Spanish Loops

Hola! And welcome back to another episode of Spanish Loops where we get deep into the heart of Spanish culture, history, and the untold stories behind the landmarks youthought you knew. This week, we are heading off the beaten path (again), and it’s worth it. Right in the heart of Madrid, just a stone’s throw from the Prado and the Reina Sofía Museums, lies one of the city’s most overlooked treasu...

Hello, hello, and welcome back to Spanish Loops! Your weekly journey into the heart of Spain’s living culture! And this week we’re going high… literally!  Today, we are heading to Catalonia to explore one of the most breath taking, gravity defying traditions in all of Spain: Los Castellers. These human towers, real people climbing on top of each other up to ten stories high, have been rising into...

Hola Chicos and welcome back to Spanish Loops! You’re tuning in to a brand new episode that will take you straight into the heart of Spanish culture by exploring four “must read” books that reveal the soul of Spain. From street smarts to epic ideals, and its wounds through history and memory. Stick around as we are unpacking everything.  -Lazarillo de Tormes. The original Spanish picaresque: funny...

Hola Spanish Loops family!  Welcome back to another fresh chapter of your favourite culture packed podcast. This week, we touch something that’s as authentically  Madrileño  as churros con chocolate. El Rastro! If you’ve ever been to Madrid on a Sunday morning, chances are you have wandered into this colourful, chaotic, and absolutely magical street market. But El Rastro is more than just a flea m...

Hola Loopers, and welcome back to another exciting chapter of Spanish Loops! Today we bring you a special episode that blends royalty, history, and the future of Spain. All in one powerful loop! Today, we shift our spotlight to none other than Her Royal Highness Princess Leonor of Spain, the next in line to the Spanish throne, and what a journey she is riding!  From her early days in the royal spo...

Hello Loopers, welcome back to the Spanish Loops podcast!  This week we touch a piece of story that smells like cinnamon, sounds like conquest and feels like the turning of an empire. In this week's episode, we are blending a heady mix of spices, power and destiny. We'll explore how the obsession with exotic spices fired up massive changes across the globe and how this connects into the ri...

Hello and welcome back to Spanish Loops! Today, we discover to you one of Madrid’s best kept cultural treasures: The Royal Tapestry Factory (Real Fábrica de Tapices). Founded in 1721 under the reign of King Philip V, this iconic institution has stood the test of time for over 300 years. What began as a royal initiative to enrich Royal Palaces with exquisite tapestries, soon became a cornerstone of...

Hello again, dear Loopers!  Welcome to another exciting episode of  Spanish Loops ! We are Fran and Jorge, and as always, we join forces together.  Today we have something truly special lined up for you. Get ready to embark on a virtual journey through one of the most iconic and majestic museums in the world. Yes, we are talking about the Museo del Prado, located right in the heart of Madrid, Spai...

Ladies, gentlemen, and podcast lovers across the world, welcome back to your favourite weekly program into Spanish culture!  That’s right, it’s time for another episode of Spanish Loops! In today's episode, you’re in for a treat. Francisco and Jorge are tipping their hats, literally and figuratively, as they unravel one of Spain’s most surprising cultural treasures. We’re talking about... head...

Hey Loopers! Welcome back to another episode of  Spanish Loops . So today, Fran and I are talking about something kind of surprising: the evolution of Spain’s railway system. And get this... it  didn't  even start on the Iberian Peninsula! Nope, the first tracks were actually laid overseas. Wild, right? Soon after, though, the very first railway line  did  pop up in Spain mainland, and from th...

Hey Chicos!  Francisco and I just dropped a brand-new episode of Spanish Loops — and trust me, it’s really interesting. We’re diving into the huge moment the world just witnessed: the election of Pope Leo XIV, the brand-new leader of the Catholic Church and head of the Vatican City State. What’s fascinating? He’s Pope number 267 in history and only the third non-European pope ever elected.  That a...

Welcome back to another episode of Spanish Loops, where we dig into the heart and soul of Spain's hidden treasures. This week, Francisco and I are taking you on a journey through Madrid's lesser-known, yet utterly fascinating museums. You know how it is when we travel, we often hit up the big-name spots: the Prado, Reina Sofía, maybe the Royal Palace. But have you ever considered the charm and int...

