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07 January 2006
HIDDEN SPAIN
In 1948 under Dictator General Franco, the famous slogan Spain is different was already being used to sow the seeds of mass market tourism. The country was desperate to capitalise on its incredible coastlines and stunning countryside. An image of "sun, sea and sand" proved irresistible to millions who made Spain the second most popular tourist destination in the world.
Sandi Toksvig is joined by Stephen Armstrong author of The White Island, Annie Bennett, who lives in Barcelona and has written Blue Guides to Madrid and Barcelona, Michael Jacobs, writer, translator and art historian and Maria Cobo, a Spanish food expert who shares a few culinary delights from the Extremadura region.
Together they discuss parts of Spain that are often underrated or still relatively undiscovered; green northern landscapes that look just like Cornwall, a western province with fields of sweet pímenton; a southern desert used as a film set for spaghetti westerns and a Balearic island named after an ancient god of dance, Bez.
Presented by Sandi Toksvig
This week's guests:
Stephen Armstrong is a journalist and author who spent the Summer of 2003 on the ultimate party island, Ibiza.
The White Island - The colourful history of the original fantasy island, Ibiza
Publisher: Black Swan
ISBN: 0552771899
Annie Bennett is a travel writer and spends her time living between London and Spain.
Blue Guide to Madrid
Publisher: A & C Black (Blue Guides)
ISBN: 0713652128
Barcelona - art/shop/eat
Publisher: Blue Guides Ltd
ISBN: 0713666935
Michael Jacobs is a writer and translator of Spanish and Argentinian plays. His numerous books on art and travel, including Madrid For Pleasure, The Factory of Light: Life in an Andalucían Village, in which he tells his experiences of living in Frailes, a little-known village in a little-known corner of the province of Jaén, in Andalucía.
His recently updated and republished companion to the Southern Spanish region, Andalucía, examines its history and culture including the romantic Andalucian myths and legends created by composers and writers in the 19th century, the legacy of Lorca and the Spanish Civil War. He divides his time between London and Andalucía.
Andalucia
Publisher: Pallas Athene Publishers
ISBN: 1873429789
The Factory of Light: Life in an Andalucían Village
Publisher: John Murray
ISBN: 0719561736
Madrid for Pleasure
Publisher: Pallas Athene Publishers
ISBN: 187342924X
Maria Cobo was born in the Northern region of Cantabria, has lived in Britain for over fifteen years but returns regularly to Spain to search out great produce for Spanish food importers, Brindisa.
Spanish Tourist Office
Music:
Track title: The Good The Bad and The Ugly
Composer: Ennio Morricone
Performer: The city of Prague Philharmonic conducted by Paul Bateman
Record label: Silva Screen Film - CD171
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the content of external sites | | | | | | PRESENTER BIOGRAPHIES | | | | |  Sandi Toksvig:
The daughter of a foreign correspondent, Sandi has been travelling all her life more info | | |
 John McCarthy is a widely travelled journalist and presenter with a particular interest in the Middle East. | |
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