Getting Started With Facts & Information

By Heidi Wagoner Experience Spain Getting Started With Spain Facts & Information

A Wagoners Abroad Book

Written by Heidi Wagoner Photography by Heidi & Alan Wagoner

Copyright © 2015 Wagoners Abroad Published by Wagoners Abroad

2 Legal

All rights reserved. No portion of this document or the related files may be reproduced or transmitted in any form, by any means (electronic, photocopying, recording, or otherwise) without the prior written authorization of the publisher.

Limit of Liability and Disclaimer of Warranty The publisher has used its best efforts in preparing this book, and the information provided herein is provided "as is." Wagoners Abroad makes no representation or warranties with respect to the accuracy or completeness of the contents of this book and specifically disclaims any implied warranties of merchantability or fitness for any particular purpose and shall in no event be liable for any loss of profit or any other commercial damage, including but not limited to special, incidental, consequential, or other damages.

Trademarks This book identifies product names and services known to be trademarks, registered trademarks or service marks of their respective holders. They are used throughout this book in an editorial fashion only. In addition, terms suspected of being trademarks, registered trademarks, or service marks have been appropriately capitalized, although Wagoners Abroad cannot attest to the accuracy of this information. Use of a term in this book should not be regarded as affecting the validity of any trademark, registered trademark, or service mark. Wagoners Abroad is not associated with any product or vendor mentioned in this book.

3 TOC

• About Us • Driving Tips • Introduction • Food • Essential Information • Discover Spain • Communications • Free Things To Do In Barcelona • Spain Facts • Free Things To Do In Madrid • Spain Autonomous Communities • Free Things To Do In Valencia • Best Time To Visit Spain • Free Things To Do In Seville • Travel Tips • Fun Festivals • Spanish Customs • Fun Spain Facts • Quick Vocabulary • References • Transportation • Thank You!

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Hi!

Hi, It’s Heidi & Alan Wagoner, authors of the popular travel blog Wagoners Abroad. We are very passionate about travel (50+ countries) and we’re excited to share more about Spain with you!

In Aug 2012, we left the “perfect American life”, quit our jobs, sold our belongings, and moved to Spain, with the kids (Lars and Anya). Yep, you read that right! We chucked it all and said adios to a steady paycheck, to soccer practice, to carpooling, to spending just a couple of hours a day with our kids, to living every day in the land of cubicles and meetings.

We were living in the hamster wheel of life, kind of like Ground Hog Day over and over. The economy was taking a dive and so many people were losing their jobs and forced to reinvent themselves.

We decided we wanted to take control of our own destiny. We wanted to take charge and live life on Mud Baths at Mar Menor our terms! 5 We started saving every penny and making sure We used our apartment rental in Spain as our home that we would be prepared for the potential call to base to travel other parts of Europe. Oh and did I the office and being told our job was no longer. mention our rent was under $750 a month. Yep that is for a furnished 3 bedroom, 2 bath, sea view Then it was time to take it a step further. Why do apartment, with utilities. Tell me where you can get we just need to wait like sitting ducks to lose our that in the USA! jobs? Why can’t we just leave and get rid of living in fear. We saved enough money to live for a year+ We lived in Spain for nearly 2 years and explored in the USA, so what if we could live somewhere a so many places. It is all on our blog, so go check it little more cost effective? How about Spain? out on Wagoners Abroad. After nearly 2 years in Spain, we decided to take it to the next level. We I know what you are thinking, “Spain is in Europe became nomadic, you know like gypsies. We spent and Europe is expensive!” Well it can be, just like 11 months experiencing Southeast Asia, with a the US can be expensive and there are certainly quick trip to visit family in the USA. areas which are more cost effective too. It is exactly the same in Spain! Who knew? Now we are back in Spain and plan to use this as our home base again for at least the next year. We Once we stopped making excuses and started to have so much info to share with you, so read on. debunk the myths, we realized it was possible. We could quit our jobs and take our little family of 4 on We’ve inspired hundreds of people to visit Spain over to Spain. and helped many actually move to Spain too! We hope to be a source of inspiration and proof you can make your dreams come true. Yep, we just moved to Spain, just like that. We enrolled our kids into the public school system and now they are fluent in Spanish. Come on and explore with us!

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Introduction

• This book is for those interested in visiting or moving to Spain. We will cover the basic facts you should need to know before your trip.

• This is not intended to be a complete travel guide, but rather a starting point for you to learn a little more about Spain and see some wonderful photos.

• If you are curious how to move to Spain, we have plenty of free information on Wagoners Abroad. This includes information on planning and preparing for your move, as well as how to apply for a visa and getting settled in Spain.

• The visa process can be a bit overwhelming and confusing at times. We also offer consulting services to help you have an easier journey preparing to move to Spain.

