Study Abroad in Granada: Cultural Travel
2-day visit to London (Included in fee)
Every semester begins with a 2-day visit to London en route to Spain. Students have the opportunity to visit London, recover from jet-lag and meet and travel with fellow AIFS students to campus.
Saturday, August 29 or Tuesday, January 5 Morning arrival in London where the flight will be met by an AIFS representative. Transfer by bus to hotel. Rest of the day free for rest and relaxation. Overnight in London.
Sunday, August 30 or Wednesday, January 6 Morning sightseeing with a professional guide who will point out some of London's most famous landmarks including Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey, the Houses of Parliament and the Tower of London. Afternoon and evening free. Overnight in London.
Monday, August 31 or Thursday, January 7 Transfer to airport for flight to Malaga. Transfer to Granada.
Includes accommodations, breakfast, travel, entrance fees and sightseeing as indicated. Lunch and dinner are not included. Dates and itinerary are subject to change.
4-day visit to Madrid and Castile (Included in fee)
After orientation, students depart for Castile, in the heart of Spain. The trip is accompanied by a guide and an AIFS staff member and includes visits to Madrid, Toledo and Segovia. Students receive an academic and cultural perspective on the sights. The itinerary is subject to minor changes, but all cities described below are visited.
Thursday, October 1 or Saturday, January 30 Departure by bus from Granada to Madrid. Walking tour of the city center including the Plaza Mayor, Puerta del Sol and the Paseo de la Castellana. Overnight in Madrid.
Friday, October 2 or Sunday, January 31 Morning sightseeing tour of Madrid and of the Royal Palace and the Prado Museum. Afternoon free. Overnight in Madrid.
Saturday, October 3 or Monday, February 1 Morning drive into the Spanish countryside to El Escorial, the 16th century complex of Philip II which includes a palace, a monastery, a seminary, a library and the burial place of the Kings of Spain. Continue on to Segovia to see its fortress castle, the Alcazar and the 2000-year-old Roman aqueduct. Overnight in Madrid.
Sunday, October 4 or Tuesday, February 2 Morning departure to the artistic town of Toledo to visit the 13th century cathedral, the church of Santo Tomé to see a masterpiece by El Greco and Santa Maria la Blanca, a beautiful old synagogue with walls and ceiling of Mudejar architecture at its finest. There is also time to visit ceramic and pottery shops before returning to Granada.
Students are provided with accommodations, breakfast and most lunches, transportation and entrances to museums and monuments.
Optional 4-day visit to Northern Morocco ($545)
Friday, November 20 or Friday, April 23 Early morning departure from Granada to Algeciras. Fast ferry trip from Algeciras to Ceuta (Spanish territory on the north coast of Africa). After crossing the Moroccan border, bus ride (4 hours) to the city of Meknes. Dinner and overnight.
Saturday, November 21 or Saturday, April 24 Breakfast in hotel before taking a tour of Meknes. Visit the Sultan Moulay Ismail mausoleum, the Bab Mansour Gate and the Dar Jamas Palace. Lunch in a typical restaurant. Evening visit to the monumental and historic city of Fes. Visit a medersa (Koran school), the Royal Palace, Jewish quarter and the Medina. Evening drive to Tetuan. Dinner and overnight.
Sunday, November 22 or Sunday, April 25 Breakfast in hotel before taking a tour of Tetuan: Panoramic of the modern city including: Plaza Moulay El Medhi, Plaza Hassan II, and the Royal Palace (from the outside). Continue on to the Mellalh or Jewish neighborhood and to the Medina (old city) and Zocos (markets). Time to sample and shop in the crafts, goods and food markets. Lunch in a typical restaurant. Lunch in a restaurant. Evening free.
Monday, November, 23 or Monday, April 26 Breakfast in hotel before departing Tetuan to the mountain town of Chaouen. Walking tour of the Alcazaba fortress and the Medina (or ancient city), the Great Mosque (access granted to Muslims only) and to the Rif Al-Andalus neighborhood and the Ras Al-Ma spring. Lunch in a restaurant before departure. Return to Ceuta and afternoon ferry to Algeciras. Late evening return to Granada by bus.
Fee includes transportation, 4-star hotel accommodation (triple rooms), breakfasts, lunches and dinners, tour director and local guide in English and excursions as described above. Drinks and dinners and museum entrances are not included.
