Made in Spain

Made in Spain
  • 5.0 (13)
  • PLACES & TRAVEL
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

Whether you’re an expat chasing the dream, a traveller inspired by European elegance or a foodie seeking the perfect paella, Made in Spain is your insider’s guide to all things chic, cultural and quintessentially Spanish. Join hosts Nalini Sharma and Laura Senior García for a glamorous mix of travel, food, fashion and the rich cultural narratives that make Spain a global icon of style and sophistication. Nalini is a former Canadian TV presenter, who has previously covered red carpet and live events, and major news stories. She channels the same wit and curiosity to the Made in Spain podcast, offering sharp, unscripted takes on everything from Spanish traditions to expat surprises. Laura, a seasoned leadership coach and global traveler, shares her deep, first-hand knowledge of Spain—not just as her birthplace, but as a country she continues to rediscover. With a British father and Spanish mother, she considers herself a global citizen with deep roots in Spain. Her insights connect Spain’s rich past with its modern evolution, offering a unique and personal perspective on life, culture, and luxury in Spain today. Every episode of Made in Spain explores the country’s hidden gems and exclusive experiences, but it’s more than just a guide—it’s a conversation. The show’s Slice of Life segment gives listeners an unfiltered peek into Nalini and Laura’s daily experiences – the joys, frustrations, and unexpected moments that make life in Spain, and beyond, full of surprises. Sometimes, it’s about the reality of settling into a new country – at other times, it’s about their travels, funny mishaps, or behind-the-scenes stories from researching the podcast. No matter the topic, listeners feel like they are right there with them, stepping into their world.  

  1. 1D AGO

    26. Christmas In Madrid: Lights, Traditions, And Travel Tips

    Send us a text Planning a girls’ trip or a festive getaway and want Spain to feel effortless, joyful, and great value? We kick off with a listener question and map out a smart Madrid hub strategy: take fast trains, book early for the lowest fares, and choose destinations that deliver big experiences without long drives. Alicante shines in May with easy rail links and beach weather, Sevilla brings Andalusian heart in two days, and the Basque coast rewards food lovers and sea seekers. We share where to save, where to spend, and how to walk away with memories that outlast price tags. From there we slip into December and watch Madrid light up. The city invests in energy-efficient displays, lively markets, and neighbourhood scenes that turn a night walk into an event. We talk belenes, chestnuts roasted on street corners, and the social rhythm that keeps you outdoors and together. The Spanish holiday calendar runs long: Nochebuena on the 24th, a relaxed lunch on the 25th, grapes for luck at midnight on New Year’s, then the Cabalgata and gifts on Three Kings. Expect hot chocolate with Roscon de Reyes, busy restaurants, and a festive mood that feels both sacred and playful. We also unpack El Gordo, the Christmas lottery that’s more community ritual than mega-jackpot, and highlight how Madrid handles big stages—from an 80,000-strong NFL game at the Bernabéu to arena shows that start on time and keep crowds safe. For splurges, think med-spas, well-run beach clubs on the mainland coast, and Spanish-made fashion or artisan jewelry. For savings, book trains early and take advantage of seasonal sales. And if Zara or Mango is on your list, the prices here often beat what you pay abroad for the same pieces. If you enjoyed the stories and tips, tap follow, share this with a friend planning Spain, and leave a quick review telling us where you’d base your own trip. Your ideas and questions shape what we explore next.

