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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.

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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!

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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!