Almuñécar, Spain

7 Essential Information

• Visa –  US, Canada, Australia - Generally not required for stays of up to 90 days (Various long-term visas are available if requirements are met)  EU or Schengen Citizens no visa required  Some nationalities need a Schengen visa.

• Currency – The Euro. €1 Euro = 100 Centimos

• ATMs are widely available and credit cards are accepted in most places.

• Drive on right side of road

• Electricity - 230V/50hz 2 pronged plug

• The School year is typically from September – June Castril, Spain

8 Communications

Before you bring your phone over, there some things to If you need mobile data, you may want to go to an be aware of. actual cell/mobile provider. Common mobile providers in Spain: 1. Make sure your phone is compatible. The phone standards in the North America, Central America, Phone House, Yoigo, Vodafone, Movistar, Orange and parts of South America differ from those used in Europe. If you're phone is not compatible, If you're going to be visiting for a short time, you may there's no sense bringing it is there? Check with want to think about renting a personal WiFi device (also your phone provider or Mr. Google to see if your known as MiFi). These are devices that take a SIM phone will work. card, and act as a hotspot so that you can use 2. Is your phone unlocked? Many cell providers lock phone/tablet/computer on the go. This can be very the phones to their network. Check with your useful for navigation, checking email, etc. provider to see if it's necessary to unlock your phone. Note that this is NOT enabling We've had great experience using TEP Wireless, but international roaming/calls. Making sure your you can rent a MiFi device at most airports. phone is unlocked will allow the installation of a new SIM card. 3. This new SIM card can be purchased easily at If you don't think you'll be needing mobile internet, then most tobacco shops (called estancos). SIMs are WiFi hotspots are very easy to find. The internet cafes also available at mall kiosks, bus/train stations, (called locutorios) are all over the place, and many and airports. They can be "charged" as you use standard cafes have WiFi (they pronounce it wee fee) them. Be prepared to show your passport. for customers. 4. Most of the inexpensive SIM cards are phone only, meaning they do not support data.

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Spain Facts

• Population – 46,464,053

• Date format – dd/mm/yyyy

• Time Zone – GMT +1

• Capital – Madrid with a population of about 3.3 million. The 2nd largest city is Barcelona, with an estimated 1.3 million and is located in Catalonia.

• Languages – Castilian Spanish 74%, Catalan 17%, Galician, Basque, 3 unofficial regional languages (Asturian, Aragonese and Aranese), and several more dialects of these (Andalucian, Valencian...). Almost all Spaniards can speak Castilian Spanish though.

• Numbers – When reading or writing numbers the period and comma are reversed from what is used in the USA. – In the USA: $1.25 or 200,000 – In Spain: €1,25 or 200.000

10 Spain Autonomous Communities

11 Best Time To Visit Spain

• Spring (May/June) & Fall (Sept/Oct) moderate weather, better prices & fewer tourists

• Depending on what you would like to do, high season may be best – Snow Skiing (Jan/Feb) – Beaches (June – Sept) sometimes Oct is still nice in the south

Low Season (Nov–Feb) Cold in central Spain; rain in the north and northwest. Mild temperatures in Andalucía and the Mediterranean coast. This is high season for ski resorts. Many hotels are closed in beach areas but elsewhere prices plummet.

Shoulder (Mar–May, Sep & Oct) A good time to travel with mild, clear weather and fewer crowds. Local festivals can send prices soaring.

High Season (Jun–Aug, public holidays) Accommodation books out and prices increase by up to 50%. Low season in parts of inland Spain. Expect warm, dry and sunny weather; more humid in coastal areas. , Spain 12 Travel Tips

• Pack light, try to just have carry-on. Avoid baggage fees and save space in your accommodation.

• Bring good walking shoes. Plenty of uneven pavement & cobblestone streets, so it is best to have a steady foot.

• Wear layered clothing in the winter and you may want a hat or scarf for the very sunny or windy days.

• Make sure you have a camera! There are always amazing sights to be found.

• Charles Schwab ATM Card (no ATM fees)

• Chase Sapphire Preferred Visa (no foreign transaction fees)

• Blow Dryer & Hot Curlers may be better left behind. Unless they support dual-voltage, using them in Spain may damage them. Almuñécar, Spain

13 Customized Spain Vacations

• If you aren’t too thrilled with spending loads of time planning your trip to Spain, Travelove is a great new option. They allow you to build your own trip, and then they will produce a custom guidebook and plan for you.

• Travelove is giving our readers a 20% discount! This is only valid through mid November 2015, so check it out now! Here is the LINK with more info.

