Product Description Get ready for the road trip of a lifetimeFrom the seaside cliffs of Mallorca to the bustling tapas bars and majestic museums of Barcelona, this is the ultimate road trip across Spain. Academy Award®-winning actress Gwyneth Paltrow, celebrity chef Mario Batali, celebrated author Mark Bittman (How to Cook Everything), and Spanish actress Claudia Bassols embark on a ten-week tour of a country at the forefront of the culinary and cultural worlds. Each episode finds the four in a new locale, from learning how Cava is made in Catalunya to meeting the famed pigs of Salamanca, as they steadily reveal the undiscovered delights of a country brimming with gastronomic and aesthetic treasures.DVD Features: Deleted Scenes; Filmmaker Audio Commentary; Behind the Scenes .com If you've ever considered traveling to Spain, or have been to certain spots but not everywhere, this is the DVD set for you. The set includes 13 one-hour episodes as well as plenty of sensual extras, especially for the home gourmet. The series follows master chef Mario Batali, New York Times food writer Mark Bittman, Spanish actress Claudia Bassols, and actress Gwyneth Paltrow on a real road trip around Spain, sampling its fantastic cuisine, fancy and plain, and tasting more varieties of wine than your local wine store could ever stock. And the foursome takes in some of the country's most impressive sights and attractions, including much of the countryside that's often overlooked in travel guidebooks. In the group of episodes called "Basking in the Basque Country," for instance, Paltrow and Batali (longtime friends before this series was shot) try organic goat yogurt, a perfectly cooked 65-degree soft-boiled country egg, strong café au lait, and an assortment of freshly baked goodies, all at one breakfast. (Expect to become extremely hungry as you watch.) The group travels to cities, vineyards, tiny towns (where one vegetable farmer treats them to a fabulous meal of freshly picked, then grilled veggies cooked right on the fire, finished with some salt and olive oil--"heaven!" declares Paltrow), and everywhere in between, seeking out the best food and drink and other amenities Spain has to offer. Batali is an old hand on camera; Bittman surprisingly telegenic and self-deprecating, and Bassols a very knowledgeable and companionable guide to her own country. Paltrow she seems to be here largely for her star power, though her Spanish is acceptable and she's very appreciative of the experiences she's privy to. Sometimes Paltrow's waxings can seem a little over the top; of architect Frank Gehry, whose buildings in Bilbao the group visits, she says, "Frank Gehry has to be a good guy, because his buildings are so innovative, and yet so sensitive." (Clearly Paltrow hasn't yet visited the Experience Music Project in Seattle.) But the series' pluses are enormous, and happily the focus on great food (try not to salivate while you watch Bittman and Bassols down tapas made of grilled anchovies and button mushrooms), stunning countryside, and lovely people of Spain. Buen apetito! --A.T. Hurley
J**R
Good buy and good service
The disc arrived quickly and was in good condition as advertised.
M**A
Four folks living my fantasy
Reading the reviews of this show is quite interesting. It seems that the people who were looking for a cooking show were disappointed. The same for those looking for a travel show. To me this is a just a road trip with four folks I can identify with taking in the sights, foods, and culture of Spain. Mario is the phat philosopher (phat in the Vietnamese sense meaning "hot, cool, tempting or attractive" OK, maybe in the other sense too) He continuously wears ugly orange crocks, carries an oversize orange "man purse" but proves quite knowlegable on Spanish history as well as cuisine. He seems to appreciate the down home kitchens as well as starred establishments.Mark Bittman or Bitty as they call him on the show seems to love life, women and eating. I've not read his books or columns before but have become a fan of his ascerbic outlook on the culinary scene. Paltrow,the non meat eater has an attitude of "I'm concerned about the plight of animals and don't accept factory farms" while being able to eat and drink with a panache usually reserved for carnivores. She doesn't come off snooty about her food choices. And Bassols: that lady can eat! And Laugh! I find this show enchanting and it's my secret pleasure to fold up on the couch with a glass of wine and watch happy people who appear to enjoy each others company travel in an enchanting land.....bg
R**E
Love GP
I bought this for my fiancee who LOVES Gwyneth, and hadn't seen the show. We sat down for the first episode, and it's an amazing immersion in Spanish culture with a very real representation of Spain. Gwyneth looks great and speaks fluent Spanish (who knew?!)while giving the novice viewer an insight into the culture without belittling them for not knowing more about Spain. The other cast members are really enjoyable to watch as they weave their way through the Spanish country side, with the exception of Mario Batali. His brightly colored Crocs, and bad haircut are only the beginning of the distraction that he provides throughout the episodes. I highly recommend this video for all Gwyneth fans, and everyone that would like to get a glimpse into Spain, but I feel obligated to warn you that you will want to fast-forward through every word that creepy and annoying Mario utters.
