2026 SSFS Spain and France Explorers Program
| Travel Dates: | June 16, 2026 - June 24, 2026 |
| Group Organizer(s): |
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| WTT Contact: |
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| Program Tuition: |
$3,590 USD
Airfare not included in program tuition
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| Confirmed Airfare: | $1,377 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| June 16 | USA - Paris | We will depart from the United States and take an overnight flight to Paris, ready to begin our European journey. | Airplane |
| June 17 | Paris | Upon arrival in Paris, we will meet our Program Leader at the airport and transfer to our hotel. After checking in and storing our luggage, we will hold an orientation meeting to review the exciting days ahead. Once we've freshened up, we will have a guided walking tour of Montmartre—a picturesque neighborhood known as the artists’ quarter. We will stroll its winding streets, visit landmarks like the Basilica of the Sacred Heart, the Bateau-Lavoir, and the Café des Deux Moulins, made famous by the film Amélie. In the evening, we will enjoy our first group dinner at a local Parisian restaurant before returning to the hotel to rest. | Hotel in Paris |
| June 18 | Paris | This morning, we’ll begin at the iconic Notre-Dame Cathedral, where we’ll take in the remarkable Gothic architecture from the outside before stepping inside to admire its historic interior. Afterwards, we’ll stop by a local boulangerie to pick up lunch and enjoy a relaxing picnic in the Jardin des Tuileries, one of Paris’s most beautiful and historic gardens. In the afternoon, we’ll head to the world-famous Louvre Museum, home to masterpieces like the Mona Lisa and Venus de Milo. As we explore its vast collection, we’ll journey through centuries of art and culture. After our museum visit, we’ll enjoy a walk to Palais Royal, Place Vendome and Place de la Concorde then take the metro back to the hotel to rest. In the evening, we’ll gather for dinner near the hotel, sharing stories from the day and enjoying our final evening in Paris. | Hotel in Paris |
| June 19 | Paris - Versailles | This morning, we’ll take the RER train just outside of Paris to visit the magnificent Palace of Versailles, one of the most lavish royal residences in the world. We’ll explore the stunning Hall of Mirrors, where the Treaty of Versailles was signed, and stroll through the palace’s expansive gardens, a masterpiece of French landscape design. After our visit, we’ll leave the estate to pick up a picnic lunch, then return to Paris and stop at the Champ de Mars for a relaxed picnic meal with an unbeatable view of the Eiffel Tower. If time allows, we’ll ascend to the top for a breathtaking panorama of the city. Later, we’ll enjoy a scenic boat cruise along the Seine, passing under Paris’s famous bridges and past many of its most iconic monuments. In the evening, we’ll have dinner and return to our hotel for some well-earned rest, reflecting on an unforgettable journey through Paris and beyond. | Hotel in Paris |
| June 20 | Paris - Avignon | In the morning, we will start our day early and depart by bus. We will begin our journey heading south through the beautiful French countryside. Along the way, we will have lunch stretch our legs and enjoy some local flavors. By mid-afternoon, we’ll arrive in Avignon, a city rich in history and culture. Once there, we’ll explore the magnificent Palais des Papes, one of the largest Gothic palaces in Europe and a symbol of Avignon’s medieval significance. Afterwards, we’ll visit the famous Pont Saint-Bénézet, also known as the Pont d’Avignon, which offers stunning views of the Rhône River. We’ll then wander through the narrow, cobbled streets of Avignon’s old town, soaking in the charming Provençal atmosphere, perhaps stopping at a café or local shop. As evening approaches, we’ll enjoy a delicious dinner at a traditional bistro, sampling some regional specialties like ratatouille or a rich cassoulet. After dinner, we’ll settle into our hotel for a restful night, ready for the next day’s adventure. | Hotel in Avignon |
| June 21 | Avignon - Collioure -Barcelona | After a hearty breakfast, we’ll depart Avignon and continue our journey south towards the Mediterranean coast. The drive will take us through picturesque landscapes, vineyards, and rolling hills as we make our way to the charming seaside town of Collioure, arriving around midday. Collioure is famous for its vibrant harbor, colorful houses, and as a historic haven for artists like Matisse and Derain. Here, we’ll visit the impressive Château Royal de Collioure, a medieval fortress overlooking the sea, before taking a relaxing walk along the marina and beachfront. This is the perfect place to enjoy a leisurely seafood lunch, tasting fresh local delicacies while soaking up the Mediterranean sun and sea breeze. After lunch, we will have free time to enjoy the beach and the sea, we'll board the bus afterwards to Barcelona. We expect to arrive in the vibrant Catalan capital in the evening, ready to immerse ourselves in its lively streets, stunning architecture, and rich culture. | Hotel in Barcelona |
| June 22 | Barcelona | We will start the day with a short hike up Montjuïc Hill, where we will be rewarded with panoramic views of Barcelona. Weather permitting, we’ll enjoy a picnic at the top before descending to Las Ramblas, the city's vibrant pedestrian boulevard filled with shops, performers, and local color. In the evening, we will dine at La Boquería, Barcelona’s iconic food market, sampling a variety of local flavors. | Hotel in Barcelona |
| June 23 | Barcelona | Our final full day will begin with a visit to the breathtaking Sagrada Família, Gaudí’s architectural masterpiece, where we will explore the awe-inspiring interior. We will then make our way to Parc Güell, a whimsical hilltop park also designed by Gaudí, offering spectacular views over the city. In the evening, we will gather for a celebratory farewell dinner to reflect on our journey and the memories we’ve created together. | Hotel in Barcelona |
| June 24 | Barcelona - USA | After breakfast, we will transfer to the airport and begin our journey back to the United States. ¡Hasta luego, España! |
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 Aida Opera
Located in the 9th district of Paris, Hotel Aida Opera offers air-conditioned guest rooms equipped with free Wi-Fi, a flat screen TV, a desk and an empty minibar. Each room also includes a private bathroom with a hairdryer, free toiletries and a bathtub or a shower. A buffet breakfast is served daily in the breakfast room. Guests will find in the lobby a afternoon snack service with tea, coffee and milk. Several shops, restaurants and bars can be found within a walking distance from the hotel.
