Vacation Rentals in Spain
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Travel destination Spain.
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Arnoia (1), Beluso (1), Bergondo (1), Boiro (2), Borreiros (1), Bueu (1), Cambados (1), Cedeira (2), Forcarei (1), Foz (1), Grove (5), La Coruña (4), Mera (1), Miño (8), Neda (1), Ourol (1), Perbes (1), Pontedeume (1), Porino (1), Salcidos (1), Santiago de Compostela (4), Sotomayor (1), Vivero (2)
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Aguilas (4), Almendricos (1), Balsicas (1), Calabardina (1), Fuente Alamo (2), La Manga del Mar Menor (16), Mar Menor (49), Mazarron (9), Moratalla (1), Mosa Trajectum (3), Murcia (1), Pozo-Estrecho (1), Segura Valley (2), Totana (2)
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Overview of Spain
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| Size |
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504,782 sq km (194,897 sq mi) |
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| Population |
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40.5 million |
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| Language |
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Castilian Spanish (official), Catalan, Gallego, Basque, local dialects. |
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| Time Zone |
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1 hour ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (+1 GMT). |
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| Electricity |
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220 or 225 volts AC, 50 Hz. Generally, round two-pin plugs and screw-type lamp fittings are in use. |
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| Clothing |
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Light- to medium weights and rainwear, according to the season. |
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| Religion |
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90% Roman Catholic. |
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| Currency |
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Euro (EUR)
Currency Converter |
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Location of Spain
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Spain shares the Iberian peninsula with Portugal and is bounded to the north by the Pyrenees, which
separate Spain from France. The Balearic Islands (Mallorca, Menorca, Ibiza and Formentera), 193 km (120 mi)
southeast of Barcelona, and the Canary Islands off the west coast of Africa are part of Spain, as are the
tiny enclaves of Ceuta and Melilla on the north African mainland. More than half of the country is made up
of vast, elevated tablelands - the mesetas - and five major mountain ranges stretch across the country.
In fact, with an average altitude of 650 m, it's the highest European country after Switzerland
(highest point 3404 m (11,169 ft). |
Climate of Spain
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July and August are generally very hot, and it can be a bit cool in October in the higher elevations and
Basque area. Sweaters will be needed for evenings. Winter, though generally mild, can be rainy, foggy and windy.
It rains more on the Bay of Biscay coast than on the southern Mediterranean coast. The temperature cools dramatically
at high altitudes. |
Best Time to Travel to Spain
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The best time to visit Spain is between April and June and in September or October. At these times
you will experience good weather, yet avoid extreme heat and the main crush of Spanish and foreign
tourists. In the southern and southeastern Mediterranean coasts the winter is mild. If you arrive in the summer,
the northwest, the beaches or high mountain resorts offer you a hideaway from excessive heat. If you
are looking for party and festivals, the best time is to take a holiday in Spain is between end of April
and September. |
Events in Spain
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In true Spanish style, cultural events are almost inevitably celebrated with a wild party and a holiday.
Among the festivals to look out for are Festividad in San Sebastián in January, when the whole town
dresses up and goes berserk. Carnaval takes place throughout the country in late February; the wildest
is said to be in Sitges. In March, Valencia has a week-long party known as Las Fallas, which is marked
by all-night dancing, drinking, first-class fireworks and colourful processions. Semana Santa (Holy Week)
is the week leading up to Easter Sunday with parades of holy images through the streets; Seville is the place
to be if you can get accommodation. In late April the Feria de Abril in Seville is a week-long
party counterbalancing the religious fervour of Semana Santa. The last Wednesday in August sees the Valencian
town of Buñol go bonkers with La Tomatina, in which the surplus from its tomato harvest is sploshed
around in a friendly riot. The Running of the Bulls (Sanfermines) in Pamplona in July is Spain's most
famous festival. Along the north coast, staggered through the first half of August, is Semana Grande,
another week of heavy drinking and hangovers. |
Society in Spain
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Spanish life has undergone rapid change in recent years and many of the stricter religious customs are
giving way to more modern ways, particularly in the cities and among women. Nonetheless, many old customs,
manners and traditions have not faded and hospitality, chivalry and courtesy remain important. Handshaking
is the customary form of greeting. Normal social courtesies should be observed when visiting someone’s home.