S**A
Culinary Delight!
If you want to take a trip through Spain and it's culinary specialties this is a nice way to do it.I love this series. I love it so much that hope one day they decide to audition one of us un-famous people to take along on their next road trip!I felt like I was on a road trip with a nice group of friends that truly enjoyed each other and their experiences.It was a once in a lifetime trip for Mario Batali, Gwyneth Paltrow, Mark Bittman and Claudia Bassols. Their interest, enthusiasm and eagerness to learn from the people who grew, created and cooked local food was infectious. I don't watch much TV, but I could not wait to see this show on a weekly basis. Which is why I bought is as I missed some shows and just enjoyed it.They traveled to places one would normally not get to go. They met people who created food that I've always heard of or eaten but never knew where it came from. Plus they stopped at cultural places and gave small historical backgrounds on many places they visited. Mario was the historian, Claudia the interpreter and very smart, Mark was so funny and well versed in food, and I have a new found respect for Gwenyth as she is well read in food, loves food like the rest of us and seems like a very devoted Mom.You can see some excerpts from the show on line before you buy it. Check it out, if you enjoy food, it's worth the trip!
A**T
this is much better than seeing a movie - extra copy purchased.. this movie is priceless.
..i bought the cookbook a few years , and finally bought the film for christmas.. the film is fabulous , i have been to Spain many times at some of these regions , so it reminds me of my trips to Spain , but there are many other places i have never seen which i can now explore on future trips..the film has 4 dvd's with about 3 episodes on each dvd which can last more than one hour each, so make sure to view each episode so as not to miss any episode..this is much better than seeing a movie, it is spontaneous acting, more natural than merely script acting , the episodes are all well done..the photography, ...the scenery of Spain are impressive..gwyneth paltrow is natural as an actress in this film, i give it 5 stars... wish it were in blue ray DVD.. the scenery & photography of Spain is outstanding.. the whole cast is outstanding.. Batalli did a great job..
W**S
Truly a great collection of Spain and more....
This rare video collection is a must have......you can order from Amazon the matching cook book.It is filmed in HD....and much humor with each of the people reacting with one another. But it ismore than that....it is educational....also the video's never grow old since you get something new fromwatching them every time.....get the matching cook book since this collection is rare and hard to findat any price....but our Amazon comes thru one again!
R**K
Absolutely the best!
First of all, I feel sorry for "Bill from NYC". He obviously missed the total joy and levity in traveling with friends through the phenomenal country of Spain.Second, I have lived in Spain and this show took me back every single week. The foods they experienced were perfectly authentic and the scenery was phenomenal. This show is for anyone who truly has a passion for the food and culture of Spain as well as for those who have a curiousity as to why Spain is the center of the global food phenomenon.This show is truly addictive. I have watched every episode (all available for downloand now on iTunes) multiple times and can't wait to watch them again. I have also watched them with the companion cookbook. You will love this series!!! Enjoy and buen provecho!
H**S
For foodies everywhere!
If you're a foodie, you'll love this series! I've read the companion book to this series, and it got me inspired to try some Spanish recipes like pan con tomate (the Spanish version of bruschetta) and gazpacho (a cold tomato-and-cucumber soup).
J**R
j'aime
je le trouve très bien malgré que le dernier dvd un peu abimé au sinon rien à redire. ça donne envie d'y aller
C**N
Very entertaining
This series is absolutely worth it. If you love food and travel this DVD is truly inspiring. An insightful look at Spain and the country side and the richness of her food, wine and culture. Visually stunning with a fantastic cast who will leave you charmed and smiling. You will not be sorry - buy the DVD and the cook book they're both great.
M**.
No subtitles
The recipes very good as well of the places and so on but not subtitles
Trustpilot
1 month ago
2 months ago
