Program Overview
The beaches, the food, the people, the language…what’s not to love about Spain in the summertime? With Travel For Teens, not only will you explore this vibrant Mediterranean country like a local but you’ll learn to speak like one too! On this unforgettable journey, you will join up to 40 hours of intensive Spanish courses at two different international schools – so you can perfect your speaking skills while immersed in the different dialects of San Sebastián and Barcelona. Join us to explore three of Spain’s most dynamic regions and gain confidence in your Spanish skills both inside and outside the classroom!
We’ll begin in serene San Sebastián, the capital of Basque Country, where you’ll begin your first session of lessons taught by native speakers. After your studies, you’ll surf at an international surfer’s paradise, relax on Playa la Concha, and say bonjour to France on a day trip! Next stop is regal Madrid, where we’ll stroll through the Puerta del Sol, and pay homage to the legendary Real Madrid Football Club at the Bernabéu Stadium.
We’ll finish out our journey in fun and funky Barcelona where you’ll join your second session of language lessons at the local international school. We will take our speaking skills to the streets and amble down the palm-lined boulevards, explore the twists and turns of the Gothic Quarter, stroll through the city spotting the architecture of Gaudí, and see the home of FC Barcelona.
Our Spanish Immersion program is perfect for high school students looking to gain a global perspective and gain fluency in the language in the best way possible. Our experienced bilingual staff will accompany you every step of the way as you broaden your speaking skills outside the classroom through language scavenger hunts, chitchatting with local shopkeepers, ordering food at local restaurants, and simply by being immersed in the culture. Come with us this summer for an enriching experience you will never forget!
During this program, you will…
- Attend up to 40 hours of Spanish language class taught by native speakers at two different international schools in San Sebastian & Barcelona.
- Spend your mornings learning in the classroom and practice your Spanish in real-world situations in the afternoons
- Take surf lessons at Spain’s hottest surf spot (for all skill levels)
- Ride a cable car for a breathtaking view of the mountains and sea
- Learn how to make delicious tapas
- Hop over the border to France for an afternoon
- Practice your royal wave at the Palace of Madrid
- Indulge in churros con chocolate at the king’s favorite churrería
- Soak in Gaudi’s architectural masterpieces at the Sagrada Familia, and Parc Guell
- Tour Camp Nou, home of the legendary FC Barcelona
Most of our travelers choose to extend their stay in Spain and really solidify their Spanish language skills by opting for our 21-Day Spanish Language Immersion program.
Trip Itinerary
DAY 1: DEPART FROM NEW YORK (JFK)
DAYS 2-6: SAN SEBASTIÁN > ST. JEAN DE LUZ (FRANCE)
Welcome to Spain! We’ll start our journey in the rugged north of the country –specifically, the Basque Country. Your Spanish teachers–all locals–will put you in classes based on your Spanish ability, and you’ll have classes just in the morning. Then, after lunch, you’ll spend the afternoon exploring all the sights of San Sebastián while practicing what you’ve learned in class. Chitchat with shopkeepers, order your own food at restaurants, and haggle with street vendors–you’ll be amazed at how much Spanish you can pick up by being totally immersed in the culture!
San Sebastián is widely considered to be the culinary capital of Spain, and you will try tapas like the Spanish locals. We’ll have a week full of adventure as we take surf lessons on one of the world’s best surfing beaches, ride a cable car up to the top of the mountain for a beautiful view of the harbor, and bike around the city on a guided tour! If you don’t want to bike, you can explore by foot. We’ll also spend an afternoon over the border in the quaint French beach town of St. Jean de Luz, where you can relax on the beach, explore the village, and try crêpes for dinner.
DAYS 7-9: MADRID
Then it’s off to Spain’s decadent capital, Madrid! Hear the true, authentic castellano spoken in the streets and in the shops, taste local specialties like calamari and fried green peppers, and shop til you drop along the grand boulevards. You’ll get a tour of the Royal Palace (still in use by the Spanish monarchy) and relax in the Parque del Retiro just as Spaniards do on Sunday afternoons. Laugh at the street performers in la Puerta del Sol, Madrid’s version of Times Square, and get an ice cream in Plaza Mayor–formerly the site of several bullfights and beheadings. Take in some of the world’s best art at the Prado Museum. And let’s not forget Madrid’s most famous resident–a trip to the Bernabéu Stadium to see the home of Real Madrid Football Club!
DAYS 10-13: BARCELONA
Barcelona awaits you with its sandy Mediterranean beaches, lively boulevards, and traditional cuisine. Marvel at Antoní Gaudí’s spectacular architecture at Parc Guell, and of course, the Sagrada Familia Basilica. Get whisked away walking through the city’s hip Gothic Quarter and down its bustling beachside boardwalk. A visit to Camp Nou, hoping to catch a glimpse of Messi, is a must on any trip to Barcelona. Of course, no trip to Spain is complete without experiencing an authentic Flamenco show! We’ll bid farewell to our new friends and our time in Spain with an elegant final dinner on a rooftop terrace.
DAY 14: RETURN FLIGHT TO THE USA
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Frequently Asked Questions
What do students like most about the Spain: Spanish Language Immersion (14 Days) trip?
On the Spain: Spanish Language Immersion (14 Days) trip, students love that they are able to learn and practice their Spanish with locals in the best possible place to do so, while at the same time learning about Spanish culture and seeing some of the best sights both Atlantic and Mediterranean Spain have to offer.
