Spain: Sustainable Communities and Mediterranean Culture

Our group flight lands in Madrid, the capital of Spain. We begin our program by getting to know one another through team-building activities and orientation at historic Retiro Park. 

It’s time to leave the city and embrace nature. Rascafría is a small beautiful stone town in the Sierra de Guadarrama National Park, 51 miles north of Madrid city. 

These days we will have the privilege of immersing ourselves in rural Spain: becoming beekeepers for a morning; hiking along the Lozoya River; learning skills and techniques from the traditional shepherds of the area, and making fresh sheep cheese; finishing our night with an astronomy session under the stars.  

We head north to Sebúlcor, to discover the stunning landscapes in the canyon of Duratón River. Our canoe instructors will share with us all the key information about the vulture colony living in the canyon. On our way back we stop by one of the most picturesque villages in the region of Madrid. It is surrounded by a spectacular wall of Arab origin, surrounded by the waters of the river Lozoya. Behind its millenary walls await the Castle, the Church, and the Clock Tower.

Travel from Madrid to Barcelona on a high-speed train. Explore Park Güell. Enjoy a bike tour around the Gothic Quarter. We sample local delicacies during a scavenger hunt at the Boqueria market. Stroll along Passeig de Gràcia and Diagonal Avenue to admire Barcelona’s unique Modernist architecture, including several Gaudi masterpieces. Discover the beauty of La Sagrada Familia. We join a beach cleaning and nurdles removal youth organization in Barceloneta Beach;  and Finally, relax with some beach time before we move south to Andalusia!

For the next 5 days, the village of Dílar, near historic Granada, will be our home. This small village in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada National Park will be our host community. Our accommodation is an eco-lodge in this lush valley, surrounded by walnut trees, traditional orchards, and pine forests. Irene and Mateo will lead our service work: the community leaders of Dílar. Together with local young people, we will work on projects such as maintaining the Dílar River path, gardening in the permaculture community orchard, and learning to work in the olive grove. Mateo is in charge of leading workshops in theatre arts, and improvisation. At the same time, Irene is our flamenco dance master. Spanish immersion activities take place daily with our expert Global Works leaders and local community members. Students of all levels are sure to increase their confidence and improve their communication skills through daily interaction with our local partners!

During our stay in the mountains of Granada, we visit the magical Alhambra, a Moorish palace-fortress or ‘Paradise on Earth’ for the rulers who lived there in the 13th century. The Alhambra is the greatest example of Moorish architecture in Europe and the most visited monument in the country. We take in stunning views of the Alhambra on a walk up to the Albayzín, the bohemian quarter. And eat delicious traditional Moroccan food. The farewell dinner and party bring to a close an unforgettable time with this community.

Next, we travel to Málaga and the Costa del Sol. We partake in a paella-making workshop, while also getting time to explore the city center, visit the Picasso Museum, go souvenir shopping, and have beach time on the Mediterranean Sea. 

We will have the opportunity to meet with social workers from the Spanish Commission for Refugees to learn more about the migration crisis in the Mediterranean. We will explore the impressive Nerja Caves. We finish our time here with an afternoon of kayaking.

We leave Andalucía and return to Madrid for the final leg of our itinerary. Our lodging is conveniently located near Puerta del Sol, offering easy access to the cosmopolitan inner city and historical palaces. We visit the world-renowned Reina Sofía Modern Art National Museum to admire masterpieces by Picasso, Dalí, Maruja Mallo, and Miró, among other Spanish modern artists. We’ll stroll through Plaza Mayor and the streets of the Austria Dynasty, appreciating the intricate architecture of the Royal Palace.

In Madrid, we’ll take the opportunity to reflect on our time together and the memories we’ve made. Finally, we’ll enjoy a celebratory dinner before saying goodbye to Spain the next day as we head home.

When flights become available, please contact us for the latest airfare pricing or visit our Flight & Travel Arrangements page for more information about travel days.