Let’s get the paperwork out of the way so we can focus on the fun stuff.

Your passport must

• be valid for at least six months after your return.

• match your name and birthday on file with EF.

• have three blank pages available.

A visa may be required for travel depending on where you're traveling and/or your citizenship.

For more information on passports and visas, visit our Passports & Visas help center article.

Traveler tip: Make two photocopies of your passport and any additional travel documents: one to bring with you and one to leave at home.

Not to sound cliché, but we can’t say this enough: pack light! Different airlines have different carry-on policies and checked bag fees, so ensure your bag meets their guidelines by checking your specific airline's baggage policy.

Most travelers find it easiest to go without checking bag. Here are some tips for getting as much as possible into that carry-on suitcase:

• Wear your bulkiest shoes on the plane and pack the lighter ones. Same thing goes for jackets and heavier clothing.

• Packing cubes or vacuum seal bags can save space and help you stay organized.

• Make the most of your personal item by using a tote bag or backpack that you can reuse throughout the trip.

• Roll your clothes instead of folding them. Pack the bigger items first and use smaller items like socks and underwear to fill in the gaps.

Traveler tip: You'll be traveling by train from Seville to Madrid, where very limited luggage space is available. With that in mind, we highly recommend a carry-on for your travels.  

Remember to pack light! You'll be toting your own luggage around at airports and hotels, so bring only what you need and ideally in a carry-on bag.

To see a full packing list, visit our What to Pack article in the help center.

To get started, here are the essentials:

• Passport—bring a photo copy and leave one at home too

• Visa—if applicable

• ATM card—call your bank prior to departure to alert them of your upcoming travel

• Purse or small day bag with a zipper

• Converter/adapter for any electronics

• Toiletries

• Medications and a copy of any prescriptions*

• Comfortable, casual clothing check the weather before you pack!

• Dressier outfit

• Raincoat and umbrella

• Reusable water bottle

• Comfortable walking shoes for example, one pair of sneakers and one pair of sandals

• Versatile layers

• A scarf or shawl—required when entering religious sites

• EF’s emergency numbers

  • Calling from within the US: 1-800-873-2250

  • Calling from abroad: 001-617-619-2913

 *All medications should be in their original containers. Put medications in your carry-on bag only in case a checked bag gets lost or delayed.

The best things in the world are free (like the orange blossoms you can smell and see throughout Seville). Still, a little spending money can go a long way while you're abroad:

• Spending money: Budget $40 to $60 per day for pocket money. This will cover lunch each day, four dinners, souvenirs, and additional activities. If you’re an especially avid souvenir hunter, you’ll want to give yourself more wiggle room—financially and in your suitcase.

• Currency: Euro. We don’t recommend traveling with large sums of cash. At the start of your program, we recommend bringing the equivalent of $60 in the currency of the initial destination. After that, ATMs are the most convenient way to withdraw cash since they accept a wide variety of bank and credit cards.

• Tipping: We suggest $8 per day for your Field Director, inclusive of the day you arrive and meet your Field Director and ending the day you depart for home.

Traveler tip: Be sure to let your bank know you’ll be traveling so they can put an alert on your account and inform you of any international fees.

Imagine it: you’ve finally arrived. It’s been a few hours since you left home, but your feet are firmly planted on the ground again. Today’s challenge? Fight off jetlag and make the most of the day.

Unless you arrive at night, be prepared to hit the ground running. Staying awake on arrival day is the best way to fight jet lag and adjust to any time difference. If there are other groups on your program, you may wait at the airport for them to arrive. To make things a bit easier:

• Pack toiletries and a change of clothes in your carry-on for when you land.

• Stay hydrated—it helps reduce jetlag.

• Travel in comfort, not necessarily in style, and get as much sleep as you can on the flight before.

Your dedicated Field Director—a physical and cultural guide—will be with you throughout your program. Our Field Directors work tirelessly behind the scenes to coordinate logistics like managing reservations and making sure everything flows seamlessly, so that you can enjoy your time without sweating the details. They are there to acquaint you with each new city and make sure everyone is safe, confident, and making the most of every moment.

You'll spend most of your time abroad learning and exploring, but you should also know what to expect when you settle in for the night.

• Hotels: Our hotel partners absolutely must meet our standards for quality, safety and cleanliness. That means your rooms will be safe, clean, comfortable, and equipped with private bathrooms. Hotels are typically 30–45 minutes from the city center by coach bus or public transit or conveniently located to the sites you'll be visiting, which comes in handy if you want to explore different areas.

• What to expect: Hotels abroad may feature smaller rooms than you’re used to and may not have air conditioning, free Wi-Fi, television, or elevators. All the more reason to get out and explore.

• Rooming: You may share a room with someone from another group if you’re traveling with more than one college or university—which has led to more than a few incredible cross-country friendships. Since hotels vary from city to city, room assignments might also be different from one hotel to the next. Standard accommodations vary based on age. For more information, visit our Rooms & Roommates help center article.

Traveler tip: Electrical outlets in different countries may be different from the ones we're used to. Make sure you research what type of converter and/or adapter is needed for your travels!

