La España Auténtica

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

Arrive in Spain's modern and cosmopolitan capital and transfer into the city center. Leave your luggage at the hotel and head right out to perhaps seek out the statue of Don Quixote or stroll into Plaza Mayor.

Day 3: Madrid

Madrid's rich heritage comes alive on a guided morning walking tour that showcases classic Spanish boulevards, grand plazas and the diverse architecture of modern-day Madrid. Highlights include the Teatro Real Opera House, Royal Palace, Plaza Mayor, Puerta del Sol and Neptune Fountain. You'll also go inside the magnificent Prado (skipping the lines with a timed reservation), one of the world's premier art museums. Here an expert will provide illuminating commentary about the artwork of Velázquez, Goya, Raphael, Rubens and Bosch. Even the 18th-century neo-classical building that houses the collection is stunning. Perhaps spend your afternoon rowing on the lake in Retiro Park or discussing the Spanish Civil War as you view Picasso's Guernica in the Reina Sofía Museum. Tonight we'll dine like the madrileños do during an authentic tapas evening. Classic tapas dishes include items such as tortilla española, patatas bravas, bacalao, cheeses, olives or jamón. Finish off the evening at one of Madrid's most famous chocolaterías with a sweet Spanish treat—churros y chocolate!

Day 4: Merida

Depart this morning by train for the province of Extremadura, birthplace of Spain's conquistadores including Cortés, Pizarro and Balboa. Arrive in Mérida, former capital of the ancient Roman province of Lusitania and home to the most Roman ruins in Spain. A guided sightseeing tour shows you highlights such as the Roman Theater, Circus Maximus, Temple of Diana and Puente Romano, with entrance included to the Roman Amphitheater.

Day 5: Seville

Journey by train into Andalucía's prettiest city, Seville. Your guided sightseeing tour includes entrance to the Gothic Cathedral, burial place of Christopher Columbus, and the spectacular views from the grand Giralda Tower. The remainder of the day is yours to perhaps wander the streets of the Santa Cruz quarter and imagine the days when the Spanish Explorers were bringing gold from the New World.

Day 6: Seville

Discover more of Seville at your own pace this morning. You may wish to rent bicycles to explore the banks of the River Guadalquivir, practice your Spanish as you shop for souvenirs or explore the Parque María Luisa, built for the 1929 Iber-Americano World's Fair. In the afternoon experience one of Spain's most enduring performance art traditions during a flamenco lesson and show, which teaches you the steps to this famous dance before you watch the professionals perform.

Day 7: Cadiz

Journey south by train to Cádiz, the oldest continually inhabited settlement in Europe. A walking tour shows you the picturesque old city, the golden cupola of the cathedral, the central market and the famous church of San Felipe Neri where the first Spanish Constitution was signed.

Day 8: Torremolinos

Today experience an important part of Spain's culture with a visit to the legendary Alvaro Domecq´s bull ranch, where you will get a first-hand look at the raising and habitat of the famed, ferocious Torrestrella fighting bulls and talented Andalusian horses. Explore the countryside of the ranch to see the animals in their natural environment and then learn more about their breeding and performance in the ranch's grandstand. A hearty, rustic lunch at the bull ranch is included. Then, continue to Torremolinos for your final evening abroad.

Day 9: Departure

Depart for the USA.