Archive for 'Products & Specialities in Spain'

It's hump day, the weather is getting nicer and warmer by the day, and vacations are a ways off yet. That can only mean one thing: it's time to bring the holiday to you until we can all move about more freely again. If you've been dreaming of Spain, for example, one of the easiest ways to bring a little slice of the country to you is by trying out a Spanish specialty and travelling with your tastebuds from the comfort and safety of your own home. A Spanish specialty like, say, sangria for example. This fruit alcoholic punch is delicious, easy to make, and, best of all, instantly conjures up a sunny afternoon sitting out in a pretty town square in Spain.

Sangria is one of the most popular drinks and alcoholic beverages in all of Spain and can be found in bars and restaurants and lots of other different kinds of establishments as well as at festivals and other events all throughout the country. It traditionally consists of red wine and chopped fruit, though there are endless variations and spins and family recipes that involve various other ingredients or spirits.

Spain loves a food product museum and there are various kinds that you will encounter located all around the country. However, one of the best of all of these museums is so appealing because the central star is well and truly the focus. We are, of course, talking about the MQM Museo del Queso Manchego in Toledo, which is less about the museum and far more about cheese. If you have found a vacation rental in Castille-la-Mancha and are spending time exploring Toledo and, in particular, exploring the culinary scene of the city, then you should definitely set aside some time to stop by.

Located in the heart of the historic quarter of Toledo, right next to the Cathedral, the Museo del Queso Manchego (or Museum of Manchego Cheese) was opened in the last few years and is dedicated to this traditional and ancient local cheese that is the city’s most well-known export. It is divided into three areas; a museum, a catas (or tasting) room, and a shop. The museum has an exhibition with audiovisual presentations, objects involved in cheesemaking throughout the centuries, and other Manchego cheese-related items, accompanied by information panels. This information is in Spanish so, if you don’t speak the language, you might not be able to glean as much from the exhibition. However, the items are still interesting to look at as part of the whole experience.

There are few things that perfectly represent being on holidays as well as having the luxury of endless time to spend wandering around a market, looking at things, taking in the atmosphere of a destination, sampling products, and grabbing a bite to eat. Rarely do any of us ever have the time in our day-to-day lives to properly enjoy a market in the same way. If you have found a vacation rental in Valencia, in particular, you should really set aside a morning or lunchtime to visit the city's most famous market, the beautiful Art Nouveau Mercado Central.

One of the oldest markets still in use in Europe, the Mercado Central is an official Heritage of Cultural Interest site, as designated by the Spanish Ministry of Culture. It was designed in 1914 by Francisco Guardia and Alejandro Soler, was then inaugurated by King Alfonso XIII in 1928 and was completely renovated in 2010 to preserve its incredible beauty. Probably the most important example of Valencian Art Nouveau in the city, this gem is one of the key 20th-century architectural works in Valencia.