Ronda, Spain 14 Spanish Customs

• Kisses – When meeting someone, it is customary to give one kiss on each cheek. The ‘kiss’ is deposited high up on the cheek, never on the mouth (except between lovers), and isn’t usually really a kiss, but a delicate brushing of the cheeks. • Siesta – There are really two periods of siesta in Spain. – Siesta for shops and businesses, during which time many people go to a bar or restaurant, approximately 2pm – 4 or 5pm. – Siesta for the restaurants, who obviously can't rest when everyone wants to come and eat, from 4 or 5pm until about 7 or 8pm. – This is less common in the bigger cities and popular tourist areas. • Children – Bring them along! The Spanish love children and they are welcome everywhere. Don’t be surprised if someone pinches your child's cheeks. • Party Time – Drinking age begins at 18. Many Mérida , Spain clubs and party areas don’t get started until 11:30pm or later. 15

Quick Vocabulary

Buenos dias - Good day ¡Hola! - Hello ¿Que tal? - How are you? Adiós - Bye Gracias - Thank you Si - Yes De nada - You're welcome

Uno - One Dos - Two Tres - Three Cuatro - Four Cinco - Five Seis - Six Siete - Seven Ocho - Eight Nueve - Nine Diez - Ten Almuñécar, Spain

16 Transportation

• Flights – 47 public airports in Spain – Major airports: Madrid Barajas (MAD), Barcelona El Prat (BCN), Majorca (PMI), Málaga (AGP), Las Palmas (LPA), (ALC) – National airline – Vueling Check for flight deals • Train – – National Rail – Renfe, with the Ave as the high speed train – Explore Spain or Europe via train, Click here for Rail Europe deals • National Bus – Alsa, with wifi and various classes of service • Rental Car – We recommend Easy Car to search deals from many companies • Cruise – Major ports in Barcelona, Málaga & Valencia

17 Driving Tips

• Drive on the right-hand side of the road.

• Do not use a cell phone while driving because it is against the law, unless it is hands-free.

• Brake for pedestrians in the cross walk / Zebra crossing.

• Many cities have restricted diving zones. Check before your arrival.

• Highways marked with AP are toll roads & with an A are free. N roads tend to be smaller roads.

• Know how to drive a stick/manual! Most car rentals will be a small with a manual transmission. Automatics will be expensive.

• How do you say “Parking Ticket in Spain”? What to do if you get a ticket.

Mijas Pueblo, Spain • For more tips, please read our full guide to Driving in Spain & Spanish Road Signs 18 Food • Spaniards eat a light breakfast, the big meal of the day is Lunch, usually at 2pm, and Dinner typically starts from 9 -10pm. Read more about Spanish Eating Customs.

• Spain has a variety of foods and unique dishes and is known for serving tapas (a range of small snacks or appetizers).

• When eating out, you will get the best deals ordering the Menu del Dia (menu of the day). This is often an appetizer, entrée along with a postre (dessert) or a drink (wine, beer, coffee, tea).

Almuñécar, Spain 19 Discover Spain

• Exploring Spain – Tips & Recommendations

• Costa Tropical is a world of its own.

• Things to do in Barcelona with kids.

• Málaga is the hub of and is special

• Things To Do In Madrid

• Mérida Roman Ruins

• Visiting Barcelona With Kids?

• How To Take A Mud Bath – Lo Pagan (Mar Menor)

Granada, Spain

20 Discover Spain (cont.)

• Nude Beaches – Almuñécar

• Professional Spanish Fútbol in Málaga

• Feria de Abril – Seville

• Carnaval of Cádiz

• Castril – We Are So Lucky! & No Bull

• ¡La Tomatina 2012! In Buñol

• Lars & Anya in Valencia

• All of our Spain favorites!

Frigiliana, Spain

21 Discover Spain (cont.)

Here are a few of the property search sites we have used for both long-term and short-term. If you plan to visit Spain for more than 1 week or 1 month, you should be able to negotiate. • Booking.com • Kyero • Homelidays • Owners Direct • Homeaway • Costa • Spain Holiday • Flipkey • Wimdu • Roomorama • AirBnB • Idealista • FotoCasa

Córdoba , Spain

22 Free Things To Do Barcelona

1. Stroll and people watch along La Rambla, it is a bit touristy, but fun.

2. Visit Parc Guell, one of Gaudi's works. A fabulous park which will fascinate everyone.

3. Visit Museums – free on Sunday from 3-8pm

4. Play in Parc de la Ciutadella – Barcelona center.

5. Soak up the Beaches – Take a swim at any of the amazing beaches.

6. Be dazzled by the Barcelona Cathedral and it’s free.

7. Get lost in the city and meander the cobblestoned streets and just admire all that is around you.

8. Dance at the Font Màgica – The Magic Fountain borders on the kitsch side – with jets of Barcelona, Spain multicolored water rising in sync to 1980s numbers and show-tunes. 23

