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No
matter how you travel - whether by car, motorhome or boat
Spain provides delightful landscapes and is sure to have
something that interests every one in your party. With
sun-bleached beaches and a favourable rate of exchange
for most travellers, it's easy to see why.
Some
may feel that the Canary and Balearic Islands have been
overrun by tourists, and this is true to some extent -
Tenerife, Lanzarote and Majorca have become synonymous
with cheap package holidays and warm beer, and Ibiza's
reputation has, for some, been tarnished by the revellers
frequenting its famous dance clubs and beach parties; however
even here you will find many magical, unspoilt corners
awaiting discovery.
The
hundreds of miles of Mediterranean coastline provide ample
opportunity to get off the beaten track, and the country's
vibrant cities and colourful festivals will amaze and delight
even the most seasoned traveller. There
is the Spain of Gaudi, Dali, and Picasso, of Goya and Velazquez
- proudly displayed in Madrid's museums and galleries.
Spain's
Pamplona is a unique experience of thundering streets that
vibrate to the rythm of man and beast during the annual running
of the bulls, and while the whole country celebrates each
February with the Carnaval, no place does it better than Sitges.
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Barcelona is
Spain's showcase of the unique architectural style of Gaudi's bizarre
organic turrets and balconies. For a more provincial experience,
the Valencian town of Buñol goes wild every year with the
La Tomatina festival, a time when the region's surplus tomatoes
- following the annual harvest - are dumped on the streets and pelted
about in a friendly riot.
Spain is also
a country rich in heritage and the historic cities of Toledo, Salamanca,
Seville and Granada promise a wealth of early Christian and Moorish
buildings and monuments, as well as the remains of some incredible
medieval sites. Spain has six cities that have been declared Unesco
World Heritage sites, more than any other country in the world.
Time:
GMT +1 (GMT +2 between the last Sunday in March and the Saturday
before the last Sunday in October); The Canary Islands: GMT (GMT
+1).
Money: Spain’s official currency is the Euro
(€). One Euro is divided into 100 cents. Notes come in denominations
of €500, 200, 100, 50, 20, 10 and 5. Money can be exchanged
at bureaux de change and major hotels, but banks give the best rates.
All major credit cards and travellers cheques are widely accepted.
ATMs are widespread and are generally the cheapest and most convenient
method of obtaining money.
Language:
Spanish is the official language, but English is widely understood
in areas frequented by tourists. Catalan, Galician and Basque are
spoken in the relevant areas.
Climate: Spain is extremely hot during mid-summer,
in July and August. The rest of the year the climate is generally
temperate in the north, but warm in the south. The best time to
visit is during spring or autumn, except for the Atlantic coast,
which has heavy rains in October and November. August is the busiest
month, while May and October are the best times for both ideal weather
and fewer crowds. Madrid and the high central area can get very
cold during winter.
Passport/Visa
Note: The borderless region known as the Schengen area
includes the following countries: Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland,
France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Italy, Luxembourg, The Netherlands,
Norway, Portugal, Spain and Sweden. All these countries issue a
standard Schengen visa that allows the holder to travel freely within
the borders of all. Non-EU nationals must hold a return or onward
ticket. All visitors may be asked for proof of financial means for
their stay in Spain.
So
let's talk about how you'll get around Spain:
Car
Rental - Leasing:
Your own hire car gives you freedom. Freedom to go where you want
and when you want without having to consider train timetables and
a wider choice of accommodation, sightseeing options etc. The downside
though is having to load and unload your luggage from accommodation
to accommodation. So if you take this option - pack very lightly
!!
If you have
now decided on a car - should you rent or should you lease? Rule
of thumb - If you are under 25 years of age - definitely lease a
car. If you want a car for more than a month - consider leasing.
So what's the difference between renting and leasing you now want
to know? In a nutshell - car leasing is a tax free scheme initiated
by the French government to encourage tourism and it works very
well ! You are 'buying' the car and then 'selling' it back - all
at a predetermined price and it includes everything - comprehensive
insurance with NO excess. The longer you take it, the cheaper it
becomes. Ideally, pick it up and return it in France.
The cars can be delivered to other countries and you pay a set price
for this. However, on our current Earlybird deals, you could get
this for half the price or even free - depending on which company
you use.
Click on http://www.drivetravel.com/carlease/index.shtml
for more info on leasing.
If you want
the car for under a month - consider rental. With rental you do
have to pay for things like airport fees, additional driver fees
and if you have an accident - or if your vehicle is stolen - an
excess will apply. In most instances this should be covered by travel
insurance. Check your policy if you have one or ask us for details.
Click here for details: http://www.drivetravel.com/carrent/spain.shtml
RV
/ Motorhome / Campervan:
Another way of seeing Spain would be by motorhome and this offers
terrific value - especially for families. Points to consider here
would be: The luxury of only having to pack and unpack once!! The
savings to be had by preparing your own simple breakfasts, packed
lunches and dinners. Restaurant meals, 3 times a day over an extended
period can become a bit boring and heavy on the wallet! Shopping
for your own groceries allows you to experience the true ambience
of a country, chatting to locals and sampling local delicacies.
