zootsi

Oops! I meant Manzana - sorry. Manzana verde is the very tasty green apple liquor. I've been away from Spain too long!!

ekscrunchy

Here is an interesting article on Iberian ham. We are not supposed to bring it back to the US, though.

http://www.departures.com/ep/ep_0105_ham.html

laclaire

Kalikiana- the seamstress is in Sevilla and she does the costumes for a lot of dancers in the area. If you are only doing a take in or repair, though, she can't take you, as she solely does creative work and repairs her own dresses. That said, in Sevilla there are numerous tailors and most if not all of them know what to do with a traje gitano. Get it done there, though, as it will be cheaper than in the US and they know the cuts.

Havana Club Rum- my favorite of favorites. It is a dark rum, sort of like watered down coffee, and it is incredibly smooth. Great with coke, but if you like shots, it is sublime.

ekscrunchy- I am not surprised about that last meal comment. If you are going to go out, do it in style and flavor.

hanl

Laclaire, I was in Seville last November taking a week of flamenco classes. Not sure when I'll be there next, but it would be good to have the details of the seamstress you mention. I have plenty of skirts but it would be lovely to have a dress for dancing...

H

laclaire

Hanl- e-mail me and you have it. her number is also her home number and I don't want to post it here.

With whom did you train?

hanl

Thanks Laclaire, will email you shortly. In Seville I did a week long course at the Escuela Flamenca Juan Polvillo. Was fun but intense! Apart from that, I took classes for 3 and a half years in France, have since moved to Belgium and am looking for a class to join in September this year. In the meantime have been learning sevillanas, in their various forms!

beachysis

ekscrunchy - Thank you so much for startingt his thread! I am going to Spain for the first time in May and I am a shopper! I only knew that their leather goods were supoosed to be good (and of course the famous Rioja). I love ceramics, though, and jewelry (especially silver), so I will now be on the look-out for these things. If any one wants to recommend particular places to look for these items in Sevilla, Granada or Nerja, that would be appreciated!
Thanks again for the great info, all.

kybourbon

Where can you buy Magno soap in Madrid? My daughter is coming home next week and said she would bring some if she could find out where to buy it. She seems to think that one of the El Corte Ingles stores would have it but they seem to have a variety of specialty stores in Madrid. Which one would carry the soap?

Traviata

I have two favorites from Spain..the first is Maja soap for myself..just a WONDERFUL scent, (but the cologne and powder do not smell the same as the soap), and Agua Brava by Puig..cologne or after shave for DH...Maja can be found in the USA but is less expensive in Spain...same for Agua Brava..

ekscrunchy

Corte Ingles should have the black Magno La Toja soap; I have bought it there in the past. It should not be difficult to find in any large town or city in Spain. Same with the Myrugia products.

kybourbon

My daughter says the El Corte Ingles stores are specialty shops in her area, such as one is all electronics, one is all books, etc. so she doesn't know which one would have soap.

ekscrunchy

If I am remembering correctly, there is a large one near Puerta del Sol that would have it. I only know about the black soap since I buy it every time I am in Spain and it has been easy to find, if you can't get to Corte Ingles, try a local drug store or perfume store.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...glance&n=y

blackduff

The Corte Inglis has several buildings at Sol. They're next to each other and all of them are quite large. Basically, El Corte Inglis at Sol has everything but you just have to find which building serves your choices.

Blackduff

ekscrunchy

And here is another thing to bring home: Smoked paprika from the La Vera Valley. It is available in regular and hot (picante) and the tin that it is often sold in is so beautiful that I would buy it even if it were not filled with this terrific spice. This is true of so many canned products from Europe; I am now saving the empty cans of sardines from Brittany, tuna from Sicily and Spain, Spanish paprika, etc and hope to make some kind of display with them someday! And also, the piquillo peppers from Lodosa if that has not ben mentioned already.

SuQue

Saffron.

kybourbon

My daughter found the soap in the pharmacy part of El Corte Ingles today - 3 bars for 1.85E. Thanks guys!!

ekscrunchy

Good job by your daughter! enjoy the soap.

Here is another food item to bring home: Membrillo, or quince paste that is often served with Manchego or other cheeses.

caroline_edinburgh

Hi guys. just back from Madrid last night. I also bought Magno soap at 3 bars for €1.85 at a smallish perfumery somewhere on or just east of Sol. I just went in each one we passed until I found it Not sure it's the right one, though - I think it just says 'Magno', don't remember the 'La Toja' bit ?

ekscrunchy, membrillo is widely available in the Ok - isn't it in the US ?

caroline_edinburgh

Oops ! UK.

ekscrunchy

OK UK Caroline! Yes, here in NYC membrillo is easy to find. I was suggesting it to people who might not know what it is or might not be able to find it at home. But I think I am getting carried away with this thread..... I could just go on and on with it, and then do it for every other place I have visited!

I am so glad you found the soap. It is the black one that comes in a black box. Please let me know what you think of it! It is named Magno soap and is made by LaToja which is a spa town in Galicia with a famous turn-of-the-(last)-century grand hotel. I think the soap is supposed to be made with healthy spa salts but I just like its' creaminess and the black color and the subtle smell. I see that it is sold here in the US by a few people but is much more expensive here.