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| By Danielmlg86 (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0 es], via Wikimedia Commons |
One of the first things I noticed when I went to Southern Spain last autumn was that everyone was bundled up like it was the dead of winter. Now, I'm from the southern United States, so the temperature in Málaga in November, really reminded me of weather back home during the same time of year (maybe a tad cooler). But, had I asked Spaniards what I should pack before I traveled there, I would've packed boots and a winter coat, neither of which were really necessary. So, what should you pack? Well, whether you've never been to Spain (but you kinda like the music), or perhaps have just never been to Andalucía at this time of year, we're here to help.
Umbrella
Listen, it's Europe. It's fall. It's going to rain. Maybe not everyday, but some days. Even in southern España. So, it's important to have a great umbrella like this Totes Clear Bubble Umbrella that sort of wraps around you rather than sticking out like regular umbrellas. This way, you won't wack anyone when you're walking next to them down the sometimes very narrow sidewalks.
Rain Boots
And while we're on the subject, it's better to be safe than sorry and pack a good pair of rain boots. Tall or short, it doesn't really matter. But, these black Kamik Heidi Rain Boots will go with everything, and if not, they come in an array of colors, so you can easily coordinate with your trip wardrobe's color palette.
Flats
Sidewalks in Spain are not like sidewalks in America. They're made of tile, or brick, or cobblestone and can be rather treacherous. Not to mention Andalucía is full of hills. Seriously, sometimes it's like walking on a roller coaster track. That being said, heels are really a silly walking choice. Opt for a good, comfortable, but stylish, flat walking shoe like these Betani Double Ankle Strap Ballet Flats.
Sneakers
Tennis shoes (or trainers, if you prefer) are another great walking shoe option, which no one will fault you for. You might choose a stylish platform pair like these Steve Madden Women's Gills Fashion Sneaker. They'll go with nearly everything you'll pack, and your feet will thank you.
Scarf
A lightweight scarf like this Paskmlna Reversible Paisley Shawl is definitely a necessity. Whether you take one with you, or purchase one in Spain, you'll find having one super convenient. Spain is quite a modest country, so it comes in handy if you find yourself needing a bit more coverage when visiting cathedrals and such.
A Light Jacket
You may or may not wear it much, but you should definitely bring a lightweight jacket with you when traveling to Spain in the autumn, and a short trench jacket like this Wantdo Double-Breasted Khaki Trench would do perfectly. You'll also notice a classic trench is the coat of choice of most of the locals.
Sunglasses
In Spain, much of your daytime eating will be done outside. In fact, a majority of it will be, so you'll need a great pair of sunglasses like these Aevogue Polarized Semi-Rimless Tortoise Shell Frames to block out the blinding Mediterranean sunlight when placing your order for a mouth-watering plate of patatas bravas.
Travel Wallet
Don't forget there is a lot of petty theft in Spain, so keep all your important documents, including your passport, boarding passes, credit cards and cash safe with a good Rfid-blocking wallet like this Zoppen Multipurpose Travel Passport Wallet.
Dictionary
Finally, whether you're planning on using an app or a good old-fashioned English/Spanish dictionary like this Webster's English Spanish Dictionary, Spaniards really appreciate the effort of trying to speak their language, even if you're not doing it very well.
The temperature in Andalucía in the fall/autumn is in the mid 60s for the highs and low 50s for nights and early mornings. It does rain in the fall, sometimes for days on end, so it's important to pack appropriately for rainy weather. In addition to the items mentioned above, you may wish to bring a hat to cover up bad hair days. Fashion is stylish, but rather modest. Don't dress too flashy with expensive jewelry or purses (it's never a great idea to travel with such items anyway), so as not to attract attention to yourself as a target for criminals. The shopping is good and quite inexpensive, so you'll want to leave room in your suitcase to bring home souvenirs, but be sure to bring a good shopping tote bag to carry around all your goodies as you acquire them. As always, I recommend booking attractions online ahead of time if possible, and changing your money over at your local bank branch before traveling overseas. If you have any other tips for traveling to Southern Spain in the fall, please feel free to leave them in the comments section below.
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