2022 St Mary’s Academy Spain and Morocco Program

While offered through SMA, enrolling on this program represents an agreement between the traveler's family and Walking Tree Travel. Any questions regarding enrollment, payments, refunds, or other administrative matters should come to the WTT Representative listed below.
Dear Families, Friends, and Travelers – Welcome to the 2022 St Mary's Academy Spain & Morocco Program!  You are currently on the Pre-Enrollment page, the purpose of which is to share exciting highlights and important info that participants will want to know before signing up. If you enroll, you'll begin using the Post-Enrollment page which offers a greater level of detail.  Please be sure to review the information thoroughly and get excited for Spain and Morocco!!
Travel Dates: June 17, 2022 - June 28, 2022
Group Organizer(s):
WTT Contact:
Program Tuition: $3,990 USD
Airfare not included in program tuition
Confirmed Airfare: $1,349

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: $3,990

Pay in Full

$3,990.00

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:

$183.69

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

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

Practice your Spanish language skills with locals

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

Attend a flamenco dance performance in Granada

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. 

DayLocationDescriptionLodging
June 17USAToday the group will travel from the US to Madrid, Spain.Airplane
June 18MadridWe'll arrive in Madrid and settle into the hotel after the long day of travel. After some brief orientation meetings we'll have a quick snack of churros con chocolate and visit El Prado, one of the most impressive art museums in the world. After that, we'll enjoy a typical Spanish lunch in the historic center. The afternoon will be spent visiting the Plaza Mayor, and checking out the views from the Royal Palace and the Templo de Debod, an Egyptian temple dating back to the 2nd century B.C. that was donated to Spain. In the evening, we'll enjoy our first meal of tapas and traditional Spanish food.TOC hostel
June 19Madrid - GranadaThis morning, we'll stroll through the Retiro Park, once the king's personal refuge, and enjoy lunch nearby.  Then 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. After settling into our hotel and before dinner, we'll have a guided tour of the old Albayzin, the traditional Gypsy neighborhood, and the historic Jewish quarter.  Hotel Macía Monasterio de los Basilios
June 20GranadaWe'll have a guided tour of Alhambra during the day, one of the most photogenic sites on the planet and a place dripping with fascinating history. 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.Hotel Macía Monasterio de los Basilios
June 21Granada - RondaThis morning we're off to Ronda in the heart of Andalucia and visit the precipitous ravine before enjoying a fun and engaging scavenger hunt tour around town. In the evening, we'll put our Spanish skills to use with a dinner of tapas with Spanish students. ¿Que guay, no?! Enfrente Arte
June 22Ronda - Sevilla - TangierToday we're headed to Morocco! We begin by continuing on to Sevilla (or Malaga) where we'll catch a flight to Tangier in northern Morocco, a city with incredible history and character. Upon arrival we'll settle into our riad and explore our neighborhood before dinner.Le Royal
June 23Tangier - Assilah - Tangier After breakfast the group will be privately transported to Assilah, a 45 minutes bus ride. Assilah is a small city located on the Atlantic coast of Morocco, south of Tangier. Its old white medina, surrounded by ramparts and well-preserved doors, was built in the 15th century by Portuguese settlers. The medina is an artistic center renowned for its colorful, modern murals. The students will take a guided tour that will end with a late lunch. Everyone will have the chance to partake in a Moroccan tradition, henna, before returning to Tangier for the evening.Le Royal
June 24Tangier - ChefchaouenAfter breakfast the group will be privately transported to Chefchaouen, a small hamlet located in the Rif Mountains in the northwest of Morocco. It is famous for the remarkable buildings in different shades of faded blue! Leatherwork and weaving workshops line its steep cobbled paths. Upon arrival students will check into their riad and enjoy the afternoon by walking to visit the city’s Ras El-Maa, where local women come to do their household washing. There, the group will sit alongside the mountain stream and sip Moroccan mint tea at a local cafe. Afterwards the group will walk through the Kasbah before dinner.Chefchaouen Riad
June 25ChefchaouenAfter breakfast the students will take a guided tour through Chefchaouen's medina. The city is built on a hill so be prepared for stairs! Despite the effort, walking is the best way to experience the city as there are tons of narrow streets that cars can’t access. The group will learn all about this old fortress and the history it preserves. After lunch everyone will have a moment to sip mint tea on a rooftop terrace cafe before some free time to do some souvenir shopping! Chefchaouen Riad
June 26Chefchaouen - CasablancaAfter breakfast the group will be privately transported to Casablanca, a roughly five hour trip. Casablanca is a port city and a commercial center located in the west of Morocco, facing the Atlantic Ocean. The French colonial heritage of the city is reflected in the architecture of the city center, combining Moorish style and European Art Deco. Upon arriving to Morocco's largest metropolitan city, we will check in to our Riad. Afterwards we will have time to walk through the historical habous before dinner!Casablanca Riad
June 27CasablancaAfter 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. We will spend the afternoon near the seaside before enjoying a celebratory final dinner.Casablanca Riad
June 28Casablanca - 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. 
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.

Grand Hotel Villa de France Tangier

This four star hotel was built in the eighteenth century and is located in the historic center of Tangier. The architecture of the Grand Hotel Villa de France, along with its fountains, pool, terraces and gardens, today create a convivial, relaxing atmosphere in one of North Africa’s most magical cities. Students will have internet access in order to stay connected, and will be grouped in double or triple occupancy rooms according to gender.

Melliber Hotel Casablanca

For its ideal location in Casablanca, next to the sea. The Melliber Appart Hotel is a beautiful building that has all the commodities to make your stay unforgettable. Free Wi-Fi found throughout the building will keep everyone connected. Students will be grouped in their rooms according to gender.

Casa del Norte – Chefchaouen

Casa del Norte is a riad located in the heart of Chefchaouen’s medina and offers a great way to experience Moroccan culture.  Students will be split by gender and share double, triple or quadruple rooms based on availability. Wifi is available in common areas and breakfast is included.

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

This was a great opportunity for [my daughter]. Thank you for being so professional and for teaching her things we never could. It was awesome to work beside Smithsonian scientists and learn. Travel is such an education that cannot be taught in a classroom.

Kim
Parent of Emily, traveler on 2017 program to Panama

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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