2026 RISE Ed Spain Explorers Program
| Travel Dates: |
May 27, 2026 -
June 5, 2026
Dates are tentative until flight are secured
|
| Group Organizer(s): |
|
| WTT Contact: |
|
| Program Tuition: |
$2,990 USD
Airfare not included in program tuition
|
| Estimated Airfare: | $1,247 |
Important Reminders
Passport check
Insurance Reminder
Fundraiser
Review all materials
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 27 | USA - Madrid | We will embark on an exciting journey from the USA to Madrid, Spain, arriving the following day. | Airplane |
| May 28 | Madrid | Upon our arrival in Madrid, we will travel by private bus to our hotel to settle in after the long flight. Later, we will hold an orientation meeting to go over the details of the trip before heading out to explore our neighborhood. We will enjoy our first Spanish dinner near the lively Plaza Santa Ana. | Madrid Hotel |
| May 29 | Madrid - Toledo | Our day will begin with a visit to the renowned Prado Museum, where we will marvel at its world-class art collections. In the afternoon, we will take a leisurely stroll through Retiro Park, once a royal retreat, and savor churros con chocolate as we wander the charming, winding streets. In the evening, we will take a private bus to Toledo, famously known as the "City of Three Cultures." We will explore the city and enjoy a coffee in a picturesque spot while taking in views of the city’s two most iconic landmarks: the grand Cathedral and the historic Alcázar fortress. | Toledo Hotel |
| May 30 | Toledo - Jaén | The next morning, we will delve deeper into Toledo’s rich cultural heritage with a guided tour of the Jewish Quarter and the district of the convents, discovering why it is celebrated as a crossroads of cultures. After lunch, we will journey to Jaén, passing through the stunning landscapes of the Castilla-La Mancha and Andalusia regions. Upon arriving, we will settle into our hotel and rest up for the adventures ahead. | Jaén Hotel |
| May 31 | Jaén - Granada | With a local guide, we will explore Jaén’s fascinating history, including its connections to the Moors and its vibrant culture. We will visit the 11th-century Arab baths, the best-preserved in Europe. After lunch, we will travel to Granada, home to the breathtaking Alhambra, and settle in for the evening. | Granada Hotel |
| June 1 | Granada | Today, we will enjoy a guided tour of the Alhambra, one of the most photogenic and remarkable landmarks in the world. Afterward, we will have free time to wander the old quarter, perhaps visit a traditional Moroccan tea house, and experience an authentic flamenco performance in a cave overlooking the town. | Granada Hotel |
| June 2 | Granada - Madrid | We will spend the morning, relaxing in Granada, wandering the beautiful streets and having some free time to do a photographic scavenger hunt. After lunch, we will make our way back to Madrid and settle in to our hotel for the evening. | Madrid Hotel |
| June 3 | Madrid - Segovia | Our journey continues with a day trip to Segovia, where centuries of history have created a treasure trove of architectural wonders. We will explore the medieval walls, Romanesque churches, a Gothic cathedral, and a former royal palace. We will also visit the iconic Roman aqueduct, which stands majestically with over 160 arches made of mortarless granite. In the evening, we will return to Madrid. | Madrid Hotel |
| June 4 | Madrid | For our final full day in Madrid, we will explore the vibrant Spanish capital on foot. Based on the group’s interests, we may visit the Royal Palace, the Temple of Debod, and the West Park, or perhaps the famous Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía. To celebrate the end of our incredible journey, we will enjoy a traditional Spanish meal together in the evening. | Madrid Hotel |
| June 5 | Madrid - USA | Today we will head to the airport to catch our international flight home. ¡Hasta luego! | Your own bed, eventually! |
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.
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 Pensinsular
The Hotel Peninsular perfectly combines the comforts of a modern hotel along with the historic aesthetic that comes along with a 19th century-era building in the heart of Girona. With over 150 years as a hotel, the staff is an experienced group of professionals whose friendliness and attention to our group consistently makes our stay an unforgettable experience.
Hotel Travé
This historic hotel in Figueres is located in the heart of the Empordá and has welcomed travelers from all over the world to its accommodations for over 50 years. The en suite style rooms are designed to make guests feel comfortable and at home. Complete with modern amenities, garden areas, and a pool for use during spring and summer seasons, this is the perfect place to relax between adventures.
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
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
Emory University – B.A. Sociology and minor in Latin American History
Luke’s path to student travel began in Mexico, during a year abroad in Mexico and Central America. This formative time led him to join an international volunteer program which, after graduating from college, sent him to the small village of San Gerardo de Rivas in south-central Costa Rica. Welcomed by the loveliest of host families, his experience in this tiny town is directly connected to the beginnings of Walking Tree five years later. His love for travel still burns bright, and today he’s lucky to have a wife and daughter who are equally passionate about exploring the world. Settled in Denver, he adores his family and colleagues, skies whenever possible, and is a devoted fan of all Colorado sports teams.
University of Kansas – B.A. Latin American Studies; Global and International Studies, Minor in Brazilian Studies
Jordan hails from Kansas City where he spent his entire childhood. Although he didn’t realize it at the time, his first international experience would set the course for the rest of his life. After high school, he traveled to Guatemala where he began learning Spanish and cultivated a deep interest in everything Latin America. In college, Jordan spent almost half of his university career studying abroad in both Costa Rica and Brazil. In 2010, Jordan moved to Costa Rica for six years where he began his professional career teaching Portuguese to Costa Ricans and working with Walking Tree Travel. From Costa Rica he moved to Denver, Colorado and spent seven years traveling the USA and experiencing life as an adult in America for the first time. Jordan is trilingual and has traveled to more than 30 countries around the world. He currently lives in Lisbon, Portugal and enjoys practicing yoga, hiking, biking, spending time at the beach and cooking Middle Eastern food.
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.