Spanish Loops

Have you ever wondered what happens when a society decides that someone is simply not allowed to be who they are? Not because they have hurt anybody, not because they have done anything wrong, but because they are different from what society expects them to be.  Well, my friends, today on Spanish Loops, Fran and I are talking about a man whose words have survived almost a century of silence, fear...

Hello, Loopers! Lovely to be back with you for another episode of Spanish Loops. This week, we’re talking about something that has followed Spain around for centuries: the Black Legend. And believe me, there’s quite a story behind it! Spain was once one of the most powerful empires in the world, with kings who ruled vast territories, armies fighting across Europe, and ships crossing oceans in sear...

Hello there, Loopers! Welcome back to another episode of Spanish Loops. This week, we are heading to a very special corner of Spain: the island of Menorca. And we are going back thousands of years, long before Romans, Moors, or even the first written history of the Balearic Islands. We are talking about the Talaiotic culture. Now, if you have ever visited Menorca, you may have come across some rat...

Hello, Loopers, and welcome back to Spanish Loops! This week, Fran and I are taking you to a place that, for me, is impossible to forget: Ronda, in the mountains of Málaga, one of those Spanish places where history, landscape and everyday life seem to have decided to live together. Perched above the spectacular Tajo de Ronda, with its famous Puente Nuevo crossing the gorge, Ronda is much more than...

What happens when you put four Mediterranean islands, centuries of history, the sea, the countryside, and some seriously good cooks around the same table? You get Balearic gastronomy! This week on Spanish Loops, Fran and I are taking you to Mallorca, Menorca, Ibiza and Formentera to discover the food that makes these islands so much more than beautiful beaches and turquoise water. And believe me,...

Have you ever wondered what happens when a country decides that retirement should come with a little sunshine, a nice hotel, and a holiday? Well… Spain has an answer for that. It’s called Imserso, and if you’re visiting Spain and suddenly notice thousands of Spanish retirees heading to the coast in the middle of winter, there’s a very good chance they’re on an Imserso holiday. And honestly, it’s o...

There’s a place in Granada where history doesn’t simply sit behind glass or on the pages of a textbook. It’s right there, in front of you and carved into stone, painted on walls, buried beneath the floor, and wrapped up in one of the most fascinating stories of Spain. The Royal Chapel of Granada is the final resting place of Queen Isabella I of Castile and King Ferdinand II of Aragon, the Catholic...

You know what I love about history? Sometimes you discover something that makes you think, “Wait… how did I never know this?” So, imagine we’re having a beer together, and I tell you this: The mighty American dollar has a Spanish ancestor. Yep. Seriously. Long before the dollar became the currency we all know today, there was a Spanish coin called the  Real de a Ocho, the famous  Piece of Eight ....

This week on Spanish Loops, we’re talking about animals in Spain and, yes, there is a lot more to this story than cute dogs and cats. Spain has changed dramatically in the way it treats animals. What was once seen mainly as a matter of private ownership is now increasingly connected to welfare, responsibility and the law. Today, there are rules about what animals can be kept as pets, how they can...

Okay… come a little closer. I have something to tell you. Well… actually, you probably already know most of it.  But somehow, when we talk about the Spanish Royal Family, there is always another little detail, another story, another  “Did you hear about this?” In this episode of Spanish Loops, we’re doing exactly that: sitting down for a good old-fashioned chat about the gossip, scandals, marriage...

Not every souvenir from Spain deserves a place in your suitcase. Let's be honest. We've all seen the flamenco dolls with plastic smiles, the tiny black bulls, and the endless rows of magnets waiting in airport shops. They're part of the experience, and they often bring a smile years later. But Spain has so much more to take home than the usual tourist classics. In this week's episo...

What Happens After Payday in Spain? You May Be Surprised. Have you ever stopped to think about where all those deductions on a Spanish pay check actually go? Most people see the numbers, sigh a little... and move on. But behind those deductions is a system that's been protecting millions of people for well over a century. And unless you've actually lived in Spain, chances are you've on...

Have you ever wondered what the real difference is between a pirate, a corsair, and a buccaneer? Most of us use those words as if they all mean the same thing... but they really don't. This week on  Spanish Loops , Fran and I had a great time untangling one of the most fascinating chapters of history. We talk about who these men really were, who paid them, what they were after, and why Spain&#...

