Exchange in Barcelona

Spain | 12 days / 10 nights

DAY 1: USA | SPAIN

¡Bienvenidos a España! A Forum Representative will greet you at the airport and help you transfer to your partner school in Castelldefels, a suburb town of Barcelona.
Upon arrival, meet your exchange partners and host families.
While living with a host family, immerse yourself in traditional Spanish life as you attend school with your exchagne partner, apply your Spanish skills on a daily basis, and experience life as a true local.
Enjoy your first dinner and evening with your host family.

After breakfast, meet your Forum Tour Manager at school and head to Parc Güell – “Gaudí’s garden city” – a town unto itself with a gorgeous view of the Mediterranean sea. Enjoy a picnic lunch.
Then, meet your specialist guide and discover the astonishing Sagrada Familia, designed by Gaudí and under construction since 1883!
For a taste of local life, head to the city’s main food market: the glorious Mercat Sant Josep, known locally as the Boqueria.
Later, take a stroll along Las Ramblas, the primary downtown boulevard lined with shops and cafes.
Return to your host family for dinner and night accommodation.

After breakfast, attend school with your exchange partner.
Activities and workshops may be organized at the school during your visit (to be confirmed with the Spanish school).
Dinner and night accommodation with your host family.

This morning, after breakfast with your host family, meet your Forum Tour Manager and board your private bus to Figueres, Salvador Dalí’s birthplace.
Enter the flamboyant Dalí Museum. Inaugurated in 1974, the impressive Theater-Museum contains the broadest range of artwork spanning the surrealist’s life.
Enjoy free time for lunch before continuing to the ancient walled city of Girona, located on a fortress-like hill overlooking the Onyar River.
Explore the beautiful medieval city with your Forum Tour Manager.
Return to your host family for dinner and night accommodation.

After an early breakfast, say farewell to your host family and exchange partner and transfer to the train station to take the AVE high-speed train to Madrid.
Upon arrival, meet your Forum Tour Manager at the Atocha train station and transfer to your hotel to drop off your bags.
Have some free time for lunch.
Stretch your legs on a walking tour of Old Madrid. Explore the 16th- and 17th-century narrow streets around the famous Plaza Mayor, said to be “the most elegant plaza on the continent,” and the Puerta del Sol, the official center of Spain.
Later, snack like a real madrileño with some churros con chocolate!
Continue with a visit to the Royal Palace, an immense 18th century palace twice the size of Buckingham Palace and one of the most beautiful in Europe.
For dinner, enjoy an authentic surtido (variety) de tapas.
Night accommodation in Madrid

Today, after breakfast, take a guided tour of the Museo Nacional del Prado, where you’ll admire masterpieces by Goya and Velázquez, including Las Meninas.
Have some free time for lunch in the beautiful Parque del Retiro.
Enjoy some free time in the afternoon to catch up on some last-minute souvenir shopping or to discover the city at your own pace.
For your farewell dinner, immerse yourself in the colors and sounds of Spain during a Flamenco dinner show.

After breakfast, say “¡adiós!” to your Forum Tour Manager and transfer to the airport for your return flight home.

Alison G.,Teacher from Dedham, MA, Spanish Exchange

The homestay part of the trip was the best experience for the students and something that they will never forget!

Kate S.,Teacher from Hopedale, MA, Spanish Exchange

We had a wonderful time and would love to do another exchange next school year!