Free Things To Do Madrid

1. Visit the Basílica de San Francisco el Grande.

2. See the stars at Observatorio Astronómico. Free with Madrid Card.

3. Enjoy the outdoors in Parque del Buen Retiro

4. Enjoy the tropical gardens at the Atocha Railway Station

5. Limited free time at Museo del Prado.

6. Many other Museums have free days or hours as well.

7. Soak up the sun in Plaza de España

8. Roam the city streets and allow yourself to Get lost. Madrid, Spain 9. Madrid's Museo Taurino (Bullfighting Museum) 24

Free Things To Do Valencia

1. Play at the Jardí del Túria/Jardín del Turia (Garden of the Turia) This old river bed, is now the largest urban park in Europe.

2. Most museums have a free day or hours, so do your homework in advance.

3. Don’t miss the amazing Ciudad de las Artes y de la Ciencias (The City of Arts & Sciences Complex). It is free to view the exterior of these futuristic buildings.

4. Meander the Mercado Central (Central Market) and get a feel for the local life.

5. Located in the Plaza de la Reina, the Seu Catedral is probably most famous for its claim of owning the Holy Grail.

6. Enjoy nature at Parque Natural de la Albufera (Albufera Nature Park)

7. Admire the Gothic style of The Lonja de la Valencia, Spain Seda (Silk Exchange) 25 Free Things To Do Seville

1. Admire the architecture of the Cathedral and Giralda. Free on Sunday.

2. Take a walk over to the Torre del Oro (Golden Tower), it’s free on Tuesday.

3. Be amazed by the Metropol Parasol, the largest wooden structure in the world.

4. Most museums have a free day or hours, so do your homework in advance.

5. Relax and unwind at Parque de Maria Luisa.

6. Wander the backstreets of the old Jewish quarter of Santa Cruz.

7. Once again, get lost in the city and just admire all that is around you.

Seville, Spain

26 Fun Festivals

• February – Carnaval de Cádiz Carnival of Cádiz is one of the largest in the world.

• March – Las Fallas (St. Joseph's Day) Burning of Floats & Statues Valencia, Spain

• June – La Batalla de Vino (The Battle of Wine) Wine Fight Haro, Spain

• June – Fiesta del Agua y del Jamón. Water Fight Lanjarón, Spain

• July – San Fermín Running of the Bulls Pamplona, Spain

• August – La Tomatina Tomato Fight Buñol, Spain

• September – Feria de Cascamorras Oil Fight Between Baza & Guadix, Spain Cádiz, Spain

27 Fun Spain Facts

• Spain is the largest producer of olive oil. Spain accounts for 45% of the world’s total olive oil production.

• When a child loses a tooth in Spain, a small mouse called “Ratoncito Pérez” leaves a surprise under the pillow.

• Spain is the only country in Europe that produces bananas.

• Spain and Portugal provide most of the world’s cork. Cork trees flourish in the dry Meseta region in Spain.

• Spain is the second largest country in Western Europe after France and the second most mountainous after Switzerland.

Cotobro, Spain

28 Fun Spain Facts

• The Moors occupied Spain for 800 years; consequently, over 4,000 Arabic words and Arabic-derived phrases have been absorbed into the Spanish language.

Words beginning with “al,” are derived from Arabic. The Moors were also advanced in medicine, science, and astronomy, and Arabic words such as algebra, alcohol, chemistry, nadir, alkaline, and cipher entered the language.

• Spain is one of the world's biggest producers of granite and marble.

• The Phoenicians who entered Spain in the 8th century B.C. called the peninsula Span or “the hidden land.”

Frigiliana, Spain

29 References

• www.madridtourist.info

• www.donquijote.org

• http://gospain.about.com

• http://www.quirkyguide.com

• http://www.spain-holiday.com/

• https://en.wikipedia.org

• http://lonelyplanet.com

Córdoba, Spain

30 Thank You

• We hope you’ve enjoyed “Experience Spain” and now have some ideas to plan your own trip to Spain.

• We hope this guide was helpful to you and remember come visit us on our blog Wagoners Abroad for more stories, costs, tips and photos!

• We’d love to hear what you think of this book and what your Spain plans are. Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions ([email protected]).

• If you enjoyed this, it would be great if you could help us spread the word about this free guide by promoting it on Social Media. People can sign up to our mailing list to receive their free copy.

• Finally, we’d love to hear from you! If you would like to connect with us you can: Follow Us: o Facebook – Wagoners Abroad o YouTube – Wagoners Abroad Thanks for reading our guide! o Twitter – @Wagoners Abroad o Pinterest – Wagoners Abroad Alan, Heidi, Lars & Anya o Instagram – Wagoners Abroad

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