Open letter to our friends

Have you ever woken up in a 13th century Spanish monastery-turned-inn?   Spent the day in ancient vineyards learning the art of winemaking from a generation of old masters?  Descended via mountain bike down a shepherd's path leading to a hidden whitewashed village?  Celebrated with the locals during their patron saint's fiesta in an Andalusian pueblo?  This is what A Different Spain is all  about -- encountering a Spain you'll never find in the guidebooks. Our goal is to help fellow travelers fall in love with Spain too.  Having a home base in Spain means we can assure incomparable quality for everything we do.   

Our tours are based on a straightforward idea -- the most rewarding travel combines a simple yet rare array of elements. Inventive routes far from the well-worn path.  Unexpected moments.  Stimulating conversation provoked by phenomenal guides. A taste for remarkable cuisine.  Time to make your own discoveries.  And a flexibility possible only in small groups, never more than 16 like-minded travelers.

Whether you join us on one of our tours, or allow us to custom design your travels, we meticulously craft every aspect of your trip. 

 Our accommodations are first class and unique.  We personally hunt for memorable inns, untouristed villas, restored farmhouses and unusual hotels (we have a weakness for converted castles).  In cities, we're always a stone's throw away from the center of town.  Between destinations we travel by luxury coach, chauffeured by expert drivers. 

 The cuisine in Spain is as varied as the terrain, and the restaurants we choose reflect this diversity.  They range from rustic country inns to sophisticated urban bistros to neighborhood taverns only the locals will know.   No matter where we happen to be, we'll sample fresh local delicacies complemented by the best of regional wines.
 
 Our knowledgeable, native-born guides play a key role in your experience with us in Spain.  Quite simply, they are the finest in the business, and they'll be your bridge to discovering and appreciating the culture of the country.  If it's not one of us leading your group, your guide might be an expert on anything from architecture to Medieval history to botany to on-the-fly bicycle repair.  Whatever their specialty, they all share the same fascination for their native country and enthusiasm for transporting you places you’ve never imagined.

At A Different Spain, we keep in mind the well traveled as well as the first timer.  Our goal is to slip into the rhythm of the real Spain.  We'd be delighted to show you how . . .

Who are we

Or when passion became profession…

Javier Gomez and Juan Carlos Tejeda have been organizing group and individual travel to their native Spain since 1995 and have been operating their own travel company in Salamanca for over 10 years.

JUAN CARLOS TEJEDA knows Spain like his own backyard, because it is. Born in Plasencia, Juan Carlos studied in Salamanca and has operated tour agencies in Spain for years, including his own. JAVIER GOMEZ, Juan Carlos' brother-in-law, is our Spanish office manager and logistical genius.

We have years of experience crafting tours throughout our country. We personally visit and select all our accommodations, choose the finest culinary establishments, and bend over backwards until we’re sure every aspect of every tour is perfectly tied together. Our love for the outdoors has led us nearly everywhere on the peninsula: canyoning in the north, skiing in the south, hiking Spain's highest peaks, and on and on. Our enthusiasm is contagious. You'll recognize us immediately . . . we’ll be the ones turning over every stone to make your experience in our country truly extraordinary

With main office based in Salamanca, we make sure the best attention and service is provided to our clients while in Spain. Our passion for our country is only comparable to our commitment for excellence and quality travel.

You will realize from the very first day that you and your new fellow travelers will be immediately bound by sharing the experience of visiting a different country, savoring different flavors, discovering off-the-beaten-path different routes, in the end… living A Different Spain.