CAPITAL:  Madrid

LANGUAGE:  Spanish

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS:  For U.S. citizens - your valid passport. No visa is required for stays up to 60 days.  Your passport cannot expire within 6 months of your scheduled return.  Non-U.S. citizens must contact their consulate for any visa or other documentation necessary between their country and Spain.

CURRENCY:  The Euro. Spain is a member of the European Union. All major credit cards and US dollars are accepted in most hotels and many shops. Most restaurants do not accept credit cards. Travelers checks are widely accepted and can be exchanged easily at most banks and post offices.

ELECTRICITY:  220 volts, 50 cycles AC. DC in some areas. An adapter is needed.

HEALTH:  Drinking water is generally safe, but visitors may want to drink bottled water. Many doctors and dentists speak English. Imported pharmaceuticals can be purchased in drugstores.

SHOPPING:  Specialty products include leather, lace, and pottery. Madrid has large shopping malls and many shopping districts. Photo ID is required with using your credit cards for purchases.

PHONE CALLS:  To call Spain, dial 34 (country code) followed by the telephone number (9digits).
To call the U.S. from Spain, dial 00 followed by 1 (country code) and the telephone number.
To use your mobile in Spain, contact your provider and they will activate the international roaming service for your account. Spain uses GSM technology for coverage.

WHAT TO WEAR:  Comfortable casual clothing and jeans are acceptable, except shorts and tank tops.  When touring cathedrals and religious sites, wear pants or a skirt. Be sure you have good walking shoes.

CLIMATE:  Summer is generally hot in the interior of the country, more moderate and cloudy along the coast. Below are the average temperatures for Madrid: