2025 Galloway European Cultural Journey
| Travel Dates: | February 18, 2025 - February 28, 2025 |
| Group Organizer(s): |
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| WTT Contact: |
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| Program Tuition: |
$3,990 USD
Airfare not included in program tuition
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| Estimated Airfare: | $1,000 |
Important Reminders
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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 teaches that we must be 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 18 | USA - Barcelona | Fly from USA to Barcelona | Airplane |
| Feb 19 | 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 |
| Feb 20 | Barcelona | Today we start our journey with a full day of activities. First we will start with a panoramic tour around Barcelona have a walk in the Barrio Gotico with our local guide as it is the oldest part of the city and get us depp into the history of Catalonia and Spain itself, as at the same time that we understand the importance of their culture and lenguage. They will take us to the Catalonia Parlament among many other political places. After lunch we can visit their most important monument: 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. Later we will visit Las Ramblas before having dinner at La Boquería, Barcelona's famous food market. | Bacelona Hotel |
| Feb 21 | Barcelona - Zaragoza | After breakfast we check out and visit first Parc Guell , named after Eusebi Güell, a wealthy entrepreneur and aristocrat who had a great passion for Gaudi’s work and became his patron. In the afternoon, we travel up the Capitol of what it used to be the Aragon Kingdom, Zaragoza, one of the most important kingdoms from Iberian Pensinsula. Once we check in, we setlle, and enjoy a dinner downtown | Zaragoza Hotel |
| Feb 22 | Zaragoza - Basque Country (Bilbao) | Today we will enjoy a walk along with our guide to get to know more about the Aragon Kingdom. We will visit Palacio de la Aljafería, first built by the muslims in the Taifa kingdom in the period of its maximum political and cultural heyday. Then became the residence of the Christian kings of Aragon in 1118 by Alfonso I the Battler. After lunch we will get up to the north of Spain, Basque Country has a lot to offer for the Spanish history. | Bilbao Hotel |
| Feb 23 | Basque Country (Bilbao) & San Sebastián | Today we will visit Bilbao, the capitol of Basque Country, we will get to know the history and why Euskera is one of the most unique lenguages from Europe. After lunch, we travel by bus to San Sebastian, and enjoy time on the beach as well as sea kayaking. In the evening, we will sample the famous "pintxos" of the Basque Country. | Bilbao Hotel |
| Feb 24 | Basque Country (Bilbao) - Lisbon | We will have a relaxing morning in the old quarter of Bilbao and take a classic cable car up to Mount Artxanda to have lunch, take in some impressive views of the city and bid farewell to Bilbao before boarding an mid-afternoon flight to Lisbon. Upon arrival in Lisbon, we'll drop our bags in the hotel and explore our neighborhood on foot. | Lisbon Hotel |
| Feb 25 | Lisbon | We'll start the day with an e-Bike tour of Lisbon, seeing some of the cities most iconic sites while learning about the history from locals. Known as the city of seven hills, Lisbon has some stunning lookout points, and e-bikes make for a fun and easy way to see some of the best views of the city. This evening, we'll take a Portuguese cooking class and learn how to prepare traditional food on our own. | Lisbon Hotel |
| Feb 26 | Cascais | After a hearty breakfast, we'll take a guided tour of the Jerónimos Monastery where the Treaty of Lisbon was signed. From there, we'll take a short walk to the Torre de Belém, one of Lisbon's most iconic monuments. We'll take a quick snack break and enjoy pasteis de belém, which are the the best custard tarts in the world. From the Torre de Belém we'll take the train to Cascais and enjoy a picnic lunch at the beach followed by some free time to roam the small costal city. | Lisbon Hotel |
| Feb 27 | Sintra | Today we'll take the train from Lisbon to Sintra and spend the first part of our day visiting the Palacio da Pena - a stunning Romanticist castle perched on a hilltop. It's a UNESCO World Heritage Site and widely considered one of the most significant expressions of Romanticism in the 19th century. Afterwards, we'll enjoy lunch and some free time in the small idyllic town of Sintra before making our way back to Lisbon. We'll enjoy our final farewell dinner together complete with a fado performance, a uniquely Portuguese musical experience. | Lisbon Hotel |
| Feb 28 | Lisbon - USA | We'll head to the airport this morning to board our flight back to the USA. | Your own bed. |
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.
