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Ever 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 the narrow cobblestone streets alongside revelers from across the globe. The atmosphere was electric – locals offering food and drinks from their homes, music pumping through the streets, and morning drinks flowing freely (though we stayed sober for the drive home).

What struck us most was the surprising diversity of participants. From young children gleefully pelting their parents with tomatoes to elderly folks with canes, La Tomatina draws people of all ages. The festival follows strict traditions: the greasy pole challenge where brave souls attempt to climb for a ham, the cannon blast at noon signaling the start, and the precision one-hour timeline that ends exactly at 1 PM – a remarkable display of punctuality in a country not typically known for it!

We learned the fascinating history behind this bizarre tradition, which began spontaneously in 1945 and was once banned by Franco for being "un-Spanish." Today, it's one of Spain's most internationally recognized festivals, inspiring similar events worldwide. The tomatoes themselves aren't even edible varieties – they're specifically grown for the festival, addressing concerns about food waste.

Whether you're planning your own tomato-soaked adventure or just curious about Spain's more unusual traditions, this episode offers an intimate glimpse into an event that defies easy explanation. As we discovered, La Tomatina isn't just about throwing tomatoes – it's about release, community, and the strangely therapeutic joy of embracing absurdity.

Ready to add this messy bucket-list experience to your travel plans? Listen now for our complete survival guide, including how to secure tickets, what to wear, and why you absolutely need goggles!

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Saddle 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 perspective, tried heated dark Pilates classes, and even traveled with her surprisingly well-behaved dog Luna—though hilariously, no airport official ever actually checked if there was really a dog in her carrier! Meanwhile, Laura reveals her highlights included magical sunset trail rides overlooking the Peñón de Ifach in Calpe and precious beach moments with her family.

The pair doesn't shy away from the realities of Spanish summers—the exodus of locals, quadrupled hotel prices, impossible parking situations, and the futility of trying to accomplish anything beyond tourism in August. As Nalini puts it, "It's like Groundhog Day—you wake up and it's vacation day again." They share candid insights about attending a White Party (complete with belly dancers and an unexpected baby wild boar), traveling to Formula One qualifying in Austria, and discovering the refreshing joys of zero-alcohol drinks for beating the heat without the hangover.

Whether you're planning a Spanish getaway or simply curious about expat life on the Costa Blanca, this episode offers both practical wisdom and entertaining anecdotes about making the most of summer's challenges. Subscribe now to catch upcoming episodes featuring La Tomatina festival, Benidorm Pride, and Alicante's rising gastronomic recognition!

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Step 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 chandeliers of the Four Seasons, only to end the night in a historic dive bar where the floor sticks to your shoes and the bartender rings a school bell when patrons get too rowdy. This is Madrid – unapologetically authentic and full of surprises.

Our whirlwind day began with exquisite Asian cuisine at Li Long, where we discovered that even upscale restaurants offer affordable weekday lunch menus. The sommelier's passionate knowledge enhanced our meal, particularly when accompanying what might have been the best lobster we've ever tasted. From there, we ventured to the Golden Mile of shopping along Calle Serrano, where luxury boutiques like Purificación García and Carolina Herrera showcase Spanish design at its finest. Pro tip: if you're visiting in early July, even these high-end stores offer significant discounts during Spain's major sales period.

The heart of our Madrid experience came in Malasaña, once the epicenter of Madrid's counterculture "Movida" movement. At Casa Camacho, a bar unchanged since the 1800s, we sampled the authentic Yayo cocktail in its birthplace. The contrast between the morning's luxury shopping bags and this neighborhood dive couldn't have been more striking – yet somehow, perfectly Madrid. We also discovered the Temple of Debod, a 2,200-year-old Egyptian temple gifted to Spain and reconstructed in Parque del Oeste, offering magical sunset views that shouldn't be missed.

A word of caution: Madrid's summer heat is intense. Without coastal breezes, the city can feel like an oven, with even the wind bringing no relief. Many locals escape to the coast in August, but with proper planning (indoor activities during peak afternoon heat), summer visits can still be rewarding.

Have you experienced Madrid's fascinating contrasts? We'd love to hear which side of this multifaceted city captured your heart – the elegant luxury or the authentic local haunts. Either way, Madrid awaits, ready to show you all its fascinating faces.