Spain To Go

The anticapitalist left is still camping out in Plaza Catalunya, and nearby in Raval, the drug scene is just as vibrant as always. (At least I assume it is – I'm just a guy taking a walk.) More about the anarchic scene in Barcelona's old town here: https://spaintogo.substack.com/p/barcelona-anarchy

Donate to the podcast here: https://expatmadrid.com/donate/

(Or you could become a paying subscriber over on Substack... Just sayin'.)

For much more Spanish culture, check out my YouTube channel, called Learn Spanish with Daniel: https://youtube.com/learnspanishwithdaniel/

Thanks for listening!

I'm recording this on October 12th, which is "el Día de la Virgen del Pilar". So in this episode, let's talk about one of the most important apparitions of the Virgin Mary – Our Lady of the Pillar in Zaragoza. Also, Saint James the Great (AKA Santiago, patron of Spain), the tie-in with Christopher Columbus, a bit about the legacy of colonialism and much more. Read the article here: https://spaintogo.substack.com/p/columbus-virgen-pilar

Donate to the podcast and I'll give you a shoutout in the next episode: https://expatmadrid.com/donate

Sign up for a bike tour in La Rioja, Extremadura, Valencia, La Mancha, etc at https://biketourinspain.com

Tell Raúl there that I sent you. Thanks!

Big news here in Spain! We've got a general election coming up on 29 November, so we'll probably have a new government soon. And before that, on 11 November, the Tenants Unions have called a General Strike to protest the housing situation. So let's talk about Pedro Sánchez's chances in the election (roughly zero), what rights you have in a strike, some of my experiences from previous general strikes and more. Enjoy!

To donate to the podcast, head to https://expatmadrid.com/donate/

Any amount helps! You can also become a monthly supporter with just one extra click. Thanks to all donors and multi-donors, past, present and future.

Also, if you're looking for help with Spanish immigration, or US bureaucracy, talk to Joanne and Roberto over at Continentalis. Roberto is an immigration lawyer, and Joanne can get you fingerprints in Barcelona, Madrid, or Valencia, as well as an FBI background check, the Apostille of the Hague, sworn translations and more. Use my name DANIEL at checkout (or just tell Joanne you heard about them from me, Daniel) and you'll get a discount on their services. Here: https://continentalis.eu/

Thanks for listening!

Big news about Spain's housing crisis this week: the tenants unions have decided to make a woman named Maricarmen symbolic of how evil capitalists want to throw old ladies out of their houses. Only problem is, Maricarmen has been benefiting from a Franco-era rent contract for 70 years now. You and I will never get a deal this good. Anyway, here's the latest from the camping protest in Puerta del Sol, Madrid, as well as some memories about last time this happened and how dumb it was. Enjoy!

Donate to the podcast and join the prestigious & exclusive club of Spain to Go supporters right here, I'll give you a shoutout on the next episode: https://expatmadrid.com/donate/

For your FBI background check, apostille of the Hague, sworn translations, and ALL your immigration law needs, talk to Joanne over at https://continentalis.eu/

(Tell her that DANIEL sent you and you'll get a discount, I also get a small commission and it helps the podcast.)

Or if you'd like to hear my voice some more, head over to my YouTube channel called Learn Spanish with Daniel: https://youtube.com/learnspanishwithdaniel/

Thanks for listening!

Today we're talking about the cities of Bilbao and Getxo up in the Basque country, with reflections on competing nationalities, the ongoing Ceuta crisis, what it means to be "from" somewhere, and more. Basque Cuisine is pretty famous, as is the new-fangled cheesecake they're making, and you can learn about all of it in this new episode. Enjoy!

Check out my friends over at WalksDevour for food tours, cooking classes and more in San Sebastian (it's like Bilbao, but better) and other locations around Spain and Europe: https://expatmadrid.com/walks/

And if you're into cardio holidays, go sign up for a bike tour from my friend Raúl at Bike Tour in Spain. I just did his tour of La Rioja and Camino del Cid and had a great time: https://biketourinspain.com/

Spain needs new babies. If you're having one soon, congratulations! And thanks. In this episode, we've got a report on prenatal care in Spain, and on baby prepping in Barcelona more specifically. Public and private healthcare, where to get secondhand cribs, doulas, midwives, maternity support, Pregnancy Pilates and much more. Check out the article for links and more: https://expatmadrid.com/prenatal-care-spain/

Support this podcast by sending diaper money to Mr Chorizo (AKA Daniel) and Morena here: https://expatmadrid.com/donate

If you have any immigration questions that need a serious answer, or if you need the fingerprint / background check / apostille, talk to my friend Roberto and his partner Joanne at https://continentalis.eu/

(Roberto is the lawyer who got me Spanish nationality – not an easy task, as it turns out. And Joanne did all my background check stuff, plus got my birth certificate, translations and all. Tell them that DANIEL sent you and you'll get a discount – and I'll get a small commission.)

