2025 Fordham Preparatory Spain Explorers Program
| Travel Dates: | April 16, 2025 - April 25, 2025 |
| Group Organizer(s): |
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| WTT Contact: |
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| Program Tuition: |
$3,790 USD
Airfare not included in program tuition
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| Confirmed Airfare: | $1,197 |
Important Reminders
Passport check
Insurance Reminder
Fundraiser
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What to Expect
Please read through all of the information below. More details will be added as your departure draws closer.
Itinerary
We do everything possible to abide by itineraries as originally planned, but decades of experience teachers that we must flexible in our planning. Changes to a trip’s schedule are uncommon, but Walking Tree reserves the right to make adjustments to programming in the best interest of the group.
| Day | Location | Description | Lodging |
|---|---|---|---|
| April 16 | USA - Barcelona | Fly from USA to Barcelona | Airplane |
| April 17 | Barcelona | After arriving to Barcelona and settling into our rooms, we'll do a bit of exploring and get our first glimpse of Barceloneta, where we'll have dinner. Afterwards, we'll hold an orientation meeting to discuss the details of the days ahead. | Barcelona Hotel |
| April 18 | Barcelona | Today we encounter the two most important monuments from Gaudi´s architecture, first Sagrada Familia, a basilica without equal and one of the most unique works of architecture known to man. Designed by Gaudi, this 19th-century church, which is still under construction, is an architectural marvel and a UNESCO World Heritage site. We'll visit with a local guide to make the most of our time. After lunch, we head to Parque Güell, named after Eusebi Güell, a wealthy entrepreneur and aristocrat who had a great passion for Gaudi’s work and became his patron. Then we'll take in the sights, sounds, and human statues of Las Ramblas before having dinner at La Boquería, Barcelona's famous food market. | Barcelona Hotel |
| April 19 | Barcelona - Montserrat - Manresa | This morning it's on to Moserrat by train! A settlement nestled in dramatic a mountain that is more than 1000 years old! We'll visit an abbey of the same name which has been a pilgrimage site for centuries. We'll hike around the area to better appreciate the spectacular views; It's truly a remarkable visit! In the afternoon, we drive on to Manresa, an idyllic small town on the outskirts of Barcelona. Upon arrival we'll check into our hotel before venturing out to do some exploring. | Manresa Hotel |
| April 20 | Manresa - Madrid | Today is our longest drive of the trip as we travel ~six hours to Madrid. After settling into our rooms, we'll do a bit of exploring and get our first glimpse of Plaza Mayor, where we'll have dinner. | Madrid Hotel |
| April 21 | Madrid | Today we explore with our friendly local guide! Prado Museum, which boasts one of the most renowned collections of art in the world. We will marvel at several Spanish masterpieces, including another version of the Gioconda (Mona Lisa), also known as “La Gioconda del Prado.” In the afternoon we will visit Parque del Retiro, once the king's private hunting grounds, before enjoying dinner in the neighborhood | Madrid Hotel |
| April 22 | Madrid - Granada | After a Spanish breakfast, we will first have a panoramic tour of the city by bus. We will explore visit the Royal Palace and then the Almudena Cathedral, the Roman Catholic cathedral in the heart of the city which also happens to be the largest crypt in Spain. Reina Sofia Museum which showcases Spanish contemporary and modern art, including the famous painting La Guernica by Pablo Picasso. After lunch, we'll hit the road for Granada, taking in the beautiful countryside as we wind through the Castilla-La Mancha and Andalusia regions of Southern Spain. We'll get settled into our hotel tonight upon arrival and rest up ahead of our upcoming adventures. | Granada Hotel |
| April 23 | Granada | We'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. | Granada Hotel |
| April 24 | Granada - Sevilla | Morning departure to Sevilla, stopping on the way at an olive farm where some of the finest organic olive oil in the world is produced where we will also have luch. Once we arrive at the city we'll explore, including the impressive cathedral where Christopher Columbus is buried. In the evening we'll prepare our own authentic Spanish dinner in a cooking class! | Sevilla Hotel |
| April 25 | Sevilla - USA | Today we will head to the airport to catch our international flight home. ¡Hasta luego! | Your own bed, eventually! |
Fundraising
Need to Raise Money? We Have You Covered.
