Spain Holiday Rentals
Posted on May 14, 2008
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You’ve probably hard about how much cheaper and more convenient it is to rent a home or cottage instead of booking a hotel where you want to go on vacation. Of course you have otherwise, why would you be reading this? Well, what you have heard is true you CAN save a lot of money and have a more comfortable stay if you want a Spanish adventure. But if you want to stay safe, follow these Spain holiday rental home tips.
Never Assume
The best Spain holiday rental home tip you can follow is to never assume anything. Get it in writing. Ask that “stupid” question. This is for the protection of the homeowner and your protection, too. You need to know what you are responsible for and what the homeowner is responsible for. This saves a lot of headaches later on.
Some Questions To Ask
You need to know what is included in your Spain holiday rental home. Do you have free run of the place, or are there going to be rooms off limits? Can you use the kitchen? If there is a pool or a tennis court, are you going to be allowed to use it? Do you need to bring your own bed linens?
You also need to realize that you are a guest in somebody’s home. The only reason they are renting it out is because they can’t afford to live in the home year round. Be on your best behavior. You need to know what the terms are if you accidentally break something. You also need the homeowner to provide emergency phone numbers in case of accident or injury and directions to the closest hospital.
You need to ask if you are allowed to bring any guests or pets into the Spain holiday rental home. Some homeowners will charge extra. And if you smoke, you have to be clear if smoking is allowed in the home. These are questions the homeowner will appreciate you asking now, instead of five seconds before they hand you the key.
Money Questions
Many Spain holiday rental homeowners will loose a chance to make any money if you cancel. They usually charge a fee because of that. Be sure you know what they’re cancellation policy is. How much is the deposit? How late can you cancel? What is the method of payment?
Dont make any verbal agreements or any “friend of a friend can get you a deal” agreements for a Spain holiday rental home. You need to see all of the details in writing in a contract (called a lease agreement).
Spain Long Stay Vacation
Posted on May 8, 2008
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Tired of the rat race? Considering joining the legions of ex-pats (ex-patriots, or people who choose to eschew the tourist label permanently and stay in another country for life) who have reached tranquility and contentment by relocating to sunny, beautiful Spain? Its not tough to choose between taking a siesta (daily afternoon nap popular in Spain) and tackling afternoon traffic! But before you sell your DVD collection and donate your car, consider a long stay vacation in Spain.
A Note about Visas and Your Spain Long Stay Vacation
Perhaps youve done Europe before, especially if youre considering a long stay vacation in Spain. Then you know how easy it is to visit the European Union, where being a tourist for up to three months requires no visa, just a passport that remains valid three months outside of your stay.
But perhaps youre contemplating working in Spain, or staying longer than three months? Here it becomes important to secure the proper documentation, lest you be found out. Your long stay vacation in Spain could come to an abrupt stop if you are there without official permission. If you are not a citizen of the EU, it is important to secure a visa.
How Do I Get One?
If you are living in the US, chances are good there is a Spanish consulate in the nearest major city. Its very important to apply and obtain your visa before you leave; there are no emergency exceptions and your home embassy in Spain will have little sympathy for you if you did not attempt to plan properly for your long stay vacation in Spain.
Other Concerns
So, youve applied for your visa, youve looked into an apartment (there are many companies on the internet to help you with this, however long you stay on vacation in Spain). Perhaps youve chosen the idyllic mid-sized city of Seville with its sweeping bridges and mild climate to wile away the chilly winter. Pero hablas español? (But do you speak Spanish?)
You may want to look into it. You will probably find that locals are friendlier during your long stay vacation in Spain to you if you at least attempt to speak their language. You dont have to be perfect, but knowing, for example, to use the formal usted instead of tu may make all the difference when youre in a bind. And you probably will be, at some point. All part of the adventure, right?
Culture Shock
Maybe youve experienced the feeling that suddenly things in a foreign country have lost their cuteness and are now seeming too, well, foreign. This is called culture shock and it can occur on your first long stay vacation in Spain or your fifteenth. Its a typical reaction to difference. For example, before your Spanish smooths out, you may become frustrated with verbalizing your needs to someone to speaks little or no English.
How to Deal
If culture shock happens during your long stay vacation in Spain, know youre not alone. Sometimes the unpleasant feeling that everyone around you does things in a way youre not used to can be a valuable learning experience—think of all the refugees who are in your country for the first time. Just realize that its OK to have an off day. Youll get over it. Many people find that they experience culture shock anew when they return to their home country after their lovely long stay vacation in Spain.
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