Spain Travel Guide
What you need to know: The Bare Bones
Population: 40 million
Area: 500,000 km2
Religion: 99% Roman Catholic
Currency: The Euro
Passports, Visas etc.
UK citizens need only take a passport for stays less than three months. US citizens must carry a full passport are restricted to this three-month period before they need to get a visa. Non EU citizens coming to Spain for other than a holiday should get in touch with their consulate to check visa details.
Passports should be used as ID but it is advisable to carry a photocopy and leave the real thing safely at your hotel.
Safety Advice
Spain is a safe place to visit overall. The main concern is crowded tourist areas that attract small time pickpockets and bag snatchers. Never openly carry anything of value and be careful of possessions at all times. Follow normal common sense rules, avoid badly lit areas, and try not to travel alone, tell someone what your itinerary is, and don't leave things on display in vehicles. Make photocopies of all documents, leave one set at home and keep the others safe in a different place from the originals.
The Roads
Roads are good quality and cover the country comprehensively. Cities can be congested and parking may be a problem. Other drivers can be a little on the aggressive side.
Stay Healthy
There are no more worries here than in any other European country, no inoculations are required. The water is mostly OK to drink but you are as well to stick with bottled water if you can. UK citizens carrying an E111 form can get free medical help. US citizens should ensure that they have ample insurance. If you do have to pay 'up front' for medicines or treatment ensure that you get a receipt for claiming back the cash later.
Take sensible precautions against the effects of the sun.
Insurance
Take out adequate insurance to cover health, accident, and theft of money and possessions.
Law and Order
Do not traffic or pedal drugs of any kind.
Cash and Plastic
Traveller's cheques are easily changed, credit cards are readily accepted and ATM machines are widely available.
Climate and When to Go
The climate varies widely from the Mediterranean heat of the south in summer to the freezing cold in a northern or mountain winter. Generally, however the weather is hot in summer (milder on the Atlantic Coast) and mild in the winter although the mountain regions can be cold enough for snow and skiing.
The summer months are the tourist high season and many of the main attractions can get very crowded.
After years of rule under Franco's right-wing dictatorship, Spain has re-emerged into the light. This rebirth, linked with entry into the EU in 1986 has seen Spain transform itself once more into one of Europe's leading nations.
Spain is a country with a long, tangled history. It was an important outpost of the Roman Empire. The country fell heavily under the influence of the Moorish invaders between the early 8th century until their final departure in 1492. Spain then enjoyed a period of conquest and riches and its international power continued until the early 1700's at which point things began to slowly drift away. This ended ultimately in the Civil War of the 1930's when Franco rose to power.
Old Spain had traditionally been a group of kingdoms, Castile, Granada, Aragon amongst them, this picture has also begun to re-emerge as each district (Spain is divided into 17 such districts) seeks to reassert its own identity.
The cities give the visitor a great opportunity to confront Spain's past. Salamanca, Toledo, Seville and Cordoba all offer a different slant on the country's heritage.
The scenery is certainly diverse; from the high Pyrenees of the north to the sandy beaches of the south; there are deserts, green fields, olive groves and lush river valleys.
Wherever you go in Spain it is difficult not to get caught up in the Spanish zest for living. If you are lucky, you will visit during one of the many festivals that are symbolic of this capacity for enjoyment.
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