or without kids. I have never seen so many different activities on offer in Madrid. Here are my top things to do and see in Madrid for Christmas 2014.
One of Madrid’s latest markets, but this has a higher standard of quality vendors of Furniture, design items, vintage, second hand and gourmet food products. Once a month at the Train Museum
My travel guide to La Rioja. What to see and do, where to eat and where to stay. La Rioja is not just about wine either!
Madrid’s Food Truck Market has over 60 vendors with a great range of food. Every third weekend of the month.
For one weekend in September some of Madrid’s most famous building will open their door to the public. Organized by Open House Madrid
What on in Spain. Upcoming events and festivals in Spain for autumn/fall 2015.What on in Spain. Upcoming events and festivals in Spain for autumn/fall 2015. More opportunities to enjoy wine, food and music this autumn/fall in Spain.
Here are my recommendations on what to do in San Sebastian. A quick guide to activities, where to stay and where to eat
The dramatic and passionate procession of easter in Spain are something you should see at least once. Here discover what to expect for first timers and a few thing to consider when making your plans to visit.
Here is my quick guide to Granada. What to do in Granada, where to eat, and where to stay with a few practical recommendations.
Rapidly approaching, Valentine’s Day is a great opportunity to explore some of the most romantic places to visit in Spain. Here is a list of some of our favorites romantic hotels.
The holidays are over and the new year is upon us. The time is not to start consider where you may want to visit so here are my favorite destinations in Spain for 2015.
The chefs across Spain continue to up their game as Spain has received twenty new Michelin stars. Here you will find the restaurants that have received new Michelin stars in Spain
Here are upcoming holidays in Spain for 2015. The BOE, official state bulletin in Spain has published the eight national public holidays in Spain for 2015. These holidays are celebrated nationally so you can count on offices and many businesses being closed.
It’s now far cheaper to visit Spain, because the pound and US dollar have hit multi-year highs versus the euro. The strong exchange rate will add greatly to your euro total, making your holiday in Spain all the more enjoyable!
Upcoming Events in December all across Spain CANARY ISLANDS OLYMPIC SAILING WEEK From Dec 4, 2014 to Dec 8, 2014 Real Club Náutico de Gran Canaria www.gcsiw.com/events/winter-series/gran-canaria-olympic-week The waters of Gran Canaria host a week of exciting regattas, featuring Olympic sailors of various nationalities. The island of Gran Canaria will receive sailors from all over…
Here you will find upcoming events in Spain during November 2014 all across Spain. Including exhibits, festivals and sports. This is just a small selection
In this photo collection you will find my favorite places to visit in Granada including the Alhambra and the Generalife. THe Alhambra is a magical monument that is not to be missed
When considering places to visit in Spain Madrid is at the top of the list. here are some of my favorite places in Madrid
Upcoming events in October. Here is a collection of great events and festivals you can discover in October. From what’s on in Madrid to Barcelona and over Seville to the pyrenees mountains.
David Guerrero’s DSTAGE open in Madrid. See the ten stages of lunch at one of Madrids’s best new restaurants! A ten plate tasting with wine at the new cool spot to eat.
Here you will find ten plates from Diego Guerreros DSTAGE restaurant in Madrid.
The Ultimate Diner: experience a once in a lifetime event El Celler Can Roca create a special menu of 14 finestest and most rare whiskies of The Macallan
King Felipe VI gets crowned king of Spain in only 18 days. I guess if they want it bad enough they really can organize well. The contradictions of Spain still surprise me.
During summer time in Madrid there are countless things to do from music and dance festivals to tapas tastings. Get in a museum, a long lazy lunch or go away for the day. An essestial guide to summer time in Madrid
Spain is a country proud of its traditions – but there is one long-held tradition that has been dividing people for hundreds of years. Bullfighting. Its supporters argue it’s a noble cultural art form, while its detractors say it’s a cruel, outdated bloodsport. To help you make up your own mind on bullfighting, we present some common arguments on both sides of the debate.
