Overview
Explore Spain with your students on our Madrid to the Sea program. Begin in the vibrant city of Madrid for a tour with a local guide. Travel on to Toledo to see Spain's golden city. Take a high speed train to Valencia, then wander among Roman remains in Tarragona. End your journey with a guided tour of Barcelona.
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.
Day 3
Madrid guided sightseeing tour
Prado visit with Whisper headsets, Plaza Colon visit, Plaza de España, Royal Palace
Reina Sofia Museum visit
Officially Spain’s National Museum of 20th Century Art, the Reina Sofía houses masterpieces by Pablo Picasso and Salvador Dalí. Its most famous work is Picasso’s Guernica, a powerful anti-war statement. Beyond the galleries, the museum also offers a vast library, archive, bookstore, and restaurant, making it a hub of art and culture.
LEAP Cocina Española!
Cooking class and dinner
Day 4
Toledo guided excursion
St. Mary’s Synagogue visit, Toledo Cathedral visit, Monastery of San Juan de los Reyes visit, Sword factory visit
Lunch
LEAP Spanish Civil War
Nationalist? Republican? Argue ideology in a revolutionary role-play that delves into the causes of the Spanish Civil War!
Dinner on your own
Dinner at Casa Botin (optional)
Dine on delicious Spanish cuisine at the oldest restaurant in the world, and a favorite of Ernest Hemingway.
Day 5
Travel to Valencia on AVE train
Valencia guided sightseeing tour
Valencia Cathedral visit, Renaissance Colegio del Patriarca visit
Dinner
Day 6
Bioparc Valencia visit
Visit the incredible Bioparc Valencia, an African-themed zoo. Surrounded by authentic trees and very open areas for the animals, you will feel as though you are visiting East Africa.
Dinner
Day 7
Travel to Barcelona via Tarragona
Tarragona Ruins visit
Wander among the impressive Roman remains of the Puente del Diablo aqueduct and the Amphitheater.
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 8
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.
Gaudí’s Sagrada Família guided visit
This breathtaking church, considered the masterpiece of architect Antoni Gaudí, has been under construction since 1882 and is expected to be completed in 2026. Despite its unfinished state, its 18 soaring towers soar above Barcelona’s skyline, making it a must-see landmark.
La Pedrera - Casa Milà visit
This magnificent building is the epitome of Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí’s fantastical style. See how he uses twisted pillars, curved archways and warped metal balconies to create a totally unique design all his own.
Day 9
Return home OR Extend your stay
Board your flight home or choose to spend one extra day on the Costa Brava. Visit the Dalí Museum in Figueres, relax on the beautiful beaches, or explore the charming villages of this stunning coastal region.
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
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.