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If you wish to see as much as possible of Spain then driving a car is certainly one of the best method of transport.
As an EU citizen and a tourist you must follow the same rules that apply for Spanish registered cars and Spanish drivers, and you can be fined for not obeying the following: Current driving license. Two EU approved, red warning triangles. Approved reflective jackets that must be worn outside the car on any highway. The jackets should be kept inside the car so you can put them on before you get out of the car. A set of spare lamps/bulbs for your car and the tools to change them. Valid insurance. All vehicle documents relating to the car. As a foreign tourist you must also have you passport with you, current until after you return home.
If you are from outside the EU, you will need an International Driving License issued by the correct authority in your home country. It must have one page of information in Spanish.
If you want to rent a car in Spain, compare prices from different rental companies. This is best done through the internet; also investigate any special deals the company may offer. If you book at your destination you may often be able to negotiate the price.
If you are not traveling alone, make sure your partner is also registered in the contract to be allowed to drive the car. Often an extra fee is charged, but again this may be negotiable.
The roads in Spain vary from very poor to very good, the latter especially since Spain joined the EU and has benefited from the funding from other countries over the last 20 years. The main connecting roads are generally excellent.
Spain is a very beautiful country with all types of landscapes. When you get away from the tourist places you will experience the "real" Spain, and the way the Spaniards live. Also things get a lot cheaper, especially at restaurants and bars, and things get much more authentic. It is easy to find accommodation when you drive around in Spain, there are many hotels at most categories.
Many areas have their own distinct characteristics. In some regions of Andalucia you can drive for hours through olive tree plantations, south of Madrid you get to an area with a lot of cattle and cheese production, especially Manchego cheese. You can stop and have a taste of the cheese if you want to, and of course buy directly from the producers. Northeast of Madrid lies the Rioja area, probably the best known wine district in Spain. Other areas have huge fields of wheat, and there are areas where rice is grown, especially around Valencia. To the west of Almeria in southern Spain you drive for almost 100 km through an area with greenhouses where a lot of vegetables are grown.
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