

MADRID - CASA LABRA
CASA LABRA It is said history was made at this bar on the 2nd of May 1879 with the formation of the PSOE (Spanish socialist party), and on walking in, it appears you could still be back in 1879 as nothing seems to have changed since then! It is an excellent traditional bar. It is famous for its croquetas de bacalao. Some of the best in Madrid. The tajadas de bacalao are pieces of cod deep-fried in batter until crispy. They are served with wooden cocktail sticks or eaten with


IBIZA - SANT CARLES - KIOSKU CALA MASTELLA
KIOSKU CALA MASTELLA This beach bar on the island’s northeast is a local insider tip among Ibiza’s chiringuito lovers. It is sometimes unfavourably compared to the legendary fish restaurant El Bigotes, which sits to the left in the same bay. This is entirely unjustified, although it works on a different concept. Pepe Bonet and Angel Pins have created a true oasis of calm here and created honest, perfectly prepared food. They have six dishes (fresh fish, of course, hamburgers,


BASQUE COUNTRY - A DAY IN VITORIA-GASTEIZ
Vitoria-Gasteiz is the capital of the Basque Autonomous Community in northern Spain. The Gothic-style Santa María Inmaculada Cathedral features a sculpted facade and towering columns in the medieval quarter. The 17th-century Plaza de la Virgen Blanca features a monument to the 1813 Battle of Vitoria. The Church of San Miguel has a sizeable baroque altarpiece and a statue of the White Virgin, the city's patron saint. Beethoven dedicated his Opus 91, often called the " Battle


IBIZA - SANT JOSEP - RESTAURANTE ES CUCÓ
RESTAURANTE ES CUCÓ This restaurant is on the outskirts of Cala de Bou, moving inland. It is a great place to stop for a drink or for some affordable food. It is famous for its spit-roast chicken (with black pepper sauce) . Served with chips and salad. We started with a warm goat's cheese salad. It is a great, cheap meal. The chicken costs €11.50 without sauce and €14 with sauce. Along with the chicken, you will find boquerones (anchovies in oil, garlic, and vinegar), calama


IBIZA - SANTA GERTRUDIS - BAR COSTA
BAR CAN COSTA For the cheaper pocket, head to Bar Costa in Santa Gertrudis de Fruitera, a pretty and well-loved little village in the centre of the island. There are many restaurants set around the village church in this lovely spot with a vibrant hippy feel. It’s a great place to live, a few hours away from the interesting little shops, nooks, and crannies. Most Sundays, there is a church procession, with locals and tourists attending the Sunday service. There are many inter


IBIZA - PLATGES DE COMTE - CHIRINGUITO CALA ESCONDIDA IBIZA
CHIRINGUITO CALA ESCONDIDA IBIZA The walk to Platges de Comte, in the municipality of Sant Josep de sa Talaia, is about 200 meters from the new car park. In front of you, you will see Sunset Ashram; hidden on the left, you will find the stunning little cove of Racó den Xic. Walking down the 50 or so steps to the beach, you will wonder at this wonderful little oasis. On your left will be the pretty little beach, which, although it has typical Ibicencan naturist roots, It is a


BASQUE COUNTRY - ZUMAIA - ASADOR BEDUA
ASADOR BEDUA On the banks of the Urola River, just outside the village of Zumaia, you will find Asador Bedua, a restaurant with generations of family history, based on fresh produce from its own garden. It all started four generations ago, when their ancestors offered potato omelettes with green peppers to the residents of Zumaia who came to the grill by rowing upriver in their boats. The Bedua grill is a benchmark of Basque gastronomy. Over its embers, you will see roast be


IBIZA - SANT ANTONI DE PORTMANY - HOSTAL MARINO & M HOTEL
HOSTAL MARINO & M HOTEL We returned to Hostal Marino in September 2025, when it was finally joined by its new sister hotel, M Hotel . You can now check in at the new hotel by walking through the bar area of Hostal Marino and the new garden area to the M Hotel check-in desk. The new hotel has a restaurant, fitness centre, bar, and garden area, with access to the bar and restaurant areas at Hostal Marino. It is a place to relax after a long night/day! There is a new swimming p


GALICIA - SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA - TABERNA ABASTOS 2.0
TABERNA ABASTOS 2.0 Michelin Bib Gourmand We have been to this excellent restaurant a few times before. It is located in the town’s farmers’ market, giving it access to fresh ingredients daily. They announce proudly that they do not have a fridge in the restaurant. This unique restaurant is a surprise. It occupies six small market stalls, which have been given a bright, modern facelift. To enjoy the personalised menus here, you must book the only table in advance. We ha


BASQUE COUNTRYSIDE - VIZCAYA - ATXONDO - ASADOR ETXEBARRI
ASADOR ETXEBARRI One Michelin Star Although not the easiest place to find, this beautiful, rustic, restored stone house is a couple of kilometres out of town. It has a bar at the ground-floor entrance and a couple of stunning dining rooms on the first floor. The renowned chef Victor Arguinzoniz, who deserves his one Michelin star, cooks all the high-quality produce on various charcoal grills. There is no molecular stuff here; it is just fresh, quality food with unique fla


