Our Expert Guides

We know that having a great guide is key to truly discovering a destination. That’s why our tours are led by passionate Spain gurus who love sharing their insider knowledge with our guests. We’ve got historians, sommeliers and art experts on the team, and each guide is a gifted storyteller.

We can’t wait for you to meet them!

Paula Valluerca

Born in The Basque Country, Paula is an award winning comedic performer and food lover.

Claim to fame: Has been a presenter for different film documentaries about food in Europe.
Spain feat: She is knowledgeable not only about Madrid, but also about so many other places in Spain (she has lived in 4 different Spanish cities!)
Spain survival tip: In Spain, there is nothing more important than building relationships. Socializing is a huge part of our culture and you'll see proof of that in bars, cafés, park benches… everywhere!

Arantxa Lamas

Born & raised in Madrid, Arantxa is a professional chef trained at the prestigious Le Cordon Bleu cooking school. She loves exploring the markets of Madrid, and cooking delicious meals

Claim to fame: Arantxa’s recipes have traveled the world over through her students from all over the globe!
Spain feat: She has pulled off a paella party 30 people – and the rice came out perfect!
Spain survival tip: Forget about supermarkets and find your nearest neighborhood market for better quality. Also that's where the best tapas bars are!

Oliver Lucas

Spanish and American with a touch of Venezuelan, Oliver is a former English teacher turned full-time devourer and food tour guide.

Claim to fame: Visited over 30 countries before turning 30
Spain feat: Intensely interested in rustic and local cuisines of Spain. Makes a yearly pilgrimage to Astigarraga to eat at a traditional Basque cider house.
Spain survival tip: Always order what the locals are having and never be afraid of ingredients you may not be familiar with!

Carolyn Mitchell

Half American and half Spanish, Carolyn is a well-travelled Hotelier with a passion for food, wine and hospitality.

Claim to fame: She was Hotel Ritz Madrid’s youngest concierge at age 20!
Spain feat: She has catered to some of Spain’s most elite aristocrats including the current Prime Minister.
Spain survival tip: If you are a fan of sangria, try a “Tinto de Verano” instead for a more local and refreshing alternative

Rafa Salmerón

Born and raised in Madrid, Rafa has always loved food! He learned how to cook at 8 years old by watching his grandmother prepare her secret salt cod recipe. He’s now perfected seafood paella, too!

Claim to fame: He is a published author and illustrator of books for children and young adults. He’s been in the business more than 20 years and published more than 75 books.
Spain Feat: He is from a food and wine loving family! On his dad’s side, his family owned vineyards and a winery in Castilla La Mancha for more than 100 years, and his grandfather owned a candy factory in Seville for 25 years.
Spain survival tip: Don´t be surprised if the meat or seafood you order still looks like the animal it came from. This is typical in Spain and it lets you know the product is authentic and fresh!

Servet Domínguez

With degrees in flamenco guitar and contemporary art history, Servet is an expert in Madrid’s cultural scene! He loves his hometown of Madrid for how welcoming, spirited and delicious it is!

Claim to fame: He's studied flamenco and jazz guitar for 12 years.
Spain feat: He is one of the few people in Spain whose tortilla de patatas is better than his mother's.
Spain survival tip: There are no secret recipes in Spain. If you want to know how to cook something, just ask the waiter—they will be delighted to tell you!

Sean Retana

Born in Madrid, Sean is basically a tour guide. He designs and runs tours all over Spain and he’s not easily daunted by the vast and diverse nature of the country.

Claim to fame: is a more or less successful single dad.
Spain feat: one day his cocidito madrileño will smell, feel and taste like his father's.
Spain survival tip: while in Spain, try to learn and then use the Spanish words to describe your food.

Jake Page

Half Irish, half Basque, Jake is a lover of food and languages who studied fine arts and graphic design in Bilbao.

Claim to fame: Lied his way into a job mixing cocktails in China, and actually became pretty good at it!
Spain feat: Owns a copy of his Basque grandmother's personal recipe book, and will one day know it by heart, the way she does.
Spain survival tip: If you really liked the tortilla at a tapas bar, don’t hesitate to compliment the cook—they are very proud of their tortillas!

Joy Figueroa

Joy, a New York native, visited Madrid in 2010 and loved the city so much she never left! Now she gets to spend her days showing others the city that stole her heart.

Claim to fame: can direct you to the best croquetas and tortilla de patatas in the city!
Spain feat: can impress even the most diehard Spanish foodie with her culinary lore.
Spain survival tip: don't be afraid to be a bit pushy to get served at a busy bar — speak up!

Ewan Bleiman

From a food-obsessed family in Scotland, Ewan fell in love with Spanish food, history and art four-and-a-half years ago.

Claim to fame: at ten years old appeared on a primetime Saturday night UK game show
Spain feat: Ewan has eaten and drunk in many Spanish cities that even the majority of Spaniards haven’t visited (Ourense, Algeciras, Puertollano…).
Spain survival tip: Don’t limit yourself to Spanish food: Madrid currently has some of the best Venezuelan, Moroccan, Peruvian and Chinese food anywhere in the world!

