When in Spain – Details, episodes & analysis

Join me for a rainy day stroll along what is probably Madrid's most iconic street. We start off at the bottom end of Gran Vía where it joins Calle Alcalá and follow its 1.3 kilometres all the way to Plaza de España. Forget chain stores, hotels, and touristy restaurants! Along the way we'll take in the street's most famous buildings and landmarks and explore the fascinating stories behind them. Think clocks, bombs, cocktails, neon lights, theatres, skyscrapers, and a Phoenix. Locations: Edificio Metrópolis Edificio Grassy Museo Chicote Gran Via metro station Edificio Telefónica Almacenes Madrid-Paris (Now Primark) Schweppes neon advertisement Edificio Carrión/Edificio Capitol Cines Callao Palacio de la Prensa Various Theatres Edificio de España/Riu Hotel Torre de Madrid Plaza de España Monumento a Cervantes El edificio de la Real Compañía Asturiana de Minas Casa Gallardo

The cool autumn evenings have arrived in Madrid and on a wander down Madrid's Calle de Arenal, I had a sudden craving for Spain's favourite warm, sweet treat — churros y chocolate! This a quintessentially Spanish snack that can be enjoyed at any time of year, but I think during autumn and winter churros y chocolate are a perfect comforting warmer. Join me as I visit Madrid's iconic Chocolatería San Ginés and pull up a chair at an old marble table in its dining room that dates back to 1894. As I dunk and chomp my way through this sinfully delicious delicacy I take in the surroundings, look at the photos adorning the walls, and take in the basement 'train carriage-style nook'. I also talk about San Ginés's interesting literary connection to modernist playwright Ramón María del Valle-Inclán and his play Luces de Bohemia. Next stop Los Artesanos 1902 where I see their churrero in action in the kitchen, albeit through a glass window, and explain how churros and porras (the thicker version) are made. Final stop is a very quiet Chocolatería Valor for another round of churros and run-through the curious history of this snack and also when it is usually eaten. (Not for dessert!) Other must-visit churrerías that I mention in the episode: Chocolat La Antigua Churrería  Churrería Camu  Churrería Santa Ana Here's a bit more background about the play Luces de Bohemia    

Chris Atkin, author of his new book, (Just As Well) It's Not About The Bike: A Journey Across Southern Spain, joins me in this episode to chat about his experience pedaling 1300 kilometres from Valencia to Gibraltar on a basic bike with only seven gears and barely enough room for panniers. Chris describes some of his favourite stops on his six week journey, including a grueling ride across Spain´s Sierra Nevada, Gandia´s ghost town vibe, picturesque Altea versus the untamed tourism of Benidorm, discovering morcilla in a tiny pueblo of Almócita in the province of Almeria, Granada and the Alhambra and the final destination of Gibraltar, bursting with civic pride. On the ride Chris shares with us some interesting anecdotes, for example Franco´s favourite singer (She despised him!), a little known nuclear catastrophe that happened in Palomares in the 1960s and the heartwarming story of why Mónica was daubed in giant white letters on a Málaga chimney. Chris also offers some practical advice for cycling in Spain, finding accommodation and improving your Spanish. Get your hands on a copy of his book (Just As Well) It's Not About The Bike: A Journey Across Southern Spain here Find out more about Chris Atkin on his website https://chrisatkinonline.com/

Spain vs England! I examine the cultural differences between Spain and the UK with the help of some of my Spanish friends who live and work in England. Let battle commence! I chat with Paula, Diego, Pedro and English ally Dan about the pros and cons of living in Spain and the UK, the things we miss, annoyances and frustrations from each country and share our observations on jobs, working conditions, corruption, families, politeness, bureaucracy, daily routines, the going out culture, outdoor life, food, weather and Brexit. Also in this episode I look ahead to future podcast interview with Ben Curtis from the Notes in Spanish and Notes from Spain podcast shows and talk about the new When in Spain Facebook group. FOLLOW WHEN IN SPAIN 📺Subscribe on YouTube: https://bit.ly/2SOrKrL 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦Join the When in Spain Facebook Group. https://bit.ly/2CdDgWt 📷Follow on Instagram to see photography from across Spain. https://bit.ly/2D5p6IJ WANT TO SUPPORT WHEN IN SPAIN? 💚 Make a small donation $1-$5 via Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/wheninspain WHAT IS WHEN IN SPAIN? The When in Spain show is a weekly podcast show, recorded in Madrid (and other parts of Spain) where l talk about my ‘warts and all’ observations and insights on life and culture on the Iberian peninsular. In each episode of the podcast I cast an eye on everyday life, people, places, politics, culture and history and attempt to give an honest opinion from a Brit who has a love-frustration relationship with Spain. I shall attempt to dispel or indeed confirm Spanish stereotypes through my ramblings and see if I can delve into the Spanish psyche. ..................................................................................................................... WHO THE HELL IS WHEN IN SPAIN? I'm Paul Burge, former BBC journalist, Hispanophile and Manchego lover. A Brit, born in Oxford and living in Spain for almost 5 years. I currently live in the centre of Madrid.

