FAQs

Question

Are kids welcome?

Answer

Yes! We are having babysitters at the wedding for 4 hours beginning when the dinner starts, and for 3 hours on Saturday at the Farewell Garden Party. At the barbecue, there is an entire lawn dedicated to the kids where they can play ball and run around/be kids. The babysitters are also bringing activities for the kids to do. The venue has a lawn in the front and rooms inside the house where we (the adults) will be primarily hanging out, and the lawn for the kids is in the backyard. The entire venue is walled in so it will be completely private.

Question

What travel documents do I need?

Answer

• You will need a valid passport to enter Spain •Check that your passport is up to date and its expiration date is at least 6 months AFTER your trip. • Check if you need a visa. US and EU passport holders do not need a visa for Spain. • If you are a permanent resident of the country you reside in, remember to bring your visa (aka green card in the US) for a hassle-free re-entry to your home country.

Question

What should I know about money in Spain?

Answer

• The currency in Spain is the euro. You can acquire euros at any ATM in Europe which usually has the best exchange rates. Do NOT use the "currency exchange" points in airports and tourist hot spots; they give you the worst rate. You can usually purchase euros at your bank in the US for a decent rate. You can also exchange currency on Wise.com and Revolut.com, though you will need to set up an account. • Credit cards and debit cards work in Spain and are widely accepted, though it is usually advised to carry some euros on hand. Visa and Mastercard are accepted everywhere; American Express and Discover are not. • Check with your bank to ensure your credit/debit card does not incur foreign transaction fees. • Do NOT purchase travellers checks, they are not accepted anywhere. • Do NOT try to pay with US Dollars. You will be mocked in Spanish ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ • Tipping is in Spain 10% of your bill. If your bill is less than 10€, just round up to the nearest whole number. • All quoted prices include tax (IVA in Spanish), unless explicitly stated. • Generally speaking, Spain does not have a culture of negotiating/haggling; all prices listed are final. • If you keep your receipts on good purchased while in Spain (for non EU citizens), you can be reimbursed for the taxes paid at the airport.

Question

What should I know about languages?

Answer

• Generally speaking, you can get by with English in the major cities: Madrid and Barcelona. • For smaller cities, you may consider downloading the Spanish-English Google translate library or purchasing a phrase book. • The most widely spoken language in Spain is Spanish; however there are regional languages within the various provinces. For example, Catalan is spoken in Catalonia (Barcelona), Basque is spoken in Basque Country (Bilbao and San Sebastian), etc. Generally, you'll get by in Spanish everywhere, but just know you may hear other languages spoken as well.

Question

What other things should I be aware of?

Answer

PHONES • Check with your phone provider if you have access to international calling/texts/data. You may need to activate an international plan with your provider prior to travelling. • The most affordable option is usually to purchase a local sim card. Lebara is a great option for no-contract 30 day phone plans for ~10€, and they offer support in English. You can usually purchase SIM cards at airports, grocery stores, etc. You may even be able to purchase a local eSIM number online in advance. • You can also download an eSIM with companies like Airalo if you will only need data. • Consider downloading Whatsapp. Whatsapp texts, audio calls, and video calls only use data and that is usually much more affordable than traditional texts/calls. Most Europeans use Whatsapp over texts/calls. WEATHER • Remember to bring your suntan lotion; Spain is one of the sunniest European countries, and the sun is stronger than what you may be accustomed to. • While not a certainty, the south of Spain can be very hot in September (think in the 90s F/high 30s C), please check the weather beforehand and pack accordingly. ELECTRICITY • Europe's outlets are different from other parts of the world. For electronics like phones and laptops, a simple plug adapter will suffice. •For more power hungry appliances like hair dryers, curling irons, etc., you will need a power converter. Spain's outlets run 220 volts whereas the US runs 110 volts. If you use a plug adapter for your appliances, your US appliance will run twice as fast/hot, and may break. •When purchasing an adapter or converter, remember: adapters "adapt" the plug to the local country's type; converters "convert" the power from 220 volts to 110 volts. SAFETY • Spain is an extremely safe country. The only crime Spain generally faces is petty theft/pickpocketing. The rate of incidence is no more likely than New York, Paris, Rome, etc. Given that Seville is a smaller city, the likelihood is even less.