Expat Life Spain » Travel http://expatlifespain.com A Female View On The Expat Life Thu, 03 May 2012 14:07:33 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 How to Travel Overseas with Your Car http://expatlifespain.com/how-to-travel-overseas-with-your-car http://expatlifespain.com/how-to-travel-overseas-with-your-car#comments Thu, 03 May 2012 14:07:33 +0000 Expat Life http://expatlifespain.com/?p=3925

If you’re planning on taking your car with you overseas, there are a few things you need to know. Maybe you’re planning on moving abroad and want to take your car with you, or maybe you’re planning an extended vacation, complete with a roadtrip portion, and you think it would be less expensive to take your own car rather than getting a rental. Whatever your reason for wanting to travel overseas with your car, the following guidelines will help ensure that you encounter as few hassles as possible.

Contact an Auto Shipper

Auto shippers vary, but you’ll want to contact one that specializes in transporting vehicles overseas. Using an auto shipper will cost some money, but it’s well worth it. Auto shippers are experts at knowing how to manage the customs regulations and paperwork that comes with transporting your vehicle to another country. With their help, shipping your car overseas will be much less stressful than if you tried to do it on your own.

Get Quotes and Compare Rates

Contact more than one auto shipper so you can get quotes from them and compare their rates. It’s also a good idea to ask them what’s included in the price they quote you. Some auto shippers offer a flat rate for everything, while others will charge you extra depending on how difficult the process ends up being when they’re dealing with customs officials in another country.

Also, expect to have to pay more if you don’t live near a port. For example, if you live in Des Moines, it will cost more to ship your car to Europe than if you lived in Miami, where there is a port. Another thing to take into consideration is that most auto shippers will charge more for shipping a larger vehicle as opposed to a smaller one. Regardless of the quotes you get, make sure you know what you’re paying for so you don’t end up surprised.

Contact Your Insurance Company

Before you ship your vehicle overseas, contact your insurance company and ask them if your vehicle is covered. You’ll want to know if your car is specifically covered during the shipping process overseas, as well as whether your current policy covers driving in a foreign country.

Prepare Your Car for Overseas Travel

Once you’ve chosen an auto shipper, there are a variety of documents that they will need from you in order to ship your car overseas. These documents include two copies of a notarized title, a Declaration of Dangerous Goods, a Shipper Export Declaration, a letter from the lien holder if there’s a lien on the vehicle, and possibly other documents, depending on the auto shipper and the country where you’re shipping your vehicle.

You’ll also want to have a mechanic give your car a thorough check up, including changing your oil and making sure everything on your vehicle works properly. The last thing you want to do is pick up your car in a foreign country that you’re unfamiliar with and have to immediately find a mechanic. Save yourself the trouble and do all of that before shipping your car overseas.

John is an expat and content contributor for SellMart.

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]]> http://expatlifespain.com/how-to-travel-overseas-with-your-car/feed 0 The Big Cities on a Budget http://expatlifespain.com/the-big-cities-on-a-budget http://expatlifespain.com/the-big-cities-on-a-budget#comments Wed, 11 Apr 2012 09:41:05 +0000 Expat Life http://expatlifespain.com/?p=3920

When people think of Spain and travelling around this wonderful country, it doesn’t take long for big cities to come to mind; Barcelona, Madrid, Valencia, Seville etc. They are often high on the list of places to see for anyone spending an extended period of time in Spain. There is no doubt the famous Spanish coastline, the beautiful Balearic and Canary Islands and the stunning Sierra Nevada mountain ranges will amaze any visitor, but for a true taste of Spain’s history, combined with the cosmopolitan feel of modern European cities then you must explore the likes of Madrid and Barcelona.

As with many of Europe’s mega cities today, prices on almost everything are likely to be inflated, trying to explore the capital of Spain on a budget can be difficult…but it’s not impossible. If you want to head to Madrid and explore world famous sights such Palacio de Cibeles and experience the unique atmosphere and lifestyle then you do not have to break the bank to do so. Hostels Madrid mean that accommodation does not have to be a major concern, with numerous rooms available around the city, often getting cheaper the further away from central Madrid you look. The main tip to making the most of Madrid without blowing your budget would be to stick to free activities, things such as The Reina Sofia gallery (Madrid’s famous modern art gallery), Madrid’s Royal Palace (Free on Wednesdays), take a stroll through the cities grand park and enjoy the glorious Spanish weather.

