Context Travel

01/03/2025

We're saying adiós/adeus (goodbye) to Spain & Portugal and Geiá sou (hello in Greek) to the Eastern Mediterranean & Bcorp Month☀️🇭🇷🇬🇷🇹🇷

We're thrilled to highlight Croatia, Greece, and Turkey this month.

🇭🇷 In Croatia, Dubrovnik’s Old Town hums with the briny tang of sea air weaving through sun-warmed stone walls, where the clatter of footsteps on ancient cobblestones echoes tales of medieval merchants. In Split, the scent of grilled sardines rises from bustling markets as waves crash against Diocletian’s Palace, its weathered columns whispering of Roman revelry.

🇬🇷 In Greece, Athens buzzes with pungent olives and salty fish spilling from wooden crates into a symphony of haggling voices. Beneath the Acropolis, the dust of antiquity swirls. Crete awakens with the earthy aroma of thyme and the crash of turquoise waves, its Minoan palaces looming like sun-bleached bones, alive with the distant chant of forgotten rituals.

🇹🇷 In Turkey, Istanbul pulses with the heady spice of cumin and cinnamon wafting from bazaars, where the call to prayer weaves through the golden gleam of the Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque’s intricate tiles glisten with morning dew.

Follow along with us this month to get inspired for your next trip to this area of the Mediterranean.

28/02/2025

FINAL DAY TO SAVE - We have just the experience you need to make your spring & summer travels unforgettable. Book before midnight to take advantage of 15% off!

Search by city: www.contexttravel.com/cities

28/02/2025

☝️ 𝗠𝗢𝗥𝗘 𝗗𝗔𝗬 𝗧𝗢 𝗦𝗔𝗩𝗘 🎉

We're extending our BIG Spring Sale one more day. Book before midnight ET tomorrow (Feb. 28) to get 15% off all tours, audio guides, and lectures.

Book now: www.contexttravel.com

27/02/2025

15% off ends at 11:59pm EST & won't return until November ⏰ Take advantage now and save on your spring & summer travel experiences.

Book here: www.contexttravel.com

24/02/2025

Our travelers often say our local experts brought history to life for them. Experience the magic yourself with 15% off all tours when you book by 2/27/25.

BONUS: Spend $1,000 or more and be entered to have your entire purchase reimbursed!

Book here: www.contexttravel.com

22/02/2025

Just a short and scenic 35-minute train ride from Madrid lies Toledo.

On our full-day tour, you'll explore Plaza Zocodover, then marvel at Toledo Cathedral's Gothic architecture and Goya's art. Visit the Church of San Tomé for El Greco's masterpiece, and delve into the Jewish Quarter, including a historic synagogue turned museum. Conclude at the Monastery of San Juan de los Reyes, learning about the Catholic Monarchs, before returning to Madrid with a rich tapestry of cultural stories.

As dusk begins to drape over Toledo, you'll return to Madrid, not just with a camera full of photographs, but full of stories and a deeper appreciation for Toledo's role as a crucible of civilizations and cultures—a testament to the harmonious coexistence of diverse religious traditions.

Learn more here: https://bit.ly/3X7unbj

21/02/2025

We're kicking off Spring early with our BIG Spring Sale 🌷 Save 15% on all tours, audio guides, and lectures through February 27!

🏆 BONUS: Spend $1,000 or more during the sale and you'll be entered to win your entire purchase for FREE! One lucky traveler will be randomly selected on February 28 to have their Context purchase reimbursed.

Click here https://bit.ly/412JvaX to book the highlight of your 2025 travels! And happy International Tourist Guide Day to all of our amazing Context guides 🎉
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SPRINGSALE promo code auto applies at checkout.

Spring Sale offer is good for 15% off sitewide. Excludes gift cards and semi-private tours. Not combinable with other offers or promotions. Offer does not apply to previously booked orders. Ends 2/27/25 at 11:59 PM ET.

