Page 620 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Spain

618  SUR VIV AL GUIDE

Travelling on a Budget
Travellers looking for budget
accommodation should keep
an eye out for the sign Hostal
or Pensión, which indicates
clean and comfortable rooms
at a fraction of the cost of a
hotel (see also www.hostel
world.com). Most restaurants
in Spain offer a menú del día –
three courses with wine for
as little as €10, and tapas can
be another cheap and filling
option (they even come free
with drinks in some areas).
Children catching small fish with nets, Cala Gracio, Ibiza The Spanish train service is
relatively cheap (see pp628–9).
Travelling with Children Senior Travellers
Prices can vary on popular lines
Spain is a famously child- There are plenty of options for (for example, the Barcelona–
friendly country, and travellers both leisurely and more active Madrid) depending on the
with kids will find that their holidays for senior travellers type and speed of train, so
offspring are usually welcome in Spain. check in advance (www.renfe.
in bars, restaurants and hotels. Health spas have become es). The cheapest, and
It is recommended that you increasingly popular throughout sometimes the quickest,
take a few sensible precautions the country, and they combine way to get around is on the
when travelling with children, relaxation with specific treat- excellent network of coaches.
especially in the summer months. ments using thermal waters Different companies serve
Avoid being out and about (www.balnearios.org). Walking different regions, so check
in the hottest hours of the day tours suitable for senior travellers timetables and prices online
(noon–3pm); apply sunscreen can be found along the country’s (www.alsa.es) or at the tourist
with a high protection factor network of green paths (www. office before travelling.
on your children’s skin regularly viasverdes.com). Hitchhiking is not common
and liberally; always ensure they It is always worth enquiring in Spain, and you should
wear a sunhat with a wide brim; about senior discounts as avoid hitchhiking alone.
and take frequent breaks for some of the larger hotels offer The best and cheapest
refreshments. Visit www. special rates. spectacles in Spain are often
travelforkids.com for a list of found on the streets, especially
travel agents specializing in LGBTQ Travellers during the fiesta mayor of the
child-friendly family holidays. various regions and cities, which
All large hospitals in Spain Attitudes to the LGBT often include processions and
provide a paediatrics service, community vary greatly dancing (see pp42–3).
and pharmacy attendants are between urban and rural areas
trained to provide basic treat- in Spain. All major cities have
ment for minor health thriving gay scenes, with Madrid
complaints. Visit www.spain- and Barcelona boasting gay-
expat.com/spain/infor mation/ friendly areas of town (Chueca
doctors_in_spain for a list of and “Gayxample”) with hotels,
English-speaking doctors. All restaurants and services aimed
public health-care facilities have at LGBT travellers. The Federación
access to interpreters, whether Estatal de Lesbianas, Gays, Tran-
in person or via the phone. sexuales y Bisexuales (FELGTB)
(www.felgtb.org) provides
information for travellers online
and at its local offices in most Hostal sign indicating budget
Spanish towns. accommodation
The Gay Pride parades (www.
cogam.org) have become
major events and are a good Student Information
place to meet people. A law Holders of the International
allowing homosexual couples Student Identity Card (ISIC) are
to marry, adopt children and entitled to various benefits in
enjoy the same rights as Spain, such as discounted
heterosexuals was passed in accommodation and travel fares
Tiled street sign June 2005. as well as reduced entrance

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