Barcelona also offers a lot for the budget traveller. With some of the finest architecture in the world, bustling nightlife, and fascinating people, Barcelona is Spain’s most cosmopolitan city. The city has been influenced over the decades by the world’s finest architects and artists who have all left their mark in one way or another. One thing is for sure, you will not tire of exploring Barcelona, heading down Las Ramblas and exploring the bars and restaurants in Born. And despite the exaggerated reports of crime, you will find the locals and other likeminded tourists welcoming and friendly in the majority of areas. Close to Las Ramblas is a great place to stay and again there are a number of Hostels Barcelona catering for those on a budget.

Do not be put off the larger cities of Spain through fear of extortionate prices on accommodation, food, drink and activities, as long as you plan your stay efficiently and know which places to avoid then money should not be an issue. And the likes of Barcelona, Madrid and Valencia will be places you will never forget.

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]]> http://expatlifespain.com/the-big-cities-on-a-budget/feed 0 Five Most Dangerous Cities To Drive In http://expatlifespain.com/five-most-dangerous-cities-to-drive-in http://expatlifespain.com/five-most-dangerous-cities-to-drive-in#comments Thu, 29 Mar 2012 18:24:42 +0000 Expat Life http://expatlifespain.com/?p=3905

Driving is often dangerous in any town. However, a notorious few are considered the most dangerous cities to drive in. The top five include:

Salt Lake City, UT

In addition to their many quirks, Mormon drivers have plenty of trouble on Utah’s roadways. Part of the problem is the eternal construction that clogs Salt Lake City’s freeways. Also, if you were driving with 15 children in a Suburban, then you’d drive crazy too. Watch your speed when driving behind minivans as they tend to be in a hurry, and you may not have the child excuse that they do to avoid a ticket. However, finding your destination is simple, and the locals are friendly out of their automobiles.

Washington D.C.

Perhaps, if the traffic situation became better in our country’s capital, then our legislators would have the patience to work with each other. However, Washington D.C. is filled with an abundance of tourists, who have trouble finding their way around even with their GPS devices. Moreover, the downtown roadways feature merciless traffic circles, bizarre speed traps and confusing street direction shifts. As a D.C. driver, you’ll face numerous potholes, heartless parking prosecution and red light cameras that stand ready to give you a fine. Save yourself the driving hassle and find a seat on the Metro. Our legislators should do the same.

Dallas, TX

With traffic clogged for up to two hours, Dallas drivers are understandably frustrated. Furthermore, 12 counties are in the Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington area, which contribute to a population of 6.3 million. The growing city is adding to the city’s traffic congestion while the I-20, I-30 and the I-45 increase driver confusion.

Orlando, FL

The minivan loads of tourists are annoying on the roadways in Orlando, even with the cute mouse ear hats. Moreover, Florida drivers should avoid downtown along with the major tourist attractions on Friday and Saturday. With Orlando ranking eighth in the country for extreme traffic congestion, drivers face a daily challenge. Also, be careful on the city streets due to a large number of aggressive local drivers as their patience is long gone.

New York City, NY

Despite the fact that it is a cliché to reemphasize New York City’s driving issues, it remains one of the worst cities to navigate. The shrewd advice “don’t drive in New York City” remains relevant with nonexistent parking along with the crowded tourist attractions. Also, when you do find a parking garage, you may have to max out your credit card to cover the fee. The streets are always congested, and those who do drive are scarily aggressive. Basically, don’t drive in New York City.

The next time you find yourself behind the wheel in one of these cities, especially if you drive through it on a daily basis, watch out, and remember that the city you are maneuvering in has a bad reputation.

Alan is careful driver and a freelance writer. He urges you to check out the recent distracted driving statistics before hopping into a car in the future!

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]]> http://expatlifespain.com/five-most-dangerous-cities-to-drive-in/feed 1 Get set for your next camping trip http://expatlifespain.com/get-set-for-your-next-camping-trip http://expatlifespain.com/get-set-for-your-next-camping-trip#comments Tue, 13 Mar 2012 11:51:13 +0000 Expat Life http://expatlifespain.com/?p=3884

Part of the joy of living in Spain is that you get to head off and enjoy the countryside without having to get on a plane from Manchester or Gatwick like the rest of them! All you need to do is have the kit you need, and then as soon as you see a good weather window, or have a few days off at short notice, you can head for the hills … or the beach …or whatever takes your fancy.

