Spain, France, & Portugal
From the Iberian Peninsula to the City of Light
Delve into the cultures and diverse heritage of Spain, France, and Portugal this summer, along with a stop in the Pyrenees mountain town of Andorra la Vella. Experience iconic sites and museums, such as Lisbon’s historic Belem Tower and Madrid’s Prado, and get off the beaten path by exploring Barcelona’s street art. Participate in cultural workshops, relish local specialties like pastéis de nata and tapas, and stretch your legs hiking in the Pyrenees or strolling along the Seine.
- Highlights
• Marvel at GaudÃ’s awe-inspiring Sagrada Familia basilica
• Learn to prepare classic French dishes with a local chef
• Participate in a workshop to learn the traditional sardana dance
Itinerary
This itinerary represents our best projection of the group’s schedule. However, we may implement changes designed to improve the quality of the program.
Meet your student travel group and one of your trip leaders in New York and fly together to Lisbon, Portugal. To learn more about how we organize travel, click here.
Begin your adventure in Lisbon, the capital of Portugal and one of the oldest cities in Europe. Get to know your group during an in-depth orientation, then delve into Lisbon’s captivating blend of old-world charm and contemporary vibrancy. Immerse yourself in historic neighborhoods, exploring cobbled streets and colorful buildings. Explore remnants of civilizations like the Phoenicians, Romans, and Goths, and the cultural melting pot that is the Iberian Peninsula. Visit nearby Sintra and the sites of former inhabitants of the area including the Moors and Knights Templar.
Continue on to the Spanish capital of Madrid, home to world-class art museums including El Prado and the Reina Sofia, and stunning architecture from the medieval, Renaissance, and Baroque periods. Visit Retiro Park, go on a tapas tour, or perhaps catch a football match at Santiago Bernabeu Stadium, home to Real Madrid Football Club. Arrive and depart from Atocha Station, known for its indoor tropical garden.
Catch the high-speed AVE train to Barcelona, the heart of Catalonia, known for its incredible cuisine, stunning modernist architecture, and vibrant social scene. Enjoy some time on the Mediterranean beach, revel in the wonders of Antonà GaudÃ, and get to know what makes Catalán culture unique to the rest of Spain.
Head into the Pyrenees Mountains and make a stop in Castellar de N’Hug, a village of less than two hundred residents. Explore the region bordering the principality of Andorra while hiking, biking, and enjoying other outdoor activities in the fresh mountain air.
Continue by train to Montpellier, an elegant and multicultural Mediterranean city. Enjoy the sights of this vibrant city, which has had the greatest population growth of any urban area in France since 2000. Home to one of the oldest universities and medical schools in the world at the University of Montpellier, students can get a feel for a European college town where almost a quarter of the inhabitants are students. Take a daytrip to Nimes, home to an impressive Roman colosseum and close to the world-renowned Pont du Gard.
Travel by train to Lyon and dive into French cuisine. Visit the food stalls and learn about the historical significance of Les Halles de Lyon Paul Bocuse, a famous indoor food market. Join a local chef for a French cooking class, and learn to prepare quenelles (fish dumplings), Lyonnaise potatoes, and praline tart.
Continue north to Paris, one of the world’s most beloved cities, and get ready to explore the streets of this massive capital city full of cafes, creperies, and culture. Experience the vibrant art scene, boasting some of the best known museums in the world, including the Louvre and Musée d'Orsay, and galleries brimming with art throughout the city’s streets. Enjoy a final celebratory dinner with your group and reflect on your adventures.
Fly from Paris to New York with your group and a leader, then continue on to your final destination. To learn more about how we organize travel, click here.
Itinerary
This itinerary represents our best projection of the group’s schedule. However, we may implement changes designed to improve the quality of the program.
Meet your student travel group and one of your trip leaders in New York and fly together to Lisbon, Portugal. To learn more about how we organize travel, click here.
Begin your adventure in Lisbon, the capital of Portugal and one of the oldest cities in Europe. Get to know your group during an in-depth orientation, then delve into Lisbon’s captivating blend of old-world charm and contemporary vibrancy. Immerse yourself in historic neighborhoods, exploring cobbled streets and colorful buildings. Explore remnants of civilizations like the Phoenicians, Romans, and Goths, and the cultural melting pot that is the Iberian Peninsula. Visit nearby Sintra and the sites of former inhabitants of the area including the Moors and Knights Templar.
