Madrid and Barcelona Cultural Arts 9 Days The Perfect Balance of Learning, Fun and Culture Starting in 2012, Experience set out on a journey to bring learning to life through travel and immersion. In collaboration with top universities and industry innovators, we provide unparalleled experiences that inspire students to excel in their educational and career goals. Engaging students in education through travel increases cultural awareness and broadens students’ horizons, inspiring a lifetime of discovery. Benefits of Experiential Learning Experiential learning is the leading way to engage in education, putting curriculum into context to increase student success in the real world. Our integrated lesson plans are designed to continue the experience in the classroom. How to Propose a Program Choose from our selection of immersion study tours, camp programs and Get Started educational tours to match a specific subject of study or cultural experience. Promote the Experience Share with the school, parents and students about the selected program and offer fundraising options, so everyone can have the opportunity to participate. Travel Planning We provide packing lists, travel logistics, lesson plans and more to make planning easy. Building Strong Foundations The Five Pillars of Experience Curriculum-Based Experiential Learning More than simply an educational tour, we lead our travelers on interactive learning experiences that apply to their areas of interest. We collaborate with educators on their desired programs to create lesson plans that empower travelers to put learning into practice. By connecting our groups with industry experts through workshops, tours and lectures, as well as hands-on learning at museums of science, art and history, we integrate curriculum into all aspects of our trips. With our programs, the world becomes a classroom, demonstrating new ways of thinking, enhancing personal development and expanding global awareness. Curated Experiences Our travel experts are well-versed in destinations around the world, researching and developing custom itineraries that are most impactful to the educational goals of our travelers. By identifying key activities and addressing the values of educators, we design authentic programs that promote learning and group engagement. We go beyond the known, basic sightseeing trips, and discover experiences that truly capture the imagination. On our educational tours, travelers get to dig into the science, uncover the history and engage in the culture wherever they travel with us. Exclusive Safety and Travel Technology Our proprietary software is our innovative solution to safeguard our travelers. Advanced preparation is managed through our travel technology to ensure a safe and productive trip for all participants on our educational tours. Essential trip information is accessible to authorized individuals on our travel app, including flights, itineraries, medical details and contacts. With the real-time geofencing feature, no one gets lost in the crowd, and the leaders of the group have an awareness of where travelers are at all times. Communication within the tour group through our travel technology allows everyone to stay connected during the trip. Unparalleled Customer Service From day one, our Travel Specialists step into the shoes of our travelers to build a relationship from a true foundation and continue with them throughout the whole process. Our programs are collaborative, listening to what our travelers are looking for and asking questions, so we can set up the perfect educational tour together. For all our trips, we provide 24/7 on-call support over the phone and a licensed Tour Director who knows the program and the destination inside and out. We take pride in our programs, ensuring enriching and safe experiences, so our travelers have stories worth sharing for a lifetime. All-Inclusive Pricing Activities, transportation, meals and services throughout our educational tours are covered, as stated on the program itineraries. We have no hidden fees and any out-of-pocket spending is designed to give our travelers the freedom to explore. Guides and drivers are well-compensated as part of our services included, so the trip can move along smoothly without worrying over the details. Once the program begins, there’s nothing else left to do but experience! Daily Itinerary (9 Days) DAY 1 TRAVEL TO MADRID • See the Cervantes Monument while visiting the Plaza Depart from home and travel to Madrid. de España • Take a guided tour of the Palacio Real, including visits to DAY 2 MADRID the Royal Pharmacy and Plaza de la Armería Meet up with the Tour Director on arrival in Madrid and • Experience historic landmarks with visits to the Puerta transfer to the hotel. Visit the Templo de Debod, one of the de Alcalá and Plaza de Cibeles few pieces of ancient Egyptian architecture outside of Egypt. • Guided tour of the Museo Nacional del Prado Stroll down