Ah Spain!

Summer in Valencia is a fiesta on repeat—and we are right in the thick of it. The Gran Fira de Julio turns the city into a full-blown celebration in Turia Gardens—and fireworks every Saturday night because, let’s be honest, what’s Valencia without fireworks? By day and night many are cooling off with friends at the beach or a pool, or simply enjoying marathon siestas. Suburban families know how to...

Today your two friendly expats, Tania and Gaetano, dig into the glorious, saffron-hued world of paella! Spain’s most famous rice dish and the source of more food debates than you’d expect from a country known for siestas and fiestas. We chat about the Valencian origins of paella, the many types you'll find from coast to countryside (seafood, rabbit, and even snails), and why every Spaniard swe...

So, you've just arrived in Spain—welcome! Now comes the big question: where do you actually get the stuff you need to live? In this episode, we’re talking beds, coffee makers, towels, and all the random things you suddenly realize you don’t have. We’ll guide you through the typical options for setting up your life here, from department stores to big box retailers. Need tools or home improvemen...

In this episode, we explore one of Spain’s most magical nights — La Noche de San Juan — as celebrated in the vibrant coastal city of Valencia. Coinciding with the summer solstice, this iconic festival marks the arrival of summer with fire, water, and centuries-old traditions deeply rooted in Spanish culture. Whether you're an expat living in Spain, planning a visit, or just curious about Valen...

Today we take you through the real process of preparing our kids for the big move to Spain, and easing the transition once we arrived! From discussing the decision with them and calming their nerves to making sure they were excited about starting life in a new country, we share how we got everyone on board for this family adventure. Did we visit first? How did we get our friends,  extended family,...

Flamenco takes center stage in today’s episode. Learn about the origins of flamenco in Andalusia, shaped by Romani, Moorish, Jewish, and Andalusian influences, and how it developed into a deeply expressive art form. A symbol of Spanish identity, flamenco is more than music—it's raw emotion, rhythm, and resistance. We unpack the history, passion, and cultural fusion behind cante (song), toque (...

In this candid episode we explore the real-life surprises and lessons we've learned since making the move to Spain. From our feline companions (old and new) adjusting to a new life abroad to our own struggles with picking up the language (spoiler: it’s harder than we thought), we’re sharing the things we wish someone had told us before we packed our bags. We talk about the subtle art of distin...

In this Poco A Poco episode, we’re talking about Valencia’s Turia Garden—once an unpredictable, wandering riverbed, now a lush 9-kilometer park that snakes through the heart of the city. Along the way, you’ll pass playgrounds, bike paths, shady palms, the City of Arts and Sciences, the Palau de la Música, and even a giant Gulliver you can climb on. Discover how a devastating flood led to a bold tr...

Welcome to Poco A Poco. In these bite-sized episodes of Ah... Spain!, we explore fascinating cultural, historical, and everyday insights about Spain—one small piece at a time. Perfect for curious minds and fans of our longer deep-dive episodes on life in Spain, Poco A Poco helps you discover Spain, poco a poco (little by little).

Today we discuss one of the most asked questions for expats and locals alike: Is it better to live in the city of Valencia or in a nearby mountain town like Náquera? Join Gaetano, who lives with his family in the heart of Valencia, and Tania, raising her family in the tranquil mountain town of Náquera, as they compare two very different versions of life in Spain. From the convenience of city livin...

We dive into the bold, flavorful world of Spanish beverages. From the daily rituals of Spanish coffee culture to the party-ready cocktails that define summer in Spain, this episode is a fun, honest, and slightly boozy tour through how Spain really does drinks. We explore the fiery and popular Valencian cremaet, compare café solo, cortado, and other local coffee favorites, and unpack the difference...

Lucky episode #13! We dive headfirst into our most memorable pitfalls that we experienced as expats in Valencia, Spain. We share our personal stories of navigating unexpected challenges—from missing trains and dealing with flooded apartments to getting lost down the city’s enchanting labyrinth of streets. Join us as we share stories of how funny setbacks and a dash of resilience have turned these...

