Made in Spain
Made in Spain is an insider's guide to Spanish culture, travel, food and fashion, hosted by Nalini Sharma and Laura Senior García. The show blends sharp, unscripted conversations about Spanish traditions, hidden gems and expat life with a glamorous, sophisticated tone. Nalini brings experience as a former Canadian TV presenter, while Laura offers personal insight as a leadership coach with Spanish roots. Each episode aims to connect Spain's rich heritage with its modern evolution. The podcast is aimed at expats, travellers and foodies inspired by European elegance.
Episodios
45. What does it mean to be Spanish?
Send us Fan Mail“He’s not really Spanish.” Hearing that twice, from two different taxi drivers, after one of our kids named his favourite Spain player, stopped us in our tracks. If someone is born in Barcelona, raised in a neighbourhood he proudly signals with a postcode celebration, and plays for the national team, what else do people think is required to belong? That single comment opens a much
44. La Vila Joiosa’s Moors And Christians
Send us Fan MailAt three o’clock in the morning, a whole town stands on a dark Costa Blanca beach, staring out to sea. You hear oars and drums before you see anything, then torches flare, gunpowder cracks over the water, and the boats come in. La Vila Joiosa’s Moros y Cristianos is not a quiet heritage display. It’s a full-bodied Spanish fiesta built around the Desembarco, a reenactment of a 1538
43. Spain’s Wildest Summer Fiestas
Send us Fan MailYour dream summer trip to Spain can turn magical or messy depending on one thing: whether you understand how Spanish festivals actually work. We’re Nalini and Laura, and we go past the postcard version of fiestas to the real story underneath the confetti.We start in Pamplona with San Fermín and the running of the bulls, unpacking the event’s roots in cattle herding and religion, ho
42. A Private Walking Experience Through Valencia’s Hidden Heart
Send us Fan MailValencia looks polished from the outside, but the real city lives in the details you only catch on foot. We’re joined by Paul, a photographer and the founder of Streets of Valencia, and he guides us through a private walking tour that turns the Old Town into a living timeline, full of small stories you would never spot alone. We start in Plaza de la Virgen with the Turia River and
41. Spanish Food Beyond Tapas
Send us Fan MailTapas isn’t just a menu section, it’s a social system. We’re Nalini and Laura, two friends living in Spain, and we pull apart what Spanish food looks like when you stop treating it like a checklist and start seeing it as daily life: the pre-lunch vermouth, the quick bite at the bar, and the way a whole afternoon can unfold one small plate at a time. Along the way, we share the best
40. Spain’s Olive Oil Obsession
Send us Fan MailYour olive oil habit might be costing you flavour, money, or both. We head off on a little “Triple O” mission (oil obsession) to visit Señoríos de Reyu, a single-estate producer a winding drive inland from the Alicante coast, and the day changes how we think about every casual drizzle in the kitchen. When you learn that olive trees flower heavily but only around three per cent of t
39. The Business Of Podcasting
Send us Fan MailPodcasting looks simple from the outside: press record, tell a story, publish, repeat. Then you step into the industry and realise it is a mix of language quirks, listener psychology, algorithms, advertising money, and a lot of behind-the-scenes learning. We share what surprised us most after visiting the London Podcast Show, including the sheer scale of the event, how intense shor
38. Denia, Where The Mediterranean Remembers Itself
Send us Fan MailDenia is the kind of place that makes you stop mid sentence and look up. A city on Spain’s Costa Blanca sitting between a castle and the sea, continuously inhabited for thousands of years, and somehow still calm enough to feel personal. We’re sharing why Denia earns its reputation as a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy, and how to experience it without turning your day into a rush
37. Spain’s Weekly Markets Up Close
Send us Fan MailSpain’s weekly markets are not a cute holiday extra, they’re a living timetable that shapes how towns eat, shop, and socialise. We’re Nalini Sharma and Laura Senior Garcia, and we take you right into that rhythm, from the everyday fruit and veg stalls to one of the Costa Blanca’s most famous Saturday traditions: the Jalón flea market in the Jalón Valley.We talk through how market c
36. What Does “Made In Spain” Really Mean Today
Send us Fan MailWhat does "Made in Spain" actually mean? In this episode, Nalini and Laura take the podcast name literally and dig into the Spanish brands quietly carrying the country's soul — from a Madrid espadrille shop that's stood on the same corner since 1845, to the secretive leather workshops of Ubrique that craft bags for the world's biggest luxury houses.Inside t
