About Spain

Portsmouth

Portsmouth is Britain's best-connected ferryport, with great road and rail links from all over the UK. It's well equipped for passengers' comfort and convenience. Gunwharf Quays, with designer outlet shopping, bars, restaurants, 11-screen cinema and bowling complex, is now open on Portsmouth Harbour. Click on the map to enlarge.

Bilbao

Bilbao is the thriving financial capital of Spain's Basque country, a perfect jumping-off point for a host of destinations in Spain itself, South West France and Portugal. Click on the map to enlarge.

Plymouth

Plymouth is easily reached by motorways from the North, Midlands and Wales, the ferry port offers free car parking if you're not taking your car with you, refreshments and a commission-free bureau de change. Click on the map to enlarge.

Santander

Santander is a bustling regional capital and a popular holiday resort that offers award-winning sandy beaches, excellent shopping and a host of restaurants, bars and hotels. The ferry port is in the centre of town, so a car is not essential. However, the stunning surrounding countryside and mountains are well worth exploring. Santander provides good road connections to the whole of Spain and the South of France. Click on the map to enlarge.

Entry requirements and Visas

A full British passport, valid for the duration of the visit, is required to enter mainland Spain, the Balearic and Canary Islands.

EU, Norway and Iceland citizens do not require visas for visits whatever the length and purpose of the visit. For stays over 90 days residence permits are required: temporary permits for stays of up to a year and permanent permits after that. Application for these need to be made at the Aliens Office of the province where residence is to be taken up or the relevant Provincial Police Station.

Holders of passports valid for the entire period of the visit, issued by Canada, Japan and the USA do not require visas for visits of under 90 days, but a special visa is required for longer stays. All other nationals should contact the Spanish Consular authorities.

Motoring in Spain

Documents Required:
An EU Driving Licence is accepted for driving in Spain. If your current one does not comply with the EU format, you are advised to obtain an International Driving Licence, available from the AA. EU citizens are advised to obtain the EU format licence from the Driver´s Vehicle Agency. A valid driving licence is required at all times when driving in Spain. The vehicle log book/registration and adequate insurance are also required.

Insurance:
Third party insurance is compulsory in Spain. Travellers are advised to obtain a Green Card from their own insurance company.

Traffic Offences:
On the spot payment of fines (reduced by 30%) is compulsory for non-residents.

Accomodation Information

Establishments must display price lists, including all their services, at reception and in every room.

On registering at any establishment, proof of identity will be required but reception staff may not keep this for any length of time.

To avoid disappointment it is advisable to book accommodation in advance, specially at holiday times. When booking in advance, a deposit will normally be requested. In turn, the establishment is required to confirm the booking on receipt of the deposit.

Establishments must supply information on their category, facilities and prices on request. Centrally located establishments are likely to charge for parking.

When the services supplied do not meet the expected requirements, a complaint may be registered at the time. All establishments should keep official complaint forms and supply them on request.

Spain has sharp regional differences in language, local custom and culinary tastes in spite of ethnic uniformity. The Basque country in the northwest and Catalonia in the northeast are most notably distinct.

Restaurant Information

Restaurants are required by law to display their prices at the entrance so that prospective customers may check these prior to entering the establishment.

If the service provided is not satisfactory, register your complaint there and then. All restaurants must have complaint forms available on request.

The bill must be itemised.

Do not allow waiters to serve anything not asked for, unless purposely offered without charge . If you do not require bread for your meal, indicate this to the waiter as some restaurants charge for it.

The day menu, if available, must be displayed separately and will contain the courses included and the price. It should be handed to the client with the main menu. The price refers to the whole menu and clients have to pay the full asking price whether all the courses were consumed or not.

Geography
Spain occupies the Iberian Peninsula between the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea. France is across its border to the North, Portugal to its west. The Balearic Islands in the Mediterranean and the Canary Islands off the Atlantic coast of Africa are administered by Spain.

Spain’s Meseta, a huge central plateau of ancient rock, covers more than half the country. It is surrounded by mountains and has an average elevation of about 600m (2,000 ft).

Society
Spain has sharp regional differences in language, local custom and culinary tastes in spite of ethnic uniformity. The Basque country in the northwest and Catalonia in the northeast are most notably distinct.