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Spain
General Info
- Cheap to travel in
- Warm climate
- No problem with accomodation outside peak periods
- Plenty of budget accomodation, especially near the trainstations
- There are plenty of HI youth hostels all over Spain, however, a valid HI card is required. These can be bought at most HI hostels for around €20 - you pay in instalments of around €3 each night. Also universities tend to offer accomodation in student dormitories during the summer.
- There are over 500 campsites
- Be sure to try the Spanish dish Paella
- The custom in Spain is to pay for all your drinks at the end of the evening
- Don't dress too casual when visiting churches in Spain as this may offend the locals
- Cannibis is legal in Spain but only in amounts for personal use. Be very discreet when using it
- If coming from Morroco, expect to be searched
- Just in case, the Spanish word for help is 'socorro'
The ideal times to visit Spain are May, June, and September. if visiting the south of Spain, then add April and October. These times are ideal as the weather is good but not too hot or sunny. Madrid is almost deserted in July and August as it is too hot.
I would highly recommend visiting Madrid, Seville, Sans Sebastian, Salamanca, Valencia, and Zaragosa. Also you should visit Pamplona in the north of Spain for the 'Fiesta de San Fermin', which includes the infamous bull running (if you dare). However you cannot visit Spain without taking in the magnificent city of Barcelona.
The highlight of Spain is undoubtably its second city Barcelona. A beautiful city full of the work of the modernist artist Antoni Gaudi.
- Take a tour bus to see the city. A full tour lasts 2 1/2 hours. There are stops for the tour all over the city and you can jump on and off at your leisure.
- There are six youth hostels, all members of IYHI.(book in advance)
- There are many campsites within easy reach of the city centre.
- Use the efficient metro system
Highlights
- The Barri Gotic, a gothic Quarter, is worth seeing(beware of muggers at night
- The Basilica of Santa Maria del Mar, from the 14th century is in La Ribera
- A must see is Gaudi's Temple Expiatori de la Sagrada Familia, an incredible cathedral which remains unfinished
- The Olympic Stadium
- The Picasso Museum
- La Rambla, Spains most famous street
- An excellent range of clubs and bars, but clubbing can be expensive. Beware of:
Muggers and pickpockets at the lower end of Barri Xines. Have change for taxis as drivers tend not to have any.
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Map of Spain
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| (Map Courtesy of the University of Texas Libraries, The University of Texas at Austin) |
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