Madrid’s signature street, Gran Vía, to see various • Time permitting, visit the Buen Retiro Park styles of 20th-century architecture. Walk through two of Madrid’s historic public squares, Puerta del Sol and Plaza DAY 4 MADRID AND TOLEDO Mayor, where students view famous landmarks and statues. Journey into Castilla-La Mancha for a visit to Toledo, a city • View the Templo de Debod rich in history and charm. Start the trip at the Iglesia de Santo • Walk along the Gran Vía Tomé, an example of 12th-century Mudéjar architecture, and • Visit the Puerta del Sol and Plaza Mayor view the Renaissance painting by El Greco, “The Burial of the Count of Orgaz.” Explore the Toledo Cathedral and learn DAY 3 MADRID about the Gothic and Mudéjar styles of architecture. Enjoy Spend time in Plaza de España, a large public square and free time to watch the traditional jewelry- and sword-making home to the iconic Cervantes Monument, before taking a practices of Toledo, followed by a zipline adventure through guided tour of the Palacio Real. Explore the official residence the city. End the day with a flamenco show after dinner and of the Spanish royal family while learning about the renowned return to Madrid in the evening. works of art, incredible architecture and interior decorations • Travel by motorcoach to Toledo in Castilla-La Mancha of the palace’s ceremonial rooms. While there, take time to • Stop at the Iglesia de Santo Tomé to view the El Greco see the Royal Pharmacy and relax in the Plaza de la Armería. masterpiece, “The Burial of the Count of Orgaz” See the Puerta de Alcalá, an 18th-century monumental gate, • Explore the Toledo Cathedral and walk along the Calle de Alcalá to the Plaza de Cibeles, • Zipline adventure through the city where students enjoy the beautiful marble fountain of the • Watch a flamenco show after dinner goddess Cybele. Wander down the historic Paseo del Prado • Return to Madrid in the evening to admire the architecture of the luxurious Hotel Ritz. Dive into European art history with a guided tour of the Museo Nacional del Prado, Spain’s national art museum. Time permitting, visit Buen Retiro Park to see the park’s monuments, gardens and buildings and rent row boats for the lake. DAY 5 MADRID AND SEGOVIA DAY 7 BARCELONA Travel to Segovia and take in the views of the Spanish Go on a walking tour of the Gothic Quarter, an area filled with countryside along the way. Once there, stop to see the centuries of history. While on the tour, visit the Barcelona Segovia Aqueduct, one of the best preserved works of Cathedral, one of the most impressive cathedrals in Spain Roman engineering. Discover the last Gothic cathedral that’s renowned for its Gothic architecture. Journey by cable built in Spain on a visit to the Segovia Cathedral, from the car to the top of Montjuïc hill and venture around the Montjuïc mid-16th century, when the Renaissance was flourishing castle walls. Walk through the Poble Espanyol, a village that throughout Europe. Explore the Alcázar, the medieval features full-scale buildings from different Spanish regions. In castle fortress for the monarchs of Castile and now a the evening, watch a spectacular sound and light show at the World Heritage Site. While there, walk the battlements Montjuïc Magic Fountain. and ascend the stairs of the tower that was once a prison. • Walking tour of the Gothic Quarter, including a visit Return to Madrid in the afternoon for a brief visit to the to the Barcelona Cathedral Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía, Spain’s • Take a cable car to Montjuïc hill and explore the area national museum of 20th-century art. • Walk through the Poble Espanyol • Travel by motorcoach to Segovia • Experience the Montjuïc Magic Fountain • See the Roman engineering of the Segovia Aqueduct DAY 8 BARCELONA • Visit the Segovia Cathedral Start the day at the Basílica de la Sagrada Família, a Roman • Explore the Alcázar of Segovia Catholic minor basilica that’s been under construction • Return to Madrid since 1882. Learn about the architect Antoni Gaudí and • Visit the Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía how the structure embodies the essence of Gaudí’s style. DAY 6 MADRID TO BARCELONA Afterwards, take a walking tour of the Eixample district and In the morning, take the AVE high-speed train from Madrid to see architectural sites such as Casa Batlló and La Manzana Barcelona. Spend the afternoon sightseeing with a walking de la Discordia. At Casa Milà, ascend to the rooftop for an tour of Las Ramblas, a historic street in central Barcelona, overlook of the city. Enjoy time at Park Güell, which is known lined with trees, shops and magnificent fountains. Stop by for its gardens, wonderful views and vibrant artwork. the Columbus Monument to see the spot where Christopher • Visit the Basílica de la Sagrada Família Columbus returned to Spain after his voyage to the • Go on a walking tour of the Eixample district Americas.