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Venture 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, yet its 34 Michelin-starred restaurants offer some of Spain's most innovative cuisine at surprisingly accessible prices. We take you inside Kimchoo, where Asian fusion meets Spanish produce, and explore why Bilbao's fine dining scene offers exceptional value compared to other European destinations.

Discover the fascinating history behind pinchos culture, including the origin story of the "Gilda" – the original pincho named after Rita Hayworth because it was "spicy and salty" like her famous character. Learn how to distinguish between authentic pinchos and tapas, and why those little toothpicks are essential to both the eating experience and your final bill.

The Basque Country's proximity to the Atlantic means exceptional seafood, September through December offers the best shellfish experience, but Bilbao's food scene delights year-round with international offerings and local specialties like the irresistible chocolate-dipped palmeras from Arese bakeries.

Whether you're planning your first visit or returning to explore more deeply, this episode provides an insider's guide to eating your way through a city where food isn't just sustenance – it's the beating heart of Basque culture. Join us as we navigate Bilbao's culinary landscape, from rooftop bars to riverside restaurants, discovering why this former industrial city has become an essential destination for food lovers worldwide.

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The 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 fiercely independent.

Walking through Bilbao's streets, you're immediately struck by the signs written in Euskera, Europe's oldest language with no relation to any other tongue in the world. This linguistic anomaly reflects the Basque people's determination to preserve their heritage despite centuries of pressure to assimilate. From street conversations to menu descriptions, the language surrounds you as a constant reminder that this autonomous community operates with its own cultural heartbeat.

The jewel in Bilbao's crown is undoubtedly the Guggenheim Museum, an architectural marvel that transformed this once-declining industrial port into a world-class cultural destination. The Frank Gehry-designed titanium structure shimmers differently depending on the light, creating an ever-changing exterior that matches the dynamic art housed within. Inside, we found ourselves literally dizzy from Richard Serra's towering steel installations and mesmerized by Rafiq Anadol's AI-generated landscapes that blur the line between technology and art. At just €15 for adults and free for children under 12, this world-class museum offers an accessible art experience that appeals to visitors of all ages.

Beyond the Guggenheim, Bilbao itself has undergone a remarkable metamorphosis. Once shadowed by economic decline and the activities of the ETA terrorist group (which only officially disbanded in 2018), the city has reinvented itself through strategic cultural investments. Modern trams glide past beautifully maintained public spaces where families gather, while pintxos bars serve the region's famous small plates alongside txakoli, a slightly sparkling white wine grown on distinctive trellised vines.

We were particularly struck by the warmth of the Basque people—from taxi drivers who continued offering recommendations long after we'd reached our destination, to locals who greeted us with genuine hospitality. This welcoming atmosphere stands in sharp contrast to historical tensions, suggesting a region proud of its unique identity yet ready to share its treasures with curious visitors.

Ready to experience this cultural enigma for yourself? Subscribe to our podcast for more insights on Basque culinary adventures, art discoveries, and perfect day trips from Bilbao in our upcoming episodes. Have you visited the Basque Country? We'd love to hear your experiences—share them with us on social media!

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Join 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 through Easter processions where 1,200kg gold structures are carried through silent streets for hours, a tradition dating back centuries. We navigate the cultural complexity of Holy Week traditions, including the capirotes (pointed hoods) whose ancient religious significance predates the founding of America by hundreds of years.

The crown jewel of our trip is the magnificent Alhambra, a UNESCO World Heritage site that was once an entire functioning city. Within its red walls lie stories of 23 rulers who murdered each other for control, intricate Arabic poetry carved into walls, and architectural marvels like ceilings featuring over 8,000 individual wooden pieces. We share how American writer Washington Irving (of "Sleepy Hollow" fame) helped save this historical treasure from ruin through his writings.

Granada delights the senses beyond architecture – we discover its unique tapas culture where every drink comes with substantial free food, making it one of Spain's best value culinary destinations. Our accommodations in a converted convent complete with nun tombs in the courtyard adds a touch of the supernatural to our cultural immersion.

From Sierra Nevada's surprising ski opportunities to traditional Easter treats like torrijas (Spanish-style French toast) and the Arabic-influenced tea and shisha culture, Granada emerges as a microcosm of Spain's multifaceted identity. As Hemingway said, "If we had to visit one city alone in Spain, that would have to be Granada." After our whirlwind visit, we wholeheartedly agree.

Subscribe to Made in Spain and join us as we unlock the cultural treasures of this extraordinary country, one destination at a time.

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