Episodes
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What really happens in Spain after San Juan? In this episode of Spanish Practices, I explore the great Spanish summer getaway — from midnight sea rituals and bonfires on the beach to empty town halls, vanished officials, delayed paperwork, Amazon delivery chaos, packed beaches and fiestas everywhere. A funny, affectionate look at why Spain seems to shut down for summer… and why normal life doesn't really return until autumn.
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Have you ever felt that the customer is always wrong?
In this episode of Spanish Practices, I explore the fascinating, frustrating and often hilarious world of customer service in Spain. From a refrigerator that was dropped down a flight of stairs, to a missing-key tuna tin that somehow found its way back onto a supermarket shelf, these are real stories of refunds, complaints, bureaucracy and consumer rights on the Costa Tropical.
I also take a look at Spain's consumer protection systems, including the OMIC (Oficina Municipal de Información al Consumidor) and the famous Hoja de Reclamaciones, the official complaint form that every business is required to provide.
Along the way you'll hear tales of impossible refunds, luxury car dealerships, recalled water heaters, telephone contract nightmares and the mountains of paperwork that can appear when only a few euros are at stake.
A humorous look at what happens when Spanish bureaucracy meets everyday consumer problems—and how things may finally be changing for the better.
#Spain #SpanishLife #ConsumerRights #ExpatLifeSpain #CustomerService #OMIC #HojaDeReclamaciones #LivingInSpain #CostaTropical #SpanishPractices
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Missing episodes?
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Need a phone charger, a frying pan, a garden hose and a plastic flamingo during siesta? In Spain, there's a shop for that...
If you've ever wandered into an ALE-HOP for a phone charger and emerged twenty minutes later carrying a flamingo-shaped lamp, a beach towel and a notebook you didn't need, this episode is for you.
This week I explore two of the most familiar sights in modern Spain: the famous black-and-white cow standing outside every ALE-HOP store and the seemingly magical Chinese bazaars that somehow stock absolutely everything.
Why has a family-owned business from Alicante become one of Spain's biggest retail success stories?
Who came up with the idea of putting a full-sized cow outside the front door?
And how did Chinese-owned stores become the place Spaniards turn to when they need a light bulb, a bucket, a birthday card or a garden hose during siesta time?
Along the way, I uncover the fascinating story of Chinese migration to Spain, why so many families chose entrepreneurship, and how these businesses became such an important part of everyday Spanish life.
Plus, I explain why a childhood encounter with a small shark permanently cured me of any desire to go sea fishing—and why I nevertheless found myself considering the purchase of fishing tackle in a Chinese bazaar.
It's a story of cows, commerce, immigration, entrepreneurship and the peculiar shopping habits we all develop after moving to Spain.
In this episode:
🐄 The surprising origins of ALE-HOP
🛍️ Why you never leave with only what you came in for
🇨🇳 The rise of Spain's Chinese bazaars
😴 How they became the heroes of siesta time
📈 The growth of Spain's Chinese community
🎣 The fish story that put me off sea fishing for life
And a question that still puzzles me:
How can one shop sell literally everything?
#Spain #SpanishLife #LivingInSpain #ALEHOP #ChineseBazaar #SpanishCulture #ExpatLife #SpainPodcast #CostaTropical #SpanishPractices #LifeInSpain #SpanishRetail #MovingToSpain #ExpatPodcast #SpainStories
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Why is jamón ibérico considered one of the world's finest foods? In this episode of Spanish Practices, I explore the fascinating 2,000-year history of Spain's most prized ham, from the Celts and Romans to the Reconquista and modern luxury dining. Discover why the famous black Iberian pig produces such extraordinary flavour, how hams are cured in mountain villages like Trevélez, the role pork played in Spanish religious identity, and the artistry involved in carving the perfect slice. Plus, I look at animal welfare, wine and cheese pairings, and why visitors to Spain are often astonished to find entire ham legs hanging in supermarket aisles.
A delicious journey through Spanish history, culture, food, and tradition.
#Spain #JamonIberico #SpanishFood #SpanishCulture #Trevélez #Andalucia #FoodHistory #SpanishPractices #SpainPodcast #Tapas #SpanishHam #LivingInSpain #ExpatLifeSpain #SpanishTraditions
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Barcelona wants to phase out thousands of tourist apartment licences by 2028, but is this really the end of Airbnb in Spain's most visited city?
In this episode of Spanish Practices, I explore the truth behind the headlines, the growing backlash against overtourism, and what record visitor numbers mean for property owners and investors. I also look at whether holiday let investing still makes sense in and around Barcelona, the legal risks buyers should understand, and the towns with strong transport links that are attracting attention as alternatives to the city centre.
Whether you're a property investor, Airbnb host, expat, or simply fascinated by Spain's changing tourism landscape, this episode explains what's happening and where the opportunities may lie next.
