While traveling through southern Spain, you’ll be met with an abundance of historical monuments, olive groves and sunshine. There are small villages scattered throughout Andalucía that are ideal for immersing yourself in the country’s rich history and culture. Here are…

Oranges have played an important part in Spain’s agriculture and economy for centuries. You can always see fresh orange slices in a glass of sangría or perhaps you’ve heard of the sweet Valencia oranges. This ever-present fruit comes in many…

Pico Island is the second largest of the Azores in the North Atlantic Ocean. Its dark green landscape starkly contrasts with the surrounding deep blue ocean. It is home to Portugal’s highest mountain and is a nature-lover’s paradise, however, the…

We are very excited to introduce our newest Valesita team member:  Lori!  Lori joined Valesa a few months ago and she works as a reservations manager. Originally from Galicia in northwestern Spain, she received her degree in hospitality management. After…

Rice, the foundation of paella, has been part of Valencia’s history for over 1,000 years. It was first grown by the Moors in the 8th century in the local wetlands, which have a perfect climate for rice cultivation. Today, the…

Of the seven Canary Islands, Lanzarote is one of the most popular and unique. The island is located off the coast of Northern Africa and has a warm and sunny climate year-round. Full of outstanding natural and cultural attractions, this…

Castile and León is an autonomous region in Spain located between Madrid and the northern coastline. Many historical landmarks can be found there, in big cities, quaint towns and the countryside. Visitors can take in stunning beauty as well as…

Cork is an incredibly valuable commodity for Portugal. About 50% of cork worldwide is grown dating back to use by the Greeks, Romans, Egyptians, Chinese, Babylonians, Assyrians, Phoenicians and Persians. The highest quality cork comes from the cork oak tree,…

Thank you Verónica for making this such a wonderful and memorable trip for us.  Your care, knowledge and attention made us feel so welcome on our first trip to Portugal (and Audrey’s first trip to Europe!).  Your friends,  Hans, Jennifer…