The following pickleball trip topics are covered below:

• COVID-19 Travel Information
• Time Zone
• Traveling to Spain – Departure Date
• Elevation
• Weather
• Travel Documents
• Travel Insurance
• Currency and Exchange Rate
• Traveler’s Checks
• ATM and Credit Cards
• Packing Tips
• Electrical Current: Adapters and Converters in Spain
• Air Conditioning
• Cell Phone Usage
• Extending Your Stay

COVID-19 Travel Information

Fortunately all travel restrictions have been removed! 

Time Zone

Spain is 6 hours ahead of US & Canadian Eastern Standard Time.

Traveling to Spain – Departure Date

If you’re traveling to Spain from North America your flight will usually be an overnight flight that will arrive in Spain in the morning local Spain time. Therefore, if you plan to arrive on the day the tour begins then you will need to depart from the US or Canada on the day prior to the beginning of the tour.

Weather

Average temperatures in Málaga in April-June and September-October range from 66 ℉ to 83 ℉, but they can get as high as 93 ℉ and as low as 57 ℉.

Average temperatures in Madrid in April-June and September-October range from 58 ℉ to 81 ℉, but they can get as high as 90 ℉ and as low as 50 ℉.

Average temperatures in Barcelona in April-June and September-October range from 69 ℉ to 79 ℉ but they can get as high as 85 ℉ and as low as 50 ℉.

Travel Documents

If you are an American or Canadian citizen, you need a valid passport to enter Spain. You do not need a travel visa. American Citizens who don’t already have a passport must apply in person at a designated passport facility such as a post office, public library, courthouse or other municipal building (please visit the Passport Facility Search page for your nearest location). For step-by-step instructions and to download a passport application, go to the State Department website. You’ll pay approximately $135 and probably wait about 3-6 weeks (5-7 days after you apply, you can check the status of your passport application and its estimated arrival date through the State Department website). Canadian Citizens who don’t already have a passport should go to Passport Canada.

If you are a citizen of another country traveling internationally, you should contact an embassy or consulate of Spain to determine what travel documentation is required.

We recommend that you make at least two photocopies of all the travel documents that you bring with you. Include copies of the photo page of your passport that contains the date of issuance, the date of expiration and your citizenship. Secure one set of copies in the safe in your room while traveling and leave one set behind with someone at home who will assist you in the event your documents are misplaced, lost or stolen.

Travel Insurance

Travel insurance coverage is recommended to reduce the financial risk of accidents, illness, missed flights, canceled or interrupted tours, and lost baggage. Read more HERE about the benefits of having travel insurance for your pickleball vacation.

Currency and Exchange Rate

The official currency in Spain is the Euro. If you’d like to get a small supply (for example 100 euros) before you leave home, ask your bank or auto club. Once in Spain, money can be exchanged at exchange bureaus, but banks give the best rates.

To obtain the most current exchange rate, you may want to check your local newspaper or online at webpages such as CNN Money.

Traveler’s Checks

Traveler’s checks are not necessary. All major credit cards are widely accepted at most hotels, restaurants, and shops. ATMs are widespread and are generally the cheapest and most convenient method of obtaining money.

ATM and Credit Cards

We recommend that you contact your bank in advance of departing on this pickleball trip to ensure you will be able to use your ATM and credit cards while traveling. When contacting your bank, notify them of your travel dates so that they will anticipate charges being made outside of your hometown and do not suspend your cards for what may appear to them to be “suspicious” charges. We also recommend that you make a photocopy of the front and back sides of your ATM and credit cards to leave behind with someone at home who will assist you in the event your cards are misplaced, lost or stolen.

Packing Tips for the Pickleball Vacation

Clothing

• • Comfortable, casual wear for sightseeing
  • A slightly dressy outfit for a special evening
  • A light to medium sweater and a light jacket or windbreaker for layering
  • Athletic gear for playing pickleball

Shoes

• • Comfortable, broken-in, supportive walking shoes or sandals
  • Casually dressy shoes for evening
  • Athletic shoes for pickleball

Accessories

• • Glasses and/or contact lenses, sunglasses, hat, alarm clock, batteries and chargers for small electronics and phone, camera and memory cards

Prescriptions

• • A supply sufficient for the entire trip and a copy of your prescription(s) in your carry-on bag; extra pair of prescription glasses

Sundries

• • Sun and lip protection; preferred over-the-counter medications for upset stomach, pain reliever or allergies; preferred personal hygiene products, contact lens solution and beauty items

Miscellaneous

• • Travel documents or confirmation numbers, passport, Frequent Flyer cards, medical insurance cards, business cards (to exchange with friends made along the way)
  • Emergency contact phone numbers; addresses for sending postcards
  • Cash, ATM card
  • Photograph of luggage contents in case of loss
  • A tote bag that folds into its own zippered pouch – handy for shopping or bringing back souvenirs
  • Sealable plastic bags for stowing small liquid containers
  • Umbrella / rain jacket
  • Binoculars

Electrical Current: Adapters and Converters in Spain

Spain’s electrical system is different from the US system in two ways: the voltage of the current and the shape of the plug.

Voltage

American appliances run on 110 volts, while Spanish appliances are 220 volts. Newer travel accessories and electronic gadgets are “dual voltage,” which means they work on both American and Spanish current. If you see a range of voltages printed on the item or its plug (such as “110–220”), you’re OK in Spain. Some older appliances have a voltage switch marked 110 (US) and 220 (Spain) — switch it to 220 as you pack.

A few old, cheap American appliances aren’t equipped to deal with the voltage difference at all, and they could be damaged or destroyed if plugged directly into a Spanish wall outlet. In these cases, you’ll need to buy a separate, bulky converter (about $30). With so many dual-voltage gadgets available, most people are no longer traveling with separate converters.

Plug

Once you’ve dealt with the voltage, you’ll have to consider the plug. A small adaptor allows American-style plugs (two flat prongs) to fit into Spanish outlets (which take two round prongs). You might want to pick up a few of these before the tour to have your own, as they’re quite inexpensive, but the hotel will be able to provide them as well.

Air Conditioning

The hotel and luxury coaches used on this pickleball tour are air-conditioned for your comfort. 

Cell Phone Usage

Please contact your cell phone carrier to determine whether your cell phone will operate in Spain and the rates that would apply.

Extending Your Stay on the Pickleball Trip

You are welcome to extend your stay at either the start or end of the pickleball tour in order to have additional time to explore on your own. If you’re interested in extending your time in “Spain” and would like to stay at the host hotel, we have arranged with the hotel to provide you the group rate we have during the pickleball trip. For information on how to extend your stay click here.