Overview
Our program brings you the best of both worlds: the consistency you rely on and the flexibility your group needs.
Bring your students to discover this beautiful, artistic city, enjoying a scavenger hunt through Las Ramblas, exploring the vast collection of the Picasso Museum, and visiting Gaudí’s Sagrada Familia. Your group will also explore Parc Güell, experience an authentic paella dinner, and visit the abbey of Santa Maria de Montserrat.
Itinerary
Day 1
Overnight flight to Spain (Barcelona)
Day 2
Arrive in Barcelona
Meet your Tour Director
Your 24-hour Tour Director will meet you at the airport and remain with your group until your final airport departure.
Las Ramblas scavenger hunt
Take interactive learning to another level with a Tour Director-led scavenger hunt on Las Ramblas, Barcelona’s most famous pedestrian street. Complete exciting activities and solve fun clues, each designed to maximize experiential learning on tour.
Day 3
Barcelona guided sightseeing tour
Discover Barcelona with a licensed guide as you explore its mix of Gothic charm and modernist brilliance. Visit Plaza de España, then marvel at Gaudí’s Sagrada Familia, the soaring church that defines the city’s skyline. Wander through Park Güell with its colorful mosaics and sweeping views, and journey to Montjuïc Hill, home to historic fortresses and the 1992 Olympic grounds.
Picasso Museum visit
Take an unparalleled glimpse into the development of Picasso’s genius. Bringing together the Spaniard’s early and late works, the museum traces the evolution of Picasso’s art from his realism-based schoolboy exercises of the1890s through his Blue Period in 1904, and then jumps into the artist’s remarkable late work. A series of 1950s oil paintings shows Picasso’s explorations of Velazquez’s Las Meninas, in which he transforms the original into a perspective-shifting explosion of color and line.
LEAP
LEAP Spirit of Spain
Immerse yourself in the art that captures the passion of Spain. Compare the techniques and meanings in the works of artists from El Greco to Salvador Dalí and Pablo Picasso. Deepen your understanding of art history as you debate how these and other masters defined and shaped Spanish culture.
Tapas dinner
Day 4
Gerona and Figueres guided excursion
Travel through the rolling land of northern Catalonia to Girona, a hilly medieval town with narrow streets connected by stairways and pastel buildings lining the waterfront. Climb the 90 steps to the Baroque cathedral. Tour the antique Jewish quarter. See the Arab baths. Then continue to Figueres, a bustling village that is the hometown of Catalonian surrealist painter Salvador Dalí. Stroll the Rambla de la Libertat, the road that locals amble down for their traditional midday or evening walk. Tour the Dalí Museum, located in a theatre next to the house where he lived until his death in 1989. See a great collection of works by the artist, including a Cadillac with ivy-covered passengers you can water yourself.
Optional
Flamenco evening (optional)
Originating from gypsy music and dance in Southern Spain, flamenco dancing has become a Spanish institution. Dancers use intricate footwork and elaborate arm gestures to convey the mood of the music, which can range from lamentation to celebration.
Day 5
Gaudí guided walking tour
Gaudí’s Sagrada Familia guided visit, Casa Milà (La Pedrera) visit
Montserrat excursion
Journey to Montserrat, a stunning mountain retreat northwest of Barcelona. Explore the Santa Maria de Montserrat Abbey, home to the famed statue of Our Lady of Montserrat, and admire the jagged peaks, sacred caves, and breathtaking views that have inspired pilgrims and visitors for centuries.
Paella dinner
Day 6
Optional
Sitges excursion (optional)
Travel to the coastal resort town of Sitges. Once a quiet medieval village of farmers and fishermen, Sitges blossomed into a countercultural haven in the 1960s and today ranks among Spain’s most beloved seaside destinations. Stroll its charming old streets, admire Modernist architecture, and relax on its beautiful beaches.
Day 7
Return home
Optional Extension
Add 3 Days in Valencia
Explore Valencia on a guided walk featuring the Central Market, Church of Saint Nicolas, Valencia Cathedral, and the Silk Exchange (La Lonja de la Seda), a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visit the futuristic City of Arts and Sciences Museum, one of Europe’s most striking architectural complexes. Then journey north to Tarragona, where your Tour Director will guide you through ancient Roman sites including the Les Ferreres Aqueduct (Pont del Diable), the Roman Amphitheatre, and the Balcón del Mediterráneo overlooking the sea.
TourFlex: Your Experience, Your Way
Explore Your Way
- Add experiences like theater tickets or unique excursions
- Swap activities for ones that better serve your group
- Extend the learning through go-aheads or stay-behinds
Go Your Way
- Choose the most accessible departure airport for your group
- Opt for 2-, 3-, or 4-star hotels that are centrally located or a convenient ride to major itinerary attractions
Dine Your Way
- Opt for pre-selected meals or encourage exploration by dining on your own
- Enjoy 2-3 course, culturally representative meals or opt for 3-course, authentic dinners at local restaurants
Already Included
WorldStrides Tour Director: A dynamic destination expert who makes learning come to life by leading your group's activities and discussions
Transportation to & from your destination
Hotel accommodations
Meals (unless otherwise noted on your itinerary)
Admissions to top attractions (details in itinerary)
Guided sightseeing tours & city walks (details in itinerary)
Tips for local guides and drivers
WorldAssist staff members available 24/7/365 should your group need extra help
Free high school credit for students who choose to complete WorldStrides free online coursework post-program
Professional development credits (CEUs) for educators
Scenes from Barcelona
Health & Safety
Additional health and safety measures may be available within your respective destination. Refer to your program-specific materials for complete details.
Financial Assistance
Financial Assistance
WorldStrides provides over $2.5 million in financial assistance each year to thousands of families. Families with annual adjusted gross incomes of less than $85,000 may qualify. One simple call to Customer Service and you’ll know how much may be available for your trip even before signing up. Please note: financial assistance is given on a first-come, first-served basis.
Payment Plans
Advantage Payment Plan
At program sign-up you can opt to pay in full, or break up the cost of your trip with the Advantage Payment Plan. This plan allows you to pay a small initial deposit, then have your remaining payments spread out into affordable monthly amounts.
EZPay
We offer an EZPay option, which is a simple way to pay for your WorldStrides program by scheduling hassle-free, automatic drafts from your checking account. With EZPay, you'll never be late or miss an installment.
Fundraising Tools
Our easy-to-use tools put students in the driver's seat of their own fundraising efforts. Students can send e-cards, share links on social media, and even send out printed letters through WorldStrides' Gift of Education program. In one click friends and family members can make a direct donation to the trip - with 100% of the money raised going to offset their trip price. Thousands of students pay for their entire trip each year through the Gift of Education.
Also, WorldStrides makes program-specific scholarships available as well as other scholarship resources. Ask your Account Manager for more information about scholarships and fundraising tools.