Cheap Holidays in Spain

Image Courtesy: http://www.spainlog.co.uk/planning-a-family-holiday-to-spain/

Spain is a vivid country which is hugged by the
Pyrénées in the north, with the Sierra Nevada
and Penibetic mountain chain to the south.
The country is interspersed with rivers and
desert plateaux, while the Mediterranean coast
stretches from the Pyrénées to Andalucia.
Cantabria is the dairy land of the north and
is wedged between the mountain range
Picos de Europa and a coastline of stunning
beaches. Catalonia sits between France, the
Mediterranean and the rest of Spain, and
proudly flies the Catalan flag. Six million people
speak its language in spite of a history of revolts
and uprisings. The elegant city of Barcelona
is the capital of Catalonia and the town of
Figueres, just off the Costa Brava, is home to
the museum of surrealist painter Salvador Dalí.

General information

Money and banking
The Spanish currency is the Euro (€) which is
divided into 100 cents (c).
Notes: €500, €200, €100, €50, €20, €10, €5.
Coins: €2, €1, 50c, 20c, 10c, 5c, 2c, 1c.
Most banks are open Monday-Thursday
8.30am to 4.30pm and on Friday from 8.30am
to 2pm. Bigger banks in the main cities may
open from 8.30am to 1pm on Saturdays. A
cambio or exchange sign on the street will
show you where to change money although
commission charges may be a little higher. You
will find that credit cards are not as welcome
in the country as in the big towns. You should
check with your own bank before you travel to
see whether you can use the cash dispensers.

Shopping
Shopping usually begins by 10am except in
the big cities. The Spanish take a siesta and
close up for a couple of hours in the afternoon
– usually from 1pm or 2pm. Most shops will
stay open until at least 7pm or 8pm. You can
find some good bargains at the weekly open
air markets which flourish in many towns and
resorts.

Museum hours
Most museums and historical sites will use
shop hours as their opening times, although
will shorten them during the winter months.
Museums tend to close on a Monday.

Public holidays
Spain takes the following public holidays:
1st April
2nd April
1st May
15th August
12th October

Restaurants and eating out
Apart from the traditional restaurant, the best
places to taste the real food of Spain is at a
Tapas bar. These bars serve a good variety of
delicious titbits which you snack on, or eat as
your main meal. The Spanish are late eaters
and after a substantial meal at 2-3pm, they
work until 8pm and eat again at 9pm. Lunch is
served at restaurants between 1.30 and 3pm,
and dinner from 8pm onwards.

Service is included in the price although a tip of
between 5% and 10% is discretionary.
Telephones
Spain has quite a sophisticated telephone
system and calls within the country are
relatively cheap. Telephone booths on the
street are blue.

Calls to the UK
To phone the UK from Spain dial the
international code 00 44. You then omit the
zero from the start of the area code. You
will find it useful to have telephone credit
cards which can be bought at all post offices
(estafeta de correos) and tobacconists
(estancos).
Calls from the UK
To make a call to Spain dial the international
country code 00 34, then the number minus
the first zero.

Clothing
Spain is hot and sunny during the summer
with most of the rainfall to be found along the
northern coast. When you go inland you should
dress according to the weather, as temperature
conditions can vary. The Spanish do not stick
to a rigid dress code, as the occasion and place
usually sets the code.

Radio World Service
The BBC World Service broadcasts in English
24 hours a day, with World News on the hour
which can be picked up on (times in GMT):
From To Days Frequency
00.00 24.00 Daily 648kHz
00.00 05.30 Daily 198kHz
05.00 07.00 Daily 6195kHz
05.00 08.00 Daily 9410kHz
14.00 15.00 Sat. only 12095kHz
15.00 19.00 Daily 12095kHz
17.00 21.00 Daily 9140kHz
17.00 22.00 Daily 6195kHz
Frequency FM, AM or SW
Sunshine Capital Radio - FM 95.8

Language
Spanish is spoken throughout the country
and is the language used by the Central
Administration. Catalan in Catalonia, Gallego
in Galicia, Euskera in the Basque country
and Valencian in the Valencian region are the
languages spoken in these regions. You will find
that English is widely spoken in resorts.