This week I explain how to open a Spanish bank account whether you're a resident or non-resident in Spain. I look at the process and paperwork whether opening an account online or in person. I give a rundown of the major Spanish banks and some lesser-known ones and assess what kind of bank accounts are available and talk about how to avoid hidden bank charges and fees. All that plus my own personal experience of opening an account with CaixaBank. FOLLOW WHEN IN SPAIN 📺Subscribe on YouTube: https://bit.ly/2SOrKrL 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦Join the When in Spain Facebook Group. https://bit.ly/2CdDgWt 📷Follow on Instagram to see photography from across Spain. https://bit.ly/2D5p6IJ WANT TO SUPPORT WHEN IN SPAIN? 💚 Make a small donation $1-$5 via Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/wheninspain WHAT IS WHEN IN SPAIN? The When in Spain show is a weekly podcast show, recorded in Madrid (and other parts of Spain) where l talk about my ‘warts and all’ observations and insights on life and culture on the Iberian peninsular. In each episode of the podcast I cast an eye on everyday life, people, places, politics, culture and history and attempt to give an honest opinion from a Brit who has a love-frustration relationship with Spain. I shall attempt to dispel or indeed confirm Spanish stereotypes through my ramblings and see if I can delve into the Spanish psyche. ..................................................................................................................... WHO THE HELL IS WHEN IN SPAIN? I'm Paul Burge, former BBC journalist, Hispanophile and Manchego lover. A Brit, born in Oxford and living in Spain for almost 5 years. I currently live in the centre of Madrid.

In Episode Ten of When in Spain I look at how to get the all-important Spanish NIE number and residency card. In this show I'll explain why it's crucial to get the NIE if you're planning to live, work, study, retire or buy a property in Spain. I'll guide you through the application process and talk about the frustrations and challenges of getting hold of this piece of paperwork that is the key to living in Spain. FOLLOW WHEN IN SPAIN 📺Subscribe on YouTube: https://bit.ly/2SOrKrL 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦Join the When in Spain Facebook Group. https://bit.ly/2CdDgWt 📷Follow on Instagram to see photography from across Spain. https://bit.ly/2D5p6IJ WANT TO SUPPORT WHEN IN SPAIN? 💚 Make a small donation $1-$5 via Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/wheninspain WHAT IS WHEN IN SPAIN? The When in Spain show is a weekly podcast show, recorded in Madrid (and other parts of Spain) where l talk about my ‘warts and all’ observations and insights on life and culture on the Iberian peninsular. In each episode of the podcast I cast an eye on everyday life, people, places, politics, culture and history and attempt to give an honest opinion from a Brit who has a love-frustration relationship with Spain. I shall attempt to dispel or indeed confirm Spanish stereotypes through my ramblings and see if I can delve into the Spanish psyche. ..................................................................................................................... WHO THE HELL IS WHEN IN SPAIN? I'm Paul Burge, former BBC journalist, Hispanophile and Manchego lover. A Brit, born in Oxford and living in Spain for almost 5 years. I currently live in the centre of Madrid.

