Castilla to Barcelona

425 Days until departure
June 7, 2027 - June 16, 2027
Trip ID: Geers-2059

Tour Itinerary print itinerary

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Day 1 Overnight Flight to Spain (Madrid)
Day 2 Hola Madrid
Meet your tour director and check into hotel
Day 3 Madrid
Madrid guided sightseeing tour
LEAP Cocina Española!
Cooking class and dinner
Details: Prado Museum guided visit
Visit the Museo del Prado, home of works by Spain's great masters, including Francisco Goya, Diego Velázquez, and El Greco.
Details: Plaza de España
The Plaza de España is a popular place to gather in Central Madrid. It features a large monument to Miguel de Cervante, author of Don Quixote.
Details: Royal Palace
View the Palacio Real, a huge palace begun in 1738 on the site of the Madrid Alcázar, which burned to the ground in 1734. Although the palace is no longer home to the royal family, it is still full of art treasures and antiques, including Tiepolo ceilings and paintings by Goya.
Details: Reina Sofía Museum visit
Officially recognized as Spain’s National Museum of 20th‑Century Art, the Sofía— as it’s commonly known—stands as a cornerstone of modern Spanish culture. Its collection showcases pivotal works by Pablo Picasso and Salvador Dalí, artists who helped redefine modern art on a global scale. Picasso’s Guernica anchors the museum as a powerful symbol of 20th‑century history and expression, complemented by a vibrant library, archive, bookstore, and restaurant that make the Sofía a dynamic center for contemporary culture.
Details: LEAP Cocina Española!
Create and enjoy some of Spain's most popular and iconic dishes and discover firsthand what makes these dishes enduring classics of Spanish cuisine.
Day 4 Madrid--Salamanca
Travel to Salamanca via El Escorial & Segovia
El Escorial guided excursion with Whisper headset
Segovia Alcazar visit
Day 5 Salamanca landmarks
Salamanca guided sightseeing tour
Details: Old Cathedral visit
The Catedral Vieja de Santa María (also known as the Old Cathedral) was built in the 14th century. It is joined to the new cathedral.
Details: University of Salamanca visit
Visit the University of Salamanca, founded in 1134 as a "cathedral school". Here, Christopher Columbus presented his case for a new West Indies Route to geographers. Today, the University is known for its language studies.
Details: Casa de las Conchas
Visit the Casa de las Conchas, currently a public library. The building, constructed in the late 15th century, is covered with 300 carvings of scallop shells, the symbol of the famous pilgrimage The Camino de Santiago.
Day 6 Salamanca--San Sebastian
Travel to San Sebastián
Burgos Cathedral guided visit
Details: LEAP Spanish Civil War
Nationalist? Republican? Argue ideology in a revolutionary roleplay that delves into the causes of the Spanish Civil War!
Day 7 San Sebastian
Free time at the beach
Optional  Bilbao excursion  $79
Day 8 San Sebastian--Barcelona
Travel to Barcelona via Pamplona
Details: Pamplona tour director-led sightseeing
Pamplona is the capital of Navarre Province in northern Spain. It’s best known for the Running of the Bulls (Feast of San Fermín) in July. During this legendary multiday festival, bulls are led through the city streets by daredevil runners. A major stop along the Camino de Santiago, a medieval-era pilgrimage route, Pamplona is also home to Gothic-style churches including fortress like San Nicolás.
Details: Plaza del Castillo
Often referred to as the "living room" of Pamplona, Plaza del Castillo has been the heart of the city for centuries. This bustling square has witnessed numerous historical events and is surrounded by elegant arcaded buildings. It's a perfect spot to start your tour, offering a glimpse into the daily life and vibrant culture of Pamplona. The square is also a hub for social gatherings, especially during the famous San Fermín festival.
Details: Pamplona Cathedral
The Pamplona Cathedral, officially known as the Cathedral of Santa María la Real, is a stunning example of Gothic architecture. Built on the site of a former Romanesque church, the cathedral dates back to the 14th century. Its beautiful cloister is considered one of the finest in Europe, and the Diocesan Museum housed within the cathedral showcases a rich collection of religious artifacts, including medieval sculptures and paintings. The cathedral's historical significance is further highlighted by its role as a key stop on the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage route.
