2025 Strath Haven Spain Cultural Journey
| Travel Dates: | June 18, 2025 - June 27, 2025 |
| Group Organizer(s): |
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| WTT Contact: |
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| Program Tuition: |
$3,490 USD
Airfare not included in program tuition
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| Confirmed Airfare: | $1,591 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| June 18 | USA - Madrid | Today the group will travel from the USA to Madrid, Spain, arriving the next day. | Airplane |
| June 19 | Madrid | Upon arrival, we will settle into our rooms before taking our first stroll through Madrid, soaking in the city’s vibrant atmosphere. We will explore the Plaza Mayor neighborhood, including the bustling Gran Vía. In the evening, we will enjoy a welcome dinner before gathering for an orientation meeting to prepare for the exciting days ahead. | Madrid Hotel |
| June 20 | Madrid | Our first morning in Spain begins with a traditional Spanish breakfast, followed by a guided tour of the renowned Prado Museum, home to one of the world’s most remarkable art collections. Later, we will wander through the lush Parque del Retiro, once a royal hunting ground, before exploring Madrid’s charming neighborhoods and visiting the lively Mercado San Miguel. We will wrap up the day with a delicious Spanish dinner before returning to our hotel. | Madrid Hotel |
| June 21 | Madrid - Asturias | The journey continues as we board our bus to Asturias, one of Spain’s most captivating regions. Upon arrival in Gijón, we will explore its lively streets before making our way to either Cudillero or Avilés, picturesque fishing villages known for their colorful houses and rich maritime traditions. As the sun sets, we will enjoy a traditional Asturian dinner. | Asturias Hotel |
| June 22 | Asturias | Today, we set out for Covadonga, a historic site where Pelayo and his Asturian warriors triumphed in the Battle of Covadonga, marking the dawn of Spain. In the afternoon, we will take a scenic bike tour through the interior of Asturias, a region that beautifully combines nature and adventure. This ride will allow us to discover its lush landscapes and charming cultural landmarks. This evening, we will return to our hotel in Asturias for dinner and a well-earned rest. | Asturias Hotel |
| June 23 | Asturias - Santander | With our bags packed, we will start the day with an exciting sea kayaking or river descent adventure at Deva River, enjoying the natural beauty and thrill of the water. Afterwards, we will leave Asturias behind and head toward Santander, stopping along the way to admire the breathtaking Dunas de Liencres, a natural park with stunning sand dunes and coastal views. After a satisfying lunch, we will continue our journey and, by evening, arrive at our hotel in Santander, where we can relax and unwind. | Santander Hotel |
| June 24 | Santander - Bilbao | Our adventure continues as we make our way to Bilbao, the cultural heart of the Basque Country. Along the route, we will visit some of the region’s most picturesque towns, starting with Getaria, a charming coastal village where nearly 90% of the locals speak Euskera, the Basque language. We will stop for lunch in Lekeitio or similar before continuing to Mundaka, a fishing village famous for its scenic marshlands. Upon arrival in Bilbao, we will explore the historic old quarter, ride a cable car to Mount Artxanda for a breathtaking sunset view, and end the evening by indulging in the famous "pintxos," the region’s beloved small bites. | Bilbao Hotel |
| June 25 | Bilbao - Barcelona | We say farewell to "País Vasco" and set our sights on Barcelona! After checking into our rooms, we will take a leisurely evening walk to get our first glimpse of Barceloneta, followed by a delicious dinner. | Barcelona Hotel |
| June 26 | Barcelona | Our last full day in Spain will be dedicated to exploring the wonders of Barcelona. We will begin with a visit to the awe-inspiring Sagrada Familia, Gaudí’s architectural masterpiece and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. A guided tour will reveal the intricate details of this breathtaking basilica. After lunch, we will immerse ourselves in the lively energy of Las Ramblas and explore the famous La Boquería food market. We will close out our adventure with a celebratory farewell dinner, reminiscing about the unforgettable experiences we have shared. | Barcelona Hotel |
| June 27 | Barcelona - USA | Hasta luego! Today we will head to the airport to take our flight back to the US. | 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.
Hotel Sterling – Madrid
Conveniently located just off Gran Via and 200 m from Santo Domingo Metro station, this hotel offers simple accommodation in central Madrid. Both Puerta del Sol and the Royal Palace are just 10 minutes’ walk away. All spacious rooms have private bathrooms and air conditioning, TV, safe and work desk. A daily breakfast is available, and gluten-free products are available on request. Free Wi-Fi keeps guests feeling connected at all times. Students will be grouped in their rooms according to gender.
