About the country
Spain is a country that is located in the extreme southwestern Europe. It occupies 85 percent of the Iberian Peninsular, which it shares with the smaller neighbor Portugal.
Spain is famous worldwide for its flamenco dancers and bullfights. The architecture reflects the Moroccan style. Cave paintings, renaissance cathedrals, Moorish Palaces prove the diversity of the country. Spring, fall and early summer are very pleasant here, though summers are hot. CLICK HERE
Culture
Spanish is the regional language of Spain. English is also
widely spoken here. Over the period of time, Spanish people have become modern
in order to gel with the changing times and are no longer conservative. But
that hasn’t changed the values, traditions, manners and customs of the locals.
People here have two surnames; the first surname can be used to refer to the
person. To greet someone, a handshake will do the job. Take a small gift along
when visiting someone’s house. Save the flowers for special occasions. Dinner
is generally taken very late in the night. People wear casuals most of the
time. Men are expected to wear jackets at some restaurants. Swimsuits should be
confined to the pools and beaches. Recently a ban has been applied on smoking
in public places.
Spain has an extraordinary artistic heritage. The dominant
figures of the Golden Age were the Toledo-based artists El Greco and Diego
Velázquez. Francisco de Goya emerged in the 18th century as Spain's most
prolific painter and he produced some wonderfully unflattering portraits of
royalty. The art world in the early 20th century was influenced by a remarkable
group of Spanish artists: Pablo Picasso, Juan Gris, Joan Miró and Salvador
Dalí, ambassadors of the artistic culture in Spain.
Another important part of the culture in Spain is music. The
classical guitar was invented in Andalusia in the 1790s when a sixth string was
added to the Moorish lute. It gained its modern shape in the 1870s. Spanish
musicians have taken the humble guitar to dizzying heights of virtuosity,
especially Andrés Segovia (1893-1997), who established classical guitar as a
genre, and Paco de Lucia (1948-2014), the world's best-known flamenco
guitarist. Flamenco, music rooted in the cante jondo (deep song) of the gitanos
(gypsies) of Andalusia, is experiencing a revival. CLICK HERE
Shopping
Shops are open quite early in the morning and stay open late in the evening. In the afternoon, they are closed for lunch or siesta. Porcelain and leather goods are famous and they will be good gifts for friends and family members back home. Bills are to be paid along with the service charges, so tipping is a matter of gratitude.
There are many reasons to checkout the rastro or main flea market on the Calle Ribera de Curtidores In Madrid every Sunday. We like it for the atmosphere but are constantly reminding clients that pickpockets are in the action here so be careful where u stash your cash and documents.
In Madrid's Plaza Mayor on Sundays check out the flea market held under the arches. Its best known for its coins and stamps but you will find a little but of everything here too.
Barcelona's best known rastro is on Las Ramblas- but you'll probably browse rather than buy anything unless you are after flowers. The Mercat del Encants on Placa de les Glories Catalanes is the city's largest market and in between some junk you'll find many a gem. Outside Barcelona and Madrid, you'll find plenty of flea markets or rastrillos held in most towns and cities once or twice a week. If you like a bargain, ask your hotel to recommend one. Remember at Christmas to ask about Mercadillos de Navidad. CLICK HERE
Getting There
Iberia is the national airlines of Spain. Many low cost airlines offer services in the county. There are nearly 30 international airports in Spain, out of which Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, Alicante and Malaga are famous.
Madrid located at 13km away from the city has a good bus service every fifteen minutes. Underground service also works to transport passengers to their destinations. Other facilities offered at this airport are duty free shops, bank, restaurant, tourism information, and hotel reservations.
Barcelona is very close to the city,situated at the distance if 3 km only. Buses are available every 15 minutes and trains are available every 20 minutes. Taxis are available throughout the day. Duty free shops, restaurants, bank, car hire and tourism information are available here.
There is a good network of roads connecting Spain north to south. Toll booths are installed in some parts of the country. Carrying few Euros will help smooth sailing at the toll booths.If driving one's private car, it will be better if the travel insurance covers medical cost too. Carrying a medical kit can prove to be of some help. CLICK HERE
Duty Free Items
1. 200 cigarettes or 100 cigarillos 50 cigars or 250g tobacco (300 cigarettes, 150 cigarillos, 70 cigars and 400g of tobacco for EU nationals)
2. 1litre of spirits if exceeding 22 per cent volume or 2 litres of alcoholic beverage not exceeding 22 per cent volume and 2 litres of wine (1.5 litre exceeding 22 per cent and 3 litres of up to 22 per cent and 5 litres of wine for EU nationals)
3. 250ml eau de toilette and 50g of perfume.
4. 500g of coffee or 200g of coffee extract (1000g of coffee and 4000g of coffee extract for EU nationals)
5. 100g of tea or 40g of tea extract
6. Gifts up to the value of approximately €37.26 . CLICK HERE
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