Mundos de Mujeres / Women's Worlds 2008
.GIF)
Spain has much to offer. It is - and has been for thousands of years - one of the cultural centres of Europe. It has beautiful cities and towns, offering really old monuments as well as futuristic architecture. Its various regions are all different from eachother geographically, climatically and even in people's personality. One thing is certain about Spain: it is really unique for the country is full of contrasts to the point that it has been called "a little Europe." Each region, or even each city or village presents contradictious and a fascinating realty of constrasts.
Each year Spain is overcrowded with a huge amount of visitors. Just in 2005, 41.242.373 people visited the country. Spain has got a variety of things to offer beginning with Nature: the sea and the mountains, and finishing with great cultural events, Natural Parks, Cities of Human Heritage, "The way to Santiago (Camino de Santiago)," etc.
To be more specific, among the wonderful beach zones the traveller can go to: Costa del Sol , Costa Dorada, Costa Brava, Canarias, Baleares, Cantabria, Galicia and Asturias. The last three put together with the Basque Country are considered the Green Zone of Spain. Cities like Salamanca, Madrid, Toledo, Córdoba, Granada, Sevilla and Barcelona, are some of the most popular tourist sites but there are a large number of other cities and smaller towns with much to offer the visitors.
Spanish is the official language in the entire national territory. However, other languages coexist with Spanish in certain regions of Spain. These are: Catalan in Catalonia, Galician in Galicia, Euskera/Basque in the Basque Country, Valencian in the Valencia Region and a particular variety of Catalan spoken in the Balearic Islands.
Link: http://www.spain.info
Spain is one of the warmest countries in Europe. Spain predominant climate is Mediterranean-temperate, with dry summers, and pretty steady temperatures during the winter. In Spain, you will enjoy more than three thousand hours of sunlight.
In Madrid the summer is dry and its average temperature oscillates around 30 °C. In the north, the climate is humid and warm, with light winters and temperatures around 25 °C in the summer. In the higher areas of the country, the climate gets rougher, and snow is frequent from the beginning of winter to the end of spring. So is in the Pyrenees, Sierra Nevada , the Central Mountains, the Iberian Mountains, the Cantabrian Mountains, etc. But in general, all regions in the country enjoy nice dry and warm summers.
Link: http://www.inm.es/cgi-bin/locali.cgi?ig=28001
The Peninsular territory (most of the country) and Balearic Islands go by the Greenwich Meridian time zone (GTM), plus 1 hour in the winter, and 2 hours in the summer. On the Canary Islands the time zone is that of the Greenwich Meridian, plus 1 hour in the summer, always one hour behind peninsular Spain.
The most common business hours are Monday though Saturday, from 9:30 am to 1:30 pm, and from 4:30 pm to 8:00 pm. Big shopping centres and department stores are open from 10:00 am to 9:00 pm or 10:00 pm uninterruptedly. These big stores open sometimes on Sunday. In coastal cities, during high season, shops are usually open pass 10:00 pm. Pharmacies open from 9:30 am to 1:30 pm, and from 4:30 to 8:00 pm. In all major cities you can find pharmacies that are open 24 hours. Pharmacies follow a rolling late-hour schedule, which is published in the newspapers, and is posted on all pharmacies.
The documents you need vary depending on your country of origin:
In all these cases, Spanish authorities may ask for documents indicating where you will stay, confirmation of an organized tour, return air tickets, tourist circuit, or a personal invitation letter. You may also be asked to show proof of having enough financial resources to support yourself during your stay in Spain.
Since conditions may vary, we recommend that you contact your local Spanish Consulate or Embassy for more information on these requirements.
Link: www.spain.info/TourSpain
Iberia, as official carrier of the congress, offers special fares to the participants. For further information and bookings, please contact the travel agency:
Tel.: 91 310 43 48
Madrid-Barajas Airport, situated 13km northeast from the centre of the city, is the largest in Spain and fourth in Europe.
By car: If you want to get there by car you should take either A2 Careterra de Barcelona exit at km 12, or M-40 exit numbers 3 and 9 connected to M-11 and M-14, which guides you directly to the terminals.
Map: http://www.aena.es/cartografia/
By underground: Is the most direct, fast and cheap mode of transportation between the airport and the city centre. Line 8 (available from 6.00 a.m. to 11.45 p.m.)
By bus: You can take bus Line 101 (open from 6:30 a.m.to 11:45 p.m.) or 200 (open from 5:20 a.m. to 11.30 p.m.)
