Touring Spain by Car
Any trip to Europe, if your plan is to see more than one country, should really involve a spell in Spain. It is one of the most readily identifiable countries in the world, with its languages, architecture and scenery all seeming somehow incredibly fresh and exciting in a way which is not immediately recognizable from other nearby countries. While France and Italy tend to have something of a laid-back, 'take us as you find us' feel to them, Spain is very much a country which takes you by the hand and encourages you to join in. It has had its problems, and until not so long ago was operating under a dictator. It could be argued that, with the past that the country has had to face up to, the present has all the more need to be vibrant.
Regardless of why Spain is such an exciting location for a holiday, the fact is that it is. It makes for a wonderful entry into Europe as well ' where other countries have a reputation for being stand-offish which is not always merited, Spain is different, and is more in tune with the can-do spirit with which America is often credited. You can tell a lot about a country by the music that is most associated with it ' and in Spain, that usually makes for an insistent, funky beat that marks a real lust for life. This enthusiasm and vibrancy makes it an ideal place for a driving holiday. There is also the fact that in most schools throughout the US, one of the major languages of choice to learn is Spanish ' so it will give your kids (and you) an excellent chance to practice your Spanish.
There are, of course, rules of the road to take into account when in Spain. About twenty years ago there was a reputation that hung around Spain ' it was theoretically a country where road travel was less than advisable, with accidents happening all too regularly and a record for road accident fatalities that made the press all over Europe. Since then, the Spanish government has implemented common sense measures which involve very strict penalties for speeding and driving while intoxicated ' and intoxicated in Spain means a blood alcohol level of 0.5mg per ml of blood, much lower than in many other countries, and almost twice as stringent as in the US.
Pulling out to overtake without indicating is also very strictly enforced, full wearing of seatbelts is no less so. It is in fact an offence in Spain to travel in a car where there are more passengers than seatbelts. There is a great deal of rules to be sure of before you set off, and a full list is available at many sources online. One that may catch the unsuspecting beforehand is the need for high visibility fluorescent jackets or vests in each car. Ideally each passenger should have one ' the theory behind this being that on getting out of the car if it develops a fault, you will be visible to motorists and at less risk of being hit.
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