The picture-postcard image of Spain may be blue skies and golden sands – but this incredible country has so much more to offer. In fact, we think it’s one of the best destinations in Europe. So we’ve pitted the country against its distinguished neighbors, to see if it can hold its own in everything from fine wines to fun fiestas…
Just a few years ago there were not too many roof top terraces in Madrid. But now, due to an easing of regulations and simplification of application process Madrid has dozens of rood top terraces all across the city. Many are a top hotels which is no surprise but my top five are independent of any hotel and each offers its own special view over the city. Here I lay out a list of the best terraces in Madrid from my favorites to ones you may hear about that I personally can not recommend.
Images from Holy Week in Madrid 2014. Easter Processions from several churches in the center of Madrid.
There is plenty to do in Madrid, but in Madrid it is less about where and more about how you go about it and with whom. Discover my favorite tapas bars, museums, and things to do in Madrid.
We seek out great professionals to advise us, to consult with us on how best to attain the results we are looking for. Whether they are a lawyer, accountant, or a even a travel agent, we seek them out because if they are good, they are experts in their field.
Learning how to cook like a Michelin chef is the dream of many foodies. The food boom is Spain has given rise to dozens and dozens of cooking schools all across Spain and Madrid is no different. Although there are several excellent places to learn the tricks of the trade I know of only one place this spring that has a line up culinary professors like no other, The Kitchen Club Madrid.
Here you will see how racing can take you from spectator to driver in just 2.3 seconds. Feel that rush of adrenaline behind the wheel of your own race car for a day with Don Wildman featured on The Trip 2014 on the Travel Channel.
Slowing down and taking the train is only relative in Spain. The train is Spain can be faster than the plane reaching speeds of 300km per hour, but it actually gives you the perfect opportunity to appreciate the journey and watch the world go by.
Plan ahead and know whats on in Madrid, Barcelona, Seville, and Valencia. Here is a list of up coming art exhibits and performances in the major museums and theaters across Spain. This is not a complete list so make sure to checkout the schedule online of each venue.
Strumming guitars, stomping feet and sweeping dresses – this is the all pervasive image of Spanish dance. But in fact there are dozens of different dances across Spain, from the social Sardana of the north to the fiery Fandango of the south. Here is a selection of our favoriets…
One of the great pleasures of traveling in Spain lies in sampling the myriad flavors of Spanish tapas. Not only do these small snacks provide a delicious culinary experience; they also offer a taste of the rich history and cultural diversity of Spain. Here’s a quick guide to tasty tapas…
Menorca is one of my favorite places in Spain. I could tell you all about Menorca but it’s just easier if you see it. Here is a short video of some of my favorites spot on this beautiful island.
Some of the best exclusive experiences in Spain will be featured in the upcoming special “The Trip 2014” on the Travel Channel in the U.S.A. The hosts, Samantha Brown, Don Wildman, Adam Richman, and Anthony Melchiorri will take you across Spain and Morocco showing you the best food, hotels, and experiences in spain.
Just outside of Segovia and only a 28 minutes train ride from Madrid are the fountains La Granja in San Ildefonso, the summer palace of the King. See a video of these amazing fountain.
Proin ligula justo, iaculis quis ornare in, tempus id purus. Vestibulum et metus nulla.
Sed at mattis magna, at dignissim tellus. Pellentesque a nis velit vitae purus consequat feugiat in sed nisl.
Vestibulum et metus nulla. Quisque et lacus at quam volutpat aliquam eget sit amet est.
Sed at mattis magna, at dignissim tellus. Pellentesque aitae purus consequat feugiat in sed nisl.
Vestibulum et metus nulla. Quisque et lacus at quam volutpat aliquam eget sit amet est.
Pellentesque a nisl ac nibh venenatis ultricies. Donec ut velit vitae purus consequat feugiat in sed nisl.
Vivamus aliquam ornare sapien, a suscipit nisi convallis vel. Etiam gravida sollicitudin felis nec ullamcorper.
Sed at mattis magna, at dignissim tellus. Pellentesque age purus consequat feugiat in sed nisl.