35: Valencia: Sun, Paella & the City That Has It All
Send us Fan MailValencia keeps topping global “best places to live” lists, but most people still only talk about Madrid and Barcelona. We wanted to change that with a grounded, travel-friendly Valencia guide that mixes practical tips with the kind of history that makes you look at a city differently the moment you arrive.We get into the essentials first: how big Valencia really is, why it feels so
34. Valor Adult Pleasure Chocolate and Easter in Spain
Send us Fan MailChocolate shows up everywhere at Easter, but Spain tells a different story once you look past the shop displays. We’re leaning into that contrast by taking you to Villajoyosa in Alicante, home of Valor, the historic Spanish chocolate brand founded in 1881 and still family-owned today. What starts as a “local factory next door” quickly turns into a global business that exports to ov
33. Part 2: Trinidad Carnival Survival Guide
Send us Fan MailCrossing the stage at dawn. Dancing for 12+ hours. Costumes you choose months ahead. Trinidad Carnival sounds like a party, but the lived reality is a full-body, full-logistics adventure, and we’re telling you what we wish we’d known before we landed in Port of Spain.We start with the journey from Spain, including the messy parts: route planning, time zone tactics, and the moment a
32. Part 1: Carnival In Port Of Spain, Trinidad
Send us Fan MailPort of Spain flips a switch when Carnival season hits, and suddenly the city isn’t just hosting a festival, it’s showing you what identity feels like when it’s sung, danced, and defended in public. We’ve just come back from Trinidad and Tobago, and this first part of our two-part Carnival series is our debrief on what surprised us most: the pace of the capital, the warmth of the p
31. Buying property in Spain - Sunshine Is Free; Mistakes Are Expensive
Send us Fan MailDreaming of a home in Spain but unsure what’s real and what’s just sunshine? We pull back the curtain on the Costa Blanca North market and walk you through the parts most foreigners never see: why many listings start overpriced, how verbal offers actually work, and the legal power of a well-written arras contract. With luxury broker Darcy Maxim as our guide, we map the stretch from
30. How a mom built a 20-Year children’s brand rooted in Spain
Send us Fan MailA love letter to Spanish craft and the power of intention. We sit down with Kathryn Thomas, founder of Alice Kathleen & Company, to trace a 20-year journey from a mother’s search for thoughtful clothing to a slow fashion brand defined by timeless design, beautiful fabrics, and shoes built start to finish in Spain. Kathryn opens her sketchbook and her process, sharing how Valenc
29. Inside Spanish Wine Culture And A Family Micro-Winery
Send us Fan MailSpain’s wine isn’t just a tasting note—it’s a way of living that turns an ordinary lunch into a small celebration. We dive into the everyday elegance of drinking by the glass, the surprising value you can find under ten euros, and the regional gems that make Spain a world leader by vineyard area and character. From cava’s crisp sparkle to buttery local whites and deep, contemplativ
28. Beauty In Spain, Demystified
Send us Fan MailBeauty shouldn’t feel like a secret handshake. In this episode, we open the door on Spain’s beauty and wellness scene — where confidence is built through transparency, cultural openness, and access that feels refreshingly normal.Click through the link in the description to start your language-learning journey.Buy $10 and get $5 free for your first lesson using our exclusive promo c
27. Murcia’s Cathedrals, Tapas, And Travel Style
Send us Fan MailLooking for a city that gives you history, flavour, and space to breathe? We head to Murcia and find a place where the cathedral hums with local life, tapas are taught in dialect, and style is less about labels and more about respect. We start with a listener’s question on how to pack without shouting “tourist,” then build a practical wardrobe for Spain: neutral layers, a light bla
26. Christmas In Madrid: Lights, Traditions, And Travel Tips
Send us Fan MailPlanning a girls’ trip or a festive getaway and want Spain to feel effortless, joyful, and great value? We kick off with a listener question and map out a smart Madrid hub strategy: take fast trains, book early for the lowest fares, and choose destinations that deliver big experiences without long drives. Alicante shines in May with easy rail links and beach weather, Sevilla brings
25. Cadiz, Flamenco, And The Atlantic
Send us Fan MailThe Atlantic changes everything. Drive across the vast bridge into Cadiz and the city tightens around you: lanes narrow, façades lean in, and the wind smells like old voyages and fresh salt. We set out to understand why this port at the edge of Spain feels so singular, and found answers in history, humour, and a cave that sings.Cadiz claims the mantle of Western Europe’s oldest con
