Basque cuisine is world-renowned, from the elaborate pintxos (tapas, pronounced pinchos) to the greatest number of Michelin-starred restaurants. Every foodie has this small region in northern Spain on their bucket list, but what makes their gastronomy so special? The answer…
Codfish is the symbol of Portuguese cuisine. It is found on every family’s table and is served in every restaurant. Cod is not native to Portuguese waters, however, so how did it become so important here? The Portuguese began consuming…
Priorat is a small but significant wine-producing region in Spain located just southwest of Barcelona. Its dramatic landscape full of steep hills, scenic villages and ancient monasteries indicate just how unique these wines are. Along the winding roads there are…
If you’re thinking of flying direct from the US to Morocco, several cities such as Miami (MIA), New York City (JFK) and Washington (IAD) offer non-stop service to Casablanca. Royal Air Maroc is currently the only airline flying year-round between…
Madeira is a Portuguese archipelago of four small islands near Morocco. It is a truly magical place where you can find beautiful gardens, tropical forests, and rich culture. The main island is known for its rugged, natural landscape full of…
Gran Canaria is one of Spain’s seven Canary Islands and home to several breathtaking natural wonders. Like all the Canary Islands, Gran Canaria is volcanic, with a warm, dry climate and black soil/sand. However, you can also find white sandy…
The village of Tiniskt that we have adopted in the High Atlas Mountains pertains to the Berber community. In order to understand them better, we’d like to share some facts about these resilient and hospitable people. Present day Morocco is…
Between Spain’s must see cities of Barcelona and Valencia, there are small towns and areas between them that are just as alluring. Starting in Valencia, we highlight our favorite stops along the way here. Sagunto – this town is brimming…
La Pileta Cave – for a really unique adventure, visit this cave just outside of Ronda. Inside you can witness extraordinary cave paintings which date back to the Paleolithic Era. When the cave was discovered in 1905, pieces of pottery…
An interview with Valesa’s Owner, Marcy Forman Do you feel confident in your skills to book the best, most exclusive hotel stay at the best price for your clients? Valesa’s own Marcy Forman wants to help answer your lingering questions…