    53 min

  2. DEC 9

    25. Cadiz, Flamenco, And The Atlantic

    Send us a text The Atlantic changes everything. Drive across the vast bridge into Cadiz and the city tightens around you: lanes narrow, façades lean in, and the wind smells like old voyages and fresh salt. We set out to understand why this port at the edge of Spain feels so singular, and found answers in history, humour, and a cave that sings. Cadiz claims the mantle of Western Europe’s oldest continuously inhabited city, a Phoenician outpost older than Rome where Columbus launched two voyages and a gold-domed cathedral once guided sailors home. Gaditanos learned to laugh sharp and loud; their carnival favours satire over glitter, scoring the news with bite and melody. The sea feeds a daily ritual too: anglers posted along the promenade, rods bowed to Atlantic depth, and a local devotion to red tuna that borders on religion. The beaches are wilder here, the dunes higher, the water colder, and the horizon points straight to North Africa. The heart of our journey beats underground at La Cueva del Pájaro Azul. Tucked beneath the Barrio del Pópulo, this former Phoenician shipyard is now an intimate tablao where flamenco unfolds with no microphones and no distance. A singer’s cry, a guitarist’s pulse, palms clapping, heels carving rhythm into wood: the room compresses sound into something raw and immediate. We trace the cave’s story from shipbuilders to smugglers to a mid-century golden era that drew legends, and we talk duende in the only place it truly makes sense—close enough to feel the air shift when the dancer turns. This trip stretches further than a map suggests. Andalusia grows avocados and even mangoes now; Jerez’s horses step like drums; Madrid’s Time Warp festival pounds hard techno through IFEMA till dawn. Tradition and modern energy share a charge: precision, surrender, and the thrill of a room moving as one. If Cadiz is on your list, give it time: walk the old town, watch the fishermen, eat tuna two ways, find the cave, and let the Atlantic wind write the rest. Enjoy the journey south with us, and if you loved this, tap follow, share it with a friend, and leave a quick review!

    44 min

  3. NOV 25

    24. Alicante Crowned Spain’s Gastronomic Capital 2025

    Send us a text A city best known for its airport and beaches just stole our hearts with rock and flavour. We start beneath the mountain in Busot’s Cuevas de Canelobre, where a chill 18°C air, vaulted limestone, and centuries-old formations set the mood for a story about time, patience, and the hidden power of place. From there we surface into a surge of taste: Alicante has been named Spain’s Capital of Gastronomy for 2025, and the title feels earned the second you start eating your way through town. We walk you through Alicante Gastronómica at the IFA convention centre, a sprawling, well-run festival that blends market energy with masterclass insight. Think 260 exhibitors, 130 chefs, live competitions for tortilla and arroces, pastry art from Paco Torreblanca, and generous tastings that range from olive oils to unexpected sips like Chinese whisky. It’s the kind of event where you can chat to producers, learn why a fish broth matters, and pick up tips you’ll actually use. Along the way we spotlight the dishes that define the region—arroz a banda, pericana, salazones—and the sweet icon with its own denomination, turrón de Jijona. To make your itinerary sing, we share two standouts at different moods and price points. Manero brings polished tapas, preserved seafood, tomato salads, truffled omelettes, and a stellar Russian salad in a room with vintage charm. Natsu Ramen delivers fast, soulful bowls that justify the queue and prove Alicante’s palate is wider than many imagine. Add in strong Arabic and halal options, plus local wines, mistela, and gins that speak of citrus and scrub, and you’ve got a city ready to reward curiosity without breaking the budget. Hungry for more journeys like this? Follow and subscribe so you never miss a plate, share the episode with a friend who loves Spain, and leave a quick review to help others find the show. What should we eat next time we’re in Alicante? Tell us on Instagram.

    38 min

  4. NOV 10

    23. Inside The Royal Andalusian School Of Equestrian Art

    Send us a text Step through the gates of Jerez and into a world where horses dance, leather is stitched by hand, and a French‑style palace shelters Spain’s living equestrian heritage. We head to the Royal Andalusian School of Equestrian Art to see how classical dressage and Doma Vaquera are taught, preserved, and performed with precision and heart. From the first moments on the grounds, the details floored us: spotless stables, braids like artwork, and a team that treats horsemanship as a craft worth a lifetime. We tour the carriage museum inside a former sherry bodega and discover how engineering and elegance once ruled the streets: royal wedding coaches, ingenious suspensions, and the right‑hand driving legacy that still shapes the UK. In the saddlery room, students work leather the old way, building saddles layer by layer with natural stuffing and careful stitching. This is a real school with five disciplines—dressage, saddlery, grooming, vet, and carriage driving—offering multi‑year training to a select few. For riders, bespoke clinics put you on schoolmaster horses that feel like professors, compressing years of learning into focused sessions. Then the music starts. Como Bailan Los Caballos Andaluces unfolds like a ballet: pirouettes, lateral work, airs above the ground, and synchronised patterns that make a 600‑kilo stallion look weightless. It’s not spectacle for spectacle’s sake; it’s trust, timing, and quiet aids in perfect balance. Along the way we connect the dots between Jerez and sherry—why the region led early electrification, how British merchants and Spanish producers built a global trade, and what makes Pedro Ximénez taste like sunshine concentrated in a glass. If you love travel, craftsmanship, or horses, this journey belongs on your list. Hit play, get inspired, and share the episode with someone who needs a little Andalusian magic. Subscribe for more Spanish stories, leave a review to help others find us, and tell us: would you ride, study, or just sit back and watch the dance?

