Flying in Europe

My return trips to the USA are becoming not as frequent as they were before. This means that I do not get to go flying as often as I would like. So, I have started looking into ways I can get back into the air. I have to admit that in France I am less adventurous because my French is rather limited. In Spain, I am more daring and I have started visiting airports in search of someone that will allow me to fly their airplanes.

One thing I am finding is that the it is not always easy to get accurate information on how someone with an FAA license can go about flying in Spain. What I have gathered from speaking to several different schools and clubs is:
• You can get your FAA license validated for a temporary time in Spain. This will allow you to rent Spanish registered airplanes and fly solo.
• You can get your JAR license that will allow basically means you will then be licensed under European governing body.

Ultimately, I would like to get my JAR license but I am still trying to get the details on that process. For example, will my FAA license count towards getting my license? Given my experience, I would have expected that the process might require me to take an exam showing that I am familiar with local rules and that I might need a check-ride from an examiner. I have not gotten a straight answer on this. One person I spoke said that I would need to start from scratch while someone else has said that I will get some credit. I guess the only way I will find out is by going thru the process. Stay tuned or feel free to share your what you know.