Anyone learning Spanish will tell you that the journey is long and full of twists and turns. Are you struggling to maintain motivation? Tongue-tied when it comes to talking? Does Spanish grammar fill you with dread? Should you even bother to learn Spanish if you’re living in Spain or planning to move here? In episode eight of When in Spain I talk to Melissa from Thinking Spanglish, a blog described as a 'survivors guide' to learning Spanish, aimed at helping people overcome their fear of learning and improving Spanish. We answer the 'dreaded' question, should you or shouldn't you learn Spanish to live in Spain? Can you survive without it...? We find out. We also look at language learning resources, the challenges and rewards of learning Spanish, some top tips for language learning and of course we'll compare our own language learning experiences and insights. Melissa's long held ambition to live abroad brought her to Spain four and a half years ago - via her passion for flamenco and her various stints teaching in Spain. We met up on a sunny terrace in Madrid. Apologies for some of the loud and unexpected traffic noise on what's usually a quiet street. Here are a few links to resources mentioned in the episode: http://www.bbc.co.uk/languages/spanish/mividaloca/ http://thinkingspanglish.com/best-flashcard-app-spanish-in-a-month-elky-entertainment-llc-version-1-28/ FOLLOW WHEN IN SPAIN 📺Subscribe on YouTube: https://bit.ly/2SOrKrL 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦Join the When in Spain Facebook Group. https://bit.ly/2CdDgWt 📷Follow on Instagram to see photography from across Spain. https://bit.ly/2D5p6IJ WANT TO SUPPORT WHEN IN SPAIN? 💚 Make a small donation $1-$5 via Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/wheninspain WHAT IS WHEN IN SPAIN? The When in Spain show is a weekly podcast show, recorded in Madrid (and other parts of Spain) where l talk about my ‘warts and all’ observations and insights on life and culture on the Iberian peninsular. In each episode of the podcast I cast an eye on everyday life, people, places, politics, culture and history and attempt to give an honest opinion from a Brit who has a love-frustration relationship with Spain. I shall attempt to dispel or indeed confirm Spanish stereotypes through my ramblings and see if I can delve into the Spanish psyche. ..................................................................................................................... WHO THE HELL IS WHEN IN SPAIN? I'm Paul Burge, former BBC journalist, Hispanophile and Manchego lover. A Brit, born in Oxford and living in Spain for almost 5 years. I currently live in the centre of Madrid.  

In episode six of When in Spain I go out to buy milk and get thinking about the strange and colourful Spanish expressions that revolve around milk or 'la leche'. Learn some of these milky expressions in this episode and find out about their origins. Also, I take a look ahead to future When in Spain shows and talk about collaborations, subjects and themes you can expect to hear in the coming months. More colour pieces on culture and lifestyle, more practical how to guides and a look at the darker side of Spanish life. FOLLOW WHEN IN SPAIN 📺Subscribe on YouTube: https://bit.ly/2SOrKrL 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦Join the When in Spain Facebook Group. https://bit.ly/2CdDgWt 📷Follow on Instagram to see photography from across Spain. https://bit.ly/2D5p6IJ WANT TO SUPPORT WHEN IN SPAIN? 💚 Make a small donation $1-$5 via Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/wheninspain WHAT IS WHEN IN SPAIN? The When in Spain show is a weekly podcast show, recorded in Madrid (and other parts of Spain) where l talk about my ‘warts and all’ observations and insights on life and culture on the Iberian peninsular. In each episode of the podcast I cast an eye on everyday life, people, places, politics, culture and history and attempt to give an honest opinion from a Brit who has a love-frustration relationship with Spain. I shall attempt to dispel or indeed confirm Spanish stereotypes through my ramblings and see if I can delve into the Spanish psyche. ..................................................................................................................... WHO THE HELL IS WHEN IN SPAIN? I'm Paul Burge, former BBC journalist, Hispanophile and Manchego lover. A Brit, born in Oxford and living in Spain for almost 5 years. I currently live in the centre of Madrid.