Join us, Tania and Gaetano, as we share the everyday joys of expat life in Spain, especially in sunny Valencia. From friendly restaurant owners to free gift wrapping in stores, we explore why Spain’s warm culture feels like living on Sesame Street . Hear about birthday party etiquette, beautiful neighborhoods, beach life, and why locals always greet you with a smile. Whether you're dreaming of...

Join us, expats Gaetano and Tania as we dive into our favorite tapas and what makes Spanish cuisine so irresistible. In this fun, food-filled episode, we chat about classic dishes like patatas bravas, sepia, tortilla española, and more, all from the perspective of living and eating in Spain. Perfect for foodies, travelers, and fellow expats in Spain!

Living in Spain has its perks—like spontaneous getaways across Europe! In this episode, Tania and Gaetano share funny stories and travel hacks about getting around the continent by train, plane, and car. Perfect for travelers, expats, and dreamers looking to explore Europe with ease. Tune in and escape like a budget conscious pro!  

In this episode of Ah, Spain! , We explore how to get around Valencia using public transport, if you are like Gaetano, or if you are brave, like Tania, you have your own car! Whether you're an expat moving to Spain, a digital nomad settling into life in Valencia, or a traveler looking for smart ways to explore the city, this episode has you covered. Expect practical tips, funny stories, and a...

Uprooting your life into the complete unknown can be scary and make you feel lonely. Today we talk about how we make friends in Spain. Valencia has many opportunities for expats to connect with people and forge new friendships. So even if you are an introvert, there are tons of ways to meet people... Spanish lessons, pottery classes, parent groups, and even the smiling strangers at the mercado!

Moving to Spain is not without its challenges and adjustments. Dining out is one of them. Today we discuss the 5 different meal times in our new country, and how they do not necessarily align with the times an expat may be used to. Whether you're heading out for tapas, paella, or just a refreshing beverage. We will help you understand the difference between desayuno, almuerzo, comida, merienda...

Today we talk about how we turned our new Spanish house (or flat) into a home. We would like to thank Jessica from Minnesota for asking the question which got this conversation started. What do we miss and what have we learned to live without...

Fallas is over and Valencia has returned to the relatively sleepy town we love. On this episode, we regroup and recap about what we saw during the rest of the festival. Insanely loud mascletàs, brilliant night fireworks, and the blazing "Cremà" (burning of the Fallas)... it really is a magical, if not a little jarring, event! It is nice to have quiet again though for sure! 

We are taking a break from all the Fallas chaos to talk about the weather on the Mediterranean coast. They lied in the brochures, its not sunny 365 days a year! Dare we say it, but there may even be four seasons here, ok three... We aren't complaining, just observing so you will remember to pack a sweater or two. Follow us on: ahspain.com https://www.youtube.com/@AhSpainPodcast https://www.ins...

Fallas is the biggest celebration here in Valencia that lasts almost 3 weeks, but in reality the entire year is spent preparing for this festival. We share our experiences and knowledge (if you can call it that!) of how this festival works, and what makes it fun! Follow us on: ahspain.com https://www.youtube.com/@AhSpainPodcast https://www.instagram.com/ahspainpodcast/ https://www.facebook.com/ahs...

Our first podcast! We chat about how we each arrived in Spain with our families in tow. Was it by boat, plane, train, hot air balloon, or all of the above? Listen to our crazy moving experiences and how we met! Follow us on: ahspain.com https://www.youtube.com/@AhSpainPodcast https://www.instagram.com/ahspainpodcast/ https://www.facebook.com/ahspainpodcast/   Loving our show as much as we do? You...

Hi, we are Tania and Gaetano... two foreigners raising families here in Spain. We are sharing our joys and missteps of this amazing experience!