What if I told you that the story that changed Madrid forever isn't about kings, battles, or royal palaces... it's about water? Sounds strange, doesn't it? This week on Spanish Loops, Fran and I tell the incredible story of Canal de Isabel II, the project that finally brought clean water to Madrid and changed the city in ways most people never imagine.  But this episode isn't reall...

Hola Chicos! Have you ever stopped to think about what Jeff Bezos, Elon Musk, NASA... and Spain all have in common? Most people would probably say, "Nothing." Well... that's exactly what we thought too. But what if we told you that one of the key inventions that made modern space travel possible wasn't created in the United States, or Russia, (former USSR), or anywhere you'd...

Did you know that one of the biggest stories behind American Independence is rarely told? With the 4th of July just around the corner, this week's episode of Spanish Loops takes you on a fascinating journey into a chapter of history that has remained hidden in plain sight for centuries. Everyone knows about George Washington, the Declaration of Independence and the American Revolution... but what...

Welcome back to Spanish Loops, the podcast where Spain comes alive through its stories, traditions, legends, and unforgettable experiences! This week, Fran and I take you to one of the most extraordinary celebrations you can find anywhere in the world: the famous Wine Battle of La Rioja, held every year on June 29th. Imagine thousands of people dressed in white, climbing a mountain before sunrise,...

Hello there, Amigos! What do a medieval fortress, a seaside royal residence, and centuries of Mediterranean intrigue have in common? Mallorca. This week on Spanish Loops, we invite you behind the doors of the three royal palaces that have shaped the history of the Balearic Islands. One of them is still used today by the Spanish Royal Family, who enjoy it every summer thanks to a unique arrangement...

When people think of Antonio Stradivari, better known as Stradivarius, they immediately think of Italy. After all, the legendary luthier crafted his masterpieces in Cremona during the late 17th and early 18th centuries. So why would a podcast about Spain dedicate an entire episode to an Italian craftsman? The answer lies in one of Spain’s most extraordinary and little-known treasures. Hidden withi...

As Pope Pope Leo XIV prepares for his visit to Valencia, one of Spain’s greatest religious mysteries is once again back in the spotlight: the search for the true Holy Grail.  And surprisingly, Spain has not one… but two famous chalices, both believed by some historians and believers to be the authentic cup used by Jesus during the Last Supper. The best known contender is kept inside Valencia Cathe...

Welcome back to Spanish Loops , the podcast where we untangle the complex, beautiful, and often turbulent threads of Spanish history, culture, and identity. I’m Jorge, and alongside Fran, we are stepping away from the sun-drenched beaches today to wander into the stormy landscapes of the human intellect. Today, we are dedicating our journey to a man who was a walking contradiction, a restless soul...

Hello and a very warm welcome to all our listeners across the waves! You are tuning into Spanish Loops, the podcast that connects the dots of Spain's vibrant heritage, culture, and lifestyle. We, your host, Jorge and Fran, are ready to take you on an incredible journey today.  Now, close your eyes for a moment. Think of pristine turquoise waters, sun-drenched coastlines, and endless summer nig...

What started in 1956 as a modest experiment in unity has evolved into one of the world’s most watched live music events. The Eurovision Song Contest was born under the umbrella of the European Broadcasting Union, inspired by Italy’s Sanremo Festival, with a simple mission: bring countries together through music after the scars of World War II. Just seven nations took part in that first edition. To...

Frédéric Chopin wasn’t just a composer. He was a fragile genius wrapped in elegance, intensity, and quiet rebellion. Born in 1810, he grew into one of the most poetic voices in music, avoiding grand stages and instead choosing intimate salons where emotion mattered more than applause. By the late 1830s, his life took a dramatic turn when he met the bold and unconventional George Sand. She was ever...

Hey everyone, welcome back to Spanish Loops! We are Jorge and Fran. Today… we’re taking you straight to the south of Spain, where history, culture, and flavor come together in a glass. We’re talking about Sherry. Or as we say in Spain… Jerez. Now here’s the first twist; “Sherry” isn’t even a Spanish word. It’s actually an English adaptation of Jerez, the city where it all began. Over centuries, tr...