In charming Santander we discover the beautiful old city and meet our host families with whom we spend six nights. Morning Spanish language sessions are held at a school qualified by the University of Alcala in Madrid, with small classes to accommodate students of all abilities. Afternoons are active: learning to surf at the beach, perusing the markets and cafes, and visiting the Guggenheim in nearby Bilbao.
We hit the stunning coast of Barcelona along the Mediterranean Sea for culture, art, and beach time in this spectacularly vibrant and historical city.
The pace changes as we head to the cool of the Pyrenees Mountains to experience rafting and canyoneering, a unique river-walking experience. We backpack to a cozy mountain cabin and visit a national park with one of the highest concentrations of lakes throughout Europe.
We travel from the mountains to the lively city of Salamanca, Spain's most renowned university town. In Madrid, we visit the breathtaking 17th century Plaza Mayor, the Prado, and Royal Palace and then celebrate our achievements with a traditional dinner in the city before we say, "Hasta Luego."