Meet Bo Lohmann, our guide in Spain. Bo has lived in Spain since 1999 and began working with Pure Adventures Self Guided Travel in 2010. In this Postcard from Spain, he shares with us his favorite Spanish recipes, wines and sights (plus tells us the real reason why he always travels with a Swiss Army knife).
Where is your favorite place to eat?
In Spain’s interior, Restaurant La Plaça, Madremanya is where I suggest people go. If traveling in the Mediterranean, Restaurant Casamar, Llafranc needs to be on your dining list!
What is a must see sight on a Spain tour?
Too many to mention in such a diverse country. I narrow it down to Catalonia.
- Empordanet – Rolling countryside between the mountains and Costa Brava with many charming medieval towns like Pals & Peratallada, long beaches & covert coves, fantastic restaurants & museums (the famous Dali Triangle among them), great undiscovered local wines in a mild climate all year round.
- Girona is a wonderful and magic provincial capital with many sights and one of the best preserved Jewish quarters inside the walled Old Town.
- For a more secluded experience try the Catalan Pyrenees in the Camprodon Valley or the NP Aigüestortes.
Spain is known for its culinary excellence. What is your favorite recipe and kitchen gadget?
There are three recipes I make at home: grilled calçots with Romesco sauce, salmorejo and Esqueixada. My favourite kitchen gadget is a corkscrew, because with our meals we can enjoy the fabulous red wines from D.O. Priorat and D.O. Bierzo and my favorite white wine from D.O Rias Baixas.
What item do you never travel without?
I never leave home without several copies of travel documents, clothespins and my Swiss Army knife – because it has a corkscrew for opening those amazing Spanish wines!
What is your best tip for someone who has never been to Spain?
High travel season is Spain is July and August – travel outside those months because it tends to be too busy, hot and expensive! Mind regional cultural differences! Spain has many regions with a different cultural background: Flamenco and Bullfights are popular in Andalucia for example but not in Catalonia. Siesta – the traditional daytime sleep still exists although decreasingly, especially in the Northern regions. Keep in mind that many shops are still closed between 1:30pm and 4:30pm!