Weather
Spain has a predominantly warm Mediterranean climate, with dry summers and winters with balanced temperatures. Here you can enjoy more than 3,000 hours of sunshine per year. It is no surprise, then, that this is one of the warmest parts of Europe.

When talking of weather, special mention should be made of the Canary Islands. Their special location, facing the coast of Africa, gives them a benign climate with mild temperatures (22șC year-round average on the coasts), with only small temperature differences between day and night, whatever the season.

Nevertheless, variety is the main characteristic of the climate here, due to Spain’s immense geographical diversity.

So that if you travel to the north, to the Cantabrian coast, you will find a mild climate with high rainfall. Winters are mild and in summer temperatures rarely exceed 25șC.
However, in the higher parts of the country, the climate is harsher and it is common to see snow from the beginning of winter to the end of spring. This is the case of the Pyrenees, the mountains of Sierra Nevada, the Central and Iberian ranges, and the Cantabrian Mountains, amongst others.

VAT
If a buyer’s residence is outside the European Union, then he/she can claim back the tax on purchases, as long as together they reach a total in excess of 90.15 Euro. In order to do so you should ask for a tax-free receipt at the point of sale.

There are various companies in Spain authorised to process the reimbursement of I.V.A. (Value Added Tax) to tourists. The procedure is very straightforward. You just have to complete the following steps to get your tax back:

1. Ask for a tax-free receipt and show your proof of residence (passport).
2. Show your purchases and stamp the tax-free receipts at customs. (Receipts must be stamped within 3 months of purchase.)
3. Claim the amount due from the company processing the claim. They all have I.V.A. reimbursement points at the main Spanish airports and borders, for payment in cash. You can also have the I.V.A. repaid onto your credit card, by bank transfer or international cheque.

Tipping
In every single establishment in Spain, service is included with 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.