Spanish Loops

About Spanish Loops

Spain! Open arms country. Path of cultures, tradition, hospitality. When passion for this country is mentioned among tour guides, Fran and Jorge, they could be talking for hours and hours. Whether historical or modern; gastronomy or flamenco, fun facts or curiosities; anything you can imagine from top to toe, our loops cover those topics, including actual facts. We hope to bring a smile to your face, a thought to your curiosity and transmit how proud we are of being from where we belong. Hoop with us from your side of the waves. It will be fun. Welcome to Spanish Loops!

Publisher

Spanish Loops

Category

society & culture

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

18 Nov 2021

Latest episode

29 Oct 2026

Latest episodes

261 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   29 Oct 2026

   S3, Ep : 63. Palma Cathedral: Eight Centuries of Art

   Hola Loopers! Here we are again, with another little journey through Spain, and this week we're heading to the beautiful island of Mallorca. More specifically, to one of those places that makes you stop, look up, and say, “Palma Cathedral or La Seu”. We're talking about Her today, as it's known locally. And trust us, there's a lot more to this magnificent building than its impressive Gothic towers and that spectacular setting by the sea. This time, Fran is taking the lead, and I'm right there with him, asking the questions. Because, let's be honest, when you stand in front of a building like this, you want to know what's behind all that stone, all that beauty, and all those centuries of history. How did it all begin? Why was a cathedral built on this particular spot? And how did a project that started in the Middle Ages evolve over the centuries into the extraordinary place we can visit today? But here's where things get really interesting. La Seu isn't just a medieval masterpiece frozen in time. It's a living record of changing tastes, artistic ideas, and generations of people who left their mark on it. We'll talk about its Gothic origins, the remarkable changes introduced by Antoni Gaudí in the early 20th century, and the striking contemporary work of Mallorca artist Miquel Barceló. Quite a journey, isn't it? From medieval stonework to modern art, all under one extraordinary roof. And that's what we love about exploring Spain together. There's always another story hiding behind something you've walked past a hundred times in photographs, or perhaps even seen with your own eyes. So, come and join Fran and me for a conversation about history, architecture, art, and the fascinating way the past keeps finding its place in the present. Put the kettle on, grab your coffee, or pour yourself something nice, and enjoy another episode of Spanish Loops. Because, as always, Spain has a story to tell. And we're here to tell it to you. See you on the Loop! Discover Spain every week with Fran And Jorge. Hidden secrets, fascinating history, local curiosities, personal stories, travel tips, culture, food, legends, and non stop laughter in the most entertaining Spanish Podcast online. For Jorge: Small Group Tours in Spain & Portugal Website: https://travelingwithjorge.com/ (https://travelingwithjorge.com/) Small group tours Spain, cultural tours Spain and Portugal, authentic travel experiences, guided tours for mature travelers, food and wine tours in the Iberian Peninsula. If you’re dreaming about discovering Spain and Portugal beyond the typical tourist routes, Jorge designs small group cultural tours that combine history, local gastronomy, wine experiences, and meaningful human connections. His journeys are crafted for curious travelers who value authenticity, comfort, and depth over rushed itineraries. Explore upcoming departures, detailed itineraries, and insider travel insights at https://travelingwithjorge.com/⁠ (https://travelingwithjorge.com/)Your trusted source for unforgettable small group tours in Spain and Portugal. For Fran: Cultural & Gastronomic Tours in Spain & Portugal Website: https://travelingsteps.es/ (https://travelingsteps.es/) Spain cultural tours, Portugal walking tours, food and wine travel Spain, Camino experiences, senior-friendly tours Spain, immersive Iberian travel. Looking for a deeper way to experience Spain and Portugal? Fran at Traveling Steps curates immersive cultural tours that blend history, gastronomy, local traditions, and relaxed walking experiences designed especially for thoughtful, experience-driven travelers. From Mediterranean islands to the Portuguese Camino, each itinerary is built around authentic encounters and meaningful storytelling. Discover upcoming tours, travel guides, and insider advice at TravelingSteps.es and start planning your next unforgettable journey through Spain and Portugal.

2. 

