The Spain Scoop

bars in granada, the spain scoop

Your Long-Term Vacation Rental In Spain

Dreaming of a long-term vacation rental in Spain where the sun is out, even in the winter? We have got you covered. Try out Mediterranean life this season in a furnished apartment in one of these charming Spanish cities.

Make Travel Easier with eVisa Services

I’m not going to lie, to this day, I find applying for visas to be more nerve-wracking than other things that scare-off potential adventurers (language-barriers, navigating unfamiliar transit systems, parasites). That’s why I was pretty excited to learn about online electronic visa services.

Casa Batllo, one of Gaudi's buildings in Spain

Turn Your Travel Photos into Art

Turn all those photos on your camera phone into something beautiful for yourself, friends, and family. Instead of letting those killer shots of Sevilla languish on your smartphone, print a few on canvas and hang them around your home or gift them to someone special. A printed version of your favorite spot in Spain will remind you that you need to go back–and soon! #TravelInspiration

Is a Group Tour Right for You? Seeing Barcelona with a Local Guide

For first-timers in Barcelona, particularly those folks who want to focus on something that there’s a fairly big demand for like Gaudi and Modernisme (think Casa Batllo, Sagrada Familia and Parc Guell), or the city’s best tapas, a small-group tour is a budget-friendly way to get in the highlights. Our local author gives the scoop on what to look for in a guided experience.

Should You See Flamenco in Barcelona?

Flamenco comes from the South of Spain. It is not a Catalan dance, and therefore not a dance to see in Barcelona. Or, at least, this is the argument we embraced until recently. If you want to see some Catalan dancing, check out the communal and decidedly less sexy sardanas. If we can know a culture partially through its art, then it behooves the visitor to know both the sweetness of the sardana and the raw passion of flamenco. A critic might say sardanas are boring. Or that flamenco sounds like dying cats. It’s a road you have to walk on your own—like any art, you have to feel it and come to your personal conclusions. Here, we won’t try to sway you one way or the other. Except, you should go see Flamenco in Barcelona.

Language Exchange in Seville: How to Meet Locals and Practice Spanish for Free

Learning a language takes time and guts. You have got to get out there and practice, practice, practice. And what better place to practice than Sevilla in Southern Spain. Pop over to one of these many language exchanges in the city, vetted by traveler Amy Henschke, and start gabbing. And who knows, you may even make a new amig@.

MWC (or Mobile World Congress) Like A Pro

MWC Barcelona, the conference formerly known as the Mobile World Congress, is an excellent opportunity for industry professionals to mingle, connect, share what they know, and learn about trends, up-to-the-minute innovations, and upcoming technology from influencers and experts from around the world. But exhibiting at the MWC Barcelona requires a pretty substantial investment of money and time for companies (big and small).

How to Make the Most of Your Trip to Madrid

You have limited time in Madrid, one of the best cities in Europe. How can you make the most of your precious vacation days? We suggest connecting with locals to get the scoop on this lively metropolis.

Barcelona's Port

How to Find a Student Room or Apartment in Barcelona

You’ve decided to come and study in Barcelona–good idea! Now you need somewhere to live and booking a hotel for the whole stay is much too expensive. Here are our tips on how to find the right student room or student apartment for your Barcelona experience. Careful though; many who come to Barcelona for a short stint fall in love with the city and end up staying many years.

Spain’s Canary Islands: Which One Is The Best?

You want to escape winter’s chill on the Canary Islands – good plan. But which one will offer the vacation you’re looking for? Local writer Linda Wainwright gives the scoop on the best of the Canaries.

What kind of pilgrim are YOU?

Organized Tours: An Easier Way to Go Further (Or Deeper) in Spain?

Daunted by all the planning? Don’t let it stop you from boarding the plane to Spain. Tours can make your trip easier and eliminate some of the cultural and language barriers that make travelers wary. We love a good food tour, and walking tours make El Camino so much simpler.