Between our Spanish lessons tailored specifically to each individual student, the out-of-the-classroom learning and cultural exploration experiences, and of course getting to see three of Spain’s most vibrant metropolises, the Spain: Spanish Language Immersion (14 Days) program provides unique insider access to Spain and Spanish culture.
On the Spain: Spanish Language Immersion (14 Days) trip, students love that they are able to learn and practice their Spanish with locals in the best possible place to do so, while at the same time learning about Spanish culture and seeing some of the best sights both Atlantic and Mediterranean Spain have to offer.
Between our Spanish lessons tailored specifically to each individual student, the out-of-the-classroom learning and cultural exploration experiences, and of course getting to see three of Spain’s most vibrant metropolises, the Spain: Spanish Language Immersion (14 Days) program provides unique insider access to Spain and Spanish culture.
Where do we stay on the Spain: Spanish Language Immersion (14 Days) trip?
Students stay in centrally located, safe, and well-supervised accommodations in each city.
They are well suited to facilitating group supervision and usually within walking distance of the main attractions. We do not use large, impersonal chain hotels on the outskirts of cities; we prefer to select smaller, family-run hotels where we establish personal relationships with the owners.
Our three-star hotel in Barcelona is steps away from the port and from la Rambla–in other words, central enough to be close to the action, but far enough away to get a good night’s sleep. In San Sebastián we will be staying close to the beach in a family-run B and B in the heart of the Old City. Our Madrid hotel is three stars, right in the heart of the city near the City Hall.
For safety reasons, we do not publish the names of the accommodations we use. We do not feel it is safe to publish the name of a hotel where a group of teenagers is staying abroad. After registering, participants and parents are given access to our secure parent website where you will be able to see the names of all of the accommodations for the program.
Students stay in centrally located, safe, and well-supervised accommodations in each city.
They are well suited to facilitating group supervision and usually within walking distance of the main attractions. We do not use large, impersonal chain hotels on the outskirts of cities; we prefer to select smaller, family-run hotels where we establish personal relationships with the owners.
Our three-star hotel in Barcelona is steps away from the port and from la Rambla–in other words, central enough to be close to the action, but far enough away to get a good night’s sleep. In San Sebastián we will be staying close to the beach in a family-run B and B in the heart of the Old City. Our Madrid hotel is three stars, right in the heart of the city near the City Hall.
For safety reasons, we do not publish the names of the accommodations we use. We do not feel it is safe to publish the name of a hotel where a group of teenagers is staying abroad. After registering, participants and parents are given access to our secure parent website where you will be able to see the names of all of the accommodations for the program.
What is included on this program?
Tuition cost includes: ground transportation; accommodation; chaperones and guides; program-related activities and admissions; taxes and tips; all breakfasts and dinners.
Not included in cost (this is not intended to be an exhaustive list): airfare; lunches; visas and visa application fees; personal and medical expenses; activities and admissions that are not program-related or referenced in the itinerary; beverages other than filtered water at meals; participant expenses that are outside of the program description, such as excess baggage fees and damage to hotels; expenses related to unforeseen circumstances, such as transportation strikes and natural disasters.
Tuition cost includes: ground transportation; accommodation; chaperones and guides; program-related activities and admissions; taxes and tips; all breakfasts and dinners.
Not included in cost (this is not intended to be an exhaustive list): airfare; lunches; visas and visa application fees; personal and medical expenses; activities and admissions that are not program-related or referenced in the itinerary; beverages other than filtered water at meals; participant expenses that are outside of the program description, such as excess baggage fees and damage to hotels; expenses related to unforeseen circumstances, such as transportation strikes and natural disasters.
What is the food like in Spain?
The food on this program is authentic, delicious, and a central part of the cultural travel experience.
We prioritize eating at local, authentic establishments rather than Americanized chains, encouraging students to sample the local specialties wherever we go. We fully accommodate all dietary needs, including vegetarian, vegan, gluten allergies, and other restrictions.
The food in Spain can be a variety of styles, but one of the most amazing food traditions to ever exist remains the same throughout the whole country – tapas! Can’t decide on what to order? No problem! With tapas, you can try a little bit of everything. Tapas are small, shared dishes that accumulate to a full meals served in multiple appetizer sized plates.
We will also have an opportunity to cook and eat tapas, a traditional Spanish dish, in Barcelona. We also love to have picnics al fresco, and do this whenever possible, which is a great way to taste some local food while sitting out in the fresh air taking in the sights and sounds of our surroundings.
The food on this program is authentic, delicious, and a central part of the cultural travel experience.
We prioritize eating at local, authentic establishments rather than Americanized chains, encouraging students to sample the local specialties wherever we go. We fully accommodate all dietary needs, including vegetarian, vegan, gluten allergies, and other restrictions.
The food in Spain can be a variety of styles, but one of the most amazing food traditions to ever exist remains the same throughout the whole country – tapas! Can’t decide on what to order? No problem! With tapas, you can try a little bit of everything. Tapas are small, shared dishes that accumulate to a full meals served in multiple appetizer sized plates.
We will also have an opportunity to cook and eat tapas, a traditional Spanish dish, in Barcelona. We also love to have picnics al fresco, and do this whenever possible, which is a great way to taste some local food while sitting out in the fresh air taking in the sights and sounds of our surroundings.
Do I need to speak the language?
No! Our Spanish classes at the academy are for all levels, from beginner to advanced, so there’s something for everyone. Before the start of the program, you will be complete a placement exam to see which class is most appropriate for your level.
No! Our Spanish classes at the academy are for all levels, from beginner to advanced, so there’s something for everyone. Before the start of the program, you will be complete a placement exam to see which class is most appropriate for your level.