Where to go

Whether you like the beaches or the mountains, there is always somewhere in Spain to be explored. Campgrounds can easily be found as there are over a thousand of them in Spain. They range from the very basic to the very luxurious; it depends what kind of atmosphere you like and how much you want to spend. As well as being able to bring your caravan or tent onto a campsite, you can also choose to rent campsite-owned chalets or mobile homes.

Some specialist campsites exist too. There are a number of naturist campsites where you can strip off the entire time you’re there – these can be found via the International Nudist Federation or the Spanish Nudist Federation.

If that’s not your thing, then maybe you’d prefer the idea of camping on a farm. There are plenty of farms that provide camping facilities in Spain.

Getting the right equipment

It is worth getting the right gear though, so that wherever you end up camping, you will be comfortable and warm. Now you might think that there’s no need to be warm – after all most people only camp in the summer and Spain is, for the main part, warm and dry. However, as you’ll know if you’ve ever spent time in the mountains, daytime and night time temperatures can vary dramatically.

One of the most important items is of course a good tent. These have come down in price hugely in the last few years, yet at the same time, they’ve improved in quality. They are lighter, easier to put up and better at providing waterproof protection than ever before. Tents can still be pricey items to buy though, so the smarter shopper will wait for an end of season tent sale to get a bargain price.

You’ll also need sleeping bags. These have also improved a lot in recent years and are generally much lighter and easy to carry, yet provide better warmth that they used to. Look into where and when you might use a sleeping bag and choose an appropriate weight. It’s better to have something that is too efficient rather than one that’s not warm enough when you need it.

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]]> http://expatlifespain.com/get-set-for-your-next-camping-trip/feed 0 Spain By Car http://expatlifespain.com/spain-by-car http://expatlifespain.com/spain-by-car#comments Fri, 02 Mar 2012 16:22:08 +0000 Expat Life http://expatlifespain.com/?p=3879

As another summer season approaches, Spain prepares for the influx of millions of tourists heading for a taste of the beautiful climate, stunning coastline and relaxing atmosphere. Spain continues to thrive as the world’s second most popular tourist destination, and has so much to offer today’s tourist, more so than only what is available in the main holiday maker focussed mega resorts.

In my opinion travelling the southern coastline of Spain by car is the best way to get out and see what Spain is really all about, to get a true feel of Spanish life, the people and the culture. And with Alicante car hire so reasonably priced it can be a relatively cheap activity, and way to take in some of the beautiful, smaller towns and villages dotted along the coast. Alicante is an ideal starting point due to the number of budget airlines serving the region; you can explore the Costa Blanca, or head northeast to the brilliant and architecturally stunning city of Valencia. And if a keen golfer like myself, I would definitely recommend taking in one or two of the superb facilities in the area.

With Barcelona car hire you can also escape the hustle and bustle of the city once you have had your fill of exploring this great city. The area of Catalunya has long been a favourite spot on the Spanish mainland, and from Barcelona you can easily travel to the peak resorts of Salou and Lloret de Mar to get a good dose of sun, sea and sangria.

My biggest tip when it comes to a trip to Spain would be to head out and explore as much as possible, what makes this fascinating country so great are the people and the culture, so by visiting less tourist focussed areas you can sample first hand traditional Spain, the friendly locals, the passion they have for their own culture, amazing cuisine and much much more.

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]]> http://expatlifespain.com/spain-by-car/feed 0 Spanish Sun Boosts Fertility http://expatlifespain.com/spanish-sun-boosts-fertility http://expatlifespain.com/spanish-sun-boosts-fertility#comments Wed, 15 Feb 2012 14:32:56 +0000 Girls in Spain http://expatlifespain.com/?p=3867

I’ve read a number of articles recently about how a holiday in the sunshine can boost your chances of getting pregnant, and it’s actually not just down to that feel-good factor. It’s all about the benefits of vitamin D, the levels of which are raised by exposure to sunlight. This is the counter to the advice telling everyone to stay out of the sun. Moderate sun is actually good for us, because it helps the body produce Vitamin D.

Specific to conceiving a child, Vitamin D helps balance hormones in woman, and improves men’s sperm count. In addition, as time in the sun also increases progesterone, it boosts men’s libido, according to a review in the European Journal of Endocrinology. All sounds great, but I also think the feel-good factor IS an additional important one, as on holiday we rest and relax, and spend more time with our partners.