Walking Tree Travel is proud to team up with Equal Exchange, a worker-owned cooperative that distributes organic coffee, tea, sugar, bananas, avocados, cocoa, chocolate bars, and more. There is no limit to the amount you can earn, so the sooner you can start, the better!
Learn more here.
Accommodations
In order to provide a safe and memorable experience, we follow strict guidelines when choosing group accommodations. Walking Tree partners with hotels and guest houses which are centrally located, locally operated, clean and safe. We inspect each partner hotel to ensure they meet these standards.
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.
TOC Hostel Sevilla
TOC Hostel Seville is situated in an exclusive modern building at the heart of the city and is surrounded by the main places of tourist interest. This is a modern and hi-tech hotel, includes security technology with fingerprint room access control system, 24/7 Reception, , safes for your personal belongings and other features, such as free Wi-Fi, bar & restaurant, kitchen, main living room, and a playroom. Students will be grouped in their rooms according to gender and availability.
St. Jordi Sagrada Familia
Centrally located in Barcelona, this hostel has a skateboard-theme and is great for young adults. This facility has air conditioning, free wifi, guest computers and security lockers. Students will be grouped in their rooms according to gender and availability.
Group Flight
| Type | Carrier Name | Carrier Code | Flight Number | Departure Airport & City | Departure Date and Time | Arrival Airport & City | Arrival Date and Time |
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Outbound
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American Airlines
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AA
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66
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JFK – John F. Kennedy International Airport, New York, United States
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April 16, 2025 at 05:05 PM
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BCN – Josep Tarradellas Barcelona El Prat Airport, Barcelona, Spain
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April 17, 2025 at 06:45 AM
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Inbound
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American Airlines
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AA
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67
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BCN – Josep Tarradellas Barcelona El Prat Airport, Barcelona, Spain
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April 25, 2025 at 12:50 PM
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JFK – John F. Kennedy International Airport, New York, United States
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April 25, 2025 at 03:20 PM
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Once your flight schedule has been confirmed, the itinerary will appear here.
Walking Tree will secure a seat on the group flight for each participant unless otherwise instructed.
Travelers are responsible for checked baggage fees. Please visit the airline’s baggage webpage to learn if you should expect to pay anything.
We will provide a group manifest – complete with reservation codes and ticket numbers – to the Group Organizer/s before departure, and travelers will need to check in at the airport in order to receive their boarding pass and have documents verified. We recommend arriving no later than three hours prior to the scheduled departure, but contact your Group Organizer for specific details on exactly where and when to meet on the day of departure.
FLIGHT INTERRUPTION, DELAY OR CANCELLATION
Air travel can be unpredictable. Regardless of proper planning, there may still be instances when a flight is delayed or cancelled due to staffing shortages, weather, mechanical problems, etc. Please note that in such an event, Walking Tree Travel (WTT) is not financially responsible for unanticipated costs incurred by travelers en route. Our programs officially begin and end in the destination country, and because our staff doesn’t fly with the group, Group Organizers (the traveling faculty member/s) become the front-line advocate for the group in the event of a delay. In most cases of cancellations or delays, the airline will be the one who re-books travel or possibly arranges a hotel and food the night. Our primary role will be to keep families updated and provide support to the Group Organizer to reach a quick and effective resolution.
Host Community and Project Details
Packing List
Support Team
At a minimum, one experienced Program Leader will travel on every trip. In addition to this full time leadership presence, Walking Tree has additional staff in all destinations and 24/7 support from our headquarters in Denver, Colorado. Below you’ll find the the team members involved in the preparation, planning and execution of your program.
Hillary Mora
Spain Country Director
Emory University – B.A. Sociology and minor in Latin American History
During college, Luke spent a semester living and traveling in rural Mexico. His experience sparked a fascination with Latin America and a commitment to community service that continues to this day. Upon graduating from college, he joined WorldTeach and lived with a local family in a small village in Costa Rica while teaching elementary English. After this experience, he moved to San José, the capital and largest city of Costa Rica, and wrote for The Tico Times newspaper. Luke has since traveled to over 60 countries on five different continents. Now settled in Denver with his family, he continues to crave massive helpings of rice and beans.
Group Roster
Below is a list of the travelers enrolled on the program.
