We usually eat a bit later than in the rest of Europe. Breakfast is very similar to the continental one and is served from 8:00 to 10:30 in the morning. Lunch in restaurants is served between 13:00 and 15:30, and dinner from 20:30 to 23:00. However, most of the tourist restaurants are adapted to an European timetable and it is frequent the serving of food at any time in bars and cafés, where you will be able to taste the famous ‘tapas’, mixed grills, sandwiches and other meals.

The timetable of most of the shops is from 10:00 to 14:00 and from 17:00 to 20:00 or 21:00, although big supermarkets and shopping centres have a non-stop timetable from 10:00 to 21:00 or 22:00. Pubs and discos are usually opened until 3:00 or 4:00 in the morning at weekends.

Chemists’ have a very similar timetable to the other shops, although it is possible to find a duty chemist where you will find whatever you need at any time. These duty chemists are specified on a list on the front door of any chemist.

They usually have a non-stop timetable, although they always close their doors a day between Monday and Thursday, since they are opened at weekends and bank holidays. If you wish, we could help you to get tickets for museums and monuments, such as ‘La Alhambra’, the Picasso Museum, etc. Don’t hesitate to send us an e-mail.

They usually have a non-stop timetable too from Monday to Friday between 8:30 and 20:30 and on Saturdays from 9:30 to 14:00. On Sundays and bank holidays they are closed. The timetable of smaller post offices can vary depending on the location and the village. Stamps may be also bought at tobacconists’. In general, official buildings such as consulates, embassy or town halls have a timetable from 8:30 or 9:00 to 14:00 or 15:00 from Monday to Friday.

We recommend you to get information at your own country for a full assistance in Andalusia. It is not necessary to get any kind of vaccination to travel to Andalusia, although it would be advisable to have a tetanus vaccination since you travel to the countryside. Medicines can be only bought in chemists’, whose official emblem is a green cross. You must remember that only doctors can prescribe the correct medicines.

Most of the banks are opened from 8:30 to 14:00 or 14:30. Only some offices are opened on Saturday morning. However, there are a lot of cash dispensers in Andalusia available 24 hours a day and most of them are international ones (servired, 4B, etc.)

From January 1st 2002, the official coin in Spain is the Euro. 1€ is divided into 100 cents. There exits coins of 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, and 50 cents, and coins of 1 and 2€, as well as notes of 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200 and 500€. You can change money at any bank, although it is frequent the changing of money at tourist places, such as airports, stations, etc. It is interesting to know that in some restaurants and shops it is not possible to pay with notes of 100, 200 or 500€.

It would be advisable to take a road map with you, although people in Andalusia will be very pleased to help you to find your destination. Respecting clothes, from April or May until September or October, it is advisable to wear summer and comfortable clothes. However, you must take some coats with you for the night. Don’t forget to take your swimming costume, hat or cap, sunglasses and sun cream if you want to enjoy the swimming pool, although we recommend you to avoid sunbathing at midday from June to September, as well as drinking a lot of water. In winter, you will need winter clothes depending on the month. In any case, if you need anything, you will be able to get it from any shop of the zone.

In ‘El Tejar Viejo’, voltage is 220-240V AC, 50Hz. Electrical appliances from some countries will need a transformer or adaptor. Besides, our plugs have got two holes as in the rest of Europe. However, if you need an adaptor with three holes, you can either bring it with you or get it here at any ironmongers’.

In Carcabuey (Cordoba), we usually have the Mediterranean weather in which winters are cold and it sometimes rains, and summers are hot and dry. We have 300 sunny days a year more or less in which January is the coldest month and August is the hottest one.

The average temperature is:

Andalusia is located in the South of Spain. You can reach it by plane, by boat or by car, bus, train or taxi.

There are two national airports. The closest ones from Carcabuey are Cordoba and Granada airports, although there are also two international airports (Malaga and Seville), consisting of domestic and foreign flights. In order to get more information, you can contact your destination airport or your flight company.

• The speed limit in highways is 120 kph, (75 mph), although you must follow any traffic signs.
• It is compulsory the use of the seatbelt in all seats.
• It is also compulsory the use of a helmet in motorbikes and bicycles.
• You cannot use your mobile phone when driving unless you have a handsfree unit.
• Children under the age of 3 years old need a special seat according to their age and weight.
• You must use special security triangles if your car is broken down in the middle of the road.
• In general, the maximum level of alcohol is 0,5 g. per litre of blood or 0,25 mg. in breathing.
• Normally, city centres can be visited by walking and due to traffic problems, it is advisable to use the public transport and avoid the use of private transport.