| PETRABAX wants you to enjoy your trip. The following "hints" are designed to help make your visit as pleasant MONEY
The EURO is now being used in Spain, Portugal, France, Italy and many other European countries. The value of one EURO is similar to the value of one U.S. DOLLAR so conversion is easy. By far, your best bet for exchanging money is at an ATM machine with your card (machines are everywhere in Europe, even airports). Prompts are available in English (touch the British or American flag on the screen after you insert your card). You will get the official exchange rate, with only a small fee from your home bank.

ELECTRICITY
Almost all electric current in Spain and Portugal is 220/230 volts as opposed to 110/115 in USA. The plug shapes are also different. If you plan to use any USA made electrical appliances (such as hairdryers), you will need both a set of plug adapters and a power converter. They are available in luggage departments of most stores. Buy before your departure, as they are not available everywhere in Europe.

WATER AND FOOD
Both Spain and Portugal have high standards of public sanitation, and tap water is generally safe, as is all restaurant food. Use the same judgment you would at home when deciding to eat food sold by street or beach vendors. At restaurants, a glass of water is generally not offered. Guests are expected to purchase bottled water---not because the tap water is unsafe but because it is the custom. The bottled water is considered tastier and healthier to drink. Water is usually available in liter ("litro") or half-liter ("medio litro") sizes and comes carbonated (con gas) or non-carbonated (sin gas). Bottled water is inexpensive and quite delicious.

LOCAL CUSTOMS
European culture is much older than ours and particularly in Spain and Portugal, more "laid back". You will enjoy your visit more if you are patient and non-insistent. The most important words are "please" (por favor) and "thank you" (gracias in Spanish and obrigado in Portuguese). Restaurant service is leisurely and transactions such as hotel check in/out usually take a bit longer. Just relax; after all, you are on vacation. If you choose to have a drink or a bite to eat in a snack bar ("cafeteria"), please take note that table service and bar service are not mixed! If you order at the bar, you must eat or drink at the bar. If you prefer to sit at a table, do so and order from the waiter.

TIPPING
Generally, if a service (transfer, meal) is included in your tour, then any related tips are also included, such as to luggage handlers and waiters. If someone provides a special service, a small additional tip is in order and will be much appreciated. At restaurants, a service charge is usually included, but an additional tip of less than ten percent is customary. No tip is necessary on included breakfasts, unless you received special service. Tips to chambermaids are not necessary unless you made a particular mess or requested extra services. Tips to tour guides and escorts are entirely voluntary and depend upon the quality of their service (we suggest tipping $ 2 per day to the driver and $ 4 per day for the guide).

TAXIS
Taxi drivers are generally honest and dependable, but may not speak English. Have your hotel doorman instruct your driver where you want to go or write it down and show it to your driver. Most taxis are metered with rates clearly posted. Be prepared for late night, weekend, holiday or airport/luggage surcharges - they are perfectly in order. If you feel you are being overcharged, ask for a written receipt ("recibo") and make a good show of writing the taxi number down. Overcharges rarely happen. Taxi drivers do not expect large tips; usually the odd change is enough. If you are planning to hire a car for a long period, it is best to negotiate it through your hotel concierge and have an amount agreed upon in advance and in writing. Make sure whether the charge is per person or per vehicle.

FILM
Film is much more expensive in Europe. Buy plenty before you leave (not at the airport!.) Several rolls of fewer exposures are better than one or two long rolls in case one is damaged. Modern films keep well, so you can use any leftover rolls later.

VALUABLES AND SECURITY
Spain and Portugal have no more of a crime problem than anywhere else in the world. However, tourists can be easy targets as they are usually carrying cash. Use the same precautions against pickpockets and purse-snatchers as you would at home. If you must take valuables on your trip, protect them in the hotel safe. You will not need to carry your passport and airline ticket with you unless you will be crossing an international border or flying. There are two exceptions: passports are needed to enter gambling casinos and to cash travelers cheques in banks. When shopping or sightseeing, do not carry all your credit cards or cash with you. Leave most of it in the hotel safe. Avoid gypsies and other walking vendors. Just say "no" and move along. Exchange currencies only at hotels, banks or business establishments. Keep your passport number written down and in a place separate from your valuables and other papers. This can prove useful if you lose your passport.

HOURS
Chances are you will arrive in Europe after an overnight flight from the USA. If you feel the need for a nap, make it a short one. Do not sleep through until the evening or you will be awake all night. Force yourself to stay up until at least 10:00 or 11:00 pm local time. The later you stay up, the better chance you have of getting some sleep and being on "European Time" the next morning. Dining hours are later than in the USA (moreso in Spain than Portugal).

TELEPHONES
Mosthotels have in room, direct dial telephones and add a surcharge for long distance calls, even if placed collect. For economy, buy a local phone card and place your overseas calls at a public telephone. Instructions for international calling are printed in English in most phone booths.

IN CASE OF EMERGENCY
Your hotel front desk is usually your best resource in case of emergency. If you are between hotels, you will find the telephone of PETRABAX's main office in Madrid on your voucher(s). The office is open Monday through Friday from 9:00am to 1:00pm and 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm, and from 9:00am to noon on most Saturdays. In cases of urgency, contact the local police or the American Embassy. Most hotels will assist you in contacting emergency assistance. For car rental emergencies, please contact the nearest office of your rental company. Addresses and telephone numbers are with your car documents.

NIGHTLIFE
Evening activities abound, varying from small clubs with, perhaps, a guitarist and singer, to full blown flamenco (Spain) or fado (Portugal) shows, to international Las Vegas type revues in the larger cities. If you are unsure where to visit, tip the hotel concierge or front desk person a few dollars and ask for advice. This works just as well for dining tips. There are many small, quaint restaurants with prices less than half what you might pay in hotels or large restaurants. Use normal caution walking about at night and stay in well-lighted areas near other pedestrians.

WEATHER/CLIMATE
Spain and Portugal are blessed with mild climates. It rarely falls below freezing, except in the mountains or the plains during winter storms. Coastal areas are always mild, cooled by sea breezes in the summer, though they can be chilly in the winter. Both countries' islands are pleasant year round and the Canary Islands and Madeira enjoy spring-like weather all year. Spain has more than 30 mountain ski resorts where, of course, cold weather attire is necessary in winter.

LANGUAGES (CASTILLIAN / CATALAN / BASQUE / GALLEGO)
Though Castillian Spanish is the official language of Spain, there are different official dialects. Catalan, which sounds a bit like French, is spoken in the northeast. Gallego, with its Portuguese sound, is spoken in Galicia. Basque, which bears little resemblance to any other language, is spoken in the north central Basque country. Portuguese is spoken throughout Portugal, with only accents marking the different areas. English is widely spoken in the larger cities and resort areas of Spain, and even more commonly spoken in Portugal.
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