|
SPV Articles and Links Pages
Accessible
Spain
Things have improved a little in the last ten years or so,
but even so, the disabled and elderly and others with mobility
problems are not especially well catered for in Spain, which
is all the more reason to find out what to expect before you
go. A dedicated page of selected, annotated links.
Budget Eating and
Drinking in Spain
How to get the most out of your euros while remaining well
fed and watered. A three-page article combining practical
advice with the usual brilliant insights and scintillating
wit.
Cell Phone Service for Spain
You probably think cellular phones are useful, fun and very
handy, but too expensive for staying in touch when you are
abroad. In this guest article, Sebastian Harrison explains
how American visitors can get round this: buying or renting
a phone in the US which has been set up to work as a local
phone in Spain.
Cybercafes
in Spain and Portugal
Cybercafes still flourish in Spain and Portugal. For those
who can't or won't leave the computer behind. Most of these
sites are only in Spanish or Portuguese. A page of links,
presented geographically.
Language Schools in Spain
and Portugal
Some generic links and a few specific links to academias
de idiomas.
Learn Spanish Online
You can often get by without knowing the local language, but
are you content to just "get by?" Whether you are
going to Spain for ten days, a few months or to live, things
are evidently easier and more enjoyable if you know at least
a little Spanish. A page of selected, annotated links.
Money and Banks
Money is one of the biggest preoccupations for visitors. Banks,
money, traveller's cheques, exchange rates, tipping, do's
and don'ts... A page of selected, annotated links.
Sense
and Sensibility - Crime and Safety in Spain
Although it is true that Spain is not the near crime-free
haven it used to be, it is not the Balkans, either: use a
little sense and you can reduce the odds of becoming a victim
to practically zero. Here is a three-page article on organized
crime, terrorism, street crime and common scams in Spain,
with a message: take care, but keep a sense of proportion.
Sex and Drugs
in Spain and Portugal
The raunchier side of Spain and Portugal (and, to complete
the line in the song, you'll find Spanish rock 'n' roll here).
Spanish Phrasebook
It is possible to enjoy Spain without speaking a word of the
language, and millions do. Are you content with that? This
three-page guide to elementary Spanish is not intended to
be a substitute for a real phrasebook, but might get you out
of a fix. But be careful if you use the Chatting
Up section: unless you can say: "How about a jump,
then?" in English without the other person backing off
in disgust, it is not likely to work in Spanish, either.
Elsewhere on the Net
Attorneys
in Spain
A list of lawyers, prepared for Americans in Spain.
Chemists'
or Pharmacists'
If you urgently require medicine or drugs outside ordinary
shopping hours in Spain, you need to look for a farmacia
de guardia. Warning: this site can be cumbersome to use,
even if your Spanish is good. Pick the location from the list
box or click the map for the provincial council sites - only
the places with large cities (Madrid, Valencia) list farmacias
de guardia, and some are surprisingly absent (Barcelona).
Emergency
Information for Americans in Portugal
What to do if you lose your passport, have your money stolen...
Freedict.com
An online English-Portuguese dictionary.
Health
Information for Travellers
From the American Center for Disease Control.
Portugal
- US Consular Information Sheet
Lots of background stuff, from entry requirements (normal)
to health insurance, with some apparently heartfelt comments
about Portuguese drivers.
Portugal
Travel Advice (UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office)
Good, up-to-date, no-nonsense travel advice. The FCO keeps
changing its link structure for some reason, but if this does
not take you directly to its 'Portugal' page, if should at
least get you to the 'Travel' section.
Spain
and Andorra - US Consular Information Sheet
The usual - entry requirements, health information including
medical facilities and insurance, recommendations on precautions
against crime, etc.
Spain
Travel Advice (UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office)
Good, up-to-date, commonsensical advice, especially on where
and when to be careful. If this link does not get you to the
'Spain' page, it should at least take you to the 'Travel'
section: scroll down to the 'Please Select a Country' box
at the bottom.
The
Time in the Canary Islands
There is an hour's difference betwen the Canary Islands and
the Spanish mainland.
The
Time in Portugal
The time in Portugal, wherever you may be in the world. With
a few other practical details, like dialling codes.
The
Time in Spain
The time in Spain, wherever you may be in the world.
US
Consulates in Spain
For American citizens in trouble.
Visas
for Spain
From the Spanish Consulate in New York and so mainly aimed
at Americans.
WordReference.com
An online Spanish-English dictionary. Fast, good and easy
to use.
|