Hey there, Spanish Loopers! Welcome back to another vibrant episode where we dive deep into the heart of Spain's rich traditions. We as your host, today we're heading south to the enchanting city of Córdoba. Now, if you've ever strolled through Córdoba in May, you know the city transforms into a living museum of color and fragrance. It's all thanks to the Festival of the Patios, a...

Hola Loopers! We’re back with another brand-new episode and this one It’s gonna save your wallet… literally. Travel has become part of our everyday lives. From jaw-dropping monuments to world-class museums, there's a whole planet out there waiting to be explored. But wherever there are crowds and cameras, you’ll also find… pickpockets. Yep, the sneaky side of travel nobody talks about enough....

A profound silence has fallen across the world today as Pope Francis, the 266th leader of the Catholic Church, has passed away. In his final months, his health visibly declined, bringing an end to a papacy marked by transformation, compassion, andbold leadership. Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires, Argentina, his path to the Vatican was anything but traditional. Entering religious life lat...

Hey hey, travelers!  We've got a surprise drop for everybody today, and trust us, you  don’t  wanna miss this one. This episode is an  exclusive , Chicos! That’s right, our  2026 tours are officially LIVE! , and you're hearing it here first!  We’ve been cooking up something  really special  behind the scenes, and now it’s time to let the cat out of the bag...  kinda . We’re talkin’  Franci...

What’s up, Loopers?? It’s your favorite voices in your earbuds, and we’ve got some spicy news for you this week! We just dropped a brand new episode of Spanish Loops , and let me tell you, this one’s got rhythm, soul, and a whole lot of passion. We're diving much into the History of Flamenco , and who better to guide us than Ana , our amazing guest who lives and breathes this art form.  Ana’s...

Spain is a country where coffee isn’t just a drink, it’s a way of life.  But if you think ordering a simple “coffee” will get you what you want, think again. Every region has its own way of serving that perfect cup, and today on Spanish Loops, we immerse you into the rich world of Spanish coffee culture. From the classic  café solo  (a strong espresso) to the creamy  café con leche , knowing what...

Hola amigos!, welcome back to Spanish Loops!  Today, we're digging into the life of Miguel Servet, a 16th-century Spanish polymath.  Born around 1511 in Villanueva de Sigena, Aragon, Servet was a theologian, physician, and humanist. He had a knack for languages, mastering Latin, Greek, and Hebrew early on. His academic journey took him to Toulouse for law and later to Paris for medicine.​ Servet's...

In this episode, we get into one of Spain’s most mind blowing festivals: Las Fallas of Valencia!  Every March 19th, the city transforms into a massive, fiery celebration of art, tradition, and community. We’ll take you through the origins of Las Fallas, which started with Valencian carpenters burning leftover wood to honour Saint Joseph. Over time, these humble bonfires evolved into towering, intr...

Hola Spanish Loopers! We’ve got a brand new episode dropping, and trust us, you do NOT want to miss this one. March is all about celebrating the power, resilience, and brilliance of women, and we’re taking this opportunity to spotlight some incredible women from Spain who are making waves across the globe. From shaping world economics to commanding royal influence and dominating the entertainment...

Hey everyone, and welcome to a brand-new episode! This week, we're diving very deep into the shifting global panorama, analysing the latest moves from the Russian government, the new dynamics in the White House, and how Europe is responding to these ongoing challenges. First up, the concept of a unified European army takes centre stage. With the U.S. adopting a more reserved stance on internat...

We're back with another exciting episode, and this time, we're taking you on a journey to the vibrant city of Oporto, Portugal! Join our very own Francisco as he shares his personal experiences and insider tips about this charming coastal gem. In this episode, we'll explore:Historic Landmarks: From the iconic Dom Luís I Bridge to the picturesque Ribeira district, discover the stories b...

Hola, Spanish Loops family! This week, we bring you an incredible journey of heritage, resilience, and rediscovery. Meet Maricar Donato, a proud descendant of Salvador Rivero, a Spanish man from Málaga who set sail in the late 1800s, seeking a better future in the Philippines. There, he built a life, fell in love, and started a family—one whose branches have since spread across the world, from the...

Hola, Spanish Loops family! We are back with another thought-provoking episode, and this week, we debate into something that affects all of us when we travel... tipping!  Ever wondered why tipping in Spain is so different from many other countries? Well, get ready for a lively debate as we break it all down. From the casual “keep the change” culture in Spain to the expected 15-25% gratuity in Amer...