Giveaway Disclaimer: Context Travel will select 1 traveler on February 28, 2025, to fully refund their purchase, provided the total value of the purchase is $1,000 or more. To be eligible, your purchase must be made during the Spring Sale, which runs from February 21 to February 27, 2025.

18/02/2025

New Experiences with Context 🌎

Context cities are constantly evolving and our offerings are always adapting to reflect this dynamic environment and our travelers' interests.

In the last 3 months, our team has launched 30 new experiences across 12 cities, including one net new destination, Kraków, Poland 🎉

Just in time for our annual Spring Sale, launching this Friday, Feb. 21, these new experiences will become the highlight of your next trip: https://bit.ly/3CK1bjH

Just added! New, exclusive experiences in destinations all over the globe. Come see what's new at Context.

14/02/2025

In Portugal, coffee isn't just a drink; it's a daily ritual that brings people together. Forget the Italian espresso; here, a 'bica' is your go-to shot of caffeine, served in a vibrant café that doubles as a social hub. Ever tried a 'galão'? It's their version of a latte but with a twist, perfect for those who savor milk with their coffee. And for the adventurous, 'garoto' offers an espresso with a splash of milk or foam - a local's secret to a smooth start.

Each cup tells a story, from the earthy robusta beans favored here to the communal atmosphere where a 60-cent bica can buy you hours of conversation. Portugal's coffee scene is both a nod to tradition and an embrace of daily life's simplicity.

Read through our full guide in our blog: https://bit.ly/40WpnY6

11/02/2025

If southern Spain is on your radar this year, make sure the Alhambra and Nasrid Palaces are on your list. This Moorish complex, with its intricate designs and sprawling gardens, stands as a testament to the architectural genius of the Nasrid Dynasty. Each room, a gallery of history, invites you to explore the layers of cultural fusion that define Granada. Dive into the past where every arch and tile tells a story of conquest, peace, and the vibrant life that once thrived within these walls. It's not just a visit; it's an immersion into the very heart of Andalusian legacy.

https://www.contexttravel.com/cities/granada/tours/alhambra-tour

10/02/2025

"Croquettes are a recipe for leftovers. It can be from a roast chicken, the little bit of ham that remains stuck to the bone when we finish the leg, the cooked meat from a cocido, or simply some hard-boiled eggs and a bit of ham, tuna, cheese, mushrooms, prawns, cod... anything really.

The trick to a good croquette is that it is very soft on the inside and very crispy on the outside. It sounds easy but you can spend a lifetime perfecting them. That's perhaps why in Spain it's the mothers and grandmothers who usually make the best croquettes.

This recipe comes from a very traditional Spanish recipe book, the Simone Ortega, with some comments that I have found useful in my experience. I learned how to make the basic recipes with this book which is a classic and explains carefully every step.

Croquettes:
- 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil
- 40g butter
- 3-4 tablespoons of flour
- 750 ml whole milk
- 2 eggs
- Enough oil for frying (around one liter)
- Fine breadcrumbs
- Salt
- 150g. Iberian ham, finely chopped or any other filling you wish

Melt the oil and butter in a frying pan. When everything is hot, add the flour and stir a couple of times with a wooden spoon or a whisk. Then add the milk little by little, as the béchamel sauce boils softly until it thickens. Don´t stop stirring! Then add the ham and the salt, if needed. Mix well, spread it out on a tray, and put it in the fridge until it cools. It is advisable to keep the béchamel sauce with cling film on the surface so that it does not harden too much. It has to chill for at least two hours, or overnight.

Form the croquettes either with two spoons or by hand, forming quenelles between 5 and 7 cm long.

In a bowl, place the 2 beaten eggs as for an omelet. Dip each croquette, first lightly in breadcrumbs, then in the egg, and then in the breadcrumbs again. You can use panko (the Japanese breadcrumbs), which gives an even crispier finish.