Novotel Avignon Centre
Located in the heart of the city center, just a few blocks away from the train station, Novotel Avignon Centre offers the perfect location for our group to see the heart of the city on foot. All rooms have central heat, air conditioning and high speed wifi. There’s also a pool and terrace.
Hotel del Mar – Barcelona
Located in the heart of Barcelona, just steps away from the Mediterranean Sea, Hotel del Mar offers the perfect location for our group to explore Barcelona on foot. All rooms have central heat and air conditioning, and there is 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 | TAP Air Portugal | TP | 234 | IAD – Washington Dulles International Airport, Dulles, United States | June 16, 2026 at 10:35 PM | LIS – Humberto Delgado Airport, Lisbon, Portugal | June 17, 2026 at 10:55 AM |
| Outbound | TAP Air Portugal | TP | 434 | LIS – Humberto Delgado Airport, Lisbon, Portugal | June 17, 2026 at 12:25 PM | ORY – Orly Airport, Paris, France | June 17, 2026 at 03:50 PM |
| Inbound | TAP Air Portugal | TP | 1033 | BCN – Josep Tarradellas Barcelona El Prat Airport, Barcelona, Spain | June 24, 2026 at 03:00 PM | LIS – Humberto Delgado Airport, Lisbon, Portugal | June 24, 2026 at 04:00 PM |
| Inbound | TAP Air Portugal | TP | 233 | LIS – Humberto Delgado Airport, Lisbon, Portugal | June 24, 2026 at 05:15 PM | IAD – Washington Dulles International Airport, Dulles, United States | June 24, 2026 at 08:35 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
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/France 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
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.
Harriet Docena
France Country Director and Program Leader
Harriet caught the travel bug early in her life. Born in the Philippines, with 7,107 islands, both of her parents are avid travelers. Most of their weekends and holidays were spent roadtripping and traveling to new places. After finishing her degree in Fashion design and merchandising, she realized that the fashion world was not for her. That’s why in 2006, she left her job and worked as a photographer on cruise ships. For years, she traveled the world to places such as the Caribbean, Alaska, South America, Europe, the Mediterranean, Hawaii, and Asia. After working and traveling nonstop, she decided to choose a place where she can stay put and have a “normal life”. In 2010 she was lucky to be awarded a “skills and talents” visa in France and chose Paris to be her new home. Harriet is also an avid surfer which brought her to different surf spots and exotic locations around the world. As of this moment, she has visited 80+ countries and around 500+ cities. She doesn’t think she will ever stop traveling. Nowadays, you can find Harriet traveling around Europe, obsessed with her chihuahua and surfing when the European waters are not that cold.
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.
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 Adam Sowayan
- 2 Aiden Reed
- 3 Alvin Larkins III
- 4 Alvin Larkins Jr
- 5 Cala Armwood
- 6 Carolyn Donovan
- 7 Charita Armwood
- 8 Charlene Warren-Davis
- 9 Charles Bryson
- 10 Colin Goldstein
- 11 Elisabeth Bagg
- 12 Ellis Flynn
- 13 Erin Larkins
- 14 Graeme Van Til
- 15 Heidi Duff
- 16 Hunter Fitzpatrick
- 17 Jackson Davis
- 18 Kaitlyn Donovan
- 19 Kanita Mason Austin
- 20 Kimberly Morrow
- 21 Kristin McCarthy
- 22 Linden Videnieks
- 23 Maasai Brison
- 24 Makayla Cooley
- 25 Marvin Austin Jr
- 26 Nathaniel Duff
- 27 Niko Scarato
- 28 Odin Lantzy
- 29 Sebastian Iancu
- 30 Sera Morrow
- 31 Sophia Motley
- 32 Sydney Santos
- 33 Vincent Marano
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 France 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.