The summer is coming up and many people will be making a trip to Spain, one of Europe’s most popular travel destinations. As a well developed country with membership in the European Union, Spain is one of the easier countries to travel to. There are, however, a few things you should bear in mind before your trip if you want to make the most of it and you’ll find five tips for your preparations here.

Medicines
If you are a member of the European Union then you’ll be covered in Spain with your Health Card. That card does not, however, cover any minor medicines, which can be quite pricey in Spain compared to other countries.
So if you’re a hay fever sufferer and need those antihistamines or if you will be needing some ibuprofen during your stay then be sure to buy them at home and take them with you. You’ll end up saving a fair bit.

Holiday Money
Like most European countries, Spain uses the struggling Euro. In the middle of Europe’s worst financial crisis in a century, you will actually get a good exchange rate on the Euro from most other currencies at the moment. And it is worth ordering that currency a while in advance of your trip.
If your trip is still a few months away then monitor the exchange rate with the Euro and buy when the rate seems to be going well. You never know when it will fall again, so it’s up to you how long you want to hold off for a better price. It’s your gamble!

For lots of Smokers
If you’re a non-smoker then you might want to find a friend who does smoke and spend as much time with them as possible to get used to the constant puffs passing through the Spanish air.
Spain passed a law against smoking in bars, but with sunny terraces outside it meant that nobody was forced to quit! The Spaniards will simply smoke their cigarettes outside on a bar’s terrace where it is permitted, so be prepared for smoke if you plan to dine outside during your trip.

Your Sun Gear
Anyone visiting Spain has probably chosen the country because of the sun that it enjoys. But you need to make sure you pack the right gear!
Sun glasses, shorts, t-shirts, sandals, sunscreen, aftersun, a hat and towels for the beech. These are some essentials for fully enjoying the Spanish sun!

Accommodation
With the coasts and cities of Spain being so popular, accommodation can get booked up pretty quickly. It’s worth, therefore, getting yours sorted as soon as possible.
One accommodation option that will really let you live like a Spanish local is to rent a self-catering apartment. Not only will it be cheaper than a hotel, but you’ll have the chance to try cooking your own tapas at home.

And that should be you sorted! These five tips will help you to have a great trip to Spain!

By Barcelona-based Euan McTear