Scenset's Guide to Spain

If you'd like something to watch to get you in the mood for Spain, give these a try:

• Pan's Labyrinth, by award-winning director Guillermo del Toro, mixes fantasy with human heartbreak in Spain right after the civil war of 1936-1939. The film depicts a young girl's escapism from real life into a fantasy world to help her cope with the trauma of war - trailer here.
  
• Open Your Eyes, one of Spain's most critically acclaimed films; features a young Penélope Cruz and Eduardo Noriega. Even though the film has deep themes, the sunkissed Spanish backdrop is a dream - trailer here.
  
• All About My Mother is one of Pedro Almodovar's best pieces of work. An ode to women and motherly roles, this moving film is a powerful artistic expression of love in all its forms - trailer here.
  
• The Way follows Martin Sheen, an optician who, following a death, heads to the Pyrénées to walk the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage trail with no training and no idea what he has let himself in for. It's a beautiful story, with stunning scenery - trailer here.
  
• Summer 1993 tells the true story of a six year old who moves to the Spanish countryside after the death of her mother. Learning to cope with grief and a new place to call home, this autobiographical movie showcases rural life - trailer here.

• Roads To Santiago transports you to a hidden Spain, enticingly crafted, this is a love letter to Spain's art, culture, history and people - click here for more information.
  
• Ghosts of Spain: Travels Through Spain and Its Silent Past looks at Spanish culture and history through the eyes of an expatriate who has lived in Spain since the 1980s. Taking a journalistic view of Spanish history, this book brings the reader into life under the sun and the events that have shaped it - click here for more information.
  
• The New Spaniards explores the societal transformation in Spain following the end of Franco’s dictatorship and how political liberty led to social and cultural reform - click here for more information.
  
• For Whom the Bell Tolls is perhaps one of Ernest Hemingway's greatest novels, taking place outside of Madrid in the mountains. The book is based on Hemingway’s experiences fighting in the Spanish Civil War and discusses the violence and death of the war - more information here.

Here are the Spotify lists we have designed for your trip to include local talent and great vibes:

• Spain is a selection of popular Spanish music from local artists that have shaped or continue to make waves in the music industry!
  
• Summer Chill is the perfect soundtrack for the beach, full of laid-back, summer vibes!
  
• Balearic Beats is our bespoke playlist full of upbeat house music and dance songs; perfect for getting into the summer mood!
  
• This is Ibiza is full of classic Ibiza anthems guaranteed to get the party vibe going!

A few Spanish phrases to try during your trip are:

• Hello: ¡Hola! (oh-lah)
  
• Good morning: ¡Buenos días! (bweh-nos dee-ahs)
  
• Good afternoon: ¡Buenas tardes! (bweh-nahs tar-dehs)
  
• Good evening: ¡Buenas noches! (bweh-nahs noh-chehs)
  
• Goodbye: ¡Adiós! (a-dyos)
  
• Thank you: Gracias (grah-thee-ahs)
  
• Please: ¡Por favor! (pohr fah-vohr)
  
• How are you?: ¿Cómo estás? (ko-mo es-tas)
  
• Good, thank you!: ¡Bien, gracias! (bee-ehn gra-thee-as)
  
• Please!: ¡Por favor! (pohr fah-vohr)
  
• No problem: De nada (de-na-da)<br>
• Sorry: Perdón (per-dohn)
  
• What is your name?: ¿Cómo te llamas? (coh-moh teh yah-mah)
  
• My name is...: Me llamo... (meh yah-moh)
  
• Yes: Si (sea)
  
• No: No (with a shorter o sound)
  
• Cheers!: ¡Salud! (sah-LOO)

For your trip, we recommend bringing the following:

• Cool and comfortable clothes for when the weather is hot. Cotton clothing works well!
  
• Walking/hiking shoes.
  
• Swim/beach shoes (some beaches are pebbles) if your feet are sensitive.
  
• Sun cream, sun hat, lip balm and sunglasses.
  
• Swimsuit, for the pools and sauna in the spa at all properties, as well as the beach.
  
• A modest outfit if you are visiting churches or holy sites that cover the top of your legs, chest, shoulders and top of your arms.
  
• Semi-casual clothes for eating out.
  
• Semi-formal clothes if you're eating out at a fine dining restaurant; it's always nice to dress up when on holiday!
  
• Day-pack for excursions
  
• A European adapter
  
• A power bank to keep your phone charged for all those great pictures!

Spain uses plug types C and F, which are the standard European plugs.

We recommend bringing a travel adapter that has multiple specifications so you're always prepared.

Hotels may have adapters you can use, but they may not always be available or working, so it's best to have your own.

Here are some tips on health, safety and general rules to be aware of:

Security

• Dial 112 and ask for the police if you have an emergency.
  
• It's important to remember that, like all major global cities, pickpockets operate in highly populated areas; especially areas frequented by tourists.
  
• It is highly recommended not to bring or wear valuable or sentimental jewellery, watches or items with you that you do not wish to lose or have stolen.
  
• While most visitors do not have any issues whatsoever when visiting, it's always good to be aware of your surroundings and your personal items.

Health

• Dial 112 if you have a medical emergency and ask for an ambulance.
  
• If you are under special medical treatment, you are advised to take enough medicines with you to cover your trip and any delays, as it is a high possibility that you may not find the same medicine in Spain.
  
• If you need hospital treatment in Spain you’re more likely to receive appropriate care in a public healthcare facility. However, in some tourist areas there may not be any public healthcare facilities nearby. Some hotels may call private doctors or ambulances to take patients to private hospitals.
  
• Ensure you have travel insurance with you that covers medical, if you are not already covered by your supplier.
  
• Pharmacies are widely available and are well stocked. It is very common for the pharmacy to have English-speaking staff.
  
• Medical care for illness or accident is free to citizens of the European Union, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein as long as they have a European Health Card (EHIC) and the reason for the trip is not to seek specific medical treatment.

Natural Disasters

• Spain can experience forest fires in the summer so be aware and follow local advice.

Tipping in Spain is casual and almost never required. But when the service is exceptional, leaving a small gratuity is always appreciated.

If you want to tip in a restaurant using your credit card, just inform the server when they bring the credit card machine how much you want to pay.

Our guideline for tipping is:

• Restaurants: In casual restaurants tipping isn't expected, but in nicer sit-down restaurants, you can leave up to 10% of the total bill if the service was exceptional.
  
• Guides: €20–40 per day is the amount we recommend.
  
• Drivers: €10-20 per day is the amount we recommend.
  
• Hotels | Housekeeping: €2-5 per day.
  
• Hotels | Porters: €1-2 per bag.

• The Euro (€) is the official currency of Spain.
  
• One Euro is made up of 100 cents, and there are eight different coins (1, 2, 5, 10, 20 and 50 cents, and 1 and 2 Euros), and seven notes (5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200 and 500 Euros).
  
• Almost everywhere accepts card payments (a Revolut card is an amazing way to keep local currency on you with a card payment to avoid transaction fees), but it's important to always have some cash money on you when traveling to rural areas and islands as you might encounter a few studios or small shops in less-touristic areas that don't accept card.
  
• Cash is usually withdrawn from automatic teller machines at bank branches. In addition, in Spain it is easy to find ATMs to withdraw cash in shopping centres and shopping areas, large urban centres and historic centres in small towns.

Spain is home to incredible dishes, with so many of the ingredients amazingly fresh.

Here are a few of our favourite dishes to try in Spain:

• Gazpacho is made from a blend of fresh tomatoes, olive oil, garlic, bread, peppers and cucumber, served chilled. It's perfect for hot summers!
  
• Paella is a famous rice dish that can include seafood, chicken and vegetables. It's a must!
  
• Tortilla Española is another staple dish that you can't leave Spain without eating! Eggs, potatoes and onions are combined to create a very fulfilling, delicious tortilla.
  
• Patatas bravas is usually found in a classic tapas menu, named for its spicy sauce.
  
• Jamón Iberico is thinly-sliced slices of ham that melt in your mouth; a classic to try!
  
• Croquetas is a typical item on a tapas menu, consisting of tubes of bechamel sauce encased in fried breadcrumbs.
  
• Leche frita, aka fried milk, is a popular dessert made by whipping up milk, egg yolks and flour. This is left to chill and solidify before being coated in breadcrumbs and fried - yum!

One of the most popular Spanish dishes is Paella, and with this link from the Official Tourism Board of Spain - you can cook a little Spanish sunshine in your kitchen!

• Paella

If you'd like to cook more recipes, here are some helpful recipes you can use on the Spain Tourist Board website, full of traditional recipes you can try!

• Click here.

Enjoy!