Communicating w US while in Spain

Allison, Could you provide a bit more information about your trip? Will you be attending school there and living in a student residence? Have you considered packing along a Tablet such as an iPad Mini? The method I'd use would be to use Wi-Fi for internet and Skype and buy a cheap phone when you arrive for local use. The cheapest way to keep in touch with home is to use text messages, as received texts are usually free. I don't know whether it's possible to buy a Smartphone with data plan in Spain on a PAYG basis? If it is possible, that would likely be a higher cost option. Happy travels!

You should be able to find an internet café in most places...be advised that the keyboard is not the same as those here! You will need to ask for instructions on how to find the @ sign and other things. They are not overly expensive, but most will cut off when the time is up - no grace period. You might check into one of the smaller computers - Acer has one that is good which I have used several years -- but it died a few months ago, so will carry a full size one now.

You can also download a free app, such as KakaoTalk, so you can call and text for free when using Wi-Fi. Personally, I have found it optimal to take both my Android phone and my iPad Mini. I don't take a laptop unless I'm on business, and I took a netbook only once last September (worthless). I've traveled with others who use only an iPod Touch...it works for them.

Wouldn't it be simpler to just take your lap top?

We were happy with our Ipod touch. It gave us access to email, weather, maps, language, travel alarm, music, documents, itineraries as well as Skype (set up to dial land lines) for calling home. It packed a lot of punch in a very small package. As carry-on only travelers, that's important to us. We packed a small GPS with international maps since we were traveling primarily by car and bought a cheapie cell phone locally for making calls inside of Spain (we travel without reservations so the cell phone is ideal for calling ahead to book a room for the next stop using a list of possible places we researched ahead of time and stored on our Ipod).

I agree with the advice of an iPod touch plus Skype on wifi. I have done that on my iPhone with no problems. You can get a cheaper iPod touch but checking out Apple's refurbished products page. We got one for my mom last year and she loves it and has had no problems.

We do the same as Christina. We travel with an iPhone (with the roaming turned off) and just use the hotel's wifi to check emails, news, research destinations and make calls using Skype. We have called numbers in both North America and Europe with Skype through wifi with no problems.

Also use my itouch. Depending on where you go in Spain you should be able to buy a cheap phone and just buy cards to call the states. Should cost about $30 including 10 euros of credit. Calls to US are 8 cents using the cards. You also could bring a cheap phone that you can add a sim card too and just pay for cards.

Thanks for all these great suggestions! I have to admit I'm a helicopter mom and this is for my recent college grad daughter who will be travelling solo so I'm starting to panic about communication! Appreciate all your help!