Proin ligula justo, iaculis quis ornare in, tempus id purut aliquam eget sit amet est.
Vestibulum et metus nulla. Quisque et lacus at quam volutpat aliquam eget sit amet est.
Maecenas enim velit, euismod eu tempor sit amet, dictum ateu tempor sit amet, dictum at est. In placerat fringil.
With temperatures skyrocketing higher than 95°F during August, it may sound appealing to just simply hide out in the comfort of your air-conditioned hotel room but here a few suggestions on what to do in Madrid during the month of august and how to keep cool!
Forget about being the Best In Spain, just last week I had the privilege to experience The Best Restaurant In The World, Celler Can Roca in Girona, Spain. I have a client who is currently visiting Spain, but called me for the first time back in January. By now I have a feel for my…
The train in Spain has released fantastic new rates on all AVE (high speed train) routes. And as Madrid is at the center of a high speed train network, with at least 8 great cities to visit (all in under 3 hours from city center to city center), it really is the best choice for getting around Spain quickly and in style.
An update on the Best Beaches in Spain. I have added my new favorite and mention two that make TripAdvisors top beaches in the world 2014. With over 3000 miles of coast line Spain has many beaches to choose from. Here are my choices on the best beaches in Spain.
Combining the top five wines in Spain with the quality and creativity of the best food in Spain and set it in an elegant private villa just outside of Girona makes for a masterful culinary tasting experience like no other! Vega Sicilia Reserva , Mauro Terreus 2006 , Vega Sicilia Único Reserva 2000, Contador 2008,…
If you are looking for a change of pace and want to avoid the museum crowd I have the place for you!
Even though I have lived n Madrid for ten years I always try to keep up on my museum visits. Recently I went to the Hopper Exhibit at the Thyssen Museum and it was absolutely fantastic expect for one thing…the crowd.
Madrid and Barcelona are two amazing cities, each offers fantastic food, an enormous buffet of art, history and culture, and incredible spots for great day trips. But there are many differences between the capital and its beach side counter part and how you enjoy them depends very much on your individual taste and your trip objectives.
A great way to get a different perspective on Spain is see it from the air, nice and slow. A hot air balloon ride in spain is much like the slow food movement, its about taking your time and savoring every moment. Yes you will have to wake up at the crack of dawn but…
Customer service in Spain is always a popular topic amongst foreigners and Spanish alike. The Spanish complain about it because that’s what they like to do and the Americans complain about it because that is what they know. The big difference between the two is that the Spanish accept it and the foreigner (particularly Americans)…
I love travel, I love experiencing new places, and I love getting inside a city as if I was a local, but I do not always love being a tourist. Going to a new country or city can have it challenges especially if you do not know anyone in your destination. There are all kinds…
Sagrada Familia is one of the most popular attractions and in season the lines can be long and the wait hot and sweaty. I can not stress this enough, Barcelona is packed with tourist and locals alike and you do not want to waste your time in line getting hot, grumpy and tired.
