2027 Ralston Valley Spain Explorers Program
| Travel Dates: |
March 20, 2027 -
March 29, 2027
Dates are tentative until flights are secured
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| Group Organizer(s): |
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| WTT Contact: |
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| Program Tuition: |
$3,690 USD
Airfare not included in program tuition
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| Estimated Airfare: | $1,100 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| March 20 | USA-Spain | We depart the USA for Spain on an overnight flight. | Airplane |
| March 21 | Seville | We've arrived to the colorful city of Seville! After arriving at our hotel, we will have a brief orientation meeting before heading out to explore the city. We will visit the Centro Cerámica Triana to learn about the region’s rich ceramic traditions before a delicious traditional lunch. We'll have time to rest in the afternoon before discussing our itinerary and the exciting days ahead. The evening will allow us to enjoy the vibrant atmosphere of the city. | Seville |
| March 22 | Sevilla | Today we will explore more of Seville’s cultural treasures, including the magnificent Seville Cathedral, where Christopher Columbus is buried. We will also visit Metropol Parasol, locally known as Las Setas, a modern architectural landmark offering panoramic views over the city. In the evening, we will take part in an authentic Spanish cooking class, learning to prepare traditional Andalusian dishes that we can recreate at home. | Seville Hotel |
| March 23 | Seville - Granada | After breakfast we'll be on our way to Granada! Along the way, we’ll stop at a traditional olive farm to learn about the production of some of the world’s finest organic olive oil and develop our taste buds during a testing. We'll enjoy a relaxing lunch at the farrm before continuing on. Once in Granada, we'll have time to explore and admire the city's Moorish arquitecture before having a traditional dinner along a pedestrian promenade. | Granada Hotel |
| March 24 | Granada | Today we will explore the magnificent Alhambra, one of the most breathtaking historic sites in Europe. This Moorish palace complex showcases intricate Islamic architecture, tranquil courtyards, and stunning views of the surrounding mountains. After our guided tour, we will wander through Granada’s historic quarters, perhaps stopping at a traditional Moroccan tea house. In the evening, we’ll attend an unforgettable flamenco performance in a cave overlooking the city. | Granada Hotel |
| March 25 | Granada - Madrid | After a relaxing morning, we will travel by bus through the Spanish countryside toward Granada. Along the way, we’ll admire rolling hills dotted with olive groves and citrus trees. We'll arrive in Madrid in the afternoon, ready to explore the incredible Spanish capital. After refreshing ourselves with churros and chocolate, we'll be off to the Museo Reina Sofia, one of Spain’s leading museums of contemporary art. Here we will see Guernica, the powerful masterpiece by Pablo Picasso that captures the tragedy of war. Dinner will follow in the lively neighborhoods of Madrid. | Madrid Hotel |
| March 26 | Madrid | Our morning will begin at the world-famous Museo del Prado, home to one of the greatest collections of European art. We will admire masterpieces by Spanish masters and see the museum’s fascinating version of the Mona Lisa, often called La Gioconda del Prado. Later, we will relax in El Retiro Park, once the private retreat of Spanish royalty, where we’ll enjoy a picnic lunch among gardens and lakes. The afternoon will offer time to explore Madrid at our own pace before gathering again for dinner. | Madrid Hotel |
| March 27 | Madrid - Barcelona | Today we'll take the high-speed train through the countryside to Barcelona. Once we're settled, we will step out to explore the lively city center and get our first glimpse of this dynamic Mediterranean coastal city. As we wander through the streets, we’ll soak in the atmosphere of local cafés, plazas, and bustling boulevards. In the evening, we will gather for our first dinner together in the heart of the city. | Barcelona Hotel |
| March 28 | Barcelona | We'll have a chance to sit back annd see the city's Easter celebrrrations today, giving us a chance to reflect on our incrredible trip and everything we've learrned so far. | Barcelona Hotel |
| March 29 | Barcelona | This morning we will ride a cable car up to Montjuïc Castle, a historic star-shaped fortress offering spectacular panoramic views of the city and coastline. In the afternoon we will visit the Sagrada Familia, Gaudi's masterrpiece of a cathedral with incredible architecture. In the evening, we’ll enjoy a relaxing walk along the boardwalk at Barceloneta Beach, where the Mediterranean breeze and seaside atmosphere create the perfect setting for dinner. | Barcelona Hotel |
| March 30 | Barcelona--USA | Today, we will head to the airport for our international flight home. ¡Hasta luego, España! | 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.
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.
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.
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
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
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.
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.
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.