You should expect food and portion size to be different than what you're accustomed to at home. Kick off each day with an included continental breakfast. Three dinners will be included, too. We work with local restaurants to provide a pre-set menu that includes 2-3 course plated meals inspired by the region, giving you the opportunity to experience authentic dishes. Other dinners and lunches are your opportunity to explore the cuisine as you see fit.

Spain and Portugal are known for their fresh, flavorful, locally sourced foods. Whether you are enjoying some patatas bravas in Madrid, taking in the incredible aromas at the Time Out Market in Lisbon, or sampling tapas in Seville, you are sure to fall in love with the flavors that make Iberian cuisine truly unique.

• In Spain, you can find fresh seafood, bread baked daily, local cheese and olive oil, and cured meats like chorizo and jamón ibérico.

• Tapas, small plates made for sharing, are common in most Spanish cities and are a great way to try lots of different dishes.

• For a quick, inexpensive, and delicious lunch in Lisbon, try a Bifana Sandwich and grab a pastel de Belem for dessert.

Traveler tip: A great way to eat like a local in Spain is to order the menú del día – the set lunch menu of the day which usually comes with three courses: a light starter, meat or fish with a side, and a small pastry or coffee for dessert.

Here's how you'll get around to make the most of your travels.

• Flights: Overnight to Lisbon and home from Madrid.

• Bus: Main mode of transportation on the ground.

• AVE Train: From Seville to Madrid.

• Public transportation: Public transportation passes are included in Madrid and will be the main mode of transportation for included activities and exploration time.

• Walking: Hands down the best way to explore a new city. Be ready to walk a ton (we're talking 5-7 miles per day) to see as much as possible. 

You will explore three cities in nine days, so this program will feel fast! In order to maximize your time each day, you will leave the hotel bright and early and return some time in the evening (or later if you’re feeling adventurous). Most days will be a combination of planned activities and exploration time with some days being busier than others. You'll have a mix of time on the bus, public transportation, AVE trains, and walking to get around. Be prepared to walk between 5-7 miles per day.

You'll spend 2-3 nights in each hotel before moving on to the next, meaning there’s no time to waste! Transfer days can mean long bus rides where you can rest and recharge. Just be ready to hit the ground running in each new place.

Traveler tip: Arrival day will feel like the longest day on your program, we recommend sleeping on the plane as much as possible to be ready to hit the ground running.

Exploration time can vary depending on a few factors: the number of planned activities, whether or not your group has decided to add any optional excursions, and general travel variables like traffic. How you spend your exploration time is entirely up to you. You could sit in a café and people-watch, grab a few friends and discover a new part of the city, or do some souvenir shopping. On busier days, you might just have enough exploration time for a quick lunch.

Here is a rough breakdown of exploration time on your itinerary:

• Lisbon: Half day

• Seville: Half day

• Madrid: Half day, full day

There is so much to see and do, so do some research and plan ahead. If you need inspiration, here are our exploration time suggestions:

• Browse the food stalls at the Time Out Market in Lisbon

• Climb the ramps of the Giralda tower next to the Seville Cathedral for the best views of city

• Take a walk or have a picnic along the banks of the Guadalquivir River in Seville

• Spend time in Parque Retiro in Madrid

• Explore the Malasaña district of Madrid, a student-friendly area with cafes, art stores, and vintage shops

Traveler tip: While exploring Lisbon, look for signs that say Miradouro – these will lead you to lookout points where you can get incredible views of the city.

Do learn common words and phrases:

• Bom dia = good morning

• Boa tarde = good afternoon

• Boa noite = good evening

• Oi or Ola = hello

• Adeus = goodbye

The Portuguese tend to dress more modestly, especially when entering formal spaces such as a church.

Politeness has a high importance in Portuguese culture. Be mindful of how you speak with locals and with your Field Director.

Avoid comparing Portugal and Spain or assuming similarities between the two countries. While they are close in proximity, the two countries, cultures and customs are quite distinct.

Tipping is appreciated but not compulsory in Portugal. In restaurants, a 5-10% tip is common if the service is good. If you are in a cafe or bar, rounding up the bill or leaving small change is common. 

Do learn common words and phrases:

• Hola = Hello

• Buenos dias = Good morning

• Buenas tardes = Good afternoon

• Buenas noches = Good night

• Gracias = Thank you

Spanish people live life to the fullest, while maintaining a slow pace of life. Particularly outside the major cities, expect long, drawn out dinners full of good conversation and food. When wandering through Spain, you’ll notice friends gathering at cafes in mid-morning, families spending time outside, and a long siesta in the afternoon.

Embrace the siesta lifestyle! Also, be aware that, in most cities, it can be difficult to find open restaurants during siesta, usually between the hours of 12-3pm. 

Don’t go to a restaurant if you don’t have plenty of time. Unlike the US, there is less of a focus on fast and immediate service. Eating out is an experience, so be prepared to be patient. 

Be aware of pickpockets in high traffic tourist spots. Always keep your belongings on you person and tucked away safely in a secure bag. 

Meal times in Spain are different than what you may be used to in the US. Lunch is later in the day, usually between 12-2 PM and dinner is much later, between 9-11 PM. Due to this, everything stays open later.  

Tipping is not mandatory in Spain but is appreciated for good service. In restaurants, leaving around 5-10% of the bill is common. Tipping in cafes or bars is not usually expected, but rounding up the bill or leaving small change is appreciated.