Discovering STEM in the Canary Islands

This itinerary is the starting point for your tour, but it’s not set in stone. If there are days you would like to change, or specific places you’d like to go, we can work with you to create a personalized program that fits the needs of you and your students.

Day 1: Overnight Flight

Depart from the USA.

Day 2: Madrid

Bienvenidos a España! Upon your arrival in Madrid, meet your ACIS Tour Manager and begin exploring Spain's elegant and culturally significant capital city. Perhaps enjoy a classic Madrid treat such aschurros y chocolate as you stroll through its bustling streets.

Day 3: Madrid

Madrid's rich heritage comes alive during your guided sightseeing tour of classic Spanish boulevards, grand plazas, and the diverse architecture of modern-day Madrid. Highlights include the Plaza de España, with its statue of Don Quixote; the majestic Alcalá Gate; and the famous Las Ventas bullring. Then visit the magnificent Prado, one of the world's premier art museums, where you'll skip the lines with a timed reservation. Here, an expert provides illuminating commentary about the artwork of masters such as Velázquez, Goya, Raphael, Rubens, and Bosch. Even the 18th-century Neo-Classical building that houses the collection is stunning. Later today you may wish to visit the Royal Botanic Garden or the National Museum of Natural Sciences.

Day 4: La Palma

Begin the day with a morning flight to La Palma, the fifth-largest of the volcanic Canary Islands, situated 60 miles off the coast of Morocco. The archipelago is famous for its towering mountains, diverse microclimates and unbeatable stargazing. Upon arrival, take a walking tour along the cobblestone streets of the island's historic capital city, Santa Cruz de La Palma, led by your tour manager.

Day 5: La Palma

This morning you'll visit the fascinating Roque de Los Muchachos Astrophysics Observatory, 7,874 feet above sea level. The observatory houses some of the world's most powerful telescopes because its location features unusually clear and dark skies, devoid of light pollution. Then continue on to the stunning Caldera de Taburiente National Park, located in the center of the island in the crater of a volcano. It's a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, flush with geological and biological diversity. After dinner, enjoy a private stargazing experience led by a qualified expert guide who will help you to recognize the most popular constellations and stars. Your visual trek through the heavens and study of the skies uses small telescopes and will illuminate why this spot, named a Starlight Reserve, is ranked as the second-best place in the world for celestial gazing.

Day 6: Tenerife

Today starts off with a flight to Tenerife. It's the largest of the Canary Islands, teeming with topographical marvels and exotic plants and animals. The island's unique geology results in a wealth of biodiversity and a range of landscapes—from volcanic desert to lush forests, to both black volcanic sand and white sand beaches—all within a relatively small space. After arriving and settling into your hotel, you'll head to one of these stunning beaches for some relaxing downtime.

Day 7: Tenerife

This morning starts with a tour of Finca Las Margaritas, a banana plantation, through which a local guide will provide interesting insights into the southern part of the island's culture, economics, cultivation technology and agriculture. Along the way, you'll get to sample a fresh plátano! Then head for Teide National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site named after Mt. Teide, a towering stratovolcano that's the tallest peak in Spain (12,198 feet). A local guide takes you through the park's other-worldly landscapes and explains its unique and complex volcanic ecosystems. The park's wealth of flora and fauna includes several unique animal species found nowhere else in the world.

Day 8: Tenerife

Begin the morning with a visit to the stunning Los Gigantes cliffs, which rise from the sea nearly 2,000 feet high. Learn about how geological shifts and erosion have shaped the cliffs you see today. At their base, the 100-foot-deep waters shelter a fascinating array of marine life, attracting both divers and deep-sea-fishing enthusiasts. Enjoy a boat ride and snorkeling excursion during which you can view some of the impressive sea life up close. Keep an eye out for the abundant sea turtles that ply the waters around Tenerife. Tonight, savor your final sunset of this unforgettable Spanish STEM experience. (Please note that flight scheduling may require your last night to be spent in Madrid.)

Day 9: Departure

Depart for the USA.