24. Alicante Crowned Spain’s Gastronomic Capital 2025
Send us Fan MailA city best known for its airport and beaches just stole our hearts with rock and flavour. We start beneath the mountain in Busot’s Cuevas de Canelobre, where a chill 18°C air, vaulted limestone, and centuries-old formations set the mood for a story about time, patience, and the hidden power of place. From there we surface into a surge of taste: Alicante has been named Spain’s Capi
23. Inside The Royal Andalusian School Of Equestrian Art
Send us Fan MailStep through the gates of Jerez and into a world where horses dance, leather is stitched by hand, and a French‑style palace shelters Spain’s living equestrian heritage. We head to the Royal Andalusian School of Equestrian Art to see how classical dressage and Doma Vaquera are taught, preserved, and performed with precision and heart. From the first moments on the grounds, the detai
22. Spain’s October: Spirit, Saints, And Steins
Send us Fan MailSpain’s October doesn’t pick a lane. One night brings witches, costumes, and playful scares; the next morning, families file into cemeteries with buckets, brushes, and armfuls of flowers. We lean into that contrast and explore why it feels so right: a season that holds both noise and hush, thunder and reflection.We start with Halloween’s Spanish footprint—Galician echoes of pagan r
21. First Light in Jávea
Send us Fan MailFirst 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 trave
20. La Tomatina: Spain's Epic Food Fight
Send us Fan MailEver 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
19. Summer Round Up
Send us Fan MailSaddle 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 p
18. Madrid: Serrano style, Malasaña nights and yayos
Send us Fan MailStep into Madrid, a city that confidently wears contrasts like a second skin. From our first moments exploring the Spanish capital, we were struck by its ability to simultaneously embrace luxury and grit, tradition and rebellion, elegance and edge.The city's personality reveals itself in layers. You might start your evening sipping expertly crafted cocktails beneath the chande
17. Discovering Costa Blanca’s Wine Culture
Send us Fan MailVenture beyond Spain's famous Rioja as we uncork the hidden wine treasures of Costa Blanca! What began as a two-hour content creation session turned into a delightful deep dive into the region's surprising viticulture scene.Nestled near the medieval town of Guadalest, we discovered Masos de Guadalest, a winery reviving century-old traditions after a 100-year hiatus. For a
16. Hidden Gems of the Costa Blanca
Send us Fan MailEver wondered where the locals go when tourists aren't watching? Those secret spots that never make it to the guidebooks but hold the true essence of a place? This episode peels back the curtain on Costa Blanca's best-kept secrets—places that even long-term residents might miss without the right insider knowledge.We journey to Elche, where generations of artisanal shoemak
15. Epic Day Trips From Bilbao: From Dragonstone to Ghecho
Send us Fan MailBeyond the gleaming curves of Bilbao's Guggenheim lie two extraordinary destinations that showcase the true magic of Spain's Basque Country. Our adventure begins in Ghecho – the "Hamptons of Spain" – just 20 minutes from Bilbao yet worlds apart in atmosphere.Strolling through Ghecho feels like stepping into another era. French-style châteaux line tree-shaded str
14. Why Bilbao Tastes Like Nowhere Else
Send us Fan MailVenture with us to Bilbao, where culinary contrasts create an unforgettable food experience unlike anywhere else in Spain. The city that gave us the gleaming Guggenheim has quietly revolutionized Spanish dining by excelling at both ends of the gastronomic spectrum.What makes Bilbao truly special? It's where a €2 pincho might deliver more satisfaction than a fancy tasting menu,
13. The Basque Country: Spellbound in Bilbao
Send us Fan MailThe moment our plane touched down in Bilbao, we knew we'd entered a different Spain. Gone was the Mediterranean sunshine, replaced by a lush, green landscape that immediately signaled we had arrived somewhere special. This unique corner of the country—the Basque Country—holds centuries of distinct cultural identity, and we couldn't wait to discover what makes it so fierce
12. A Granada Getaway
Send us Fan MailJoin us for a spellbinding journey through Granada, where we accidentally scheduled our visit during Holy Week, discovering layers of Spain few travelers ever experience. What began as a simple desire to see the Alhambra transformed into an immersion into Spain's most significant religious celebration and an exploration of its rich Moorish heritage.Our adventure takes us throu
11. Paella Gate: The Dish That Caused a Spanish Firestorm
