Spain is located in Europe along the Iberian peninsula, sharing a border with Portugal and not far from North Africa.

Central European Summer Time which is one hour ahead of the UK  and six hours ahead of New York.

The weather varies considerably depending on whereabouts you travel in Spain. Southern Spain is known for its sunny climate with over 300 days of sunshine every year. Northern Spain is much cooler especially in the winter months with Inland areas such as Madrid and Barcelona becoming very hot during the summer months.

The official language in Spain is Spanish with various dialects depending on the location.

In the tourist areas many people speak English but outside those areas most people speak Spanish only.

This depends on your country of departure so you must always check before you fly.

Officially a catholic country with many religious festivals it is also known for its tolerance towards other. religions.

The Spanish have an excellent health system but to access it you need to have medical insurance. Wherever you intend to visit it is always wise to take out a travel medical insurance policy because then you can consult a doctor or hospital on a private basis.

Spain is a safe country for travel and if there are any extreme weather warnings they are publicised in the media.

Currency – Euro

In Spain you can change money in Exchange Bureau’s, Since Covid many banks do not like to change money because they only focussed on their existing customers.

Yes, most shops in Spain accept debit and credit cards in fact many shops and cafes will not accept cash payments anymore. So having a debit or credit card is essential.

Spain is a catholic country and so most shops are closed on Sundays. They are open the other six days except for holidays and festivals.

Famous for Paella, Spain offers many gastronomic delights depending on the region. In Southern Spain there are many fresh fish restaurants whereas inland there tend to be more meat restaurants. It is possible to purchase most types of food in Spain, but it should always be remembered that the majority of dishes are cooked to order from fresh produce and meals are considered a leisurely affair not to be hurried.

Spain is surrounded on three sides by the Mediterranean Sea and has the most beaches in Europe so sunbathing is a must. Spain also has fantastic architecture and art; you can go to the Picasso Museum in Malaga or visit the numerous palaces that have been built over the centuries.

Spain is a large country where you can both ski in the mountains near Granada and sunbathe on the beaches in Marbella. Madrid the capital city has an abundance of museums and art galleries to visit and many people say that Seville in Southern Spain is a MUST SEE place due to the mix of Moorish, Christian and Jewish architecture. Wherever you choose to go in Spain you can be assured of a friendly laid back atmosphere.

Spain is a catholic country with a long history of celebrating all the religious holidays within the catholic calendar. The country is multicultural and are respectful and tolerant of other people, regardless of sexual orientation or religion.

On Sundays most shops are closed because Sunday is looked upon as a day for the whole family to gather and you will see the restaurants are full of noisy family gatherings.

As a Christian country Spain celebrates all the Christian landmark days such as Easter and Christmas and there is a total of 9 National bank holidays a year. However, each of the fifty provinces in Spain also declare their own individual holidays. Regional holidays are dedicated to the patron saints of each province and so there are usually around 12 bank holidays a year.

Car hire is easily available as are most modes of transport including Train, boat, bus, and Tram.

We always advise travellers to book their car hire before arrival because it is normally easier to get a better deal and all the details are sorted out in advance.

The best way to get around Madrid is by Bus and the Metro. Transportation in Spain is cheap, and you can buy tourist passes for up to 7 days at a time. It is easy to book these tickets in advance if you speak to your travel agent.

Spain hosts the largest tomato fight in the world called La Tomatino in the town of Bunol where people throw ripe tomatoes at each other for an hour turning the streets of the town red.

Spain has the highest number of islands in Europe including over 60 uninhabited ones and over 1,000 islands in total. The Balearic Islands and the Canary Islands are very well known and popular tourist destinations.

If you are visiting Spain, try to learn a few Spanish phrases, the Spanish are very friendly and always appreciate it if you know a few words in their own language.