Finally, Raúl over at Bike Tour in Spain is sending me on another cycling tour, so I'll be out next week. I'm doing El Camino del Cid and La Rioja. If you want a cardio vacation through some beautiful Spanish landscapes, check out https://biketourinspain.com

Well, Ceuta is still a disaster area, so here's an update about that. Also, we've got a protest from Save Europe Act (it's about "remigration" and a counterprotest from antifa. Plus, the 90th anniversary of the Spanish Civil War and the mysterious death of Federico García Lorca back in 1936. Links and more on the Spain to Go Substack: https://spaintogo.substack.com/p/lorca-antifa-and-ceuta-again

Also, in a few weeks I'll be on the road again, with a cycling tour across La Rioja and part of Castilla. Stay tuned for more about that, or check out my friend Raul's tours over at https://biketourinspain.com/

(If you do sign up for a tour, let Raul know that you heard about him from Daniel on the Spain to Go podcast, he'll appreciate the business.) Thanks!

I recently went to France (again). In this episode, I talk about Lyon and Montpellier in the south of France, whether backpacking around Europe is dead, slow travel, iced coffee disasters, being an expectant parent, and more. Support the podcast here: https://expatmadrid.com/donate

I'll give you a shoutout in my next episode!

Spain to Go podcast has a new companion blog over on Substack, check it out at https://spaintogo.substack.com/

For all your Spanish immigration needs, talk to Joanne or Roberto at https://continentalis.eu – they did my Spanish nationality for me and have my highest recommendation. Mention my name DANIEL and get a discount on your services. Thanks!

Last week the Spanish enclave of Ceuta was overrun by "migrants" crossing the border from Morocco. Up to 70,000 people crossed into Spain, and were (mostly) pushed back by the military. Details and thoughts from a Spanish local in today's episode. Support this podcast: https://expatmadrid.com/donate/

You could also sign up to receive new articles (or become a paid subscriber) on Substack: https://spaintogo.substack.com

Thanks for listening!

The UK has a small territory called Gibraltar near the southern tip of Spain – or, more accurately, near the southern tip of the Iberian peninsula. So today's episode is about Spanish-Gibraltarian relations, the new open border, the Spanish enclaves of Ceuta and Melilla in Africa, John Lennon's wedding to Yoko Ono and more. Donate to the podcast here: https://expatmadrid.com/donate/

These days I'm writing a companion blog to the Spain to Go podcast over on Substack, you can read this article and check out some relevant links at: https://spaintogo.substack.com/p/gibraltar

Spain won the world cup last Sunday, and the positive national feeling lasted about 48 hours. Now the Catalan nationalists are back to their usual levels of Spain-hating. (And don't even get me started on the Basques.) Here's an update from summer in Barcelona: it's high season for tourism, and everything smells like piss. Donate to the cause here: https://expatmadrid.com/donate/

You can follow my new articles on Substack, I'll be writing there as well for a while: https://spaintogo.substack.com/

Book a cycling tour across some beautiful Spanish regions with Bike Tour in Spain, and tell Raul that Daniel from the Spain to Go podcast sent you (he'll appreciate the business)... Check out: https://biketourinspain.com/

Have a good summer!

Spain has made it to the semi-finals of the World Cup, with a match against France... but the top story is actually about some unfortunate comments by former Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy. Rajoy claims that the French team "doesn't have any French players" – a comment on the team's ethnic makeup. So in this special bonus episode, we're talking about World Cup racism, and what the future of Spanishness looks like, with the current trend towards a Spanish Melting Pot. Donate to the cause here: https://expatmadrid.com/donate/

More on my blog: https://spaintogo.substack.com/

Thanks for listening!