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]]> http://expatlifespain.com/spanish-sun-boosts-fertility/feed 0 Travel Around Tenerife http://expatlifespain.com/travel-around-tenerife http://expatlifespain.com/travel-around-tenerife#comments Thu, 12 Jan 2012 09:57:16 +0000 Girls in Spain http://expatlifespain.com/?p=3836

It is a while since I have been but Tenerife is a great place for a holiday if you are looking for virtually guaranteed sunshine, but for those that want to spend their holidays doing more than just getting a tan there is a lot to do on the island, apart from the obvious relaxing by a pool or on the beach. When looking for a Hotel in Tenerife one great buzzing resort, which is where we stayed, is Playa de las Americas in the south of the island. It is within easy access of the airport, and boasts great nightlife and a huge choice of amenities.

Car hire is simple and the roads are good if you want to get away to the more traditional and greener north of the island. I visited Tenerife some years ago, and in one long day my friend and I visited Puerto de la Cruz with its historic buildings and drove up the volcano with its amazing views; this is not a trip for anyone afraid of heights, and make sure you take a warm sweater and good walking shoes if you want to go right to the top.

Other attractions for a day trip are the seawater pools, the Lago Martianez and the botanical gardens, founded in1788. All of this was easily accessible from my hotel on the south of the island, and made a great break from reading in the sun. We hired a car for 2 days to break up our holiday, and spent the rest of our week enjoying the sunshine on the south of the island, overall a great combination.

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]]> http://expatlifespain.com/travel-around-tenerife/feed 0 Convenient, Luxurious, and Flexible Traveling: Jet Charter and Other Charter Options http://expatlifespain.com/convenient-luxurious-and-flexible-traveling-jet-charter-and-other-charter-options http://expatlifespain.com/convenient-luxurious-and-flexible-traveling-jet-charter-and-other-charter-options#comments Mon, 14 Nov 2011 17:57:27 +0000 Girls in Spain http://expatlifespain.com/?p=3746

Even the best travel plans can be waylaid by a transportation disaster. Between rigid security requirements, canceled and overbooked flights, and undependable, cramped public buses, the potential for your dream vacation to turn into a nightmare is endless. But travelers-in-the-know have another option to get where they need to go – booking a jet charter, bus charter, or limousine charter. Chartering is a flexible, convenient, and sometimes even affordable way to bypass the complications and hassle of going on vacation or traveling for business.

Flying doesn’t have to include arriving hours early, checking bags, endless security checks, waiting at the gate, or the risk of a delayed flight. On a jet charter, you can have the perfect flying experience. A pilot will greet you upon arrival and welcome you to immediately board the plane, allowing you to relax with your traveling companions or unwind in privacy. No need to worry about lines and lost baggage. Whether you are flying your whole family to the coast for your annual vacation or taking a quick jaunt for business, the convenience and reassurance of a jet charter will put your mind at ease.

If you’re traveling with your family or a group, a jet charter can be a great deal. For example, say your group of eight is traveling from Portland, Oregon to San Francisco – a 2.4 hour round-trip flight. Light jets, which can carry up to eight people, start around $1950 per hour of travel at some charter companies. That’s just $585 per person, comparable to what you would spend at a major airline. And unlike a major airline, you’ll be comfortably traveling with only your friends or family, turning the flight into a part of the vacation.

You don’t need to be a celebrity or a real-estate mogul to enjoy the benefits of chartered travel. Even when traveling alone on business, a jet charter is a luxurious and affordable way to fly privately. Very light jets come in compact sizes and are even less expensive than light jets. These lower-cost, convenient charter options are the perfect option for an individual that doesn’t need a lot of space.

Chartered transportation is a great option for road travel as well. For large groups, bus charters will save you the hassle and expense of driving multiple cars without enduring a cramped public bus stuffed with strangers.

Or for special occasions like a wedding, prom, or important business meeting, you can choose from a variety of elegant stretch sedans or SUV limousines. Arriving in style makes a great first-impression and adds the perfect touch of extravagance to a special day.

No matter where you’re going or who you’re going with, chartering a jet, bus, or limousine is the best way to avoid public transportation headaches. Convenient, comfortable, and more affordable than you would guess, charter travel is the perfect way to begin your next big trip.

Author Bio: Margot is a guest post writer on the subjects of charter travel and chartering a jet from jetcharters.com.

