TRAVEL
TIPS
| Driving |
U.S
Driving Permit accepted |
| Currency |
(EUR)
Euro |
| Electrical |
230 Volts |
| Telephones |
Country
Code 34, City Code Madrid 911+6D, Barcelona 931+6D, Avila
920+6D |
Time:
Mainland Spain/Balearics: GMT + 1 (GMT + 2 from last Sunday in
March to Saturday before last Sunday in October).
The Canary Islands: GMT (GMT
+ 1 from last Sunday in March to Saturday before last Sunday in
October).
Electricity:
220 or 225 volts AC, 50Hz. Generally, round two-pin plugs and
screw-type lamp fittings are in use.
Telephone:
IDD is available. Country code: 34. Outgoing international code:
00. Emergency calls: 112. Area codes are incorporated within a
nine digit number. The following are a selection of codes for
major centres: Madrid 91, Alicante 96, Balearic Islands 971, Barcelona
93, Benidorm 96, Bilbao 94, Granada 958, Las Palmas 928, Málaga
and Torremolinos 95, Santander 942, Seville 95, Tenerife 922 and
Valencia 96.
Climate:
Spain’s climate varies from temperate in the north to dry
and hot in the south. The best months are from April to October,
although mid-summer (July to August) can be excessively hot throughout
the country except the coastal regions. Madrid is best in late
spring or autumn. The central plateau can be bitterly cold in
winter.
Required
clothing: Light- to mediumweights and rainwear, according
to the season.
Shopping:
In Spain the shopper can find items of high quality at a fair
price, not only in the cities, but in the small towns as well.
In Madrid the Rastro Market is recommended, particularly on Sundays.
Half of the market takes place in the open air and half in more
permanent galleries, and it has a character all of its own. Catalonian
textiles are internationally famous and there are mills throughout
the region. Spanish leather goods are prized throughout the world,
offering high-fashion originals at reasonable prices. Of note
are the suede coats and jackets. In general, all leather goods,
particularly those from Andalucía, combine excellent craftmanship
with high-quality design. Fine, handcrafted wooden furniture is
one of the outstanding products; Valencia is especially important
in this field, and has a yearly international furniture fair.
Alicante is an important centre for toy manufacturing. Shoe manufacturing
is also of an especially high quality; the production centres
are in Alicante and the Balearics. Fine rugs and carpets are made
in Cáceres, Granada and Murcia. The numerous excellent
sherries, wines and spirits produced in Spain make good souvenirs
to take home. Shopping hours: Mon-Sat 0900-1300 and 1630-2000.
However, most commercial stores and malls stay open from 1000-2200.
Tipping:
Service charges and taxes are usually included in hotel bills,
however in addition, a tip should be left for the chambermaid
and porters should be tipped per bag. It is also customary to
leave a tip for the waiter. Restaurants often include service
in the bill so a tip is discretionary. In cafes and bars it is
10 to 15 per cent. Tip taxis 10 to 15 per cent when metered.
Single
European currency (Euro): The Euro is now the official
currency of 12 EU member states (including Spain). The first Euro
coins and notes were introduced in January 2002; the Spanish Peseta
was still in circulation until 28 February 2002, when it was completely
replaced by the Euro. Euro (€) = 100 cents. Notes are in
denominations of €500, 200, 100, 50, 20, 10 and 5. Coins
are in denominations of €2 and 1, and 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and
1 cents.
Currency
exchange: Money can be changed in any bank, and at most
travel agencies, major hotels and airports. National Girobank
Postcheques may be used to withdraw cash from UK accounts at main
Spanish post offices.
Credit
& debit cards: MasterCard, American Express, Diners
Club and Visa are widely accepted, as well as Eurocheque cards.
Check with your credit, or debit, card company for details of
merchant acceptability and other facilities which may be available.