Blog and Communication
During travel we work hard to keep families updated as frequently as possible with blog posts and photos, giving you peace of mind that your traveler is safe and thriving on their program. Students regularly contribute to these posts, providing families bak home a great way to vicariously track the progress of the trip. You will be notified when the first update is posted, after which we recommend checking in regularly via the black “Program Blog” button at the top of this webpage.
Assuming your school allows the use of cell phones, most destinations are wired enough to allow participants access WiFi at different moments in the program, allowing them to communicate directly with home. Ask your Walking Tree representative about the degree of connectivity on your program.
GLC Curriculum
Walking Tree has developed a curriculum of activities meant to help travelers get the most out of their trip before departure, during travel and after they return home. These simple and engaging activities are meant to spark discussion, frame experiences, and prepare participants to travel ethically and effectively both on this trip and on future adventures.For more information about student learning objectives and the format of the curriculum, click on the ‘learn more’ button below.
To view and complete the Pre-Program Activities, visit our online portal at the button below.
Standards of Behavior
In order to run a safe and successful program, it is vital that travelers are prepared to be on their best behavior and bring enthusiasm and interest to each and every day. A communal atmosphere of trust and mutual respect is the foundational. As such, all individuals participating on a Walking Tree program are required to take responsibility for their actions and adhere to a high standard of personal conduct.
IMMEDIATE DISMISSAL
- Possessing, consuming or distributing alcohol or illegal drugs.
- Associating with participants while they are in possession of alcohol or illegal drugs.
- Behaving in a way that consistently damages the group dynamic or jeopardizes personal or group safety. This includes consistently displaying a negative attitude, intimidating or excluding other participants, sneaking out, disobeying group leaders, and any other behavior that is not conducive to an atmosphere of trust and mutual respect.
GROUNDS FOR DISMISSAL OR IN-COUNTRY CONSEQUENCE
- Getting a piercing or tattoo.
- Stealing, or deliberately damaging or defacing any personal property, buildings or materials.
- Threatening physical or emotional harm, or brandishing a weapon.
- Possessing, consuming, or distributing tobacco or nicotine, including vape pens.
- Riding mopeds, motorcycles, or any other type of unauthorized vehicle.
- Being out of designated area or accommodations after curfew.
- Breaking group rules.
These standards of behavior are essential for the successful completion of your program. Please take the time to review these as a family and make sure everyone understands and agrees to them.
Health and Safety
We strongly recommend visiting the CDC Spain website to get the most updated information on health and vaccination considerations in your destination country. In addition, we encourage you to consult with your personal family physician so you can be as informed as possible when making important decisions about vaccinations and other necessary health-related preparations before travel.
Our in-country staff prepare meticulously for all programs. Walking Tree will register our programs and travelers with the U.S. Department of State Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) in case of emergency. In country staff also verify the safety records of our partner organizations, vendors, and transportation providers, thoroughly vet homestay families via in depth interviews and home visits, and keep up on important current events in the region.
Program Leaders are seasoned travelers who are CPR and First Aid certified, undergo thorough training in crisis management, and participate in a multi-day leadership training retreat. We do our best to prepare for any eventuality and have detailed emergency protocols for our leaders, in-country staff and U.S.-based staff.
We receive medical disclosures from all participants to ensure we are able to meet every students’ needs during the program. Please inform us immediately of any additional health issues that you did not list during your initial registration process. Program Leaders will also hold an online information session before your departure, as well as an arrival orientation in-country, in order to give participants important instructions on food safety, hygiene and preventing injury and illness. Leaders and in-country staff always respond immediately to any mental, physical or emotional health issues and follow comprehensive emergency protocols.
Insurance
While we work hard to ensure the safest experience possible for our travelers on program, experience teaches that travel is never without risk. For this reason, we recommend that all travelers consider a travel insurance policy with two additional provisions: Cancel for Any Reason (CFAR) and Bed Rest. Detailed explanations of both provisions can be found on the link below.
To provide travelers and families with a quality option, Walking Tree has partnered with Travel Insured International, one of the most respected providers in the industry. Begin by getting a quote here.
IMPORTANT NOTE: in order to secure coverage with CFAR included, you must purchase the plan within 21 days of your deposit/first payment. You must also insure 100% of your trip cost, so program tuition + flight.