Cait English

After finishing her Master’s in Spanish Linguistics in Madrid, Cait didn’t hop on a flight back to Boston like her classmates. Years later, you can find her trekking around pueblos looking for a menu del día or biking around Madrid looking for the best vermouth and tapas.

Spain feat: Read most of the great Spanish works of literary art from "El Cid" and "El Libro de Buen Amor" to "Don Quijote" (Part I and II) and countless others for her Master's.
Claim to fame: Has been in both the R.A.E (Real Academia Española) and the Convento de las Trinitarias (where Cervantes is buried)—neither offer public visits!
Survival tip: Say "hello" and "goodbye" to whomever helps you in a store or restaurant. It seems strange at first to say "hasta luego!" but it's considered good manners.

Anna Nooney

As soon as Anna graduated with a degree in Hospitality and Tourism, she jumped on a plane and moved to Spain. Although Barcelona was her first love, Madrid has absolutely stolen her heart! She loves immersing herself in its vibrant culture, history, food and wine.

Spain feat: Has traveled to all 17 autonomous communities, trying (and loving) all of the local wines and dishes in each!
Claim to fame: Begged her dad to import a leg of jamón to the US when she was 19 and cut the whole thing herself—and still has the scars to prove it!
Spain tip: Enjoy the tradition of "sobremesa," the lengthy period of time spent at the table after a meal relaxing and chatting with friends and family. Gin & tonic not required but recommended!

Yvonne Power

Born in Ireland, Yvonne travel led far and wide before finally settling in Madrid. She loves the vibrant Madrid food markets, live jazz music at the Sunday Rastro market and swing dancing.

Claim to fame: Whilst walking part of the Camino de Santiago from San Sebastian to Bilbao, Yvonne got an insider tour of a closed Basque gastronomic society, a txoko.
Spain feat: Yvonne has planned and researched luxury cycling trips all over Spain, getting out on the bike herself in many regions to check out the routes and try the food along the way!
Spain survival tip: Don’t be shy here in Spain! Interact with people, ask questions and shout if you need to get your order heard in a crowded bar!

David Lavoile

A London native who married a Spaniard! As a lover of rich cultures and foods, it was somewhat inevitable that he would find himself living in a city that feeds both interests.

Claim to fame: Wedding appeared on national TV, although it got slightly less exposure than Will and Kate's!
Spain feat: Lives in an apartment block where every resident is a member of the family. Can't get more integrated than that!
Spain survival tip: Spanish people are naturally curious, so don't be surprised if you get stared at! They're probably thinking what wonderful style you have, or imagining where you're from! Use it to your advantage, and get interacting, especially with the elderly—they will entertain you for hours!

Jackie Koester

A self-proclaimed Spanish Civil War history nerd, Jackie has traveled to all 17 autonomous communities in Spain to feast on local flavors.

Claim to fame: Got to film a commercial for Mapfre insurance, posing as a tennis player, recording on the same courts Spanish tennis star Rafa Nadal has practiced on
Spain feat: Chanted a ritualistic poem in front of a family of Spaniards to create the traditional Galician alcohol-fueled, devil-be-gone, blue-fired Queimada
Spain survival tip: Three words: menú del día. Many places offer wonderful lunch options for a reasonable price that will keep you filled for the entire day. Remember to go at the right time though, between 2 pm and 3 pm.

Eleanor Bunt

Eleanor has traveled the world but always comes back to Madrid to soak up the incredible culture, wine and food.

Claim to fame: Raised over €6 million for NGOs/charities through fundraising events in London
Spain feat: Introducing her Spanish friends to amazing hidden bars that they never knew about since she's always trying out somewhere new every week!
Spain survival tip: To survive the late eating times in Spain, you can always rely on the most local-looking bar to serve you the best pincho de tortilla and caña of beer at any time of day to keep you going until mealtime!

Annette Cini

After living in 7 cities across the globe, Annette has now spent more of her adult years living in Spain than in any other country. Freshly-fried churros are her kryptonite.

Claim to fame: Performed in the Opening & Closing Ceremonies of the 2006 Commonwealth Games with 100,000 stadium onlookers and livestream TV.
Spain feat: Kayaked around the island of Menorca for several days, sleeping under the stars on virgin beaches.
Spain survival tip: Hop off the tourist trail and sample the delights of Madrid's backstreet markets and culinary gems.

Claire Matlock

Prior to selling everything and moving to Spain, Claire served in the Canadian Army. She is a nutritionist (and foodie), armed with a degree in literature, conquering Madrid one restaurant at a time.

Claim to fame: Adopted the 100-mile diet for 365 days at the age of 17 to support local agriculture and subsequently won a national cooking contest!
Spain feat: Owns every size and shape of cazuela (traditional cooking vessel) that is known to exist and loves serving dinner in them, from oven to table.
Spain survival tip: Linger at the bar, chat in line, be curious and ask questions. English or Spanish, the effort is always appreciated (and often rewarded).

You?

Want to join our team as a guide? Find out how here!

Our Expert Guides

We know that having a great guide is key to truly discovering a destination. That’s why our tours are led by passionate Spain gurus who love sharing their insider knowledge with our guests. We’ve got historians, sommeliers and art experts on the team, and each guide is a gifted storyteller.

We can’t wait for you to meet them!

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