Cream in my coffee

In cafes in France, you'll want to specifically order a "cafe creme" (CAF-ay Crem, rhymes with gem) which will then come with cream in it already, with a cube of sugar on the side (in my experience). I like cream in my coffee too. I can't remember the Dutch for the term, but in the Netherlands they call it "coffee the wrong way." I think it is coffee the right way. :)

Have a great trip, Tim.

I would expect some degree of disappointment while in Spain. I've even worked in a few Cafeterías in Spain and don't recall even having cream on hand. You can try ordering your coffee "con nata" but that will probably just get you a cuppa with whipped cream on top. A "cortado" is coffee with less milk, while café con leche is lighter. My suggestion would be forgetting about the cream and ordering a carajillo (coffee with brandy or anise) instead. In any event, Spain has some truely great cafés and you shouldn't have much of a problem.

One more thing you should expect is that the coffee itself will be different than our American style coffee. They tend to drink it stronger and in smaller quantiies than our gargantuan cups of joe. It tastes so fantastic, though, that you won't feel like you're missing anything despite the smaller quantities.

Why not take a few packs of powderer cream along and without being real obvious use that? I'm not crazy about the stuff but better than nothing.

Tim,

Please don't destroy the fantastic European coffee with powdered creamer. Honestly, they'll give you cream if you ask for it. I just can't describe the coffee - saying it is like heaven seems too mild a statement.