SPAIN
Spain has no shortage of energy, vivacity, and zest! Those who visit simply cannot get enough of the world-renowned dancing, cuisine, beaches, and wine. In fact, if you were to tell me you think Spain is the best place in the entire world for every single one of those, I’m not sure I could even argue with you. And THAT is truly a strong statement!
Updated COVID-19 Travel Information:
Currency:
The official currency of Spain is the Euro (EUR) (€)
$1 USD = €0.85
Pricing for Leisure Travelers:
Average Hotel Expenses = €72-€85/Night ($85-$100 USD/Night)
Average Food/Drink Expenses = €21-€34/Day ($25-$40 USD/Day)
Pricing for Backpackers:
Average Hostel Expenses = €12-€21/Night ($15-$25 USD/Night)
Average Food/Drink Expenses = €12-€21/Day ($15-$25 USD/Day)
Communication:
Spanish is spoken all throughout Spain but there are three main dialects (other than Castilian) to be aware of: Basque, Catalan, and Galician. That said, if you are a Spanish or English speaker, you shouldn’t have any issues communicating with anyone.
Transportation:
Bus: A slightly slower option than trains, buses are known for being more cost-effective in Spain. You can book through Bookaway, or via Spain’s national bus service, ALSA.
Train: Train tickets are fairly pricey in Spain. You can purchase tickets through Renfe, Spain’s national train service, or Rail Europe. If you plan to make multiple trips, it may be cost-effective to buy a rail pass (a 3-ride Eurail Spain pass costs €170). You can also look into the Eurail Global Pass which has many different options depending on your destinations and length of travel.
Airplane: You may be able to catch a cheap flight from Madrid or Barcelona to other cities in Europe, but if you are traveling for at least a few weeks, I think you’re better off traveling by bus or train.
Taxi/Uber: Madrid and Barcelona are crawling with taxis and Ubers. If you are taking a taxi, make sure they run their meter!
Ferry: The best and most efficient way to access the Spanish islands is via ferry. Ferryhopper has a strong grip on the market; I used them exclusively during my travels and they’re wonderful!
Miscellaneous:
The Camino de Santiago is a 800km (500 mile) walk/pilgrimage across Northern Spain. It takes most people between 25-35 days to complete. There are many different motivations for the trek depending on who you speak to, but the main reason is wellness-related whether that be spiritual, physical, experiential, or religious. Most routes start in Spain, but there are a few that start in France or Portugal. All routes end in Santiago. I highly recommend it!
Spanish cuisine is an experience in it of itself. If you could only try three things I would recommend paella, tapas, and tortilla de papas. There are no shortage of options though! You can wash it all down with some sangria!
Did I mention they love to party in Spain? The Spaniards are never short on reasons to celebrate which means your visit will likely coincide with one of their annual festivals!
