ALUMNI COLLEGE: SPAIN ITINERARY*
Day 1
Depart your gateway city for Barcelona, Spain. (Flight provided for Air Package participants only.)
Day 2
Upon arrival, transfer to the Cristal Palace Hotel. (Transfer provided for Air Package participants only.)
This evening, gather with your fellow travelers for a Welcome Reception and Dinner.
Day 3
Educational Focus: The History of Catalonia and Barcelona.
Excursion: Highlights of Barcelona. Explore Las Ramblas and the medieval Barri Gòtic. See the Town Hall, La Seu Catedral, the Royal Palace and the Montjuic fortress.
Local Flavor: A typical Catalan restaurant hosts you for a tapas lunch.
Day 4
Educational Focus: The Architecture of Gaudí.
Excursion: Gaudí’s Barcelona—A Monumental Vision. See Antoni Gaudí’s impressive Modernist architecture, including Parc Güell, Casa Batlló and La Sagrada Família.
Local Flavor: This evening, visit one of Barcelona’s restaurants to sample local cuisine.
Day 5
Excursion: Penedès Wine Region. Catalonia’s premier wine region produces high quality still reds and whites along with Cava, Penedès’ world-famous sparkling wine. Visit Codorníu, the first and largest producer of Cava. The complex—with its stained glass, ceramic tiles, and ironwork—is a national historic and artistic landmark Tour the cave, a vast cellar, and a enjoy a wine tasting.
Day 6
Independent Exploration: The day is yours in Barcelona for sightseeing and shopping.
Day 7
Depart Barcelona for San Sebastián.
Excursion: Zaragoza. See the old city, including the Plaza del Pilar, built atop Roman ruins, and the Basilica de Nuestra Señora del Pilar.
Local Flavor: Lunch is in a typical regional restaurant.
Upon arrival in San Sebastián, check into the Hotel Costa Vasca.
Day 8
Educational Focus: A History of Northern Spain.
Excursion: Highlights of San Sebastián. Survey the bay from the Palacio de Miramar and explore the Old Quarter with its elegant Town Hall and neo-Gothic Cathedral de Buen Pastor.
Independent Exploration: The afternoon is at your leisure.
Educational Focus: Meet the People.
Day 9
Excursion: Bilbao and the Guggenheim Museum. A true highlight of your trip is a visit to this renowned museum. Architect Frank Gehry’s titanium-and-glass masterpiece showcases 20th-century artwork. Afterwards, a panoramic motorcoach tour showcases Bilbao and a brief walking tour passes the plaza, Cathedral and Opera House.
Local Flavor: Enjoy lunch in Bilbao.
Day 10
Educational Focus: The Romance of Hemingway’s Spain.
Excursion: Pamplona. See the Gothic cathedral; the Church of San Lorenzo; and the bullring, Plaza de Toros in this city famous for the Running of the Bulls.
Local Flavor: Lunch is served at a restaurant in Pamplona.
Tonight, attend a Graduation Ceremony, Farewell Reception and Dinner.
Day 11
Transfer to the Bilbao airport for the return flight to your gateway city. (Transfer and flight provided for Air Package participants only.)
* Itinerary is subject to change due to local conditions. Excursions in this program may involve an element of walking as some of the finest attractions are not always located in areas not closely accessible by motorcoach.
