2028 Mullen Spain and Morocco Explorers Program
| Travel Dates: | January 3, 2028 - January 14, 2028 |
| Group Organizer(s): |
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| WTT Contact: |
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| Program Tuition: |
$4,690 USD
Airfare not included in program tuition
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| Estimated Airfare: | $1,500 |
Important Reminders
Passport check
Insurance Reminder
Fundraiser
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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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | USA - Sevilla | Today the group will depart the USA and cross the Atlantic Ocean! | Airplane |
| Day 2 | Sevilla | After breakfast, the group will receive an orientation with the group program leaders. In the afternoon, we'll explore the city, including the impressive cathedral where Christopher Columbus is buried. After a lunch of tapas we'll go up to the "Setas de Sevilla" to take in the impressive views. In the evening we'll prepare our own authentic Spanish dinner in a cooking class! | Sevilla Hotel |
| Day 3 | Sevilla - Granada | After breakfast in Seville we will drive to Granada, home of the world famous Alhambra. But first we will stop in Córdoba and pay a visit to the Mesquita-Catedral de Córdoba and the Jewish Quarter where we will visit the Sinagoga de Córdoba. We'll arrive in the late afternoon to Granada and have a dinner of delicious tapas. | Granada Hotel |
| Day 4 | Granada | We'll have a guided tour of Alhambra, one of the most photogenic places on the planet. Afterwards, we'll have some free time to wander through the old quarter and attend a flamenco performance in a cave above town this evening. | Granada Hotel |
| Day 5 | Granada - Málaga | This morning we're off to Malaga, one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities of the world and the birthplace of Pablo Picasso. After settling in to our hotel, we'll explore the city center, visiting the Picasso Museum, the Roman Theater, and the grounds of the Alcazaba. We'll enjoy a typical lunch of tapas in the Atarazanas Central Market, which dates back to the 14th century and is a stunning representation of 19th center Malaga art and architecture. In the afternoon we'll have some time to relax and enjoy the famous Costa del Sol before getting ready for our final Spanish dinner! | Malaga Hotel |
| Day 6 | Málaga - Marrakech | After breakfast we'll make our way to the airport and board a flight to Marrakech. Upon arrival, we'll drop our bags at our riad and take a guided walking tour of the ancient medina. They will explore Bahia Palace, the Saadian Tombs, and Ben Yousef. Students will also have the chance to experience the famous Jemaa el-Fna square and Kutubiyya Mosque, while their guide shares about the rich history and cultural life of Marrakech and Morocco! | Marrakeh Riad |
| Day 7 | Marrakech | Mid-morning the group will experience the alchemy of scents, flavors and traditions that make Moroccan cuisine so special by participating in a hands-on cooking class for lunch. Come afternoon, students will have the option to take part in a centuries old tradition: a Moroccan hammam (a cleansing and cultural experience). After our hammam, we'll visit the Slat Al Azma Synagogue and Museum to learn more about the importance of Judiasm in the context of Moroccan history. A Moroccan dinner will be held afterwards at the Riad and accompanied by live Moroccan music. | Marrakeh Riad |
| Day 8 | Marrakech - Essaouira | Our journey continues as we head to the small fishing town of Essaouira, located about 3 hours from Marrakech. After checking into our riad, private instructors will lead a beginners surfing course from the beachfront that's filled with horses, camels and kite surfers! Afterwards, the students will enjoy an outdoor lunch with a sea view. The afternoon will be open for the group to do some personal shopping while enjoying vibrant beats of African music on every corner. We will also have time to do a photographic scavenger hunt in the medina. We will head back to Marrahech this evening and dinner will be served at a cozy local gem. | Marrakech Riad |
| Day 9 | Essaouira - Agafy Glamping | We've saved the best for last! This morning we will head to the base of the Atlas Mountains to meet with a local family for a traditional tea ceremony and experience a glimpse of rural mountain life. We will also partake in a short, easy hike around the village. After lunch with a breathtaking view, we will head to Agafay for a desert glamping experience. Students will have the opportunity to ride camels, sip mint tea under the stars and enjoy an luxurious glamping experience nestled in Moroccan sand dunes. It will be a truly magical evening! We'll reflect on all the memories we have made throughout the trip as we wrap up our journey together. | Agafay Desert Glamping |
| Day 10 | Agafy - Marrakech - USA | We will awake to a beautiful desert sunrise and make our way to the Marrakech airport and begin our journey home. | Airpane |
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 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.
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.
Riad L’Heure d’Eté
This cozy raid will offer a comfortable escape from the hustle and bustle of Marrakech. Students will be roomed in double, triple or quadruple rooms based on gender. Breakfast will be provided at the riad and Wi-Fi connection is available throughout the hotel.
Riad Raoud Rayhane
Enjoy a small slice of luxury in Riad Raoud Rayhane in the heart of Essaouria’s medina. An unexpected entrance at the back of an alley way makes way for a clean and comfortable stay. Breakfast will be served rooftop! Students will be roomed in double, triple or quadruple rooms based on gender. Wifi is also available.
Le Bedouin Agafay
Le Bedouin offers a truly unique glamping experience in the Agafay desert. Each tent offer premium amenities such as air conditioning, private bathrooms and front balconies with beautiful views. Tents feature private entrances, soundproofing, and beautiful decor.
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.
Said Ait Said
Morocco Country Director & Program Leader
ISTA NTIC Syba Ofppt, Marrakech
Said is from a Berber village in the High Atlas Mountains, but was raised in Marrakech, Morocco. In 2013 he started managing touristic accommodations and excursions for travelers in Morocco. He currently lives in Marrakech with his wife and two children. They are a combination of Berber, Moroccan and American; speaking English, French, Arabic and Tamazighit. They enjoy traveling and embracing their multi-cultural lifestyle!
Stafford Jackson
Morocco Country Director
University of Arizona
Stafford was raised in Shreveport, Louisiana and then graduated High School in Dallas, Texas. After attending the University of Arizona, she set off traveling with her sister through Southeast Asia, Europe and Northern Africa in 2013. After traveling through Morocco, she fell in love with it and decided to make it her home a year later. She has been living in Marrakech since 2014 with her husband and their two children. When she is not coordinating student travel excursions to Morocco for Walking Tree Travel, she is the English Foreign Language Coordinator for a private school in Marrakech. She enjoys cooking, baking, photography and taking family vacations!
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.
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.
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
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.