One of the most important aspects of your trip to Spain is the program of activities & excursions we have put together to help you get the most from your experience.

We have thought long and hard about the kinds of activities & excursions our students enjoy, and we constantly update and refine this feature of the trip in order to bring you the best of each country.

Our goal is to offer you the opportunity to visit many of the famous sights, both during touring portions & day excursions, but at the same time to introduce you to the country’s history, traditions & culture. Our “hands-on” approach to activities allows you to sample many things not usually available to the typical tourist.

We want you to truly live the language and culture - not to mention have the time of your life!

Spain Excursions

Each of our Spain trips includes a selection of fantastic fun and cultural excursions. Here are a few…

Madrid

Lose yourself in Spain’s regal capital city! Visit Madrid’s greatest gems, such as the Puerta del Sol, a square marking the geographical center of Madrid, the historic Plaza Mayor, and the famous shopping district of Gran Vía. Take pictures in Plaza de España and be amazed by the breathtaking Palacio Royal (Royal Palace). Stop by the Teatro Royal and go eat churros con chocolate at a famous chocolateria. Visit the world-renowned Prado Museum and the Reina Sophia Art Museum. Meander through the narrow, winding streets in La Latina, one of Madrid’s oldest and most charming neighborhoods.

Toledo

Located on a mountaintop and surrounded on three sides by its river protectorate, this former Spanish capital city is one of the oldest towns in all of Spain and is one of its most charming. The city is a UNESCO World Heritage site, and everywhere you turn you can see and feel its extensive cultural and monumental heritage. Toledo is home to much history, a great deal of it immortalized on canvas by El Greco. Wander through the medieval streets, visit the Alcázar castle, and go inside of the huge cathedral that dominates Toledo's skyline – where we get our expression "Holy Toledo!"

Segovia

More than anywhere else, the hill-city of Segovia typifies glorious old Castile. Its well-preserved 2000 year-old Roman aqueduct functioned to carry water to the city until recently, and its spectacular Alacázar, where Isabella was crowned queen in 1474, is considered to be one of the inspirations for the design of the Sleeping Beauty Castle in Disneyland. Made a World Heritage city by UNESCO in 1975, Segovia is surrounded by a medieval wall. Its narrow, winding streets are filled with Romanesque churches and 15th century palaces – the perfect place to step back into time and explore.

Seville

The capital of Andalusia, Seville is one of Spain's most charming and romantic cities with its flower-filled patios, blue skies and winding medieval streets. Seville’s Moorish, Andalusian and Christian cultural past gives the city a fascinating blend of architecture, folklore and tradition. Walk along the Guadalquivir River and take pictures in front of the Torre de Oro. Visit the cathedral and gaze up at the famous Giralda bell tower (once a minaret). Explore the Alcàzar, the city’s Moorish palace and the Sevillan residence of the royal family. And dine to famous sevillana music and dancing.

Córdoba

A medieval gem, Córdoba, is composed of a labyrinth of narrow streets focused on its unusual mosque, the Mezquita. The former capital of Muslim Spain, Córdoba still retains prominent traces of its previous glory. Artistic treasures, architectural riches and beautiful homes make it one of the most fascinating cities in Andalusia to explore. In addition to the Mezquita (currently made up of an 8th century mosque and 16th century cathedral), Córdoba’s highlights include strolling through the narrow streets of the old Arab and Jewish quarters, and visiting the original Arab Baths.

Granada

Set in the foothills of the snowcapped Sierra Nevada range, Granada’s unique Muslim, Jewish and Christian legacies make it a historical relic. Wander through the richly ornamented open-air rooms of the Alhambra, Granada’s famous Moorish citadel/palace, and see the Generalife Palace with its glorious gardens, fountains and courtyard. Visit the Capilla Royal and the tombs of the Catholic kings Isabella and Ferdinand, whose conquest of Granada brought the Reconquista to an end. Stroll through the Albaicín, the old Moorish quarter, a UNESCO World Heritage site along with the nearby Alhambra.

Nerja

You'll spend two days of your trip relaxing in the beautiful coastal town of Nerja on the Costa del Sol – enjoying the cool, blue water of the Mediterranean and appreciating the warm sun and sand in charming little coves beneath striking cliffs. In the center of the old town, venture over to the Balcón de Europa, a mirador (lookout point) that gives stunning views out over the sea. Visit the primitive paintings in the famous Nerja caves, the most visited tourist attraction in Spain after Madrid’s Prado museum and Granada’s Alhambra.

Barcelona

With its landmark buildings and world-class museums, Barcelona is the capital of Cataluña, enjoying a privileged location on the Mediterranean coast of eastern Spain. Our San Sebastián Summer Study participants spend their first three days in this exciting and modern European city. Studded with the unusual works of Antoni Gaudí, its boulevards and parks are showcases for his extraordinary architecture. In particular, his stunning cathedral, La Sagrada Familia, is the city’s most famous landmark. Other highlights include: La Rambla, Parque Güell, the Barri Gòtic (Gothic Quarter).

 

Spain Activities

Our “hands-on” approach allows you to experience many adventures not available to the typical tourist.

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