Day 9 Barcelona
Details: Barcelona guided sightseeing tour
Experience the best of Barcelona, a vibrant city where Gothic churches, colorful mosaics, and bold modernist architecture all blend together in unforgettable ways. Wander through lively streets lined with wrought‑iron balconies and buzzing cafés as your local guide introduces you to the city’s most iconic sights. Take in an outside view of La Sagrada Família, Gaudí’s astonishing unfinished basilica, before heading into the bright, imaginative world of Park Güell, where sweeping terraces and vivid tilework overlook the entire city. Then continue up to Montjuïc, the historic hill that has witnessed centuries of battles and later welcomed the 1992 Olympics, offering panoramic views and a perfect look at Barcelona’s mix of creativity, culture, and history.
Details: Gaudí’s Sagrada Família
This breathtaking basilica, widely regarded as Antoni Gaudí’s greatest masterpiece, has been rising slowly over Barcelona’s skyline since 1882. Its soaring towers, intricate façades and dreamlike geometry make it one of the most extraordinary architectural projects in the world, and with completion expected in 2026, you’ll witness a landmark still very much in the making.
Details: Montjuïc Hill
Travel to Barcelona’s mountain of Montjuïc, the focal point of two of the city’s key international events: the World’s Fair of 1929, of which many structures still remain; and the 1992 Olympic Games. Montjuïc features the largest "green zone" in the city with miles of forests and parks.
Details: Park Güell visit
Discover the whimsical world of Park Güell, one of the most iconic elements of the UNESCO‑listed “Works of Antoni Gaudí.” This imaginative hillside park blends vibrant mosaics, organic forms, and sweeping city views. Highlights include the famous mosaic lizard, the colorful serpentine bench, and the forest of Doric columns ingeniously designed to function as part of Gaudí’s drainage system. It’s a place where architecture, nature, and artistry come together in unforgettable ways.
Details: Gaudí’s Sagrada Familia guided visit
This breathtaking church, said to be the master-work of architect Antoni Gaudí, has been under construction since 1882 and is not expected to be completed until 2026! Despite its unfinished state, the church has 18 spindle-shaped towers that soar above the church itself, making for a striking addition to Barcelona’s skyline and more than worth the visit.
Details: Casa Milà (La Pedrera) visit
This magnificent building is the epitome of Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí’s fantastical style. See how he uses twisted pillars, curved archways and warped metal balconies to create a totally unique design all his own.
Day 10 Flight home from Barcelona

Tour Includes

  • Round-trip airfare and other transportation described in the itinerary
  • Basic Medical, Dental, Emergency Evacuation Insurance during trip (U.S. travelers only)
  • Up to three college credits upon course completion (grades 9-12) or high school credit (grades 6-12) for U.S. travelers only.
  • Centrally located three- and four-star hotels
  • Plentiful daily breakfast to start the day energized and ready to go
  • Appetizing, culturally representative, three-course dinner daily
  • Full time, multilingual, WorldStrides tour director who is LEAP-trained in experiential education
  • Local guide at sites and on city tours as described in the itinerary
  • LEAP! Learning through Exploration and Active Participation; trademarked immersive approach of learning by doing
  • Entrances and transportation to sites and activities described in your itinerary
  • Local guide and local bus driver tips; see note regarding other important tips
  • 24/7 On Tour Emergency Support
  • Note: On arrival day only dinner is provided; on departure day, only breakfast is provided
  • Note: Tour cost does not include airline-imposed baggage fees, any required passport or visa fees, optional excursions, or recommended Tips for the Tour Director or multi-day Bus Drivers. Optional excursions, optional pre-paid tips, or other individual/group customizations will be listed as separate line items in the total trip cost, if included.

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