Prepare a large frying pan with 1 liter of oil, and when it is hot, add the croquettes in batches of 4-6 at a time. When they are golden, remove them to a colander or a plate until they are all fried, and eat!" - Helena, Context Food Expert in Madrid

08/02/2025

Just a few steps away from the hustle and bustle of Lisbon, awaits with Madeiran skewers and all the grilled goodness you’d expect from Portugal. If you're looking for a local gem, this is one you can't miss! And don't forget to try their house wine, ponche, or Sangria.

Try a Context food tour on your next vacation: https://bit.ly/43Tmoz0

07/02/2025

7 must-do Iberian Peninsula experiences handpicked by Context regional experts:

🚗 Full-Day Sintra, Cascais, and Cabo da Roca Day Trip from Lisbon: Discover the charm of Sintra's historic sites and Pena Palace with a historian, then enjoy a scenic drive to Cascais and end at Cabo da Roca, Europe's westernmost point.

🍷 Porto Wine Tour and Tasting: Learn how to enjoy Portuguese wines and observe, through tasting, how they reflect and encapsulate Portuguese culture itself.

✨ Gaudi Tour with Skip-the-Line tickets to Casa Batlló: Get into Gaudi's mind, one of the great modernists, to uncover what lies behind his majestic works.

🇪🇸 Spanish Civil War Tour with Picasso's Guernica: Explore the complex political and social dynamics during the Spanish Civil War, as well as the impact it had on art and culture.

🍅 Madrid Tapas Tour in the Huertas Neighborhood: Taste your way through Madrid, learning about madrileño customs, tapas traditions, and culinary specialties, both traditional and modern.

👑 Granada Alhambra Tour with Skip-the-Line Tickets: Walk in the footsteps of sultans and kings as you peel back the layers of this UNESCO World Heritage Site.

😍 Intro to Seville: Discover how Roman, Moorish, and Christian influence has built Seville into the dynamic city it is today.

06/02/2025

Did you know that Pablo Picasso is the only painter in the Guinness Book of Records with more than 135,000 artworks? Though people may associate Picasso with Paris, the world's most prolific artist was brought up in Barcelona. It said that without Barcelona, there would not be a Picasso.

In this 60-minute lecture, we will follow the footsteps of Pablo Picasso through Barcelona with architectural historian Tate Cabré.

Watch on-demand: https://bit.ly/40DQZB5

04/02/2025

🔖 Save this for your next trip to Barcelona!

🍷 La Cova Fumada - This charming local bar is cherished for its reasonably priced wines and seafood tapas.

🍷 Els Quatre Gats - Opened in 1897, this café became a popular meeting place for famous artists such as Picasso and Ramon Casas throughout the Art Nouveau period.

🍷 El Set - Located in Barcelona's Gothic Quarter, the menu offers diverse dishes and excellent Spanish wines.

🍷 Los Caracoles - A long-established venue featuring tiled walls and wooden accents, renowned for its signature snail dish and paellas.

🍷 El Velódromo - This legendary, time-honored bar preserves its authentic art-déco design and offers Catalan dishes along with top-notch ingredients. Try the fresh, unpasteurized beer directly from the Fàbrica Moritz Barcelona.

🍷 Flash Flash - Delicious Spanish omelets, both sweet and savory, served in a stylish setting featuring decor inspired by black-and-white photography.

🍷 Lluerna - Lluerna is dedicated to an innovative approach to Catalan cuisine, deeply rooted in tradition and emphasizing the use of local, accessible, and everyday ingredients, with a focus on those that are in season.

🍷 Terrassa Martínez - Terrassa Martínez serves paella, wine, and tapas made with fresh market ingredients, all enjoyed on a covered terrace overlooking the city.

03/02/2025

🎧The historically important and posh Salamanca and Chueca neighborhoods have been Madrid's nucleus since the early 1700s, decorated with monuments that were commissioned by Spanish kings and queens. Join Andrea Van Houtven, art historian and Context Travel expert, on this walking audio tour through "Posh Madrid" as she shows you how these prestigious neighborhoods and modern buildings that were commissioned by Spanish Royalty have evolved over the centuries: https://bit.ly/4109v75