109 episodes
When in Spain Paul Burge
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- Society & Culture
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4.8 • 139 Ratings
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From tapas to trains, conquests to quesos, Franco to fiestas & bidets to bulerías - the When in Spain podcast takes you on a weekly audio journey through Spanish lifestyle, culture, history, food, people & places.
Along the way we're joined by special guests - authors, comedians, guides, dancers, bloggers, activists, photographers, business owners and everyday people who call Spain home.
When in Spain also offers tonnes of practical advice and insights for anyone planning to live and work in Spain.
There's always something fascinating to learn about one of the world's most visited countries - España. ¡Vamos!
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Gran Vía — Madrid’s most iconic street
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 the street's most famous buildings and landmarks and explore the fascinating stories behind them. Think clocks, bombs, cocktails, neon lights, theatres, skyscrapers, and a Phoenix.
Locations:
* Edificio Metrópolis
* Edificio Grassy
* Museo Chicote
* Gran Via metro station
* Edificio Telefónica
* Almacenes Madrid-Paris (Now Primark)
* Schweppes neon advertisement
* Edificio Carrión/Edificio Capitol
* Cines Callao
* Palacio de la Prensa
* Various Theatres
Edificio de España/Riu Hotel
Torre de Madrid
Plaza de España
Monumento a Cervantes
* El edificio de la Real Compañía Asturiana de Minas
Casa Gallardo -
A guide to churros y chocolate: sheep, a play & Tina Turner
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 chocolate are a perfect comforting warmer.
Join me as I visit Madrid's iconic Chocolatería San Ginés and pull up a chair at an old marble table in its dining room that dates back to 1894. As I dunk and chomp my way through this sinfully delicious delicacy I take in the surroundings, look at the photos adorning the walls, and take in the basement 'train carriage-style nook'. I also talk about San Ginés's interesting literary connection to modernist playwright Ramón María del Valle-Inclán and his play Luces de Bohemia.
Next stop Los Artesanos 1902 where I see their churrero in action in the kitchen, albeit through a glass window, and explain how churros and porras (the thicker version) are made. Final stop is a very quiet Chocolatería Valor for another round of churros and run-through the curious history of this snack and also when it is usually eaten. (Not for dessert!)
Other must-visit churrerías that I mention in the episode:
Chocolat
La Antigua Churrería
Churrería Camu
Churrería Santa Ana
Here's a bit more background about the play Luces de Bohemia
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A postcard from El Puerto de Santa María
Walk with me through the charming city of El Puerto de Santa María. We'll take in the famous sherry bodegas, explore Christopher Columbus's link to the city, take a look at the Castillo de San Marco, where Juan de la Cosa famously drew the first map of the world to include The Americas.
Along the way, a few observations on the crumbling charm of Cadiz's sister city, a stroll through the lively Plaza de España and a stop at an even livelier local sherry bar. To round off, some top tips on what and where to eat, nearby beaches to visit, and what to do when when the Levante wind blows! -
The golden city of Salamanca — Spain’s grandest plaza, an ancient university, and a frog
Join me for all the sights and sounds on a visit to the university city of Salamanca during Spain's 'Semana Santa'. I take in what is possibly Spain's most impressive Plaza Mayor, explore the city's ancient university — including a frog hunt — dodge religious processions, and gaze in wonder at one of the city's cathedrals — yes, it has two! Plus, a splash of history, architecture, and observations for good measure!
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A little Madrid street with a BIG personality
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 school, Bar Benteveo (one of my all time favourite Madrid bars with its kitch interior), The Santa Isabel convent and a few other points of interest before the final stop just outside the Reina Sofia museum.
Why not follow along on Google Maps? https://goo.gl/maps/BptC7WN3z8KSDWmy6 -
Where to visit in Spain with Karen Rosenblum
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 and myself as we try to answer these huge questions to help you get the best out of your trip to Spain. Karen helps us break down Spain by topics so that anyone visiting can decide where to include in their trip based on personal interests. Whether you love gastronomy, beaches, or Roman ruins, Karen shares some great recommendations. She also gives advice on how to put together a realistic, enjoyable, and unrushed itinerary to help you get the best out of your Spain vacation.
To find out more about Karen or book a Spain travel consultation with her, head over to Spain Less Traveled.
Also, check out her fantastic Facebook community, Travel Spain! for a wealth of information and advice about planning the perfect trip to Spain.
Customer Reviews
Convinced me to move to Spain
Paul Burge has the best podcast on Spain and I’ve listened to quite a few. His shows are informative, entertaining and inspirational. I encourage all to subscribe and donate if possible so we can keep listening for years to come. My wife and I were considering moving to Spain to retire and after I listened to the first couple of years worth of episodes I made the decision that yes, I am definitely moving there in a few years. My wife is European so it didn’t take much to convince her as well! So Paul, when I get there I will visit Madrid and buy you a few canes of beer, or 12, 13…
¡Hasta luego!
Come to Spain!
I started listening to this podcast just before my third Camino de Santiago. I wanted to dig to another level of “what to see/what to do” in Spain during my downtime.
I have gotten what I had hoped for and more, from this podcast.
Although audio, the words are descriptive and give a solid picture of travel in Spain. They show the time and care given to creating this podcast.
The suggestions of what to do/not do, align with my (limited) experiences so I have come to trust this advice.
I can’t imagine what goes into creating this podcast - although I am disappointed that the podcasts are somewhat sporadic, I gladly wait for any new ones and re-listen to old one (which are new to me!).
Thank you for putting this podcast together, I think it is excellent. I recommend it to anyone considering a visit to Europe.
When in Spain
Sorry to provide negative feedback but…. My family is traveling to Spain in a few days. I’m 22 minutes into the podcast and have learned absolutely nothing. ‘ if you’re going to Spain, head to Madrid and Barcelona and see which one you like more’- Unfortunately, I can’t waste anymore time waiting to see if there’s something worthwhile.