2026 Steward School Spain Explorers Program
| Travel Dates: | February 26, 2026 - March 6, 2026 |
| 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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| Confirmed Airfare: | $1,198 |
| Deadline(s): | Steward School requires travel insurance, including CFAR which must be purchased within 21 days of registration. |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| February 26 | USA - Madrid | The Journey Begins! Today, we will depart from the USA, embarking on an exciting journey to Madrid, Spain. We will arrive the following day, ready to begin our adventure. | Airplane |
| February 27 | Madrid | Upon arrival in Madrid, we will settle into our hotel after a long day of travel. Later, we will hold an orientation meeting to go over the details of the upcoming trip and have lunch. Once refreshed, we will explore our neighborhood on foot before heading to a cooking class, where we will learn to prepare traditional Spanish tapas (small plates). | Madrid Hotel |
| February 28 | Madrid - Granada | Today, we will visit Ikono, an immersive journey through eclectic rooms that combine light, art, and imagination for an immersive art experience. We'll make our way through different themed rooms that allow us to interact with art using all of our senses. In the afternoon, we will take a relaxing stroll through Retiro Park—once the private refuge of kings, now a popular gathering spot for all madrileños. We will also indulge in some churros con chocolate before we head to Granada by bus, the home of the iconic Alhambra, and settle in for the evening. | Granada Hotel |
| March 1 | Granada | We will start our day with an unforgettable guided tour of the Alhambra, one of the most photogenic landmarks in the world. Afterward, we will have free time to explore Granada's charming old quarter, visit a traditional Moroccan tea house, and attend an evening flamenco performance in a cave above the town—a truly authentic cultural experience. | Granada Hotel |
| March 2 | Granada - Ronda | Next stop: Ronda! We will travel to the heart of Andalucia to stroll through Setenil de las Bodegas, a stunning white-washed village partially built into a cliffside. Afterwards, we'll head to Ronda to enjoy its breathtaking ravines and views and experience small-town life in Spain. In the evening, we will have a short hike and dinner with local Spanish students, practicing our Spanish while exchanging cultures. ¡Qué guay, no? | Ronda Hotel |
| March 3 | Ronda - Sevilla | After breakfast, we will make our way to Sevilla by bus, stopping en route at an olive farm to learn about the production of some of the finest organic olive oil in the world. Surrounded by the stunning Spanish countryside, we will learn about the intricate process of growing olives and producing oil. We will arrive in Sevilla in time to see the city via a beautiful sunset bike tour and enjoy a dinner of delicious tapas. | Sevilla Hotel |
| March 4 | Sevilla | This morning, we will explore Sevilla on foot, including a visit to the impressive cathedral where Christopher Columbus is buried. After a tapas lunch, we will head to the "Setas de Sevilla," an architectural marvel, to take in breathtaking views of the city. In the evening, we will roll up our sleeves and prepare our own authentic Spanish dinner in a fun and interactive cooking class. | Sevilla Hotel |
| March 5 | Sevilla - Madrid | After breakfast, we will take a scenic train ride from Sevilla back to Madrid. Upon arrival, we will drop off our bags at the hotel and engage in a photographic scavenger hunt—putting our newly honed Spanish skills to good use as we explore the city in a fun and creative way. In the afternoon we'll visit the Reina Sofia, one of the most renowned museums in Spain which is home to Pablo Picasso's Guernica. This evening, we will enjoy our final traditional Spanish meal, celebrating the end of an unforgettable trip. | Madrid Hotel |
| March 6 | Madrid - USA | Today, we will head to the airport for our international flight home. ¡Hasta luego, España! | 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.
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.
Monasterio Basilio
Monasterio Basilio is located in the center of Granada and provides an ideal location from which to explore the city. This cozy hotel can accommodate up to four students per room with ensuite bathrooms and the quirky aesthetic that defines this hotel makes for a memorable stay.
Hotel El Tajo – Ronda
Located in the centre of Ronda, this hotel offers smart, air-conditioned rooms with satellite TV and wifi throughout the property. Guests have free access to the fully equipped fitness centre, and to the solarium and terrace located on the 4th floor. El Tajo is locally owned and operated, has super friendly staff and offers the perfect location for us to explore Ronda on foot.
TOC Sevilla
TOC Sevilla is situated in an exclusive modern building at the heart of the city and is surrounded by the main places of tourist interest. This is a modern and hi-tech hotel, includes security technology with fingerprint room access control system, 24/7 Reception, safes for your personal belongings and other features, such as free Wi-Fi, kitchen, main living room, and a playroom.
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 | February 26, 2026 at 06:00 PM | MAD – Madrid–Barajas Airport, Madrid, Spain | February 27, 2026 at 07:40 AM |
| Inbound | United Airlines | UA | 50 | MAD – Madrid–Barajas Airport, Madrid, Spain | March 06, 2026 at 11:15 AM | EWR – Newark International Airport, Newark, United States | March 06, 2026 at 02:05 PM |
| Inbound | United Airlines | UA | 2677 | EWR – Newark International Airport, Newark, United States | March 06, 2026 at 07:39 PM | IAD – Washington Dulles International Airport, Dulles, United States | March 06, 2026 at 09:05 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
- Pants
- T-shirts
- Long sleeve shirts
- Light-weight sweater/sweatshirt
- Rain jacket
- Warmer jacket
- Hat/gloves for chilly nights (optional)
- Nicer outfit for farewell dinner
- Durable athletic/walking shoes
- 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.
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.
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
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.
Group Roster
Below is a list of the travelers enrolled on the program.
- 1 Aaron Galpern
- 2 Andrew Forlano
- 3 Brady Webb
- 4 Brooke Frankenburg
- 5 Cameron Turner
- 6 Diana Niemas
- 7 Ethan Stefanick
- 8 Fiona Simmons
- 9 Graylen Kafantaris Rambo
- 10 Henry Bagwell
- 11 Lillian Kersey
- 12 Lochlann Voeks
- 13 Parker Bowlin
- 14 Sabrina Galpern
- 15 Ty Nguyen
- 16 Victoria Sessa
- 17 Zoe Basmajian
- 18 Zoe Reynolds
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.