2021 Saratoga Springs High School Spain and Morocco Cultural Journey

Dear Families, Friends, and Travelers – Welcome to the 2021 Saratoga Springs High School Spain and Morocco Cultural Journey!  We have created two webpages dedicated to this exciting program so that travelers are as informed as possible throughout the process. The first page, Pre-Enrollment, is meant to share exciting details, highlights and pertinent info that participants will want to know before enrolling. Once enrolled, the Post-Enrollment page, is meant to prepare travelers for participation on the adventure ahead. Please be sure to review the information on the appropriate page thoroughly and we can't wait to start our enriching adventure!
Travel Dates: April 2, 2021 - April 12, 2021
Group Organizer(s):
WTT Contact:
Program Tuition: $3,890 USD - or - $3,790 USD with discount if paid in full
Airfare not included in program tuition
Estimated Airfare: $900

Tuition Calculator

There are two options for payment, including an interest-free installment plan.  Follow whichever works best for your family. If we are within 90 days of travel, only the pay in full option is possible.

Program Tuition: $3,890

Pay in Full

Pay in full at the time of enrollment and receive a $100 discount off your program tuition! Payment with the discount would be:

$3,790.00

due today

Payment Plan

Pay a $500 deposit at the time of enrollment and establish an interest-free monthly payment plan. If you enroll today, your estimated* monthly payments would be:

$96.86

per month

* This is an approximate price. Your exact total will be confirmed when your enrollment is processed.

All prices in United States Dollars.

Spain and Morocco Cultural Journey

The smell of paella, the rhythmic tapping of flamenco, the rugged peaks of the Pyrenees, the soft waves of the Mediterranean, the world class museums, the Moorish palaces, the medieval villages, and the people who seem to have more lust and passion for life than anywhere else; this is Spain! You will access all of this and more as you improve your Spanish language skills and escape the tourist path. We have carefully developed programs that include learning to make olive oil at an old-world grove, enjoying tapas, and biking the outskirts of Ronda.

Across the Strait of Gibraltar from Spain, Morocco has long attracted travelers who are lured by tales of its exotic markets, endless desserts, alluring coastline, and rugged mountains. Today it is a country that finds itself cautiously entering the 21st century while remaining loyal to deeply traditional roots. Upon arrival one is immediately captivated by the geographic diversity of Morocco’s landscapes. Whether navigating a heaving bazaar, winding your way through the narrow and tightly packed back alleys of the medina, or hiking in the Rif mountains above the charming village of Chefchaouan, you will be entranced by amazing Morocco.

Cultural Journeys

Cultural Journeys

Cultural Journeys allow travelers to gain insights into the heritage, history and modern realities of their destination by offering a broad diversity of experience. We rely on the expertise of our local staff to plan itineraries which not only explore the prominent sites but also make time for the lesser-known local gems and are intentional about regular interaction with local people.

Program Highlights


Check out some of the featured experiences of your program!

Visit the most renowned museums in Spain

Enjoy delicious Spanish pinxos (snacks)!!

Tour a family-run olive farm in Seville for a tour and tasting

Visit the Hassan II Mosque, the largest in Morocco

Learn to make traditional Moroccan cuisine in a private cooking class

Ride camels through rolling sands

Wander the blue-rinsed streets of Chechaouen's medina

Travel across Andalucia, a region in Southern Spain home to many of the countries greatest cities.

Wander through The Alhambra, a majestic palace and fortress from the 13th century

Explore Morocco's capital, Rabat

The Itinerary


We do everything possible to run safe, engaging, and immersive programs for our travelers and given the unpredictable nature of international travel we must remain flexible in our planning. Changes to a schedule are uncommon but, we reserve the right to adjust programming in the best interest of the group. 

Table 1
DayLocationDescriptionLodging
1USA - Madrid, SpainToday the group will travel from the USA to Madrid, Spain.In Flight
2MadridWe'll arrive in Madrid and settle into the hotel after a long day of travel. After a brief orientation meeting we'll explore our neighborhood and eat dinner in Plaza Santa Ana.TOC hostel
3Madrid - GranadaAfter breakfast we'll travel south to Granada, one of the most idyllic cities in all of Spain, which was once the thriving capital of the Moorish empire. In the afternoon we'll have a guided tour of the old Albayzin, the traditional "Gypsy" neighborhood and the historic Jewish quarter.Monasterio Basilio
4GranadaWe'll have a guided tour of Alhambra during the day, one of the most photogenic places on the planet. Afterwards, we'll have some free time to wander through the old quarter, possibly visit a traditional Moroccan tea house, and attend a flamenco performance in a cave above town this evening.Monasterio Basilio
5Granada - RondaTravel to Ronda in the heart of Andalucia and visit the precipitous ravine before enjoying a bike tour around the outskirts of this ancient city to Setenil de las Bodegas, a spectacular pueblo blanco partially built into a cliff-face. Enfrentearte or similar
6Ronda - TangierMorning departure to Morocco, if time permits we will stop on the way at an olive farm where some of the finest organic olive oil in the world is produced. We'll arrive in the afternoon to Gibraltar, where we will take a ferry across the narrow strait to Tangier, where we will settle into our riad and explore our surroundings for the evening.Melting Pot Hostel
7Tangier - ChefchaouenAfter breakfast we'll set out for the idyllic mountain town of Chefchaouen. This village is painted almost entirely in blue and, with its centuries-old cobblestone streets, offers one of the most photogenic locations imaginable. We'll spend the day exploring Chefchaouen and experiencing all that North Africa has to offer. Casa Perleta
8ChefchaouenIn the morning we'll embark on a day-hike through the nearby Rif mountains, enjoying a picnic lunch in one of the most beautiful places in all of Morocco. We'll return to town in mid-afternoon to rest before a traditional Moroccan dinner.Casa Perleta
9Chefchaouen - CasablancaWe will travel early this morning for Casablanca, arriving in time for a late lunch. After we settle in to our accommodations, we will orient ourselves around town before our afternoon French lesson.Casablanca Hotel
10CasablancaAfter breakfast we will visit the Hassan II Mosque; the largest mosque in Morocco and the 13th largest in the world (its minaret is the world's tallest at 689 ft.). The walls are composed of handcrafted marble and the roof is retractable; it also stands on a promontory looking out to the Atlantic Ocean, allowing worshippers to pray over the sea. Students will take a guided tour inside the mosque and then pair up in groups to photograph and explore it’s stunning exterior architecture.Casablanca Hotel
11Casablanca - USAOn our way home! Hasta luego!Your own bed, eventually!

