Page 238 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide 2017 - Northern Spain

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PRACTICAL INFORMATION

Northern Spain has a solid tourist authorities have intensively promoted
infrastructure, beyond the attractions of “Green Spain” – the regions of Galicia,
its coastline, bullfights and flamenco. Each Asturias, Cantabria and the Basque Country
of its regions has its own tourist information that border the Cantabrian Sea. The Spanish
service, and there are tourist information themselves come here for their holidays
offices in every city, and local offices in to escape the busy and overcrowded south.
many smaller towns, especially on the coast. August is Spain’s main holiday month.
All offer help with finding accommodation, Many businesses close for the month, and
restaurants and activities in their area. roads are busy at the beginning and end
In the last few years, the Spanish tourist of this period.

of Castilian. They are wholly from Spanish embassies,
independent languages, and specifies many other countries,
the Galicians, Basques and including New Zealand,
Catalans are very sensitive Canada, the USA and Australia,
on this issue. whose nationals do not need
Visitors with a knowledge to apply for a visa if visiting
of Spanish or Portuguese will Spain for less than 90 days.
not have any difficulty under­ Thereafter they may apply
standing Galician. Knowledge to the Gobierno Civil (a local
of Spanish or French is useful government office) for an
for understanding Catalan. extension. You need proof of
Workers who speak English employment or of sufficient
are often employed in places funds to support yourself during
that deal with tourists. a long stay. Visitors from other
countries must obtain
a visa before travelling.
When to Visit If you know in advance
A bilingual parking sign in Basque The best time to visit Northern that you will be staying longer
and Castilian Spain depends on what you than 90 days, you should
plan to do here. If your aim is a apply to your nearest Spanish
Language beach holiday on the Atlantic embassy for a visa. The process
The main language of Spain coast, then July and August are of issuing a visa can take from
is castellano (Castilian), which the best months. May, June and one to four months.
is spoken by almost everyone. September are all good
In addition, there are three months to explore the
main regional languages: historic sites of Northern
gallego (Galician), which is Spain in relative peace
spoken in Galicia, euskera and quiet. Galicia, A Spanish tourist information office sign
(Basque), spoken in the Basque Asturias, Cantabria and
Country and part of Navarra, the Basque Country all have Travel Safety Advice
and catalá (Catalan), spoken higher rainfall than other regions
in Catalonia. Galician, Basque of Spain. Summer in Northern Visitors can get up­to­date
and Catalan are not dialects Spain is warm without being travel safety information from
oppressively hot. the Foreign and Common­
Temperatures rarely wealth Office in the UK, the
exceed 30°C (86°F). State Department in the US
and the Department of Foreign
Affairs and Trade in Australia.
Visas and
Passports
Tax-Free Goods
Visas are not
required for citizens Non­EU residents can reclaim
of EU countries, VAT (value­added tax) on
Switzerland, purchases worth over €91
Norway or Iceland. (see p224). At certain airports,
A list of entry such as in Madrid and
requirements, Barcelona, you can get a
A café in Pamplona which is available cash refund on the spot.
One of the many pretty towns on the Cantabrian coast

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