    45 min

  5. OCT 28

    22. Spain’s October: Spirit, Saints, And Steins

    Send us a text Spain’s October doesn’t pick a lane. One night brings witches, costumes, and playful scares; the next morning, families file into cemeteries with buckets, brushes, and armfuls of flowers. We lean into that contrast and explore why it feels so right: a season that holds both noise and hush, thunder and reflection. We start with Halloween’s Spanish footprint—Galician echoes of pagan rites, La Noche de las Brujas, and the idea of the veil between worlds. One of us loves the eerie creativity of full-on spooky costumes; the other side-eyes the commercial frenzy. From there we step into 1 November, when All Saints Day turns the country toward remembrance. We talk about social expectations around tending graves, the rows of abuelas at flower stalls, and the flavours that mark the day: huesos de santo from Madrid’s convent lore and panellets from Catalonia and Valencia. Curiosity pulls us across the Atlantic to Día de Muertos, recognised by UNESCO and rich with colour, marigolds, and altars set with favourite foods. We unpack the calavera story—born from satire—and the deeper message that remembering our dead can be communal, joyful, and grounding. Then we swing back to steins and brass bands as Oktoberfest takes over Spanish coastal towns. Even if you don’t drink beer, the spectacle is irresistible, and the tradition’s origin is surprising: an 1810 royal wedding that turned into a global ritual. Between sips and stories, we share a slice of life in lederhosen, sample regaliz licorice bark, and reflect on a borrowed Thanksgiving that centres gratitude without the gift-wrapping. A Spanish saying ties it all together: no hay octubre sin trueno ni santos sin duelo. Storms will come; sorrow belongs to remembrance. If this blend of spooky, sacred, and social sounds like your kind of autumn, hit play, subscribe, and leave a review to tell us which tradition speaks to you most.

    40 min

  6. OCT 13

    21. First Light in Jávea

    Send us a text First light hits Spain in Javea, and that’s where our day begins: a deliberate detour off the motorway, a coastline that rewards patience, and a kayak glide into La Cova de la Granadella where the water lights up like stained glass. We map Javea’s three faces – the fortress old town, the working port, and the Arenal’s soft sand  – and share the small facts that change how you travel: the easternmost sunrise, pirate alarms woven into church walls, and a raisin trade once called “black gold.” Curiosity pulls us inland to a narrow street and The Archives, a mother–son vintage boutique with a philosophy that feels both stylish and sane. Deborah restores luxury handbags by hand, while Manoa decodes the craft of authentication, from stitching and hardware to those quiet LV stamp tells. It’s a masterclass in buying well, repairing better and keeping pieces in circulation because they deserve more years, not more landfills. You’ll hear how to spot fakes, why date codes matter, and how sustainable fashion can still feel glamorous. We round the night in Benidorm, where Pride’s closing concert turns into a neighbourhood party: tribute acts, kids on shoulders, abuelas down from the flats with beers in hand. The vibe is welcoming, the parade joyful, and yes, not every tribute lands– an uneasy Amy Winehouse moment reminds us homage has edges – but the wider feeling is freedom shared in public. Between scenes we dip into very Spanish comforts: ensaladilla rusa on crisp breadsticks, a friendly debate on whether mayonnaise is Menorcan or French, and a plastic-cup salute with Tinto de Verano because sometimes convenience is the right flavour. Come for the sunrise, stay for the bag spa, dance for the encore. If this journey made you smile, learn, or plan a trip, tap follow, rate the show, and share it with a friend who loves Spain’s coast and its hidden stories. Your reviews help us keep exploring and bring back the good stuff.

