Travel in Europe - VAT refund question

[Christien]

Is it possible to get our VAT refund after we return home, or does it necessarily have to be done at the final departure airport? We just got back from Spain with a mitfull of receipts, and I'm just reading now that the proper procedure is to do it at the airport. Not a huge deal, we'd be getting maybe $30-40 back, but I'd still like to claim it if we can.

[Rick Lee]

I don't know how you can do it once you're back. You have to get some stamps at the airport before you leave. I've done it several times and it's such a PITA that I wouldn't bother for that small amount of money. You should contact the vendor's corp. office and see if they can tell you how to do it once you're already home. I doubt it's possible now.

[imcarthur]

You must hand in the forms at your point of departure from the EU.

Rick Steves

We have never bothered but our purchases are usually cash with no bill anyway.

Ian

[Christien]

Ok, no big deal. Not worth sorting through the paperwork for so little amount. Besides, Spain could probably use the cash right now more than us

[Paco Anton]

Ok, no big deal. Not worth sorting through the paperwork for so little amount. Besides, Spain could probably use the cash right now more than us

Yes, yes!!!!!

Please come back soon, we need all the help we can get to survive

[imcarthur]

So . . . did you love Spain? And some pics please?

Ian

[Christien]

It was awesome, of course! I might have already told you, it was our second time there. We went to the Costa del Sol for our honeymoon 10 years ago. We did a day trip to Seville and said we absolutely have to come back. So for our 10th anniversary we did just that. 4 days in Seville, 2 in Carmona at the Parador, and 5 in Barcelona. Barcelona was cool, but I wish we'd spent more time in the south and a few less days in Barcelona. Seville was just great - as wonderful as we'd remembered it. The Parador was of course awesome, but I really liked Carmona. Our 2nd evening there we sat in the main square and watch the locals for a couple hours, drinking sangria. How perfect is that?

Here are a couple pics:

Me at the Parasol Metropol, a massive modern art structure over top of some Roman ruins in Seville. We didn't know about this place (it was built since our last trip there) and just stumbled across it by accident - absolutely awesome.


Stef sitting at a fountain somewhere in Seville:


The afore-mentioned Sangria in the main square in Carmona, with some salmojero on bread. This is a tomato/bread/oil/garlic/vinegar soup/spread that I fell in love with. In fact, I just made some this afternoon, which wasn't too bad for a first try! After this we went for a proper dinner. The appetizer was salmojero, which was the best I had the whole trip. Entree for me was bull steak which was excellent. Dessert was white chocolate "soup" as they called it, with mango and cloves. Absolutely to die for. And more wine. I don't really remember going to bed that night


Stef at the original city gate to Carmona:


Stef posted a whole bunch of pics on FB. If you can't click through from my profile, send her a friend request. She'll know exactly who you are because she spent 2 days singing your praises while we were at the Parador!

[Christien]

Oh, and the temperature was bloody hot! We saw 47 degrees one day! I don't know what that is in F, but I'm pretty sure it'd be considered a heat wave in Texas! We knew August was the hottest month of the year there, but it's when our anniversary is, so what are you going to do. Luckily the humidity wasn't too bad in the south. I spent an inordinate amount of time with my shirt off. Barcelona was much cooler, but very humid - much more so that here at home. I've never sweat so much in my life...

[imcarthur]

I am glad that you had a good time. Andalusia is still at the top of our Best of List as well. We also had 40C+ weather in Sevilla & Madrid, but in June! We plan to return.

btw if you haven't seen the Picasso show at the AGO, it is well worth the effort. Even though I am not a huge fan, the show is a progression of his works & you can see his style emerge. Very well done.

Ian

[Christien]

That show is on my list, hopefully we'll get a chance to get to it before it's gone.

[imcarthur]

Originally Posted by Paco Anton

Yes, yes!!!!!

Please come back soon, we need all the help we can get to survive

Sorry, Paco. Next year is Morocco & a relaxing return to Paris. How about 2015?

Ian

[Paco Anton]

Originally Posted by imcarthur

Sorry, Paco. Next year is Morocco & a relaxing return to Paris. How about 2015?

Ian

If we are still here by 2015...

We are experiencing a bad case of overspending plus corruption plus huge unemployment plus nonexisting R&D. Our only chance is to boost exports and tourism.

I am glad you guys enjoyed Spain. Next time contact me if you need anything, although you seem quite at home here.