Its time again for courtyards of Cordoba, every year residents of the city of Cordoba open up their inner courtyards to the public for viewing. Many enter a competition with winners in various categories. If you find yourself near Cordoba its an even not to miss! Tourism of Cordoba – The CourtyardsTHE COURTYARDS FESTIVAL…
Sometimes great things come in small packages and San Sebastian is no exception. On the northern coast of Spain, in Basque country, San Sebastian is well known now for its culinary delights and independent thinking. It’s a small town with two beautiful beaches right down town. It combines old traditional practices like gastronomic societies and…
Escape on one of our day trips from Madrid to the wine region of Ribera del Duero for a special wine tasting and gourmet lunch at one of the best vineyards in Spain. You will be picked up by chauffeured sedan at your hotel or apartment and taken to the helipad at Cuatro Vientos airport…
Flamenco Classes In Madrid for beginners It is amazing to see the before and after effect on people having taken this class. More than learning how to dance flamenco, it is about feeling flamenco as you learn the basic movements essential to dance; the posture, the feet, the arms, hands and head. It is our…
Don´t miss the tasting tour in Madrid savoring the best gourmet shop the city offers. Are you ready? A gourmet experience of Iberian ham, olive oil, cheese and chocolate and a visit through a charming central neighbourhood. A truly interactive visit for foodies to three of our favourite gourmet shops. What makes the Iberian ham…
The classics and the lesser-known heroes of Spanish wine This introduction to Spanish wine with our sommelier in a delightful local wine delicatessen in the centre of Madrid takes you through the classics and the lesser known emerging stars of Spanish wine, looking at the regions, the Spanish qualification system, label-reading and the tasting…
A personal and behind-the-scenes visit with lunch at Botin Restaurant, the world’s oldest restaurant founded in 1725 and listed in the Guinness Book of Records. The Restaurant Botin Experience; a guided tour of the restaurant, its history, its art and its anecdotes. Following the tour, we will serve you a variety of dishes, The Classics…
If you are wishing to spend a different day don´t miss the Gourmet Madrid Tapas Tour, an experience with five senses. Albariño with padrón peppers, Ribero de Duero with Jamón de bellota” from Salamanca, “bienmesabe” fish with Rioja …the possibilities are endless. Our gourmet tapas tours in Madrid will take you on a delightful cultural…
Once is never enough. You’ve been to Marbella before, so you’ve checked the five-star hotels and Michelin star restaurants off your to-do list. But have you really experienced it like a local? Enjoying the best in Spain is about digging deeper, making connections and experiencing luxury from a new perspective.
To live Marbella like a local you need to skip the hotel, and make a private villa with pool and ocean view your base for the next few days. Just imagine what this will be like: when you arrive at your new home away from home, you’ll find the refrigerator stocked with all your favourites, the champagne chilled, and your butler awaiting your every request. Dinner, prepared by your personal chef, will be served on the terrace overlooking the sea, and then it’s early to bed as tomorrow is a big day.
If you don´t know what to do in Madrid on a rainy day, here we suggest you some interesting ideas to spend a different day in your stay in the capital. Living in Madrid I am used to sunny days all the time and love spending as much of it as I can outside whether at…
A great way to move, eat, and learn your way around Madrid! Leave your guidebook in your room; it’s already out of date and the big tour buses have too many people and way too many rules. On this tailor made orientation we will mix some of the best highlights of Madrid with some “off…
Madrid is filled with beautiful fountains. A great way to enjoy a sunny day is walking from fountain to fountain across the city. This tour will take you down Paseo de Castellana passing Cibeles, Neptuno, and Atocha then across town to the Madrid Rio stopping in a few places off the beaten path in Madrid.…
Semana Santa in Madrid is an spectacular event with a lot of processions through the streets. Easter week in Spain is always a bit surprising for those of us not originally from here. I happened to catch one of the “Semana Santa” processions here in Madrid right in front of the Royal Palace. This one…
Best In Spain is born out of my passion for travel, my ability to navigate the cultural landscape, and the desire to share great experiences of Spain with other travellers. I created it so that you can find the authentic and wonderful experiences it’s taken me years to discover whether you’re on weekend break, two-week vacation, or six month business secondment.
Don´t miss this video that shows a classical fountain of Royal Palace of La Granja de San Ildefonso inside of the french style garden.
If you are new to Madrid this is a great way to start your visit by getting your bearings and find out what places you really want to visit more in depth. Accompanied by your bilingual insider, you will start with a view of all Madrid atop one…
Not more than 50km from Madrid is a small village, completely made of slate, that had been hidden away for hundreds of years. After having been abandoned for years the village was rebuilt in the original style in the last two decades it makes for a great afternoon outside of Madrid. There a several great…
La Granja makes a great day trip from Madrid, giving a chance to cool off in the summer. For all the latest opening hours and dates the fountains are functioning you take a look at the webpage for Patromonio Nacional.
I was fortunate enough to have two great friends come to visit this past weekend in Madrid. Having friends visit is always a great excuse to be a total tourist for a few days and go on a day trip to Toledo. Sometimes living abroad one can forget to do all the fun travel stuff,…
