Europe for Middle School: European Adventure

Our first stop is London. Bright, buzzing and full of life, London is one of the most exciting cities in the world. We’ll start by exploring downtown, stopping at familiar sights like Westminster Abbey, the Houses of Parliament, Trafalgar Square, the River Thames, and of course, Big Ben! Our next few days will be focused on getting to know the city like locals. We’ll visit the bustling Southbank neighborhood, home to Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre, the Cutty Sark ship, Borough Market, and of course the London Eye! You’ll soak up Britain’s royal heritage with a Beefeater-led tour at the Tower of London and Buckingham Palace, as well as trying traditional tea and scones at Kensington Palace. We’ll take a day trip out of the city to the fun seaside city of Brighton, where you’ll hang out on the pier like the locals and even have the chance to go on the amusement park rides. Finally, what better way to wrap up our time in one of the world’s most culturally-rich cities than with a theater show in the artistic West End district?

Say farewell to England as you speed through the Chunnel to France, where you will spend four days in Paris. Here we’ll experience the best of French culture as we marvel at priceless masterpieces and stunning architecture, stroll along the quintessential Parisian boulevards, and eat our way through the different arrondissements, or neighborhoods. You’ll see Quasimodo’s home at the Cathedral of Notre Dame*, explore the artsy Montmartre neighborhood, and shop til you drop on the Champs-Élysées. You’ll visit the spectacular Palace of Versailles, where you’ll learn about the rise and fall of the French Monarchy, walk through Marie Antoinette’s gardens, and go for a rowboat ride on the lake. Have a tour through the Louvre and take a sunset cruise down the Seine. Try some of your favorite recipes, such as crepes, fondue, and omelets, at authentic bistros–or maybe taste something new (escargot, anyone?). You’ll even attend a pastry-making class to learn how to make delicious French pastries on your own! Finally, let’s not forget the experience of a lifetime going all the way to the top of the Eiffel Tower!

*Please note reservations for the Notre Dame are not yet guaranteed for 2025

Our next destination is the amazing Barcelona, where we’ll dive right into this funky city with lunch at the Boquería Market, a hip old-world marketplace that sells the freshest fruit juices, tastiest tapas, and the best meats and cheeses fresh from countryside farms. Learn how to make your own paella with our private cooking classes and shop along La Rambla, the main boulevard in the downtown area. We’ll see the home of FC Barcelona, the Camp Nou soccer stadium. A trip to Barcelona wouldn’t be complete without marveling at Gaudi’s masterpiece cathedral La Sagrada Familia, as well as a visit to Parc Guell, where the Cheetah Girls movie and America’s Next Top Model were filmed! We’ll finish our time in Barcelona with an amazing lights and colors show at a magnificent fountain in front of the Royal Palace.

We then cross the border to southern Spain and the region of Andalusia. Sunny Seville, a fantastically romantic city rife with history and culture, attracts thousands of study-abroad students a year for good reason – it typifies quintessential southern Spanish life. Visit Columbus’ tomb in the world’s third largest Cathedral, and take traditional Sevillanas dance classes! We’ll also see a spectacular flamenco show and enjoy tapas in a typical Spanish taberna.

While staying is Seville, we will take a day trip to beautiful Granada to explore the majestic Alhambra palace. We will learn about the history of the Moorish people who lived here for several centuries, and how they defended the city of Granada from the “reconquering” Spanish Catholics from this point. You’ll next have the chance to explore the Arab marketplace, where you can find all sorts of treasures, like spices, weavings, ornate lanterns, and carpets. This is just a preview of what the incredible Moroccan souks will be like! We’ll see the tomb of the Catholic Monarchs who united Spain, enjoy a wonderful tapas dinner at a bodega.

Our next stop is the fun resort town of Lagos in Portugal’s famed Algarve region. Here we’ll spend an afternoon snorkeling and soaking up the sun on the pristine beaches, as well as take a sea kayaking tour of the grottoes and caves of its stunning coastal cliffs. You can even hike up to the lighthouse!

Just a short bus ride away, Lisbon welcomes us with open arms, a vibrant culture, and a plate of delicious pastel de nata. We’ll visit the San Jorge Castle, from which you can see all of Lisbon; eat famous Portuguese pastries in the bakery that invented them (the recipe is still a secret); and explore the best shopping areas and nightlife of the city. We’ll listen to traditional Portuguese fado music as we dine on local specialties that include codfish, potatoes, and chicken. We will also visit the nearby mountain estate town of Sintra, where we will climb the Castle of the Moors and the Pena Palace for phenomenal views of the landscape and Atlantic ocean, and explore the gardens of a mansion that includes a spiral staircase leading into tunnels and lagoons. We’ll end our time in Lisbon with a trip to the beach and then head to Lagos! Finally, we’ll enjoy a fancy final dinner to end our unforgettable adventure.