Tentative Itinerary

Day 1

Meet at the Barajas International Airport in Madrid, Spain. Rest time at the hotel. Orientation. Madrid walking tour, stroll through the Puerta del Sol to the renaissance Plaza Mayor.

Day 2

Visit of the Prado and Reina Sofía museums. Tour of Madrid on an open roof double-decker. City walk, shopping.

Day 3

Toledo. Today we'll journey to the ancient Spanish capital of Toledo, one of the oldest towns in all of Spain. After returning to Madrid, enjoy free time for your own exploration of the city.

Day 4

El Escorial - Valley of the Fallen. Full day excursion to the city of El Escorial, the Spanish call this Royal complex the eighth wonder of the world. Then we will view the Valle de los caídos, an enormous mountain basilica commemorating the casualties of the Spanish Civil War.

Day 5

Segovia. Full day tour of the medieval Town of Segovia. A 2000 year-old aqueduct transports you back to the magnificent Roman Empire. Visit of the castle. Walk and shop in the old city.

Day 6

Tour of the Madrid Palacio Real, once the seat of the most powerful court in the world. Visit of the Retiro Park. Last minute Madrid shopping.

Day 7

Arrival in Granada, in Andalusia. Upon arrival, meet your Spanish host family.

Days 8-22

Spanish Language Program. Participants receive daily instruction in Spanish language, literature and civilization taught by the accompanying Phillips Exeter Academy faculty and native teachers. Classes are small and individual attention is the norm. Formal instruction is complemented with art, salsa, flamenco or cooking classes, recreational activities, social events and sports. In addition to daily local visits, day trips are organized to the mountains (Sierra Nevada and the Alpujarras), and the cities of Sevilla and Cordova.

Days 23-30

Departure for Alumñecar Beach, 45 minutes away from Granada, on the Costa del Sol. Beach and pool activities are combined with Spanish instruction, in preparation for our local tours: the castle and roman ruins, Nerja with its "Balcony of Europe" and fascinating caves, Marbella and its marina, Puerto Banus.

Final departure from Málaga International Airport.