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!

Erin Oleynek

A social and cultural anthropologist from a small town in Connecticut, USA, Erin has been eating and drinking her way through Spain for the past four years.

Claim to Fame: Has devoured 13 of the 17 autonomous communities of Spain!
Spain Feat: Can recite my Spanish mother-in-law’s full name- (not as easy as it sounds, it includes 7 different names!)
Spain Survival Tip: Don’t be afraid! Whether it’s trying something new or talking to a stranger, just go for it! You won’t be disappointed.

Caitlin Kantor

After falling in love with Spain 7 years ago, Caitlin made the move from Canada to Madrid 2 years ago and has been eating jamón and olives every day to make up for lost time.

Claim to Fame: She's visited 17 Spanish provinces and counting!
Spain Feat: She spent 6 weeks travelling from San Sebastian to Malaga, eating every regional specialty she could find along the way.
Spain Survival Tip: It's always better to eat regional specialties in the area where they're from, because they've been cooking it there for centuries! In Madrid, skip the paella and try something you haven't heard of before!

Bradley Hackett

Originally from Essex, Bradley moved to Madrid for 3 reasons: the Reina Sofia gallery, the hip Malasaña neighborhood and the food. While he now prefers the Thyssen gallery and the Lavapies neighborhood one thing hasn’t changed… He’s still here for the food!

Claim to Fame: Bradley wrote his dissertation on 'Food in Literature' and once had a nice breakfast with Amy Winehouse.
Spain Feat: He ran with the bulls in the encenierro or 'San Fermin' festival in Pamplona and was close enough to touch the bull's horns!
Spain Survival Tip: Try the coffee. It's wonderful here. And if you don't drink it, it's very hard to keep up with the locals!

Eduardo Muñoz

Having lived in 5 countries, travelling is in Eduardo’s DNA! Now in his hometown of Madrid, Eduardo is a curious sommelier with a passion for Spain’s artesanal wines.

Claim to fame: Eduardo speaks 5 languages and has a medal for being the youngest passenger to fly on SAS Airlines! (He was just a few days old!)
Spain feat: He has visited more than 30 Spanish wine regions.
Spain survival tip: Try to learn Spanish so you can interact with old people. They have the best stories!

Margit Sperling

Her birth certificate may say Seattle but after 10 years in Spain, Margit is an honorary Spaniard!

Claim to fame: She has lived in 4 Spanish provinces and is our foremost expert on exploring cheese caves in the Picos de Europa mountains.
Spain feat: After years of studying Spanish, she's often mistaken for a local.
Spain survival tip: Entree envy is a good thing. Never be embarrassed to point, smile and ask for what she's having.

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

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.

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!

Nick Drinkwater

Born in Manchester, Nick is a freelance wine educator who is working his way to be a Master of Wine.

Claim to fame: Has worked with several Michelin Star restaurants as a sommelier
Spain feat: Has walked (quaffed) his way along 5 Caminos de Santiago, just a few more to go
Spain survival tip: When in a tapas bar, hold back and see what the locals are eating, then order that!

Sanne Boortman

Sanne hails from the Netherlands and has been a professional tour guide for the past decade, sharing her passion for art, history, and food in Rome, Malaga and Madrid.

Claim to fame: She can answer any questions about famous painter Diego Velazquez you throw at her!
Spain feat: My Spanish in laws say it's cheaper to buy me a Gucci dress than to invite me over for dinner because I sure know how to devour that ham
Spain survival tip: forget about personal space and make sure you enter the hole in the wall taverns packed with locals!

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!

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!

Luke Darracott

From soggy United Kingdom, Luke spends most of his time publishing articles, books, videos and podcasts about food and travel. He’s also a qualified wino and passionate wine educator.

Claim to fame: Presents a television programme ("Finding Little Italy") that has been broadcast in Spain and various other countries.
Spain feat: Has walked 1200km of Camino de Santiago and published a book about it.
Spain survival tip: When ordering wine, remember it’s usually by region and not grape!

Oliver Lucas

Originally from South Florida. Spanish and American with a touch of Venezuelan. English teacher by day, eater and food tour guide by night.

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!

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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