Abba Playa Guión Hotel
Located right next to the beach with beautiful views of the San Lorenzo Bay, Abba Playa Guión Hotel is situated in the perfect location. This four star hotel, with 80 rooms, has an outdoor pool as well as gym on site. All rooms have air conditioning and Wifi throughout the property.
Ilunion Hotel Bilbao
Located just a 15 minute walk form the Guggenheim Museum, Ilunion Hotel is the perfect location for our group to stay in Bilbao. This three star hotel offers spacious rooms with air conditioning and Wifi throughout the property.
Hotel Chiqui Santander
Located in the most beautiful corner of the Sardinero Beach, the Hotel Chiqui Santander is the perfect place to relax after a long day of sightseeing. The hotel has a pool and restaurant on site, and offers comfortable rooms with air conditioning and Wifi.
Leonardo Hotel Barcelona Gran Via
Leonardo Hotel Barcelona Gran Via is centrally located in La Nova Esquerra de l’Eixample, between Plaça Espanya and the heart of the city, within walking distance of many important sites. Rooms are recently renovated and have air conditioning and Wifi.
Group Flight
| Type | Carrier Name | Carrier Code | Flight Number | Departure Airport & City | Departure Date and Time | Arrival Airport & City | Arrival Date and Time |
| Outbound | American Airlines | AA | 740 | PHL – Philadelphia International Airport, Philadelphia, United States | June 18, 2025 at 08:30 PM | MAD – Madrid–Barajas Airport, Madrid, Spain | June 19, 2025 at 09:35 AM |
| Inbound | American Airlines | AA | 743 | BCN – Josep Tarradellas Barcelona El Prat Airport, Barcelona, Spain | June 27, 2025 at 02:00 PM | PHL – Philadelphia International Airport, Philadelphia, United States | June 27, 2025 at 04:30 PM |
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. 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.
CLOTHES :
- Underwear
- Socks (a mixture of good active socks and casual socks)
- Shorts
- Light-weight pants
- Shorts
- T-shirts
- Long sleeve shirts
- Light-weight sweater/sweatshirt
- Rain jacket
- Nicer outfit for farewell dinner
- Durable athletic/walking shoes
- Sandals
- Hat, sun protection
TOILETRIES:
- Your basics
- Sunscreen
- Basic first aid
- Hand Sanitizer
- Medication in properly marked original container
MISCELLANEOUS:
- Passport
- Student ID
- Sunglasses
- Journal and pen
- Power adapter
- Spending money, ~$100-$200 in USD, Euro or debit/credit card
- Durable water bottle
- Portable power bank (optional)
- Deck of cards or other portable games
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
Cush Munger
Program Leader
University of Colorado – B.A. History, Universidad de Buenos Aires – Geography and Social Communication
I have been a guide for more than a decade, leading both large and small groups of students and adults in Mexico, Argentina, Uruguay, Spain and Italy. I love exploring cities, experiencing foreign cultures, tasting new foods and learning about history — both recent and ancient. In addition to guiding, I also work as a freelance investigative journalist and amateur photographer. In my free time I enjoy cooking, boxing and spending time with my wife and young son
Gabriel Duncan
Co-Founder of Walking Tree Travel and Business Lead - Denver, CO
Colby College – B.A. International Relations and Government
While at Colby, Gabriel spent a semester in Spain at the University of Salamanca studying contemporary Spanish politics and Spanish language. He also lettered for four-years on Colby’s lacrosse team and earned All-American honors. After graduating, Gabriel hit the road. He fished commercially in Alaska, taught in Chile and China, led programs for students in Spain and Costa Rica, and traveled to over 50 countries and all 50 states in the USA. Regardless of where Gabriel is located, he is constantly haunted by his naive faith and unconditional love for Denver sports teams.
Group Roster
Below is a list of the travelers enrolled on the program.
- 1 Abigail Ojeda
- 2 Alexandra Benzing
- 3 Carter Shinners
- 4 Ciara Browne
- 5 Claire Donovan
- 6 Elizabeth Meza
- 7 Ella Henzel
- 8 Isabel Dourte
- 9 Jamie Taub
- 10 John Corcoran
- 11 John Logue
- 12 Julia Hanson
- 13 Maren Coschignano
- 14 Milena Verdi
- 15 Mirabelle Rettew
- 16 Norah Magargee
- 17 Paisley Mello
- 18 Pamela Kaneda
- 19 Quentin Fromal
- 20 Sonya Blum
- 21 Valerie Perella
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.