Accommodations


In order to provide a safe and memorable experience, we follow strict guidelines when choosing program accommodations. Walking Tree partners with hotels and guest houses which are centrally located, clean and safe.  We vet and inspect the accommodations to ensure they uphold the ethos of our programs, are great values for our travelers and nice places to rest after enriching days of travel.  

Below are the accommodations we anticipate using on your trip, subject to availability. 
Urban House

Urban House is a 4-star hotel with modern amenities. The property is minutes away from the beach, local restaurants and San Sebastián’s old town. The rooms can comfortably sleep up to 4 students with access to ensuite and shared bathrooms. Free Wi-Fi access throughout the building keeps everyone feeling connected. Students will be grouped in their rooms according to gender and availability.

 

Karakas Kar

Karakas Kar is a small locally owned 3-star hotel in the city center. This estate is surrounded by nature and has a nice view of Orrua Senotia. This hotel can comfortably accommodate up to 4 students per room and has an ensuite bathroom in each room. Free Wi-Fi access throughout the building keeps everyone feeling connected. Students will be grouped in their rooms according to gender and availability.

 

Zarautz Albergue

Centrally located 3-star hostel that is run by town council. Zarautz Albergue is a dorm-style hostel that strives to help the environment by implementing a sustainability policy to reduce our carbon footprint. The rooms can sleep 4-8 students with shared bathrooms.

 

Ganbara Hostel

This location is perfect for anyone who wants to walk through the Old Town district of Bilbao or venture further into Northern Spain.  This hostel has free wifi throughout the property and access to a communal kitchen. Students will be grouped in their rooms according to gender and availability.

TOC Hotel Madrid

TOC is a spacious and hip hotel located in the heart of Madrid, just minutes away from the metro and major tourist attractions. This is a modern and hi-tech hotel with a friendly staff and a great breakfast! Travelers will have their own beds, distributed between double, triple and quadruple rooms. 

 

 

Monasterio Basilio

Monasterio Basilio is located in the center of Granada and provides an ideal location from which to explore the city. This cozy hotel can accommodate up to four students per room with ensuite bathrooms and the quirky aesthetic that defines this hotel makes for a memorable stay.

Enfrente Arte

Enfrente Arte is a unique hotel in the heart of Ronda, Spain.  Each room has its own character, and is themed differently. All rooms include an ensuite bathroom, air conditioning and central heating. Free Wi-Fi access throughout the building keeps everyone feeling connected. Students will be grouped in their rooms according to gender and availability.

Casa Perleta

Casa Perleta is located in the heart of the Médina. It is a short 10 min walk to the main square and a 20 min walk to the river and the small waterfall. Casa Perleta offers a full traditional Moroccan breakfast and air conditioning in all of their rooms. Free Wi-Fi access throughout the building keeps everyone feeling connected. Students will be grouped in their rooms according to gender and availability.

Safety and Support


 EASY FUNDRAISING & PAYMENT
EASY FUNDRAISING & PAYMENT
24/7 GLOBAL EMERGENCY LINE
24/7 GLOBAL EMERGENCY LINE
HIGHLY VETTED PARTNERS
HIGHLY VETTED PARTNERS
EXPERT LEADERSHIP
EXPERT LEADERSHIP
PRIVATE GROUP GUARANTEE
PRIVATE GROUP GUARANTEE
COMPREHENSIVE CURRICULUM SUPPORT
COMPREHENSIVE CURRICULUM SUPPORT
DEDICATION TO CULTURAL ENGAGEMENT
DEDICATION TO CULTURAL ENGAGEMENT
ALL-INCLUSIVE PRICING
ALL-INCLUSIVE PRICING

Our daughter is planning a high school junior year as an exchange student abroad, and your program was partly a ‘test the waters” of her being abroad. It was a tremendous success, thank you!

Barney
Parent of Della, traveler on 2017 program to Thailand

Your Adventure Includes

Estimated Airfare

In order to give our travelers the best possible price, we break out airfare from the Program Tuition. We will still handle all booking and ticketing via our flight partner who has access to special fares not available to the general public. Once confirmed, you will be invoiced for the flight roughly 75 days prior to travel. 

Program Tuition Excludes: Travel insurance, baggage fees, passport/visa fees, laundry, souvenirs, and activities not listed on itinerary.

 

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WTT coffee
Resource center

Resource Center

Why should high school students travel abroad? What happens if a participant gets sick? How quickly do we need to enroll? We’re sure you have plenty of questions and we’ve got you covered! Visit our Resource Center to discover the answers to your most pressing questions and contact us anytime with additional questions.

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