By taxi: From the airport: you should go to a Taxi stand situated outside each of the terminals. The taxi should be white with red lines on the front door. Inside there should be an accreditation sign with a photo of the driver and license information (it is mandatory in all kind of vehicles of the public transport in Madrid ). Information about prices will be placed on the rear window. The taxi-driver is obliged to start the counter when starting the drive. The usual tariff between airport and the centre of Madrid is around 20 € plus the airport additional charge.
Telephone number: (+34) 91 3058343
Link: www.aena.es
To drive in Spain you must be at least 18 years old. To rent a vehicle, you must be at least 21 and be in possession of a credit card. You must have a valid Driver Licence: If you are a citizen of the European Union, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, or Liechtenstein: all you need is your valid Driver Licence. If you are from another country, you will need an International Driver Licence.
Since conditions may vary, we recommend that you contact your local Spanish Consulate or Embassy for more information on these requirements.
Links:
www.avis.es
www.pepecar.com
www.recar.org
In addition to the requirements mentioned above, tourists using their own car should be aware that they may be asked to show any of the following:
Since conditions may vary, we recommend you contact your local Spanish Consulate or Embassy for more information on these requirements.
You can send a letter from anywhere in Spain. In order to do it, you need to find stamps, which you can buy at any tobacco shops called Estanco. To send your letter, put it in a mailbox. Mailboxes are yellow, and they can be found on the streets, at railways and bus stations, as well as at the airports. It is also possible to leave your mail in the reception of your hotel, if it offers that service, for the staff to take care of the mailing for you.
If you wish to send a parcel, wire money, or send a telegram, you need to go to the post office. Post offices offer other services as well, such as telex and fax. Keep in mind that most hotels have faxes available too.
If you wish to make a phone call to Spain from abroad, dial the international access code of the country you are calling from, then 34 (Spain's country code), and the phone number, which should have 9 digits. To call abroad from Spain, dial 00 + country code + the phone number. You can place international calls from a public phone. Phone booths take coins or cards, which can be purchased in tobacco shops. To make a phone call within Spain, just dial the number with no prefixes. The phone number always has 9 digits, whether it is a cell phone or a regular phone. To use your cell phone in Spain, you should know that our GSM technology is not compatible with other countries, such as the U.S. and Japan. If your technology and ours is compatible, then you should contact your network to make sure you will be able to use your phone in Spain (some networks will have to activate international service for your phone). Once those steps are taken in the country of origin, use your cellular in Spain as if you were calling from a Spanish line. That is, you will need to dial 00 + country code + phone number to make international calls.
If you wish to get on-line to check your e-mail, or for any other reason, you should go to one of the many establishments that offer this kind of connection: telephone houses, cybercafés, etc. Internet connections are also available at airports, major railway and bus stations, and in some shopping centres. Generally, these services require coins.
The currency in use is Euro. It has got the symbol € and is in use since January 2002.
Currency exchange. is available at all bank offices, open to the public Monday through Saturday, from 8.30 to 14.00 h (except in the months of June through September, when they remain closed on Saturday). It is also available at currency exchange shops at all major cities, as well as at selected hotels and travel agencies.
Credit card. Paying with a major credit card is possible at most Spanish shops and businesses, usually clearly posted at the door of the establishment.
Traveller cheques. Traveller cheques, presented with a valid passport, are also accepted at most hotels, restaurants, and shops.
If your country of residence is not part of the European Union, you may request a Sales-Tax-Refund for your purchases. There are several companies in Spain that are authorized to process sales-tax (IVA) refunds. You need to request a form for your sales-tax refund at the shop. Spanish law establishes the minimum purchase for a sales-tax refund at 90.15 €. This amount needs to be spent at the same shop, and on the same day, for it to be eligible for a Tax Free cheque. The paperwork is simple; to obtain the refund, you must do the following: ask for a tax-free receipt of purchase, for which you need to show a valid proof of foreign residency (passport). Show your purchases, and seal the tax-free goods in customs. (You have three months from the time of purchase to seal your goods).Ask for the refund at the authorised refund-processing company. These companies have IVA refund offices at all major airports in Spain. You can get your refund in cash, or credit it back to your credit card.
The following list is approximate and should be remembered that the prices can differ depending on the place and season.
In every single establishment in Spain, service is included in the price of the meal or drink. However, tipping is a common practice at bars and restaurants, hotels, and taxis, depending on the total price for the service, and on the generosity of the client. It is usually around five to ten percent of the total price.