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]]> http://expatlifespain.com/convenient-luxurious-and-flexible-traveling-jet-charter-and-other-charter-options/feed 0 5 TopTravel Apps http://expatlifespain.com/5-top-travel-apps http://expatlifespain.com/5-top-travel-apps#comments Sat, 02 Jul 2011 09:15:59 +0000 Expat Life http://expatlifespain.com/?p=3685

Advanced smartphones, such as the Android, Blackberry and iPhone, have become an essential accessory in our daily lives. These units are very nice to look at and yet exhibit a high functionality essential in any gadget. Those who are always on the go rely on their smartphones for an assortment of functions with large storage phonebooks with easy phone number search, GPS Tracking, MP3/4, and a multitude of applications to download. Below are 5 essential applications that will help maximize the potential of the smartphone as a travelling companion.

Lonely Planet

This app is available in Android and iPhone versions. Lonely planet is a handy collection of travel guides for every imaginable location on earth. It has a listing of attractions, including off-the-beaten-path places of interest, with real reviews and recommendations. Maps to selected locations can be accessed online or offline, and indicate street numbers and other information. Another remarkable application similar to Lonely Planet is TimeOut, which also provides impressive listings of highly rated dining establishments, attractions, and accommodations in the city of your choice.

Xe

This currency exchange app can be downloaded for free and is compatible for Blackberry, iPhone, and Android smartphones. This application takes the guesswork out of currency conversion; so the next time you are in a strange city without any knowledge about live currency rates, open the Xe app and convert away. The application has all the known currencies in the world and monitors market rates of precious metals. Currency information in Xe is always up to date.

Fast Contact

Built for the iPhone, Fast Contact is a phone book application that incorporates highly interactive features not found in other similar apps. Browse through contacts with an easy flip and select screenshots to access profiles and contact information. Change background colors and themes to suit moods and preferences. When traveling or visiting a different country or city, click a button to automatically sort out all of the names of friends, family, and clients residing in the same location or working for the same company.

Google Translate

Why pay for translation apps when you can get it for free? The Google Translate application is probably one of the best free programs for iPhone and Android smartphones. The directions for using the Google Translate are pretty straightforward. It mainly requires selection of language options and then typing of the word or phrase to be translated. Another option requires speaking directly into the phone, which tends to be problematic at times.

Trip It

Another impressive free app, Trip It keeps all of the essential data required for travel in one neat application. Use it to retrieve your electronic travel itinerary from your email account or to consolidate hotel and flight information. Users who are impressed with the original Trip It can upgrade to Trip It Pro, which has more features but requires subscription.

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]]> http://expatlifespain.com/5-top-travel-apps/feed 0 Spanish Car Hire and Sat Nav http://expatlifespain.com/spanish-car-hire-and-sat-nav http://expatlifespain.com/spanish-car-hire-and-sat-nav#comments Tue, 31 May 2011 14:32:06 +0000 Expat Life http://expatlifespain.com/?p=3646

If you are visiting Spanish shores and looking to find car hire that will make your trip as hassle-free as possible, then it’s important to choose the right deal.

A couple of decades ago or more, flying to Spain would have been a nerve-racking affair for one major reason.
Once you’d landed, cleared customs and the passport check, it was time to head to the car hire desk – and for many people that was where the problems started.

Unless you knew exactly what you were doing, it could end up being an expensive business. You might know the basic price of hiring your car per day or per week, but what about add-ons?

Without doubt, the salesperson at the desk would recommend you take out some form of collision damage waiver. And that was not a simple matter, either. Generally you would be offered different options whereby you could reduce your excess by paying another premium – very confusing.

One of the other items you could find on your bill was personal accident insurance, and that is still the case so you need to be wary.

This is a car hire company’s way of getting an extra payment from you when, it almost all cases, people already have such cover as part of their holiday insurance.

These days, selecting the best car hire deal is much easier if you get online.

All car hire companies have websites, and invariably you can get a quote quite easily that will tell you what the final payment will be. For the leading car hire companies that are available in Spain and worldwide, click here.

One of the best ideas is to get a deal that includes sat nav. For any first time visitor, it is virtually essential. The last thing you need on what should be a relaxing holiday is to spend half your time gazing hopelessly at a map trying to find out where you are or which road you need to take. If you have your own Sat Nav, before leaving home make sure you go online and up load Spanish maps so it is fully updated for your trip.

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