Overview
Our program brings you the best of both worlds: the consistency you rely on and the flexibility your group needs.
Embark on an immersive language and cultural journey through Spain, beginning with travel to Salamanca for a homestay experience. Enjoy daily Spanish language and culture classes, guided walking tours, and hands-on activities like a soccer game, cooking class, and flamenco lesson. A side trip to Santander adds beach time, sightseeing, and a surf lesson, with additional excursions to El Escorial and Segovia.
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.
Travel to Salamanca
Begin homestay
Day 3
Spanish language and culture classes
Participate in language classes focused on language skills and cultural understanding.
Salamanca Tour Director-led walking tour
The past and present meet in Salamanca. Like many great medieval cities, Salamanca has a multitude of towering cathedrals and convents. Yet, the city’s university students give it a hip, international vibe. One of the leading institutions of Europe, the university has attracted countless Spanish intellectuals, including Antonia de Nebrija and Miguel de Unamuno.
Overnight in homestay
Day 4
Spanish language and culture classes
Participate in language classes focused on language skills and cultural understanding.
Salamanca guided sightseeing tour
This guided sightseeing tour introduces Salamanca, a historic city shaped by scholarship, religion, and pilgrimage. Visit the Casa de las Conchas, now a public library, known for its façade decorated with more than 300 scallop shells, the symbol of the Camino de Santiago. Explore the Catedral Nueva (New Cathedral), noted for its unexpected modern carvings added during a 1992 restoration, and the adjoining Catedral Vieja de Santa María (Old Cathedral), dating to the 14th century. The tour also includes the University of Salamanca, founded in 1134, where Christopher Columbus once presented his plans for a new route to the West Indies.
Overnight in homestay
Day 5
Spanish language and culture classes
Participate in language classes focused on language skills and cultural understanding.
Overnight in homestay
Day 6
Spanish language and culture classes
Participate in language classes focused on language skills and cultural understanding.
Soccer game
Play one of Spain's favorite sports, soccer!
Overnight in homestay
Day 7
End homestay
Travel to Santander
Travel approximately four hours north of Salamanca to Santander, located along the shores of the Bay of Biscay.
Day 8
Santander Tour Director-led sightseeing
Take a walking tour through Santander, beginning at the Palacio de la Magdalena, once the royal summer residence, set on the rocky La Magdalena Peninsula at the mouth of the bay. Continue into the city center to see the Catedral de Santander, known for its octagonal cupola and Gothic cloister. Nearby, stroll along the Paseo de Pereda, which borders the Jardines de Pereda.
Santander beach time
Spend free time at one of Santander’s beautiful beaches.
Surf lesson
Learn the basics of surfing during a beginner-friendly lesson.
Day 9
Palacio de la Magdalena visit
Explore the beautifully preserved rooms and gardens of the palace. Learn about the cultural and historical significance of this iconic landmark while enjoying breathtaking views of the Bay of Biscay.
Travel to Salamanca via Santillana del Mar
Santillana del Mar is a charming town which has been declared a national monument by the government of Spain. Many of its homes were built after the 18th century, but you can also find some that date back to the 9th century. Santillana is an aristocratic city that reflects the noble origin of the families who used to live there.
Begin homestay
Overnight in homestay
Day 10
Spanish language and culture classes
Participate in language classes focused on language skills and cultural understanding.
Overnight in homestay
Day 11
Spanish language and culture classes
Participate in language classes focused on language skills and cultural understanding.
Cooking class
Today, we will participate in a cooking class, where we will be able to learn more about traditional Spanish cuisine.
Overnight in homestay
Day 12
Spanish language and culture classes
Participate in language classes focused on language skills and cultural understanding.
Flamenco lesson
Learn how to dance Flamenco from local dancers in a lesson.
Overnight in homestay
Day 13
Spanish language and culture classes
Participate in language classes focused on language skills and cultural understanding.
Overnight in homestay
Day 14
Spanish language and culture classes
Participate in language classes focused on language skills and cultural understanding.
Salamanca Cathedral (Old & New) visit
Explore the Catedral Vieja and the Catedral Nueva. Unusually, the two cathedrals are built side-by-side and offer a contrast in styles, ranging from Baroque to Romanesque to Renaissance. In the Old Cathedral, a 53-panel altarpiece painted by Nicolas Florentino frames the statue of Salamanca’s patron saint, the 12th century Virgen de la Vega. After departing the cathedrals, our walk continues through Salamanca’s old quarter to the 1st century Puente Romano, the Convento de las Duenas, the Iglesia-Convento de San Esteban, and the magnificent Torre del Clavero.
Overnight in homestay
Day 15
El Escorial & Segovia guided excursion
Travel into the mountains northwest of Madrid to visit El Escorial, the vast monastery and palace commissioned by King Philip II. Its grandeur and simplicity reflect the king’s devotion and restraint. Continue to medieval Segovia to see the 2,000-year-old Roman aqueduct and the fairytale-like Alcázar castle rising above the city.
Overnight in homestay
Day 16
End homestay
Travel to Madrid
Day 17
Return 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
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
Language-intensive classes (details in itinerary)
Free high school credit for students who choose to complete WorldStrides free online coursework post-program
Scenes from Salamanca
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.