The Running of the Bulls (the encierro –enclosing–) takes place in Pamplona from July 7^th to the 14^th at 8 AM each morning from and it lasts around 3 minutes at the most. It is how locals take the bulls for the evening bullfight from outside of the city to the bullring.

Even though the festival is famous for this unusual event, it is only a small part of the fest, something guests really only want to watch it once or twice. It is free to run, if guests want to take the risk but we, at Made for Spain, strongly discourage this. We have the best balconies in the city for seeing the running of the bull so that our clients enjoy the fiesta with no risk.

If interested in San Fermin fiesta or having clients willing to enjoy it please make sure you contact us at Made for Spain so that we can guarantee the ultimate travel experience in San Fermin www.madeforspain.com

“I can immediately see that the Virtuoso network gives us the best of both worlds…the ability to work with you and Huffman locally, with the knowledge that your on-the-ground intelligence and relationships come from Made for Spain”

WOW!!! This is the power of our Virtuoso family!!! What a wonderful way to begin a week!

This Church of Colonia Guell is an unfinished work by Antoni Gaudí. It was built as a place of worship for the workers of the textile factories of Mr. Guell. However with Güell losing profits from his business, the money ran out and only the crypt was completed.

The Colonia Guell is located 15 kilometers away from Barcelona city center. It is an Industrial colony and as such was conceived as a socio-economic organization that had industrial production as their primary purpose. Eusebi Güell improved social conditions for his workers and sponsored cultural activities. He provided cultural and religious amenities at the Colònia Güell, which were built in Modernista style by various architects whom he commissioned, notably Antoni Gaudí, who was responsible for the church.

Despite remaining unfinished, the church represents a high point in Gaudí’s work. For the first time, almost all of his architectural innovations are combined in this building.

Next time in Barcelona don’t forget to call us so that we can organize a visit to this wonderful gem with one of our top guides. www.madeforspain.com

Elevated above the city my room was a generous retreat with touch-pad technology, an expansive bed and geometric furnishings placed with graphic precision. The extravagant double bathroom, hydro- shower and dressing area created a spa-like ‘chill-out’ zone.  Electronic blinds revealed a panorama of the sparkling Mediterranean and the hotel’s unique beachside location, with the prospect of an ocean-dip before breakfast.

Intriguing dining options are many for one short stay, either in leafy settings ‘alfresco’ or at the chic and ultra-pristine venues offering inspired interpretations of local gastronomy. The cocktail bar is solely cocooned in a plush and dusky fusion of traditional upholstery and contemporary accents.  A tranquil spa suspended high with airy platform terraces and incorporating a glazed sauna, provides stunning vistas of both the city and the sea, and in a hotel that is all about ‘outlook’ proves to be the ideal vantage point for a spectacular sunset.

Spain has a rich wine culture. Wine flows on every table throughout the country and there are so many varieties to choose from. I want to let you know about a fruitful region just 1.5 hours drive north of Madrid.  Ribera Del Duero is an authentic winery haven. These sun lush hills produce a grape intense in flavour that gives rise to a variety of deep and heady wines.  Bodega Lopez Cristobal http://www.lopezcristobal.com/LopezCristobal_en is nestled in the picturesque village of Roa de Duero.  Its owner Galo López Cristobal is keen to give his visitors an intimate insight into the workings behind an operational winery that distributes wine all over the world. I can recommend the Crianza, bottled in 2008, but why not decide for yourself which is your favorite? In the tranquility of the winery garden you will taste and sample a selection of the very finest wines on  offer whilst chatting over a light tapas with Galo. As he explained to me, whenever wine is involved it’s a social occasion, it lets you see the world in a different color. Whether it be at home or out with friends and family wine brings us together and it is this element that has made him such a fan as well as a real expert in the subject.  This experience is not only for wine buffs, it would suit anyone looking to get a sense of Spanish life and culture.  A great opportunity to get out of the city and visit the beautifully, green, open spaces of the Spanish countryside whilst learning about a rural occupation spanning thousands of years, a bedrock for Spanish economy and customs.

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