Living and Driving in Spain
Driving Information
Speed limits
Unless otherwise stipulated, the speed limits
on dry roads are:
• 50km/h (31mph) in built up areas and towns.
• 90km/h (55mph) on roads outside built-up
areas.
• 100km/h (62mph) on dual carriageways.
• 120km/h (74mph) on motorways (minimum
speed on motorways 60km/h or 37mph).
• Speeding is considered a serious offence in
Spain and fines can be high

Regulations
• Children under the age of 12yrs are not
permitted in the front seat of a car unless in
an approved harness/seat.
• The minimum driving age is 18 years.
• The alcohol limit is 0.5mg/ml (0.1mg/l for new
drivers) and random tests are frequent.
• It is compulsory to carry a spare set of bulbs
for the car and headlight beams must be
adjusted for right hand drive. Headlight
converter kits are available from most
motoring shops or your car dealership.
• You must carry a high visibility jacket or
waistcoat at all times. These must be worn
if leaving the vehicle on the carriageway of a
motorway or non-urban highway, at any time,
day or night.
• It is recommended to carry a spare tyre, spare
fan belt, fire extinguisher and first aid kit.
• Drivers who wear spectacles must carry a
spare pair when driving in Spain.
• It is a legal requirement to carry two warning
triangles for use in the event of an accident or
breakdown.
• Use of mobile phones, radar detectors and
headphones whilst driving is prohibited.
• A GB/IRL sticker must be displayed at all
times.
• A bail bond is no longer compulsory while
driving in Europe. However, travellers to Spain
should consider asking for one from their
insurance company as it can protect your
car from being impounded in the event of an
accident.

Emergency numbers and breakdown
Fire 080
Police 091
Ambulance 061
• Or dial 112 which is the European emergency
call number and request the service required.
• Emergency telephones are located every 2km
(11⁄4 miles) on most motorways.

Documents
• A green card is not compulsory but is
recommended.
• An old-style green driving licence must
be accompanied by an International
Driving Permit (IDP). EC format green and
pink licences are acceptable without an
International Driving Permit. An IDP is available
from the AA or at major Post Offices.
• Your driving licence, car registration document
(V5) and insurance certificate must be carried
at all times when driving in Spain.

Special note
Motorists travelling on the motorway north
and south of Barcelona should be on the
lookout for ‘highway pirates’ who target foreign
registered cars. Motorists are sometimes
targeted in service areas and tricked into
stopping on the hard shoulder.
The usual ploy is for a passing vehicle to
suggest by gesture that there is something
wrong with a rear wheel. Ensure you only stop in
a well frequented area, and be wary.

Tolls
Tolls are paid on most sections of Spanish
motorway (Autopista). On some roads you pay
as you enter the ‘peaje/peatge’ and on others
you will be issued with a ticket which you hand
in with your payment at the end of your journey
on the ‘peaje/peatge’. Tolls vary on different
roads. Ensure you have a credit card or enough
Euros to cover payment.

Translations
Main Road Signs
Spanish English
Todas direcciones All directions
Obras Roadworks
Autopista Motorway
Carratera cerrada Road close
Prohibido el paso No entry
Atención/Peligro Warning
Mantenga su izquierda/ Keep left/right
derecha
Prioridad a la izquierda/ Priority to the
derecha left/right
Sentido único One way street
Desvío Diversion
Enciendense sus luces Switch on your
lights
Salida exit (from
motorway)
Despacio slow
Fuel Terms
Gasoleo Diesel
Gasolina sin plomo Unleaded petrol

Article Courtesy: http://www.canvasholidays.co.uk/emails/campsite-guides/living-and-driving-in-spain.pdf

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