2026 School Without Walls Spain Cultural Journey
| Travel Dates: | May 26, 2026 - June 5, 2026 |
| Group Organizer(s): |
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| WTT Contact: |
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| Program Tuition: |
$2,840 USD
Airfare not included in program tuition
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| Confirmed Airfare: | $927 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 26 | USA--Madrid | Today the group will travel from the USA to Madrid, Spain, arriving the next day. | Airplane |
| May 27 | Madrid | Upon arrival in Madrid, Spain's stunning capital city, we will hold an orientation meeting to go over the details of the upcoming trip. Then, we will head el Prado, the world-famous art museum with works by Bosch, Goya, and Velazquez. After a refreshing lunch, we will have the chance to go to another iconic art museum, the Reina Sofia, before having a stroll through Retiro Park on our way to explore one of Madrid's emblematic neighborhoods before dinner. | Espahotel Plaza Basilica |
| May 28 | Toledo | We'll be heading back out of Madrid, this time going south to Toledo, former stronghold of the Spanish monarchs. After a walking tour to familiarize ourselves with the city and its rich history, we'll have a chance to visit a representative of each of the city's mix of religious cultures: a tranquil synagogue, a beautiful mosque converted to a church, and an awe-inspiring cathedral. We'll have lunch in town before heading to the outskirts to enjoy a relaxing walk along the Tajo River. In the evening, we'll enjoy a delicious dinner back in Madrid. | Espahotel Plaza Basilica |
| May 29 | Madrid | This morning, we will take our private bus a short drive away to Segovia, exploring the city with a storied history and we'll have a chance to see the views from the top its impressive, almost fully-intact Roman aqueduct. After sampling local specialties for lunch, we'll hop back on our bus to head to la Granja de San Ildefonso, a palace with beautiful gardens, before returning to Madrid for dinner. | Espahotel Plaza Basilica |
| May 30 | Segovia | Today is all about relaxing with a thrill, as we head to Madrid's main amusement park. We'll spend the day at the park, getting our fill of roller coasters and other attractions, before going back into the city to refresh and be a part of the city as it comes alive at night. | Hotel Ilunion Pio XII |
| May 31 | Madrid--Bilbao | Today we'll head north, with a stopover to see the historic streets of Burgos and visit the enormous Gothic cathedral at its center. After lunch, we'll head to yet another region of Spain, this one known for its distinct regional language and culture: Pais Vasco. In the Basque city of Bilbao, we'll visit the impressive Guggenheim Museum. known for its incredible contemporary art and architecture inside and out of the building. | Ilunion Bilbao |
| June 1 | Bilbao--San Sebastian | After a relaxing morning with time to explore Bilbao's old town, we'll take a short bus ride to San Sebastian, the region's coastal crown jewel, located on the Bay of Biscay. Upon arrival, we'll have the chance to relax with plenty of beach time before exploring the city's famous pintxos restaurants. | Hotel Distrito Oeste |
| June 2 | San Sebastian--Barcelona | We'll say a fond farewell to the north as we head to the Mediterranean Sea today, taking our private bus through the Spanish countryside. One of our stops along the way will be in Pamplona, where we'll be able to stretch our legs in the old Citadel of the city. Once in Barcelona, we'll have free time before meeting back up to go to dinner at the Barceloneta Beach boardwalk. | Hotel SB Icaria |
| June 3 | Barcelona | his morning brings a chance for us to explore and reflect on our trip in the stunning and peaceful Sagrada Familia, created rby famous architect Antoni Gaudi. In the afternoon, we'll wander the Boqueria Market and Las Ramblas, the city's famous boulevard filled with shops and restaurants, with a local guide, who will help us learn more about this incredible city's architecture and culture. | Hotel SB Icaria |
| June 4 | Barcelona | This morning, we'll head to the European Museum of Modern Art, a beautiful museum housed in an 18th-century palace in the heart of Barcelona's Gothic Quarter. Afterwards, we'll take the short-distance train to Sitges, a nearby beach town where we will enjoy the Mediterranean Sea and a delicious seaside lunch as we reflect on our incredible trip. | Hotel SB Icaria |
| June 5 | Barcelona--Madrid--USA | Today we'll head to the airport and board 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.
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 SB Icaria – Barcelona
This four star hotel is located in the heart of Barcelona, steps from the waterfront, offering the perfect location for us to explore the city on foot. This modern hotel has air conditioning and central heat in all rooms, as well as high speed wifi. There is also a beautiful rooftop pool!
Hotel Distrito Oeste – San Sebastián
Located close to the beach, Hotel Distrito Oeste offers clean and comfortable rooms with a modern design. All rooms have central heat and air conditioning, and there is high speed wifi throughout the property.
Espahotel Plaza Basílica – Madrid
Located in the heart of Madrid, this three star hotel is the perfect location for exploring the city on foot. The hotel is recently renovated and all rooms have central heat and air conditioning. There is high speed wifi throughout the property as well.