#Spain #Barcelona #Airbnb #PropertyInvestment #HolidayLets #SpanishProperty #Overtourism #ExpatLife #TravelSpain #RealEstateInvesting
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Is marijuana really legal in Spain? Why do so many Spaniards still smoke cigarettes? And how big is the illegal tobacco trade from Morocco?
In this episode of Spanish Practices, I explore Spain's complicated relationship with smoking. From packed café terraces and rising cigarette prices to cannabis clubs, marijuana laws, health risks, cigarette smuggling, and the devastating wildfires caused by discarded cigarette ends, this is a fascinating look at a habit Spain just can't seem to quit.
I also examine the bizarre hospital explosion in Torrevieja allegedly caused by a patient lighting a cigarette near his oxygen cylinder, along with other remarkable smoking-related incidents from across Spain.
Will Spain ever become smoke-free, or will cigarettes and cannabis remain part of Spanish life for generations to come?
#Spain #Marijuana #Cannabis #Smoking #SpanishLife #ExpatLife #TravelSpain #SpanishCulture #WeedInSpain #Health
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PAELLA ON TRIAL!
This week I put three legendary British TV chefs before the Spanish culinary courts for possible crimes against Paella.
Mary Berry goes elegant but dangerously oven-friendly… Jamie Oliver commits the ultimate Spanish sin by adding chorizo… while Keith Floyd cooks dangerously close to authenticity with wine in hand and chaos in the pan.
But who creates the MOST authentic Paella?
I explore the fascinating history of Spain's most famous rice dish, ask whether Paella is REALLY the national dish of Spain, reveal the secrets of authentic Valencian cooking, explain the battle between gas, induction and open-fire cooking, and uncover why Spaniards are fiercely protective of their beloved socarrat.
Plus:
• What equipment you REALLY need for authentic Paella
• How to spot terrible tourist Paella
• The truth about seafood vs Valencian Paella
• The best places in Spain to eat it
• Why Jamie Oliver caused outrage in SpainIf you love Spanish food, cooking, travel and a bit of culinary controversy, this episode is for you.
#Paella #SpanishFood #Spain #Valencia #JamieOliver #MaryBerry #KeithFloyd #SpanishCooking #FoodPodcast #TravelSpain
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Benidorm is famous for sunshine, cheap beer and wild nightlife — but beneath the neon lights lies a darker side. In this episode of Spanish Practices, I explore the reality of drugs, muggings, organised prostitution and tourist scams in Benidorm's notorious English Zone and "The Strip."
I also take a look at Spain's unusual prostitution laws, the rise in police raids, drink spiking concerns, and why some visitors now avoid "Muggers Alley" altogether. Plus, why Benidorm Old Town offers a very different side of the Costa Blanca resort.
A fascinating and sometimes shocking look at one of Spain's most famous holiday destinations.
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OFFICIAL ALHAMBRA TICKETS - https://tickets.alhambra-patronato.es
Discover the magic of the Alhambra in this insider's guide to one of Spain's most breathtaking landmarks.
In this episode of Spanish Practices, I explore the stunning Nasrid Palaces, the peaceful Generalife Gardens, the ancient fortress of the Alcazaba and why the Alhambra is considered a true wonder of the world.
I also reveal practical travel tips including the best time to visit, opening hours, how to travel from Port of Motril, and the truth about the Alhambra ticket scandal affecting tourists in 2026. Learn how to avoid fake ticket websites, secure access to the famous Nasrid Palaces and why booking early is essential.
Plus, I share a useful local tip about CaixaBank discounts and ATM ticket collection points in Andalucía.
If you are planning a trip to Granada, visiting Spain, arriving on a Mediterranean cruise, or simply love Spanish history, Moorish architecture and Andalusian culture, this episode is packed with advice and inspiration.
#Alhambra #Granada #SpainTravel #Andalucia #CostaTropical #SpanishPractices #NasridPalace #Generalife #MoorishSpain #TravelPodcast #VisitSpain #GranadaSpain #AlhambraTickets #SpanishHistory
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I remember Judith Chalmers and the golden age of Spanish package holidays?
In this special edition of Spanish Practices, I take a nostalgic trip from the prawn cocktail resorts of the 1970s to today's luxury infinity pools, boutique hotels and Instagram-ready Spain. From Benidorm and Torremolinos to Mallorca and the Costa del Sol, discover how Spain became Britain's favourite sunshine escape — and why millions still return year after year.
An affectionate tribute to the legendary Wish You Were Here presenter Judith Chalmers who introduced generations of families to sunny Spain." RIP
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In this episode I explore the fascinating and sometimes frightening history of earthquakes along the Costa Tropical and Granada province.
From the devastating 1804 Motril earthquake to the constant small tremors still detected today, I look at why southern Spain is one of the most seismically active regions in Europe.