Again you have the freedom to choose your own itinerary and timetable
and even better, you don't have to worry about finding accommodation.
You have it all in one.
Click here for more details: http://www.motorhomesworldwide.com/motorhome/spain.shtml
Canal
Boat: If you are more adventurous, why not try a
canal boat. Its river tourism at its best and no special licence
is required. We have boats suitable for 2 to 9 persons. Click on
http://www.canalboatholidays.com/canalboat/france_passion_plaisance/index1.phtml
for more details.
Train:
There are many connections to neighboring European countries that
start from Spain. Ask us for details. (conditions apply). So should
you travel around by train? It depends on a number of factors -
some things to consider would be: How much luggage will you have?
What sort of accommodation are you after? Remember if you travel
from station to station - you have to carry your luggage with you
to your hotel. If you are not up for a hike or a taxi fare - hotels
around stations can be pricier than those 10 minutes away. Are you
going off the beaten track? Consider how long you have to wait for
trains i.e look at the train timetables to see how often they operate.
How many people are travelling together? One or two by train can
be a reasonable proposition but add another person or two and a
car immediately becomes a better financial proposition.
If you would
also like more information on how to get around spain, we can help.
Please contact us at sales@drivetravel.com
Must
See Cities and Attractions:
Palacio
Real
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Madrid:
Madrid
may be lacking in architectural beauty compared with other
major Spanish cities, but it makes up for this with its boundless
energy, blue skies, art, culture and some of the most exhilarating
and exhausting nightlife in Europe.
The city
is compact and easy to navigate on foot - most of the sights
of interest are found in the downtown area between the Royal
Palace and Parque del Retiro. The city sits atop a plateau
and is the highest capital in Europe, making its climate somewhat
extreme with steaming hot summers and bitterly cold winters.
Spring is the best time to visit and explore the squares and
alleyways in the heart of this crowded city.
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Just
some of the must see attractions:
The
Prado: Madrid's world-famous attraction is the 213-year-old
Prado Museum, one of the world's greatest art galleries, with
more than 7,000 paintings
Royal Palace: The massive bright-white Royal Palace
(Palacio Real) on the Plaza de Oriente in Madrid dates from
1734. Most of the rooms are now open to the public, and others
are used for state business. English tours are run regularly,
lasting about two hours.
Plaza
Mayor: Madrid’s famous central arcaded square dates
from 1619. In medieval times the Plaza de Arrabal, as it was
then known, was the venue for numerous public spectacles,
ranging from knights' tournaments and festivals to the burning
of heretics at the stake. |
National
Palace
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Barcelona:
The enchanting
city of Barcelona is a visual delight, and has an atmosphere
that combines elegance and sophistication with provincial charm.
In exploring its streets you’ll discover medieval romance
in its Gothic quarter and the awe-inspiring delights of the
fantastic and sometimes outrageous Art Nouveau architecture
of Gaudi and his contemporaries. Barcelona is also a shopping
Mecca, with the city’s flair for style reflected in its
numerous boutiques and markets, open late into the afternoons.
As the sun sets, and the city’s many bars and restaurants
open, the night comes alive. Dinner is served at any time between
nine o’clock and midnight, and the festivities around
the bars and nightclubs carry on well into the early hours of
the morning.
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Just
some of the must see attractions:
La
Ramblas: The most famous street in Europe, the wide tree-lined
boulevard known as La Ramblas, is a long continuous pedestrian
avenue that is lined with cafes, restaurants and shops, and
is usually thronged with leisurely walkers enjoying the sights
and sounds. Whilst walking around it is worthwhile to note
some attractions along the way, including Gaudi’s Guell
Palace, his first big architectural assignment, and the pretty
square, Placa Reial.
Picasso
Museum: On Carrer Montcada, a street known for its elegant
medieval structures, two palaces dating from the 15th century
have been converted into the Picasso Museum, home to one of
the most complete collections of works from his youth and
formative years as an artist. |
Lets
hope you don't need this...But if you need to contact your embassy,
these are the details:
United
States Embassy: Madrid:
+34 91587 2200
British Embassy, Madrid:
+34 91 700 8200
Canadian Embassy, Madrid:
+34 91 4314300
Australian Embassy, Madrid:
+34 91441 9300
South African Embassy, Madrid:
+34 91 436 3780
Irish Embassy, Madrid:
+34 91 436 4093
New Zealand Embassy, Madrid:
+34 915 230 226
Emergencies: 112/061
If you would like to call us to make a reservation we are
pleased to offer FREE Reservations phone numbers from:
Australia: 1800 338
817
USA + Canada: 011
800 8781 1120
New Zealand: 00 800
8781 1120
United Kingdom: 00
800 8781 1120
Germany: 00 800 8781
1120
Israel: (Berak) 013
800 8781 1120 - (Bezeq)
014 800 8781 1120
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