ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
**Please check your own country's international travel advice as well as the airline requirements before travel.**
UK guests please see the UK Government Foreign Office Travel website for latest entry and exit advice; https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/spain/entry-requirements
US guests please see Travel State website; https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Spain.html
Visas:
Spain is a party to the Schengen Agreement. This means that U.S., Canadian, Australian and European citizens may enter Spain for up to 90 days for tourist or business purposes without a visa. All other nationalities must check the visa entry requirements before your departure. You need sufficient funds and a return airline ticket.
Passports:
Your passport should be valid for at least 6 months beyond the period of stay. It is advised to have 1 blank page in your passport. Please be sure to fill out the "Emergency Next of Kin" section in your passport.
**Note: Visa and entry requirements, regulations, and restrictions can change. Ensure you check the current requirements well in advance of travel.
Travel Insurance
All passengers must have valid travel insurance before traveling, including health and cancellation insurance. Please ensure you have a copy of your insurer’s 24-hour emergency telephone number and your policy number.
Medical Conditions and Personal Medication:
Please advise us prior to travel if you have any medical conditions requiring special attention during your trip. If you have a specific medical condition, it is wise to carry the relevant doctor’s prescription with you.
Important:
Pack a sufficient supply of any medications you are taking, copies of the prescriptions and the contact details of your doctor.
Please note, some countries require that prescription drugs be carried in their original container, with the label clearly visible. In the event of you losing your medication, a qualified pharmacist should be able to source a replacement.
Travelling with CPAP or other Medical Machines
Please inform The Big Journey Company that you are travelling with such a device as early as possible, and well before you travel. Please note, if you require distilled or ionised water, you must inform The Big Journey Company of this at the time of booking, so we are able to make preparations with our ground agents. There may be an additional charge for this.
LUGGAGE
What to Pack and Wear
We would recommend comfortable clothes and shoes for the tours to Spain. Feel free to include a smart-casual outfit for dinner if you wish, however there is no pressure to follow a dress code.
The weather should largely be warm and sunny throughout the journey, however it is always good to be prepared for every eventuality, so make sure you pack a light jacket in case of rain and the fact that it may be cooler in the evening.
Insect repellent and sun cream are also essential items. Don't forget your camera, with charger/spare batteries and memory cards.
Menorca Walking Tour: Please see specific joining instructions for the suggested equipment to bring on this tour.
• Luggage Allowances
International airlines are often strict about the size and weight of checked in baggage and carry-on luggage. Prior to your departure, please contact your airline or visit their website for specific luggage requirements, as size and weight limitations may vary according to the airline and destination.
Morocco Tour Extension to Spanish Member Events – This tour includes a flight from Spain. Please check with The Big Journey Company regarding specific luggage allowances for this flight.
LANGUAGE
Language in Spain is a big political topic. The majority of the country speaks Castilian Spanish – what is commonly known as Spanish around the world. However, in a number of regions around the country, you will find different regional languages still spoken daily by the locals. These local languages will be displayed on road signs, official buildings, menus and many other places and are official languages of the country. In Catalunya, Catalan, a mix of Castilian Spanish, French and Italian, is commonly spoken. A variation of Catalan is also spoken in Valencia and the Balearic Islands. In the Basque Country on the north coast, close to the French border, you will hear Basque, a language so distinct it has no known relative, and see its distinctive lettering on many signs. And the north west of the peninsula, the locals of Galicia speak Gallego, influenced by nearby Portugal, but with traces of Celtic. English is widely spoken across the country in the hospitality industry and by younger generations.
WEATHER
The weather in Spain can vary considerably across the country, given the size and differing terrain. Andalucía and the south coast have a generally good climate all year round. Though temperatures may drop, and you may experience a few wet spells in winter, from Easter to October good weather prevails. In summer months, there are endless days of blue skies and high temperatures. The last few years have seen a number of heat waves, so it is best to be prepared for warm weather. The centre tends to be cold and dry in winter, but very hot in summer. The north coast is a lot wetter, with the weather coming straight from the Atlantic. Winters see big storms, rain and high waves, springs and autumns are a mix of sunny spells and blustery showers, but summers can be lovely. Temperatures are pleasant and bearable, not as high as the south, with many sunny days. Though there is always the chance of a front coming through, they normally blow through in a few hours.
The Balearic Islands tend to have a good year-round climate, with summers warm and pleasant. The Canary Islands have excellent summers. Winters can be blustery and windy, but temperatures remain warm.
ELECTRICITY
In Spain, the standard voltage is 230V and the frequency is 50Hz. You will need a European plug adapter, and/or converter depending on which electrical appliances you bring with you.
MOBILES & INTERNET COMMUNICATION
Moblie coverage is widely avaliable across Spain, be sure to check with your mobile provider for coverage and rates, as data roaming can be extremely expensive.
MONEY
• Currency
The currency of Spain is the Euro € (EUR). Credit cards are widely accepted at mid-high range establishments, but it is advisable to carry money in cash with you as well as cards are not accepted for many small transactions, nor in smaller bars, restaurants or shops. ATMs are widely available in cities, but not so in smaller villages.
Visa and Mastercard are the most widely accepted credit cards however many places do not accept cards such as Diners Club or American Express. If you intend to use any of your debit or credit cards whilst away, please make sure that you contact your bank before you leave to inform them that you will be travelling in order not to cause any problems using your cards or whilst on the trip.
Important Note - European countries use chip-and-pin credit cards, so cards with magnetic strips on the back (commonly used in North America) may not work with certain automated machines. You might want to carry some extra cash in your wallet to use in these situations just in case. You may be asked to provide ID if you cannot pay by chip and PIN.
After feedback from previous guests, we offer a group tipping package for this tour, more information on this will be shared in the 'Pre-Tour Emails'.
WATER
The tap water in mainland Spain is generally of excellent quality. Unless otherwise advised, you can drink the local tap water. However, the quality of the tap water on the Spanish islands varies and it is advisable to drink bottled water instead. Bottled water can be bought at supermarkets, kiosks and many shops.
SAFETY & SECURITY
As visitors, tourists may be more vulnerable to petty crimes like pickpocketing and scams, so we recommend staying aware and taking simple precautions.
RELIGION
Spain is mostly Catholic country, with some of the world’s best catholic cathedrals and churches found in the country. It is most prevalent in Andalucía, where you will still see many processions and public professions of faith.
PHOTOGRAPHY
Spain offers photo opportunities one after another. You will return with many photos that can never be repeated. Remember to pack your camera, along with the charger, spare batteries and a spare memory card!
SPECIFIC INFORMATION FOR MENORCA WALKING TOUR
Please check your tour information for further details on walking distance, what to pack and expect.
ARRIVAL IN SPAIN
Please note, standard hotel check-in is around 3pm, so should you arrive earlier than this, your room may not be available upon arrival. For those arriving early morning, we will do everything we can to work with the hotel to get you an earlier check-in subject to availability.
TOUR HOTEL INFORMATION
Please check your tour paperwork for hotel information attaining to your tour departure.
If you have any other questions that we have not covered here; then please send us an e-mail to: info@thebigjourneycompany.com
Disclaimer: The above information is provided as a guideline only. The Big Journey Company assumes no liability for any errors or omissions in this document.
Updated November 2024