Send us Fan MailWhen British chef Jamie Oliver dared to add chorizo to paella in 2016, he unleashed what Spanish Twitter users called "terrorism" – and learned the hard way that Spain's beloved rice dish isn't something you casually reinvent. Welcome to a deep dive into the dish that's much more than food; it's a cornerstone of Spanish cultural identity.Originating in
10. Valencia is on Falla
Send us Fan MailLaura and Nalini relive the excitement of a recent visit to Valencia’s spectacular Las Fallas festival – a week-long, fire-fueled celebration of towering sculptures, non-stop fireworks, marching bands, and round-the-clock street parties, all culminating in a dramatic tribute to creativity and chaos.As well as unpacking the rich history and quirky traditions behind the fiesta, the p
9. Cocktail Culture of Spain
Send us Fan MailLaura and Nalini take a deep dive into Spain’s sophisticated drinking culture in this episode of Made in Spain. They begin with the country’s ‘gin tonic’ revolution of the late 1990s, when Michelin-starred chefs started experimenting with balloon glasses, industrial ice and botanical garnishes, creating a much-loved Spanish interpretation of the classic cocktail. They also explore
8. The Sole of Spain: For the Love of Shoes
Send us Fan MailAs self-confessed ‘shoeaholics’, Laura and Nalini delight in exploring one of the fashion industry’s best-kept secrets: Spain’s “shoe triangle” — the Valencian towns of Elda, Crevillente, and Elche where master craftspeople continue to create luxury footwear for the world’s top brands – a tradition that has evolved over generations and traces its roots back centuries. The ladies r
7. Altea: The Pearl of the Mediterranean
Send us Fan MailIn this episode the charming Costa Blanca town of Altea takes center stage. Known for its whitewashed houses, cobblestone streets and blue dome church, Laura and Nalini share highlights from their recent visit, where they embraced the town’s bohemian vibe and dined at an authentic Indian restaurant. They also dive into Altea's fascinating and tumultuous history.The regular ‘Sl
6. Beauty Secrets of Spain
Send us Fan MailWhile exploring some of Spain’s best luxury beauty products, Laura and Nalini reveal that you don’t have to spend a fortune to stay looking good. With superb creams and cosmetics available from pharmacies, supermarkets and even chai -store ALE-HOP, the pair provide a rundown of the best bargains in the country. Continuing the theme of self-care, this episode’s Slice of Life segmen
5. Horror and Delight in Guadalest
Send us Fan MailLaura and Nalini relive their recent adventures in the very special Valencian town of Guadalest. Although home to only 300 or so residents, this mountainous municipality receives over 2 million visitors a year. And with ten museums, a medieval castle, a beautiful reservoir and a tempting array of bars and restaurants, there was much on offer for our duo to enjoy! The Guadalest the
4. Ode to Olives
Send us Fan MailLaura and Nalini take a deep dive into the topic of Spanish olives. As the world’s leading producer of the savoury fruit, olives and olive oil are an integral part of Spain’s culture. The duo discuss their recent visit to a renowned producer of extra-virgin olive oil, Masía el Altet, where they discovered more about the cultivation and harvesting of olives, which included downing ‘
3. Benidorm: the Baddie of Costa Blanca?
Send us Fan MailDoes the tourist destination of Benidorm deserve its bad reputation? The ladies share their own perspectives of the town: Laura as a native, growing up there, and Nalini as a Canadian ex-pat. Although the ‘New York of the Mediterranean’ is synonymous with its nightlife and swathes of (largely) British visitors, the pair reveal that there’s a whole other side to it. In their regular
2. Trip to Madrid
Send us Fan MailLaura and Nalini relive a recent day trip to Madrid where a visit to the prestigious Loewe store was among the highlights. The luxury fashion brand was founded in the city in 1846, and as well as this history, the ladies discuss the store experience and the company’s highly desirable product range.While talking over other culinary and shopping delights of the capital, the pair samp
1. Welcome to Spain
Send us Fan MailFantastic food, beautiful places and sophisticated culture. In their debut podcast, hosts Laura and Nalini discuss these topics while diving into the quintessential Spanish breakfast of pan con tomate, and sampling the sweet, creamy treat of café bombóns. The two talk about their connections with Spain – Laura as a proud native and Nalini as a Canadian expatriate – and the glamorou
0. Introducing Made in Spain
Send us Fan MailFantastic food, beautiful places and sophisticated culture. In their debut podcast, hosts Laura and Nalini discuss these topics while diving into the quintessential Spanish breakfast of pan con tomate, and sampling the sweet, creamy treat of café bombóns. The two talk about their connections with Spain – Laura as a proud native and Nalini as a Canadian expatriate – and the glamorou
