- Under most circumstances travellers from the UK are entitled to free or reduced cost emergency medical treatment on production of an E111 European Medical Card. However, this only applies if the medical practitioner you consult works within the Spanish State Health service. Dental treatment is not generally covered under the state system. Please check the link provided above for full details.
- Make sure that you have some Euros before picking up your car from the airport - the motorway tolls from Valencia / Alicante airports cost around €7 one way. It is possible to pay the tolls using a credit card if you choose an appropriate lane / toll booth.
- The Spanish speed limits are based around 120kph on toll motorways and dual carriageways, 90kph on "other" roads, and 50kph in built up areas. If these do not apply then there will be signs, for example some very narrow streets in villages are only 40kph.
- Drink driving regulations in Spain are now tougher than to those in the UK - so be very careful about how much you drink. Walking to one of the many bar / restaurants in the village is the safer bet.
- The use of seat belts is compulsory, and children under 12 must not travel in the front seat.
- The Spanish authorities are now much less lenient on driving offences than in the past. Mobile telephones must not be used by the driver.
- There have been rumours that screen based Satellite Navigation aids are illegal if they can be seen by the driver whilst on the road. It may be okay to use them if the screen is only visible to passengers, but please check the current law before using any Sat Nav device.
- Telephone boxes have all converted to Euros. Local calls appear to start at 24 Cents (0.24€), whilst the minimum charge for a call back to the UK is 60 Cents. Mobile phone reception is very good in the villa, although calls work out far more expensive than using the phone boxes.
- Banks are generally only open from 9am to 2pm on Monday to Friday. There is some access to ATMs in Orba outside of those hours.
- Most shops close for lunch from around 1pm until 3pm or 4pm.
- Nearly all shops will be closed all day on Sundays and the many national and regional holidays. The national holidays are January 1 New Year, January 6, Epiphany, March 19 San Jose, April 9/10/13 2009 Maundy Thursday, Good Friday & Easter Monday, May 1 Labour Day , July 25 St James, August 15 Assumption, October 12 National Day, November 1 All Saints Day, December 6 Constitution Day, December 8 Immaculate Conception & December 25 Christmas Day. Regional holidays vary from town to town, but a significant one in Orba is Valenciana Day which falls on October 9th (street party on the evening of the 8th).
- If you want to eat at a particular restaurant, it is advisable to book a table as most are very busy right into the late evening, even out of season. We have found that there tends to be two groups of diners at the restaurants. Often the tourists or English residents go to the restaurants around 7pm (when most of them open), whilst the locals often don't arrive until after 9pm.
- Tea or Coffee after a meal is not usually included in the "Menu del Dia" price.
- Tipping in restaurants is usually up to 10%, but "servicio incluido" means that it is already in your bill.
- If you are looking for some musical nightlife, beware of establishments which call themselves "Clubs", allegedly these are brothels. What you should be looking for are "Discos".
- British Embassy advice on Spain is available from http://www.ukinspain.com
- Current news on the area can be obtained online from the Costa Blanca News
- General tourist information on the area is available from http://www.comunitat-valenciana.com