Page 562 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Spain

560  TR A VELLERS ’ NEEDS

Self-catering and B&Bs
Villas and holiday flats let by
the week are plentiful along the
coasts, and on the rise in the
cities. In the countryside there
are many casas rurales (farm and
village houses) for rent by the
day. For informa tion about the
casas rurales and bookings,
contact their regional organiza­
tions (see p559). In the UK, Villas 4
You acts as an agent for owners
of holiday houses and flats in
Spain, as does International
Lodging Corporation in the Camping site close to the beach, in Miami Platja, Catalonia
US. There are more options
in the travel sections of UK options that are great for inde p­ The refugios are marked on
Sunday news papers. Tour endent travellers. HolidayLetting, large­scale maps of mountain
operators offer a range of self­ HomeAway and Airbnb all areas and national parks and
catering accommodation. offer excellent websites for administered by the regional
The prices for self­catering researching such options. mountaineering associations.
accommodation vary according The Federación Española de
to the location, the property Deportes de Montaña y
and the season. A four­person Youth Hostels and Escalada (FEDME) and the
Mountain Refuges
villa with a pool can cost under local tourist offices can
€350 for a week if it is inland To use the network of albergues supply their addresses.
and €1,200 a week or more if juveniles (youth hostels) in Spain
it is on the coast. you need to show a YHA (Youth Camp Sites
An apartment hotel (known Hostel Association) card from
as a villa turística in Andalucía) your country or an international There are nearly 1,200 camp
is another option. Half hotel, card, which you can buy from sites in Spain. Most are on the
half holiday flat, it gives guests any hostel. Here, the prices per coasts, but some are also
a choice between self­catering person for bed and breakfast outside major cities, and in
(all rooms have a kitchen) or are lower than hotel prices. the popular countryside and
eating in the hotel restaurant. Youth hostels can be booked mountain areas. Most have
Holiday villages are similar, often directly or via the Red Española electricity and running water;
catering for specialist interests. de Albergues Juveniles some also have laundrettes,
One example is the village of (Spanish Network of Youth play grounds, restaurants, shops
Ainsa, in the mountain sports Hostels). Despite the name, or a pool. Glamping Hub offers
region of Aragón (see p567), there is no age limit. a more upscale camping experi­
which offers a mix of camping Mountaineers heading for the ence, with unparalleled access
and hostel accommodation, more remote areas may use to nature. There is a variety of
with restaurants and bars. the refugios (refuges) – shelters unique accommodation to
Although B&Bs are arguably with a dormitory, cooking choose from, including luxury
not as popular in Spain as they facilities and heating. Some are treehouses, retro­style caravans,
are elsewhere in Europe, there huts with a few bunks; others yurts, caves, tepees, eco­friendly
are a number of guesthouse are houses with up to 50 beds. domes, luxury tents and cabins
all over Spain.
It is a good idea to carry a
camping carnet with you. This
can be used instead of a passport
to check in at sites and it covers
you for third­party insurance.
Carnets are issued in the UK by
the AA, RAC and the Camping
and Caravanning Club.
Every year, the Guía Oficial
de Campings is published by
Turespaña. More details are also
available from the Federación
Española de Empresarios
de Campings y Parques de
Vacaciones. In Spain, camping
Youth hostel in rustic style on the edge of Cazorla nature reserve, Jaén is only permitted on official sites.

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