If invited to a private home, a small gift is appreciated. Flowers are only sent for special celebrations.
The Spanish have two family names; in conversation only the first should be used.
Tipping: Restaurants often include service in the bill so a tip is discretionary.
In cafes, bars, taxis it is 10-15%. |
Food in Spain
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One of the best ways to experience the Spanish cuisine is to test a tapas bar. Tapas are small portions
of just about anything: cheese, olives, squid, smoked shrimp, sausage, fried potatoes in a paprika sauce
patas bravas and marinated vegetables, just to name a few. Many of the specialities of Spanish cuisine
are based on seafood, regional specialities can be found as follows: if you visit the northern Basque provinces,
you should taste cod vizcaina or cod pil-pil angulas, tasty baby eels from Aguinaga; bream and squid.
Asturias has its bean soup, fabada, cheeses and the best cider in Spain, and in Galicia there is
shellfish, especially good in casseroles, and a number of regional seafood dishes such as hake à la Gallega.
In Eastern Spain paella has a well-deserved reputation. It can be prepared in many ways,
based on meat or seafood. The Castile area specialises in roast meats, mainly lamb, beef, veal and suckling pig,
but there are also stews, sausages, country ham and partridges. Among its outstanding specialities,
Catalonia offers lobster Catalan, butifarra sausage stewed with beans, and partridge with cabbage.
Local ham and cheese are usually served with Pan amb tomaquet, bread rubbed with olive oil and tomato.
Andalucia is noted for its cooking (which shows a strong Arab influence), especially gazpacho, a
delicious cold vegetable soup, a variety of fried fish including fresh anchovies, jabugo ham from
Huelva and many dishes based on the fish which the coast provides in such abundance.
Of course, no meal is complete without a bottle of good Spanish wine - and both red and white wines are
a bargain. Rioja is considered the best wine-growing region. Sherry, a fortified white wine, comes from
the Andalusian city of Jerez. Cava, a bubbly wine similar to champagne, comes from Catalonia (it
is best sampled in one of the champagne bars, which range from expensive to downright homey).
Coffee is another favorite, and it comes in several different ways: espresso, cortado (an espresso
with a drop of milk), cafe con leche (an espresso with a lot of milk) or carajillo (an
espresso with a shot of rum). At the outdoor cafes, you may think that an awful lot of people are drinking
milk. It's probably horchata, a cool, refreshing nonalcoholic beverage made from a sweet root. |
Visa for Spain
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Required by all except the following:
- nationals of EU countries, Iceland, Norway and Switzerland regardless
of purpose and/or length of stay.
- other nationals of Canada, Australia, USA, Japan for stays of up to 90 days.
- nationals of Andorra, Anguilla, Argentina, Bermuda, Bolivia, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Chile, Costa Rica,
Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Estonia, Guatemala, Honduras, Hong Kong (SAR), Hungary,
Israel, Korea (Rep), Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Macau (SAR), Malaysia, Malta, Mexico, Monaco, New Zealand,
Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Poland, Romania, San Marino, Singapore, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Uruguay, Vatican
City and Venezuela for stays of up to 90 days.
- transit passengers continuing their journey by the same or
first connecting aircraft provided holding valid onward or return documentation and not leaving the airport
(except nationals of Afghanistan, Albania, Angola, Bangladesh, Congo (Dem Rep), Cote d’Ivoire, Cuba, Eritrea,
Ethiopia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, India, Iran, Iraq, Liberia, Mali, Nigeria, Pakistan, Senegal, Sierra Leone,
Somalia, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Syria and Togo who always require a transit visa if not a permanent resident of Canada,
EU countries, Norway, Switzerland or USA). As the preceding list is liable to change at short notice, visitors are
advised to check transit regulations with the relevant Embassy or Consulate before traveling. |
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