    59 min

  7. SEP 29

    20. La Tomatina: Spain's Epic Food Fight

    Send us a text Ever wondered what happens when you mix 10,000 locals, 22,000 visitors, and 150,000 kilograms of tomatoes in a tiny Spanish town? We plunged headfirst into the chaotic wonder of La Tomatina to find out! This annual festival transforms the sleepy town of Buñol into ground zero for the world's largest food fight. Armed with media passes and a healthy dose of caution, we navigated the narrow cobblestone streets alongside revelers from across the globe. The atmosphere was electric – locals offering food and drinks from their homes, music pumping through the streets, and morning drinks flowing freely (though we stayed sober for the drive home). What struck us most was the surprising diversity of participants. From young children gleefully pelting their parents with tomatoes to elderly folks with canes, La Tomatina draws people of all ages. The festival follows strict traditions: the greasy pole challenge where brave souls attempt to climb for a ham, the cannon blast at noon signaling the start, and the precision one-hour timeline that ends exactly at 1 PM – a remarkable display of punctuality in a country not typically known for it! We learned the fascinating history behind this bizarre tradition, which began spontaneously in 1945 and was once banned by Franco for being "un-Spanish." Today, it's one of Spain's most internationally recognized festivals, inspiring similar events worldwide. The tomatoes themselves aren't even edible varieties – they're specifically grown for the festival, addressing concerns about food waste. Whether you're planning your own tomato-soaked adventure or just curious about Spain's more unusual traditions, this episode offers an intimate glimpse into an event that defies easy explanation. As we discovered, La Tomatina isn't just about throwing tomatoes – it's about release, community, and the strangely therapeutic joy of embracing absurdity. Ready to add this messy bucket-list experience to your travel plans? Listen now for our complete survival guide, including how to secure tickets, what to wear, and why you absolutely need goggles!

    45 min

  8. SEP 15

    19. Summer Round Up

    Send us a text Saddle up for a refreshing summer roundup as Laura and Nalini return for Season 4 of Made in Spain! After discovering a shared passion for horseback riding (despite choosing Spain's hottest months to begin this adventure), the hosts swap stories of how they navigated the notorious Spanish summer. Nalini whisks us away to Toronto, where she rediscovered her hometown from a new perspective, tried heated dark Pilates classes, and even traveled with her surprisingly well-behaved dog Luna—though hilariously, no airport official ever actually checked if there was really a dog in her carrier! Meanwhile, Laura reveals her highlights included magical sunset trail rides overlooking the Peñón de Ifach in Calpe and precious beach moments with her family. The pair doesn't shy away from the realities of Spanish summers—the exodus of locals, quadrupled hotel prices, impossible parking situations, and the futility of trying to accomplish anything beyond tourism in August. As Nalini puts it, "It's like Groundhog Day—you wake up and it's vacation day again." They share candid insights about attending a White Party (complete with belly dancers and an unexpected baby wild boar), traveling to Formula One qualifying in Austria, and discovering the refreshing joys of zero-alcohol drinks for beating the heat without the hangover. Whether you're planning a Spanish getaway or simply curious about expat life on the Costa Blanca, this episode offers both practical wisdom and entertaining anecdotes about making the most of summer's challenges. Subscribe now to catch upcoming episodes featuring La Tomatina festival, Benidorm Pride, and Alicante's rising gastronomic recognition!

    40 min
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About

Whether you’re an expat chasing the dream, a traveller inspired by European elegance or a foodie seeking the perfect paella, Made in Spain is your insider’s guide to all things chic, cultural and quintessentially Spanish. Join hosts Nalini Sharma and Laura Senior García for a glamorous mix of travel, food, fashion and the rich cultural narratives that make Spain a global icon of style and sophistication. Nalini is a former Canadian TV presenter, who has previously covered red carpet and live events, and major news stories. She channels the same wit and curiosity to the Made in Spain podcast, offering sharp, unscripted takes on everything from Spanish traditions to expat surprises. Laura, a seasoned leadership coach and global traveler, shares her deep, first-hand knowledge of Spain—not just as her birthplace, but as a country she continues to rediscover. With a British father and Spanish mother, she considers herself a global citizen with deep roots in Spain. Her insights connect Spain’s rich past with its modern evolution, offering a unique and personal perspective on life, culture, and luxury in Spain today. Every episode of Made in Spain explores the country’s hidden gems and exclusive experiences, but it’s more than just a guide—it’s a conversation. The show’s Slice of Life segment gives listeners an unfiltered peek into Nalini and Laura’s daily experiences – the joys, frustrations, and unexpected moments that make life in Spain, and beyond, full of surprises. Sometimes, it’s about the reality of settling into a new country – at other times, it’s about their travels, funny mishaps, or behind-the-scenes stories from researching the podcast. No matter the topic, listeners feel like they are right there with them, stepping into their world.  

Information

  • Creator
    Made in Spain
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2025
  • Episodes
    27
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025 Made in Spain
  • Show Website
    Made in Spain

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