The Spanish National Health Care System has a vast network of medical centres and hospitals spread across the country. They offer all primary care services, as well as specialised attention. If you are a:
You are entitled to free medical and hospital care. Having shown your European Health Card (EHC), you will be seen by a GP at a local health centre or at your accommodation if you are unable to make the journey. If you need to see a specialist or go into hospital, the GP will give you the relevant medical certificate or referral. Accident and emergency services are available at hospitals. You will require your European Health Card (EHC). Since the 1st of July 2004, the European Health Card replaced the current temporary stay forms - principally the E-111 and E-128. It entitles you to the same medical care as before, identical to that received by Spanish citizens. It is valid for the period shown on the card.It is available from the relevant healthcare organisation in your country of origin. Private doctors and hospitals in Spain do not accept the European Health Card.
If you require private healthcare you must settle your own bills or take out an insurance policy that covers it. If you need Haemodialysis or any other type of specific treatment during your stay in Spain, you will need the E-112 form, as well as authorisation from the relevant institution in your country of origin. Remember that the following are not covered in Spain: dental treatment (apart from emergency extractions) and repatriation for medical treatment. If you forget your European Health Card (EHC), you will have to pay any hospital, medical or pharmaceutical bills in advance, and then seek refund from the relevant organisation in your country of origin, providing all receipts. Remember that the European Health Card is not valid if you have travelled to Spain in order to receive specific medical treatment. The same applies to all other EU countries. Some countries do not use the European Health Card yet. If this is the case, you should travel with the relevant document from your country, which has been designated valid until the new card is introduced. In any case, you should contact the relevant office in your country of origin for full details regarding current requirements to receive medical care in Spain.
Countries that follow European Community rules: Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein. They enjoy the same health care benefits as member countries. Countries with which Spain has bilateral agreements: Andorra, Brazil, Chile, Ecuador, Paraguay, and Perú.You will receive free medical care and hospitalization in the case of a medical emergency, or accident, by showing the corresponding certificate from your country of origin. If you forget your certificate, you will have to pay upfront for hospitalisation, doctors, and medicines, and then ask your insurance provider or health care service to refund your expenses, always showing your receipts.
Although you will be treated in case of emergency, you will need to pay for medical attention, so you are advised to purchase health insurance.
In any case, we recommend that you find out from your health insurance provider, or social care institution, about their requirements and policies about getting medical attention in Spain.
In Spain, medications are obtained at pharmacies. They are all marked with a green cross outside. You will get your prescriptions from your doctor but you can also get a limited number of non-prescription drugs. If you come from a country in the European Union, or your country has health agreements with Spain, you will have the same prescription drug benefits as Spanish citizens.
In Spain, drinking water is guaranteed everywhere in the country. Nonetheless, in some areas of the Mediterranean coast and islands it is more common to drink bottled water. In Madrid, tab water quality is excellent.
Electric appliances in Spain work with 220 volts, CA. 50 Hz and plugs conform to the European system of round pins with two holes.
In Spain we use the Metric (Decimal) System, with seven basic units of measurement. This is also known as the International Unit System (SI), and governs all units of weights, measurements and distances.
In any case, in general terms, Spain is a very safe country. However, certain precautions should be taken. You should avoid desolate or poorly lit areas. It is recommended that you only carry on you the amount of money you will need for each outing and watch your purse/pocket when walking in crowded areas. Pay special attention in areas with large groups of people, such as when getting on and off public transport or in department stores. If possible, try to park in a place where your car will be watched. When driving in the city, keep the doors locked until you decide to leave your vehicle, and when you do so avoid leaving valuables inside. Prevention is the best way to avoid unpleasant incidents.
Tourist Information in Madrid: 902 100 007
Tourist Information Offices in Madrid: (+34) 91 429 49 51
Train Station Chamartín.
Metro Chamartín
(+34) 91 315 99 76
Train Station Atocha.
Metro Atocha
(+34) 91 528 46 30
South Bus Station (Estación de Autobuses del Sur)
Metro Méndez Álvaro
Address: C/ Méndez Álvaro, 83
(+34) 91 468 42 00
Link: http://www.estaciondeautobuses.com
Barajas Airport (Aeropuerto de Barajas)
International Terminal T1
(+34) 91 305 86 56
City Information Office of the Town Hall of Madrid
(+34) 91 429 49 51
Link: www.esmadrid.com
Meteo Information (Información Meteorológica)
807 170 365
Link: www.inm.es
Metro Madrid
902 444 403
Link: www.metromadrid.es
Emergency Services of the Community of Madrid
Urgent or emergency calls 24h.: 112
Links: www.madrid112.es