Discover the science behind the African and Eurasian tectonic plates, the recent research suggesting the Iberian Peninsula is slowly "twisting", and what life may have been like during one of the most terrifying days in Motril's history.
I also explain what to do during an earthquake, how emergency alerts work in Spain, and whether a major quake could strike the Costa Tropical again.
A mixture of history, geology, local stories and life in southern Spain.
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Spain has shifted politically — and Andalucía may never look the same again.
In this Special Edition of Spanish Practices, I explore the shock election results in Andalucía, the collapse of the PSOE in its historic heartland, and the growing influence of the far-right Vox party. Could Conservative PP's Juanma Moreno now be forced into a deal with Vox? And what might that mean for British and Irish expats living in southern Spain?
I take a look at migration politics, "Spanish First" policies, housing pressures, rising public frustration over wages and affordability, and whether life could genuinely become tougher for foreign residents in Andalucía.
With Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez under pressure at home despite his strong international image, is Spain entering a new political era?
A must-listen episode for anyone living in Spain, planning to move to Andalucía, or worried about the future political climate for expats on the Costa del Sol and Costa Tropical.
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Drug-boats on Spain's Costa Tropical? In this episode of Spanish Practices, I explore the recent surge of high-speed drug smuggling boats — known as narcolanchas — appearing around Almuñécar and La Herradura. You'll hear how increased policing around Tarifa may be pushing traffickers further along the Andalusian coast, why the rugged coastline offers perfect hiding places, and what the Guardia Civil are doing to fight back. I also explore the positive side of the Costa Tropical — its history, tourism boom, beautiful beaches, and why Almuñécar remains one of southern Spain's most fascinating destinations.
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It was the very first Spanish Soap Opera. I am on a journey through Spain exploring the hilarious world of Don Quixote by Miguel de Cervantes — reimagined as a dramatic Spanish soap opera.
I explore the history behind Spain's most famous novel, the legendary windmill battle, Sancho Panza's endless suffering, impossible romance, and why Don Quixote remains one of the funniest and most important characters in Spanish culture. Expect humour, Spanish history, literary chaos and plenty of dramatic guitar music.
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In this episode of Spanish Practices, I explore how authentic Spanish cooking really is when it passes through the hands of celebrity chefs. From Keith Floyd's unexpected take on Gambas al Ajillo, to Mary Berry's "Smoky Spanish Hot Pot," and Jamie Oliver's version of Crema Catalana, I compare their recipes with the real flavours of Spain.
Along the way, I share some behind-the-scenes encounters, a few culinary surprises, and what these dishes should actually taste like in a Spanish kitchen. If you love Spanish food, tapas, and the truth behind "authentic" recipes, this episode is for you.
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Wild boars—jabalíes—are no longer just creatures of Spain's forests. In this episode, I explore how these powerful animals have moved into cities like Barcelona and the Costa del Sol, why they're losing their fear of humans, and the growing خطر they pose—from street encounters to deadly traffic accidents.
I look at the history of wild boar in Spain, their role in hunting and food culture, and what's driving their aggressive behaviour today. Plus, what you should do if you come face to face with one.
If you live in Spain—or plan to visit—this is a story you need to hear.
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Spain is heating up—fast. In this episode, I explore the growing risk of a Super El Niño summer and what it could mean for life, travel, and extreme heat in Spain. With record-breaking temperatures, longer heatwaves, and rising night-time heat, is this the new normal? Plus, the best times to visit Spain—and practical tips to survive the summer like the locals. 🌞
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Spain is rolling out major changes to how Brits travel, and airport queues are right at the centre of it. In this episode, I break down the new Entry/Exit System (EES), what biometric data you'll need to provide, and why you can't register in advance. I also explain how the new ETIAS travel authorisation—costing €20 for three years—will affect UK travellers heading to Spain and across Europe.
With staff shortages at Spanish airports and no plans to increase border control numbers, will these new systems really speed things up? And why is Spain expecting record tourism numbers despite global tensions that could impact aviation fuel and flights?
A clear, slightly humorous look at post-Brexit travel, airport queues, and what it really means for Brits visiting sunny Spain.
Follow Simon Calder here: TIKTOK
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Four nuclear bombs. One small Spanish village. In 1966, disaster fell from the sky over Palomares. From fear and secrecy under Franco to a missing bomb in the Mediterranean, this episode of Spanish Practices uncovers the human impact of a Cold War accident that still lingers today.
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What is Calima — and why does it turn rain into mud in Spain?
In this episode of Spanish Practices, we explore the Saharan dust storms that sweep across Spain, turning skies orange, coating homes in red grime, and impacting air quality. From the dramatic March 2022 "mega-Calima" to the strange reality of "mud rain," this is Spain's dirty little secret explained.
Learn what causes Calima, the health risks, how to clean up afterwards, and why these dust events may be becoming more frequent.
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