Program Overview
Come on this unforgettable journey with TFT, and not only will you explore this vibrant Mediterranean country like a local but you’ll learn to speak like one too! On this extended version of our 14-day Spanish immersion trip, you’ll spend another full week soaking up the Spanish culture and language with up to 60 hours of intensive Spanish language courses. You’ll learn from native speakers at three different international schools and test your speaking skills while immersed in the different dialects of San Sebastián, Barcelona, and Alicante. Join us to explore 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 start 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 the Puerta del Sol, and pay homage to the legendary Real Madrid Football Club at the Bernabéu Stadium.
We’ll continue 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 Gaudi, and see the home of FC Barcelona. We’ll journey on to Valencia before making our way to Alicante. We’ll spend the final week of our trip in this stunning costal destination, soaking up the sun and polishing up your language skills at the local international school.
Our Spanish Language Immersion trip 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 60 hours of Spanish language class taught by native speakers at three different international schools in San Sebastián, Barcelona & Alicante.
- 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 up the mountain 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
- Attend a Flamenco Show and take in the hand clapping, percussive footwork, and intricate hand, arm, and body movements.
- Soak in Gaudi’s architectural masterpieces at the Sagrada Familia, and Parc Guell
- Tour Camp Nou, home of the legendary FC Barcelona
- Cruise the Bay of Valencia on a sunset catamaran ride
- Explore the famous rice fields where paella rice is grown
- Try stand-up paddle in the crystal-clear Mediterranean
This program is an extension of our 14-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’ll get to try “tapas” like the Spanish do–hopping around to different restaurants, and eating a little snack at each one. 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!
DAYS 14-16: VALENCIA
Sunny Valencia is where we’ll spend the second weekend of our trip! Soak up the sun on Valencia’s stunning beaches, go shopping in the neat boutiques, and practice your Spanish with the people you meet. And let’s not forget that this is the birthplace of Spain’s most famous food, paella! We’ll spend an afternoon at Valencia’s amazing Albufera rice fields, where paella rice is grown.
DAYS 17-20: ALICANTE
We’ll move on farther down the Mediterranean coast to the top summer destination region of Spain, Alicante. Spaniards take refuge from the heat of central Spain by taking a whole month of vacation and coming to their apartments here! You’ll get to try different water sports like stand-up paddleboarding, snorkeling, windsurfing, and even have the option of taking a scuba-diving course. After your classes in the morning, you’ll be able to practice your Spanish with scavenger hunts and other fun activities designed to get you talking to locals. We’ll also explore the beautiful towns around Alicante. We’ll ride a boat out to the beautiful island of Isla de Tabarca that is a Marine Reserve! You’ll have the opportunity to swim in the waterfalls of Fuentes de Algar. We’ll also go for a relaxing catamaran ride along the coast. Finally, we’ll conclude your time in Spain with an elegant final dinner overlooking the ocean!
DAY 21: RETURN FLIGHT TO THE USA
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Frequently Asked Questions
What do students like most about the Spain: Spanish Language Immersion (21 Days) trip?
On the Spain: Spanish Language Immersion (21 Days) trip, students love that they are able to 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 the Spanish coast has 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 so many of Spain’s most vibrant metropolises, the Spain: Spanish Language Immersion (21 Days) program provides unique insider access to Spain and Spanish culture.
On the Spain: Spanish Language Immersion (21 Days) trip, students love that they are able to 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 the Spanish coast has 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 so many of Spain’s most vibrant metropolises, the Spain: Spanish Language Immersion (21 Days) program provides unique insider access to Spain and Spanish culture.
Where do we stay on the Spain: Spanish Language Immersion (21 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 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 the heart of the Old City. In Valencia we will stay at a traditional guest house right in the center. Our Madrid hotel is right in the heart of downtown.
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 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 the heart of the Old City. In Valencia we will stay at a traditional guest house right in the center. Our Madrid hotel is right in the heart of downtown.
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?
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 in Barcelona.
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 in Barcelona.
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.