Hotel Ilunion Pio XII – Madrid
This four star hotel is clean, comfortable and newly renovated. All rooms have central heat and air conditioning, as well as high speed wifi throughout the property.
Group Flight
| Type | Carrier Name | Carrier Code | Flight Number | Departure Airport & City | Departure Date and Time | Arrival Airport & City | Arrival Date and Time |
| Outbound | Iberia Air | IB | 362 | IAD – Washington Dulles International Airport, Dulles, United States | May 26, 2026 at 5:00 PM | MAD – Madrid–Barajas Airport, Madrid, Spain | May 27, 2026 at 6:50 AM |
| Inbound | Iberia Air | IB | 404 | BCN – Josep Tarradellas Barcelona El Prat Airport, Barcelona, Spain | June 5, 2026 at 9:15 AM | MAD – Madrid–Barajas Airport, Madrid, Spain | June 5, 2026 at 10:40 AM |
| Inbound | Iberia Air | IB | 361 | MAD – Madrid–Barajas Airport, Madrid, Spain | June 5, 2026 at 12:20 PM | IAD – Washington Dulles International Airport, Dulles, United States | June 5, 2026 at 3:30 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
- Swimsuit or something for swimming
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 for lunches and personal items. You can withdraw Euro from ATMs in Spain with your debit card, bring Euro and also use a credit card in most places.
- 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.
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.
Rebecca Harris
Spain Country Director
IUPUI–B.A. Journalism, B.A. Spanish, M.A. Sports Journalism; Taylor University–Elementary Education Licensure Program
Rebecca first fell in love with Spanish thanks to her parents letting her study in Mexico City in middle school for three months. The experience left her with a passion and appreciation for the Spanish language and a deep desire to live abroad. After five years of university and a detour as a freelance sports journalist (you can find her writing via the NCAA, U.S. Olympic Committee, USA Basketball and more), she moved to Spain from her native Indiana “for one year” to be a language teaching assistant and then just never left. Seven years later, she’s now a licensed teacher and living her best and favorite life in Madrid. In those years, she’s earned her C1 certificate in Spanish and traveled to more countries than she has U.S. states. Rebecca loves slow traveling, any kind of dancing, and every country’s iteration of dumplings.
Martina Sanz
Program Leader
Shani Azoulay Grinspan
Program Leader
Earlham College – B.A. Psychology, Minor in Global Management
Growing up in multiple countries abroad, Shani was exposed to many different cultures and communities and developed a passion for travel. She is fluent in English, Spanish, and Icelandic and attributes her leadership skills to her many travel experiences, as well as her current work. Traveling is Shani’s favorite classroom, it has taught her many things about the world and herself. Shani is currently a global citizen, facilitating transformational workshops and leading women’s retreats around the world.
Sara Lavell
Program Leader
Universidad de Costa Rica – B.Sc. Geography
Proudly born a ”tica” with a British father and a Panamanian mother, Sara was raised in the Caribbean coast of Costa Rica. Sara started traveling the world at a young age and has visited 4 continents. Passionate about conservation, sustainable development and education Sara spent her college years volunteering in different communities during mid-term vacations and later found herself sharing some of her interests with US students and volunteers traveling all over Central America. Nowadays, Sara is finishing her master’s degree in Planning with an emphasis on Socioeconomic Project Management.
Group Roster
Below is a list of the travelers enrolled on the program.
- 1 Alex Gonzalez Shalla
- 2 Amelia Wright
- 3 Ana Martinez Lopez
- 4 Anna Ligas
- 5 Anna Wood
- 6 Audrey Hayes
- 7 CAMILO SALAZAR-GONZALEZ
- 8 Clara Thompson
- 9 Dahlia Anderson
- 10 Eliana Rosenberg
- 11 Elroy Murray
- 12 Elsinore Karlins
- 13 Emilia Diez
- 14 Ethan Pair
- 15 Eva Ruf
- 16 Eve Erikson
- 17 Fouzilla Saady
- 18 Gabriel Boorstein-Foss
- 19 Inez Robertson
- 20 Jason Bulluck
- 21 Kerry Sylvia
- 22 Leona Kazemi
- 23 Luca Ferrand
- 24 Luca Martinez
- 25 Malcolm Laskowski
- 26 Maxwell Anello
- 27 Milan Markowski
- 28 Nicole Winkle
- 29 Olive Schuettpelz
- 30 Olivia Diez
- 31 Olivia Hamilton
- 32 Olivia Liebert
- 33 Pema Duncan
- 34 Raegan Harris
- 35 Raphael Petruska
- 36 Razvan Ciobanu
- 37 Rhea Powell
- 38 Rosemary Plovnick
- 39 Rowen Nuzum
- 40 Samuel Schauer
- 41 Shaan Parekh
- 42 Shaun Johnson
- 43 Siena Lenerz
- 44 Soren Nguyen
- 45 Stella Ruf
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.