Spanish Vacations – An Overview

Spain, an ancient Iberian country, is one of the best destinations in the Mediterranean, full of history, tastes, cultures and interesting people. Spain shares land borders with Portugal, its mainland partner, to the west, with France and the Principality of Andorra in the north, and Gibraltar in the south. In addition to these land borders, the peninsula has territories in Africa and some islands in the Mediterranean Sea and Atlantic Ocean.

Weather in Spain

Spain’s climate is affected by the climate of the Mediterranean, the mountains and the sea, which means that, depending on the region, the temperatures vary to a great degree. However, at all times of the year, Spain is a good place to visit.

Times to Visit

In general, the best months to visit are May, June and September for mainland Spain with April and October as the best months to visit the south. During these months you can expect the weather to be very good as you will avoid extreme heat. The largest concentration of tourists, both Spanish and foreign, can be found in the months of July and August.  Winter on the southern coasts of the Mediterranean is fairly mild and is the perfect time to visit. Summer is a good time to visit the Northern Territory, the beaches or the high mountains.

Some recommendations

Spain is one of the countries of the European Union, so the currency used is the euro. Besides this, ATMs are found in abundance in the country, traveler’s checks are easy to use and the use of credit cards is widely accepted.
By law, a restaurant’s menu prices include the service charge, so tipping is an option, not an obligation.

In general, you should leave a bit of change if it you have been happy with the customer care with 5% of the total being sufficient. It is also customary to leave some change on the tables in bars and cafes. Spain is a member of the Schengen Agreement, so visitors from countries included in the agreement do not need a visa to visit this country, regardless of the time of their stay. However, if the stay is over 90 days, visitors must register with the police.

Residents of other countries not party to the Agreement, including Australia, Canada, Israel, Japan, New Zealand, Switzerland and the United States, need a visa for stays of up to 90 days. Schengen visas cannot be extended, so those who wish to stay longer than 90 days must apply for a green card during the first month of stay. You should check with the consulate of the country of residence about the requirements and the necessary documentation prior to travel, because in some cases, visa procedures may take some time.