These days, with a bit of summer heat here in Europe, a lot of Americans are talking about air conditioning. Is it true that Europeans don't use aircon? Is it because we're all tree-hugging environmentalists, or could it possibly be for some other reason? I take these questions seriously, and try to answer them. Donate to the podcast here, I'll give you a shoutout in my next episode: https://expatmadrid.com/donate

You could also follow Spain to Go on Substack, I'm creating a sort of companion blog over there: https://spaintogo.substack.com/

Today I'm revisiting the old "expat" vs "immigrant" debate. What do these labels mean, and does it really matter? Also, a big life update from Daniel and Morena. Sign up to my Substack here for more about life in Spain: https://spaintogo.substack.com/

Donate to the podcast over here: https://expatmadrid.com/donate

And if you'd like to read my classic "Expats vs Immigrants" article, check it out on the blog here: https://expatmadrid.com/expat-immigrant-guiri/

I recently went to Paris, and wrote some reflections about the relationship between Spain and France... plus other important topics. Today nobody's talking about this, but France actually invaded and conquered Spain in the early 1800s. Also in today's episode: Napoleon, Joan of Arc, the great (wo)men of history, Parisian cuisine, and much more.

Donate to the podcast right here: https://expatmadrid.com/donate

Follow me on Substack for more about life in Barcelona and Spain: https://spaintogo.substack.com

Thanks for listening!

A few travel tips from a Barcelona local here: if you want to get "off the beaten path" and have a more "authentic" experience, I've got some advice. Check out these hidden gem neighborhoods, learn about the real story behind Mount Tibidabo, and much more. Check out my new Substack here: https://spaintogo.substack.com

Donate to the cause at https://expatmadrid.com/donate/

(Or you could just become a paying subscriber on Substack... just sayin'.)

Thanks for listening!

Should you move to Spain in 2026? Well, it depends. A blog called Expat Money recently published a list of the "top 7 reasons you should never move to Spain" and I don't think the author was wrong about them... I just think that Spain has some intangibles that make it a great place to live, and that for most of us, moving abroad is more than a mathematical calculation. Support this podcast at https://expatmadrid.com/donate/

You can read my article here, obviously I've lived in Spain for 22 years and I'm somewhat biased: https://expatmadrid.com/reasons-never-move-spain/

If you're looking for a more athletic type of holiday, check out my friend Raul over at https://biketourinspain.com

I'll be going on his tour of La Rioja and Camino del Cid in a couple of months, and I've got two episodes on here about other bike tours, look for "#76 - Route of Don Quixote" and "#94 - Extremadura Bike Tour" for more about those.

On this episode of the Spain to Go podcast I go into the new corruption cases involving Pedro Sánchez, ex-president Zapatero, and the socialist government.

Also, some of the old corruption scandals, which are ongoing. Plus, Isak Andic (the fashion mogul who fell down a mountain) and thoughts about the 2026 World Cup.

Donate to the podcast here: https://expatmadrid.com/donate/

Get your Spanish visa or background check (sworn translation, homologación, apostille of the Hague, etc) with Continentalis.eu, they helped me to get Spanish nationality – and you'll get a discount for mentioning my name DANIEL when you sign up. Go to https://continentalis.eu/

Finally, you could learn some Spanish over on my YouTube channel, it's called Learn Spanish with Daniel and it's pretty good (if I may say so myself)... https://youtube.com/learnspanishwithdaniel/

It's been more than three years since I quit drinking, and people have asked me for an update. So here goes: some practical thoughts about being sober in Spain, and some deep thoughts about sobriety generally. In today's episode, we've got my top tips for sobriety, creating a new "sober identity", finding a higher power, and much more. Support the podcast here: https://expatmadrid.com/donate/

More about being sober in Spain and elsewhere here: https://expatmadrid.com/sober-spain/

I'm also on YouTube, teaching Spanish (and publishing the episodes of this podcast, if you'd prefer to listen there)... check out: https://youtube.com/learnspanishwithdaniel/

Have a great day out there... And get in touch if this topic is relevant for you. I'd love to hear your thoughts.

In today's episode, I talk about GDP and GDP per capita in Spain and the USA, and I try to answer the question: Is Spain a poor country? Turns out, it's a bit complicated. We've also got some thoughts on Ireland, on India, on wealth and well-being, and much more. Donate to the podcast here: https://expatmadrid.com/donate/

Shoutout and a big thanks this week to our two donors, Keely in Scottsdale, Arizona, and multi-donor Jim AKA Seamus, who I think is in Boston.

More info on Spanish GDP vs the US, and links to some of my sources, over on the blog: https://expatmadrid.com/spain-poor-country/