Continue on to the Spanish capital of Madrid, home to world-class art museums including El Prado and the Reina Sofia, and stunning architecture from the medieval, Renaissance, and Baroque periods. Visit Retiro Park, go on a tapas tour, or perhaps catch a football match at Santiago Bernabeu Stadium, home to Real Madrid Football Club. Arrive and depart from Atocha Station, known for its indoor tropical garden.
Catch the high-speed AVE train to Barcelona, the heart of Catalonia, known for its incredible cuisine, stunning modernist architecture, and vibrant social scene. Enjoy some time on the Mediterranean beach, revel in the wonders of Antonà GaudÃ, and get to know what makes Catalán culture unique to the rest of Spain.
Head into the Pyrenees Mountains and make a stop in Castellar de N’Hug, a village of less than two hundred residents. Explore the region bordering the principality of Andorra while hiking, biking, and enjoying other outdoor activities in the fresh mountain air.
Continue by train to Montpellier, an elegant and multicultural Mediterranean city. Enjoy the sights of this vibrant city, which has had the greatest population growth of any urban area in France since 2000. Home to one of the oldest universities and medical schools in the world at the University of Montpellier, students can get a feel for a European college town where almost a quarter of the inhabitants are students. Take a daytrip to Nimes, home to an impressive Roman colosseum and close to the world-renowned Pont du Gard.
Travel by train to Lyon and dive into French cuisine. Visit the food stalls and learn about the historical significance of Les Halles de Lyon Paul Bocuse, a famous indoor food market. Join a local chef for a French cooking class, and learn to prepare quenelles (fish dumplings), Lyonnaise potatoes, and praline tart.
Continue north to Paris, one of the world’s most beloved cities, and get ready to explore the streets of this massive capital city full of cafes, creperies, and culture. Experience the vibrant art scene, boasting some of the best known museums in the world, including the Louvre and Musée d'Orsay, and galleries brimming with art throughout the city’s streets. Enjoy a final celebratory dinner with your group and reflect on your adventures.
Fly from Paris to New York with your group and a leader, then continue on to your final destination. To learn more about how we organize travel, click here.
Leaders
Meet some of our featured leaders. Please note that these may not be your leaders for the program.Â
Leaders
Meet some of our featured leaders. Please note that these may not be your leaders for the program.Â
What to Expect
Review specific program expectations here. For more general information:
To learn more about our Exploration programs click here.
Pursue an independent project and explore an aspect of local culture of particular interest to you—become an expert on GaudÃ’s most famous works, create a recipe book of French dishes, or learn the differences between regional cheeses.
This is a physically active summer travel program. You can expect to hike and swim regularly. You will also do a lot of walking in various towns and cities. You do not need to be at peak fitness to participate, but it is important that you have a desire to be physically active, and that you are excited about trying all activities.
Accommodations are varied, ranging from comfortable hostels to cosmopolitan hotels. Rooms are a mix of doubles, triples, and quads. Leaders reside together with the students throughout the program.
We begin each day with a traditional breakfast at our residence. For lunches and dinners, we find small restaurants or go to local markets to purchase food for a picnic. Restaurants range from traditional regional cuisine to a more international selection in Madrid and Paris.
What to Expect
Review specific program expectations here. For more general information:
To learn more about our Exploration programs click here.
Pursue an independent project and explore an aspect of local culture of particular interest to you—become an expert on GaudÃ’s most famous works, create a recipe book of French dishes, or learn the differences between regional cheeses.
This is a physically active summer travel program. You can expect to hike and swim regularly. You will also do a lot of walking in various towns and cities. You do not need to be at peak fitness to participate, but it is important that you have a desire to be physically active, and that you are excited about trying all activities.
Accommodations are varied, ranging from comfortable hostels to cosmopolitan hotels. Rooms are a mix of doubles, triples, and quads. Leaders reside together with the students throughout the program.
We begin each day with a traditional breakfast at our residence. For lunches and dinners, we find small restaurants or go to local markets to purchase food for a picnic. Restaurants range from traditional regional cuisine to a more international selection in Madrid and Paris.
A Day in the Life: Barcelona​
- Morning
- Afternoon
- Evening
A Day in the Life:
Barcelona​
- Morning
- Afternoon
- Evening
This Program is Directed by
Evan Overton
If you have questions or would like to talk further about this program, please get in touch!
This Program is Directed by
Evan Overton
If you have questions or would like to talk further about this program, please get in touch!