   21 Oct 2026

   S3, Ep : 62. Federico Garcia Lorca, La Bola Negra, and Spain’s Buried Truth

   Have you ever wondered what happens when a society decides that someone is simply not allowed to be who they are? Not because they have hurt anybody, not because they have done anything wrong, but because they are different from what society expects them to be. Well, my friends, today on Spanish Loops, Fran and I are talking about a man whose words have survived almost a century of silence, fear and injustice. A man who could make you feel the deepest sorrow with a poem, laugh through a play, or look at the world in a completely different way. His name was Federico García Lorca. Born in Andalusia in 1898, Lorca became one of Spain's greatest poets and playwrights. His writing was full of passion, music, love, freedom and that unmistakable Andalusian soul. But behind the beauty of his words was a man living in a country where being openly different could come at a terrible price. Lorca was gay, a brilliant artist, and a man whose personal life and progressive ideas made him vulnerable in an increasingly divided Spain. In August 1936, just weeks after the Spanish Civil War began, he was arrested and assassinated. His exact burial place remains unknown. And honestly, when you think about it, there is something profoundly heart breaking about a country losing one of its greatest literary voices to hatred and political violence. But here's where the story takes an extraordinary turn. Almost ninety years later, a film called “La bola Negra”, directed by Javier Calvo and Javier Ambrossi, has brought Lorca's unfinished work back into the spotlight. Spain has selected it as its entry for the 2027 Academy Awards, and the film has already collected major international festival awards. The story explores what it means to be rejected by society, to have a kind of invisible black ball cast against your name simply because of who you are. And that, my friends, is what makes this story so powerful. We are not just talking about something that happened in Spain in the 1930s. We are talking about belonging, identity, prejudice and the price people have paid for being themselves. So, come and join Fran and me as we remember Federico García Lorca, celebrate his extraordinary talent, and talk about why his voice still matters today. Because some stories are never truly finished. And some voices refuse to disappear. For Jorge: Small Group Tours in Spain & Portugal Website: https://travelingwithjorge.com/ (https://travelingwithjorge.com/) Small group tours Spain, cultural tours Spain and Portugal, authentic travel experiences, guided tours for mature travelers, food and wine tours in the Iberian Peninsula. If you’re dreaming about discovering Spain and Portugal beyond the typical tourist routes, Jorge designs small group cultural tours that combine history, local gastronomy, wine experiences, and meaningful human connections. His journeys are crafted for curious travelers who value authenticity, comfort, and depth over rushed itineraries. Explore upcoming departures, detailed itineraries, and insider travel insights at www.travelingwithjorge.com Your trusted source for unforgettable small group tours in Spain and Portugal. For Fran: Cultural & Gastronomic Tours in Spain & Portugal Website: https://travelingsteps.es/ (https://travelingsteps.es/) Spain cultural tours, Portugal walking tours, food and wine travel Spain, Camino experiences, senior-friendly tours Spain, immersive Iberian travel. Looking for a deeper way to experience Spain and Portugal? Fran at Traveling Steps curates immersive cultural tours that blend history, gastronomy, local traditions, and relaxed walking experiences designed especially for thoughtful, experience-driven travelers. From Mediterranean islands to the Portuguese Camino, each itinerary is built around authentic encounters and meaningful storytelling. Discover upcoming tours, travel guides, and insider advice at TravelingSteps.es and start planning your next unforgettable journey through Spain and Portugal.

3. 

   14 Oct 2026

   S3, Ep : 61. Spain’s Black Legend: History, Propaganda and Legacy

   Hello, Loopers! Lovely to be back with you for another episode of Spanish Loops. This week, we’re talking about something that has followed Spain around for centuries: the Black Legend. And believe me, there’s quite a story behind it! Spain was once one of the most powerful empires in the world, with kings who ruled vast territories, armies fighting across Europe, and ships crossing oceans in search of wealth and new lands. But while the Spanish Crown was building its empire, its enemies were busy building a very different image of Spain. Let’s start with the Trastámaras, move on to the Habsburgs, and then bring in the Bourbons. Add the Crown of Castile, the Dutch fighting for independence, the English looking to challenge Spanish power, and a fair amount of religious and political rivalry. Suddenly, you have all the ingredients for a story that goes well beyond kings, queens and battles. Because here’s the interesting part: how much of what the world came to believe about Spain was based on real events, and how much was shaped by those who had their own reasons for making Spain look bad? Of course, Spain's imperial past had its darker side. There were conquests, persecution, violence and terrible suffering, particularly in the Americas. We’re not here to pretend otherwise. But other European powers had empires of their own, and their records deserve the same honest scrutiny. So, why did Spain acquire such a powerful reputation, who helped spread it, and why do some of those old stories still influence the way people see the country today? And perhaps just as interesting, how does the story change when you look at it from Spain, Britain, the Netherlands or somewhere else entirely? That’s what Fran and I are getting into this week. A little royal drama, a little international rivalry, plenty of history, and a few things that might make you look at familiar stories rather differently. So, make yourself comfortable, join us for another Spanish Loops, and let’s have a proper conversation about Spain’s Black Legend. And as always, thanks for being part of our little community of Loopers. You know we love having you here! Discover Spain every week with Fran And Jorge. Hidden secrets, fascinating history, local curiosities, personal stories, travel tips, culture, food, legends, and non stop laughter in the most entertaining Spanish Podcast online. For Jorge: Small Group Tours in Spain & Portugal Website: https://travelingwithjorge.com/ (https://travelingwithjorge.com/) Small group tours Spain, cultural tours Spain and Portugal, authentic travel experiences, guided tours for mature travelers, food and wine tours in the Iberian Peninsula. If you’re dreaming about discovering Spain and Portugal beyond the typical tourist routes, Jorge designs small group cultural tours that combine history, local gastronomy, wine experiences, and meaningful human connections. His journeys are crafted for curious travelers who value authenticity, comfort, and depth over rushed itineraries. Explore upcoming departures, detailed itineraries, and insider travel insights at www.travelingwithjorge.com Your trusted source for unforgettable small group tours in Spain and Portugal. For Fran: Cultural & Gastronomic Tours in Spain & Portugal Website: https://travelingsteps.es/ (https://travelingsteps.es/) Spain cultural tours, Portugal walking tours, food and wine travel Spain, Camino experiences, senior-friendly tours Spain, immersive Iberian travel. Looking for a deeper way to experience Spain and Portugal? Fran at Traveling Steps curates immersive cultural tours that blend history, gastronomy, local traditions, and relaxed walking experiences designed especially for thoughtful, experience-driven travelers. From Mediterranean islands to the Portuguese Camino, each itinerary is built around authentic encounters and meaningful storytelling. Discover upcoming tours, travel guides, and insider advice at TravelingSteps.es and start planning your next unforgettable journey through Spain and Portugal.

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Apple Podcasts (US)

4.8 / 5

17 ratings

Spotify

5.0 / 5

18 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 65 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

96

Social presence

0

YouTube

0

Engagement

85

Contact Spanish Loops

Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.

Shows with a similar audience

• 

  Join Us in France Travel Podcast

• 

  TED Radio Hour

• 

  The Mel Robbins Podcast

• 

  Travel with Rick Steves

• 

  The Frommer's Travel Show

• 

  The Daily

Questions about Spanish Loops