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.
Hotel Photo Zabalburu
Hotel Photo Zabalburu is located 1.3 km from the Roman Catholic church “Bilbao Cathedral” and features a bar, a flat screen TV and a cable flat-screen. Indautxu tube station is just a 10-minute walk and Abando train station is 1000 metres away. The venue is placed in the centre of Bilbao, a stroll away from Azkuna Zentroa Cultural Center. It is also 1.3 km from the hillside park “Parque Etxebarria”. Hotel Photo Zabalburu is a short ride from Bilbaout. There are 38 guestrooms equipped with flat-screen television, satellite television and lounge area. Hairdryers, showers and a bathtub are featured.
Group Flight
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
What follows is a sample packing list but you know yourself better than we do so please adjust accordingly. We recommend you bring a larger piece of luggage like a roller, duffel bag, or backpack, as well as a smaller backpack that you can bring on daily outings, weekend excursions and shorter activities.
“Less is more” is a packing tip we encourage for all our travelers. The list below should cover everything you would need, but know yourself and what you are comfortable traveling with. We suggest bringing only as much as you would be able to carry on your own.
Finally, we recommend consulting a weather forecast for your destination.
Most importantly, be sure to remember your PASSPORT!
CLOTHES (quantities depend on your trip length) :
- Underwear
- Socks (a mixture of good active socks and casual socks)
- T-shirts (some quick dry)
- Long sleeve shirts
- Sweaters or sweatshirts
- Warmer jacket
- Warm hat
- Scarf and Warm gloves (optional)
- Rain jacket
- Travel/athletic shorts that are breathable and light
- Comfortable, everyday pants
- Nice shirt/top to be worn to more formal dinners (girls might want a skirt or something a little nicer for such occasions)
- Durable athletic/walking shoes
- Sandals (optional)
- Hat
TOILETRIES: BRING THE BASIC TOILETRIES YOU NEED PLUS:
- Sunscreen (you will use a lot)
- Mosquito repellent
- Band Aids and Neosporin
- Hand Sanitizer
- Medication in properly marked original container
MISCELLANEOUS:
- Sunglasses
- Journal and pen
- Book
- Camera (digital, disposable, waterproof)
- Power Converter
- Alarm Clock and watch
- Debit card/US Dollars (we recommend about $50-$150, depending on amount of desired souvenirs, extra items etc.)
- Durable water bottle
- 1 quick-dry towel
- Flashlight/headlamp
- Batteries
- Deck of cards or other portable games
- STUDENT ID
- Spanish/English Dictionary
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
Program Leader
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 back 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 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 traveling.
Our in-country staff meticulously prepare for all programs. Walking Tree receives regular updates from the U.S. Department of State’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to proactively stay ahead of any potential security concerns. Our in-country staff also verify the safety records of our partner organizations, vendors, and transportation providers, thoroughly vet homestay families through in-depth interviews and visits, and stay informed about 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 comprehensive leadership training. 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 collect medical disclosures from all participants to ensure we can meet every student’s needs during the program. Please inform us immediately of any additional health issues not listed during your initial registration process. Leaders and in-country staff are prepared to respond promptly to any mental, physical, or emotional health concerns 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 can be unpredictable. For this reason, we recommend that all travelers consider a travel insurance policy with a Cancel for Any Reason (CFAR) provision. Detailed explanations of plan options can be found via 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 that includes CFAR, you must purchase the plan within 14-21 days of your first payment to Walking Tree. Be careful when you read the tenets of the policy to ensure you understand the required timeframe for purchase. You must also insure 100% of your trip cost, so program tuition + flight. Please reach out to us with questions.