In episode five of When in Spain we take a whistle-stop tour around Spain's four biggest cities in search of the best neighbourhoods to rent rooms and apartments. We compare Barcelona, Madrid, Valencia and Seville. Paul gives a flavour of dozens of neighbourhoods, from the hip and trendy, to the studenty, traditional and family friendly. He also looks at what kind of properties you can expect to find and sorts the cheap from the expensive. There should be something to cater for every taste whether it's Barcelona's traditional Barrio de Gracia, Madrid's classy Salamanca district or Seville's home of flamenco in Triana. Let's go house hunting! FOLLOW WHEN IN SPAIN 📺Subscribe on YouTube: https://bit.ly/2SOrKrL 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦Join the When in Spain Facebook Group. https://bit.ly/2CdDgWt 📷Follow on Instagram to see photography from across Spain. https://bit.ly/2D5p6IJ WANT TO SUPPORT WHEN IN SPAIN? 💚 Make a small donation $1-$5 via Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/wheninspain WHAT IS WHEN IN SPAIN? The When in Spain show is a weekly podcast show, recorded in Madrid (and other parts of Spain) where l talk about my ‘warts and all’ observations and insights on life and culture on the Iberian peninsular. In each episode of the podcast I cast an eye on everyday life, people, places, politics, culture and history and attempt to give an honest opinion from a Brit who has a love-frustration relationship with Spain. I shall attempt to dispel or indeed confirm Spanish stereotypes through my ramblings and see if I can delve into the Spanish psyche. ..................................................................................................................... WHO THE HELL IS WHEN IN SPAIN? I'm Paul Burge, former BBC journalist, Hispanophile and Manchego lover. A Brit, born in Oxford and living in Spain for almost 5 years. I currently live in the centre of Madrid.

In episode four of When in Spain I look at how to rent a room or apartment in Spain. The focus is on Spain’s four biggest cities, Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia and Seville. Click on the player above to listen to the episode and hear all about my ups and downs of finding somewhere to rent in Madrid. In the podcast episode I look at when, and where to start your search. Price ranges and advice on things to watch out for. FOLLOW WHEN IN SPAIN 📺Subscribe on YouTube: https://bit.ly/2SOrKrL 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦Join the When in Spain Facebook Group. https://bit.ly/2CdDgWt 📷Follow on Instagram to see photography from across Spain. https://bit.ly/2D5p6IJ WANT TO SUPPORT WHEN IN SPAIN? 💚 Make a small donation $1-$5 via Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/wheninspain I’ve seen apartments/rooms like the one in the photo below described as ’boutique living’. Don’t fall for any shit. It’s dog eat dog out there. When should you start your search for a room or apartment? Well, if at all possible avoid looking in September/October. This is the time of year when everybody and their dog is looking. There are a few reasons for this. University students, Erasmus students and teachers starting the Auxiliares program along with many other English teachers all arrive ahead of the start of the academic year and frantically begin their house hunt. January can also be a busier time of year to find rental accommodation. Also, people who have secured a new job just before or during the summer tend to start their contracts in September. If they’re relocating from a different city they’ll also be lining up to view properties. How long will it take to get a roof over your head? Longer than you might think. My advice would be to allow yourself at least two or three weeks. It took me a few months to find somewhere I was happy with. It’s very unlikely that you’re going to find somewhere in just a few days. When should you look? June or July is a good bet. August, possibly. Although many landlords and people looking for housemates tend to go away on holiday during August. November is another good time to look, once things have quietened down a bit, although there may well be less availability. The spring is also a good bet, March – May. Where to conduct your online search… Here are a list of the most common property search websites in Spain. Idealista – The most popular site, many agencies tend to advertise here. Pisos.com Mil Anuncios – A classifieds website for just about anything but also includes rooms and                                     apartments Fotocasa Badi  – A bit like Airbnb and relatively new. Homeowners looking to rent out their spare                        room advertise on here. They tend to be quite fussy. Other options for conducting your search Locutorios Locutorios are small neighbourhood internet cafes/international calling points. They often sell mobile phone accessories and carry out repairs. Many of them have noticeboards that carry adverts for rooms and apartments in the local area. Locutorios are becoming less common, especially in city centres but you might get lucky. Flyers Walls and signposts are often plastered in flyers advertising properties, they’ll have a little tear-off phone number. Also, as you wander the street look up at balconies which often carry signs “Se Alquila’ For rent, and carry a phone number. Worth a try, especially as these are often posted by somebody from the ‘older’ generation let’s say, and who may not be internet savvy and therefore may be offering a bargain! Agencies Agencies can take the legwork out of the search, especially if you’re short on time. However they are usually very expensive. Most people use agencies if they’re looking for an entire apartment and not sharing. One option is to find other like-minded sharers and go in on an apartment together.  You’ll usually end up paying at least one month’s rent in agency fees, money which you can kiss goodbye to.