Spain

 
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A single visit to Spain can result in many different experiences. Culture lovers and history buffs can be awed at more than 40 UNESCO World Heritage sites and more than 1,000 museums. Outdoor enthusiasts can walk, hike and golf their way across stunning landscapes. And foodies can get their fill of delectable regional cuisine paired with incomparable wines.

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Overview

Much more than flamenco and bullfights, Spain has everything from cutting-edge museums to quaint fishing villages, green highland valleys, soaring cathedrals, medieval towns, designer cuisine, spirited nightlife, and an immense treasury of painting and sculpture. At the hub of it all is Madrid, one of Europe's liveliest capitals. It's the seat of the Spanish government and a center for the national media. Beyond the designer boutiques and chic restaurants, however, you'll find a simple Castilian town. Life here is lived in cafés and rustic taverns. All it takes to become a local is to duck inside one. Barcelona, whose leafy streets are lined with stunning art nouveau and modernist architecture, rivals Madrid for power and is generally regarded as the winner in culture and style. Although both cities are exciting, most exciting for anyone vacationing in Spain is the nationwide insistence on enjoying life. On a trip here, you'll no doubt catch that spirit, too.

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Before You Go

Airport Check-In: It is recommended that you reconfirm your flight information and check in for your flights at the airline’s website 24 hours prior to your scheduled departure. Please bring all your final documents with you. It is important to arrive at the airport at least 90 minutes prior to departure for all domestic flights, and three hours prior to departure for international flights. For domestic flights within Europe, you are required to check in two hours prior to departure.

Required Documents: U.S. citizens must travel with a valid passport and a ticket for return or onward travel. There may be additional requirements for international travel, such as inoculations or visas, and some countries require that passports be valid for six months or longer beyond your stay in the country. Entry requirements for non-U.S. citizens might be different, and visitors are encouraged to verify the documentation/visa requirements with the nearest consulate or embassy. Rules are subject to change at any time, without notice. For the most current information, please visit the website of the U.S. Department of State at www.travel.state.gov.

Newlywed Information: Tickets and other travel documents must exactly match your current passport and other identification. If not, you could be denied boarding and no refund will be forthcoming. For requirements and information regarding marriages performed in a foreign country, please visit the consulate of the particular country.

Honeymoon Packages: Some hotels require you to present a marriage certificate or license for you to receive the honeymoon package. Please bring your marriage documentation with you if you are traveling on a honeymoon package.

Minors: If a minor (under 18) is traveling, please provide the appropriate travel documents for the trip. Review required documents here, https://www.dhs.gov/travel-overseas.

Luggage: Baggage allowances and fees vary by airline. For airline baggage fees and policies please visit https://www.costcotravel.com/Info/Airline-Baggage. If baggage fees do apply, this cost will be additional and must be paid directly to the airline.

Arriving: Starting in 2024, travelers to most European Union (EU) countries and the United Kingdom (UK) from visa-exempt countries (including the USA and Canada) will be required to register to enter. The EU's European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) and the UK's Electronic Travel Authorization are not yet in operation and are not yet collecting applications. Once open, applications will be made online via the official websites: ETIAS https://travel-europe.europa.eu/etias_en and ETA https://www.gov.uk/guidance/electronic-travel-authorisation-eta) The approximate fee per application will be EUR 7 for ETIAS and GBP 10 for ETA. These travel authorizations are electronically linked with your passport. ETIAS is valid for three years or until your passport expires, is for short-term stays of up to 90 days in any 180-day period, and is applicable for the EU Countries requiring ETIAS. ETA is valid for two years or until your passport expires and is for up to 6 months for tourism, visiting family and friends, business or study in the UK. ETA may also be required if you are connecting through the UK to another destination.

Duty Free/Customs: When returning to the U.S., the duty-free allowance may vary by country. Please visit http://www.cbp.gov/travel/us-citizens for information regarding U.S. Customs and more.

Travel Health Information: For the most current worldwide health information, consult your family physician or the official website for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention at www.cdc.gov/travel or by phone at 1-800-232-4636. You’ll find information on recent outbreaks, required vaccinations, insect protection, illness and injury abroad, and more.

General Safety Tips: By taking a few simple security precautions before and during your vacation, you can help ensure that you, your traveling companions, and your valuables are as safe and secure as possible.
  • To make it easier to replace your passport if it’s lost or stolen, in addition to your passport, take a photocopy of your passport information page (keeping it separate from your actual passport).
  • Carry only a limited amount of cash, just enough for gratuities and incidental purchases. Major credit cards are widely accepted and can be replaced if lost or stolen.
  • Always lock your hotel room door (including patio and balcony door on any level of the building) and use the peephole before opening the door.
  • Store your valuables (such as cash, credit cards and airline tickets) in the hotel’s in-room safe or front desk safety deposit box.
  • If you must carry valuables on your person, do so in a pouch or money belt concealed under your clothing. Purses and backpacks can be easy targets for thieves.
  • For complete and current safety and security information, including travelers' tips, public announcements, travel advisories and more, please visit the website of the U.S. Department of State at www.travel.state.gov.

Climate:
Average Fahrenheit Temperature:
  • December through February: 57° to 59° (Winter)
  • March through May: 64° to 75° (Spring)
  • June through August: 84° to 90° (Summer)
  • September through November: 83° to 63° (Autumn)

Water Safety: Tap water is safe to drink.

Local Currency: Euro

Electricity: 230 volts, 50 mHz. An adapter is required for small U.S. appliances.

Time Zone: Central European Time

Local Language: Spanish