Overview
Our program brings you the best of both worlds: the consistency you rely on and the flexibility your group needs.
Set out on an immersive Spanish adventure alongside your students, journeying from Madrid to Seville, Barcelona, and the beautiful Basque region. Your students can look forward to exploring various periods in Spanish history through stops at landmarks including Madrid’s Royal Palace, the Lonja de la Seda—a UNESCO World Heritage site, and the Pamplona Cathedral.
Itinerary
Day 1
Overnight flight to Spain (Madrid)
Day 2
Arrive in Madrid
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.
Madrid city walk
Life in Madrid revolves around talking, toasting, and tapas-eating. During a walk through this crowded and social city, your Tour Director will help you familiarize yourself with the lay of the land. Then, stroll over to the Puerta del Sol, the bustling city center. Next, relax at the Plaza Mayor, a grand square where every sort of human drama has unfolded—trials of faith, public burnings of heretics, royal marriages, the canonization of saints, and countless balls and bullfights. Conclude at the Plaza de España with a visit to an outdoor café.
Day 3
Madrid guided sightseeing tour
Experience Spain’s capital with a licensed guide. Visit the Royal Palace, Europe’s largest, to see lavish halls and frescoes. Stroll Calle Mayor and lively Gran Vía with its theaters, shops, and cafés. Admire the Cibeles Fountain depicting the earth goddess Cybele. See the Neoclassical Puerta de Alcalá in Plaza de la Independencia, a ceremonial gateway to the city. Conclude at Columbus Square, a hub of monuments and museums.
Optional
Toledo guided excursion (optional)
Tour Toledo, long considered the spiritual capital of Spain and once home to El Greco. Visit Toledo Cathedral, a Gothic masterpiece filled with treasures such as alabaster sculpture, El Greco’s paintings, and a gilded monstrance carried in Corpus Christi processions. Step into St. Mary’s Synagogue, a symbol of coexistence among three faiths, and explore Toledo’s famous sword-making tradition at a local factory.
Tapas dinner
Day 4
Travel to Seville via Córdoba
Stop at Córdoba to visit one of Spain’s most impressive monuments, the Moorish Mezquita, which dates from the 8th to the 10th centuries. Walk through narrow white-washed alleys, passing tile covered patios, dotted with vibrant colored flowers. Don’t miss the beautiful back quarters.
Mezquita guided visit
The Mezquita of Cordoba is a breathtaking monument, showcasing a stunning blend of Moorish and Christian architecture. Its forest of columns and horseshoe arches create a mesmerizing visual effect, while the intricate mosaics and gold-adorned mihrab add to its allure. This unique fusion of styles, dating back to the 8th to 10th centuries, reflects the rich and complex history of Cordoba.
Day 5
Seville guided sightseeing tour
Plaza de España, Old Jewish Quarter (Santa Cruz and San Bartolomé), Casa de Pilatos visit, Seville Cathedral visit, Giralda Tower ascent, Columbus’ gravesite
Flamenco class and show
Work with skilled instructors to learn about the history, rhythms, and moves of this famous gypsy dance and then admire the professionals as they put on a special show for you.
Day 6
Travel to Costa del Sol
Malaga guided sightseeing tour
Take a guided sightseeing tour of Malaga, Picasso’s birthplace and a city known for its beaches and citadels. Stop at the town’s Renaissance-style cathedral and visit Museo Picasso, which contains an incredible 285 of Picasso’s original works. See one of the busiest ports of the Mediterranean before heading to the colorful market and Gibralfaro castle, the hilltop fortification with a beautiful view of the city from above.
Day 7
Optional
Gibraltar excursion (optional)
Rock of Gibraltar, Moorish Castle, The Tower of Homage, St. Michael's Cave visit
Day 8
Travel to Granada
Alhambra guided visit
Granada sits on three gentle hills, which are dwarfed on a clear day by the majestic snow-capped peaks of the Sierra Nevada. Atop one of these hills sits the imposing but delicate Alhambra palace. Golden pink hues give this sprawling renaissance gateway an otherworldly aura. One of the best rewards of climbing up to see it is the view of the city mixed in with orchards, tobacco fields and poplar groves. Please note the guided tour will include entrance to the gardens and halls surrounding the palace but entrance to the main palace building may not be accessible at all times due to limited availability.
Day 9
Travel to Valencia
The city of Valencia sits on the Mediterranean south coast of Barcelona. Over the centuries it has been occupied by the Greeks, the Romans, and the Moors, and each group has contributed to the city's rich and distinctive culture. Valencia is surrounded by fragrant citrus groves and possesses its own local dialect of Valenciano.
Valencia city walk
Central Market, Church of Saint Nicolas, Valencia Cathedral, Silk Exchange (La Lonja de la Seda)
Day 10
Travel to Barcelona via Tarragona
Tarragona Tour Director-led sightseeing
Les Ferreres Aqueduct (Pont del Diable), Roman Amphitheatre, Balcon del Mediterraneo viewpoint
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.
Day 11
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.
Las Ramblas treasure hunt
Take interactive learning to another level with a Tour Director-led treasure hunt of Las Ramblas, the most famous pedestrian street of Barcelona! Complete exciting activities and solve fun clues. Each clue and every activity is built to maximize on-tour experiential learning.
Day 12
Travel to San Sebastián via Pamplona
Pamplona Tour Director-led sightseeing
Explore Pamplona with your Tour Director, a city rich in history and tradition. Begin in Plaza del Castillo, the lively square known as the “living room” of Pamplona, where locals gather and festivals come to life. Learn about the city’s famous Running of the Bulls and its deep connection to the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage route. Visit the magnificent Pamplona Cathedral (Santa María la Real), a Gothic masterpiece featuring one of Europe’s finest cloisters and a museum filled with medieval art.
Day 13
Bilbao excursion
This commercial center of the Basque country has been transformed in the past few years into a showplace of modern city-planning and world-class art. Architect Frank Gehry’s stunning Guggenheim Museum leads the way, along with Norman Foster’s futuristic subway and the Santiago Calatrava glass footbridge, which allows visitors to practically walk across water.
Day 14
Travel to Madrid via Segovia
Located on a ridge on a dramatically barren plain, Segovia has dramatic Roman and medieval monuments. As you approach town, a giant cathedral greets you first. Only after passing does the town come into view through a steep and narrow valley. Stop to examine the Segovia basilica and the Santo Domingo de Silos Benedictine Monastery
Segovia Alcazar visit
A castle fit for a king! This stone fortification rises up imposingly from a rocky crag in the old city of Segovia. See its towering round turrets, spindly spires, luxurious throne room and fully stocked armory.
Day 15
Return home
Optional Extension
Add 3 Days in Lisbon
Stop in Trujillo to explore its Plaza Mayor and castle before continuing to Lisbon. Visit Belém Tower, Jerónimos Monastery, and the Monument to the Discoveries, then enjoy an evening of Fado music. Take a day trip to Sintra, Cape Roca, Cascais, and Estoril for a rich blend of history and coastal charm before heading home.
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 Spain
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.