Spain & Italy: Oceanography and Spanish

Cities: Barcelona, Valencia, Catania
Duration: 14 days
Area of Study: Foreign Language & Culture

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All items (*) are mandatory

Program Includes

  • 12 Nights of Accommodation
    • 2-6 people per room for participants, each with their own bed and ensuite bathroom
    • Single for faculty/program leader with ensuite bathroom
    • Free wifi and daily continental breakfast
  • All Ground Transportation 
  • Welcome & Farewell Dinners 
  • Historical & Cultural Walking Tours
  • Full Time On Site Program Director Available 24/7 in case of Emergencies 
  • 24/7 On-Ground Emergency Support
  • SAA’s Mandatory Health Insurance* (see next page) 
  • SAA’s $5m Liability Insurance (COI available upon request)
  • Tips & Gratuities

Program Highlights

  • Casa Milà
  • Casa Batllo
  • Sagrada Familia
  • Parc Guell
  • Oceanogràfic Backstage Tour
  • Museum of Fine Arts of Valencia
  • Les Coves Josep
  • Museum of Mineralogy, Petrology, and Volcanology 
  • Meeting with a INGV in Catania
  • Acitrezza and Isola dei Ciclopi
  • Trekking on Mount Etna 
  • Cooking Class

Program Itinerary

day 1 / DEPARTURE

Depart Home for Barcelona, Spain

day 2 / BARCELONA

Arrive in Barcelona, Spain

Airport Transfer

Check-In, Relax & Refresh

Orientation Walking Tour - The group will become oriented with their neighborhood, the public transportation systems, nearby pharmacies, markets, ATMs, etc. 

Las Ramblas - Las Ramblas boulevard, is a lively and iconic street in the heart of Barcelona, Spain, is home to numerous attractions that captivate tourists and locals alike

Welcome Dinner - The group will be taken for an authentic dinner that will cater to all dietary requirements.

day 3 / BARCELONA

Breakfast & Day Briefing 

Historical & Cultural Walking Tour - Visit open-air plazas such as Plaza de Catalunya and Plaça d’Espanya and learn why Barcelona  is renowned for its art history.

Sagrada Familia - A UNESCO World Heritage site and Antoni Gaudi magnum opus, is undoubtedly the most iconic structure in Barcelona. 

Parc Guell - Park Guell is one of the masterpieces of the Catalan architect Antoni Gaudi, who projected it in 1900. Inaugurated as a public park in 1926, it was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1984, recognizing its patrimonial and cultural value as a symbol of modern architecture, being one of the biggest exponents of Gaudi's modernism.

day 4 / BARCELONA

Breakfast & Day Briefing 

Barcelona Gothic Quarter - The Gothic Quarter is the historic centre of the old city of Barcelona. The quarter encompasses the oldest parts of the city of Barcelona.

Casa Milà - Casa Milà, popularly known as La Pedrera (meaning “stone quarry” in Catalan), is Antoni Gaudí’s last civil work. “La Pedrera”, refers to its external appearance, where stone has been used as a key material for the design of the façade and the 

Lunch Break

Casa Batlló- Casa Batlló is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Designed by Antoni Gaudi, the building is a must-visit attraction for anyone who wishes to understand and marvel at Gaudí's work.

Optional - Flamenco Show - Dancers, guitar and singers in a XIX century stage. Great seats with the best view. Duration of the Show is one hour. You will be able to see different world class performers.

day 5 / BARCELONA

Breakfast & Day Briefing

Free Day in Barcelona

Suggestions and Optional

Montserrat Excursion

Picasso Museum of Barcelona

day 6 / VALENCIA

Train to Valencia (approx. 3 hrs) 

Check-in, Relax & Refresh 

Valencia Historical walking tour - Cathedral, Plaza de la Reina, Iglesia y Torre de Santa Catalina, Barrio del Carmen, Iglesia de San Nicolás de Bari y San Pedro Mártir de Valencia, etc..

Optional - Iglesia de San Nicolás de Bari y San Pedro Mártir de Valencia

day 7 / VALENCIA

Breakfast & Day Briefing

Full Day Excursion to Coves de St joseph and Montanejos Hot Springs

day 8 / VALENCIA

Breakfast & Day Briefing

Museum of Fine Arts of Valencia - The Museu de Belles Arts de València is an art gallery in Valencia, Spain, founded in 1913. It houses some 2,000 works, most dating from the 14th–17th centuries

Lunch Break

Oceanografico Visit and Backstage Tour - Oceanogràfic of Valencia is the biggest aquarium in Europe. This place faithfully reproduces the most important marine ecosystems.

day 9 / CATANIA

Breakfast & Day Briefing

Flight to Catania, Italy

Drop Bags at the Hotel

Walking Tour of the City - Visit to the main historical and cultural sites, including the Cathedral of Catania, built in the 13th century and declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2002, the Roman Amphitheater dating back to the 2nd century AD, and the Ursino Castle

Typical Sicilian Dinner 

day 10 / CATANIA

Breakfast & Day Briefing 

Museum of Mineralogy, Petrology, and Volcanology - A collection of minerals from around the world, Volcanic rocks, particularly from Mount Etna and models of eruptions and the history of Etna. Possibility to do Practical experiments for schools and groups. TBD 

Lunch Break 

Meeting with a INGV in Catania (TBD) - The National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology in Italy. It is a public research organization that focuses on the study and monitoring of geophysical and volcanic phenomena. Its main responsibilities include monitoring seismic and volcanic activity in real-time, conducting scientific research in geophysics, seismology, and volcanology, and promoting scientific education and dissemination.

day 11 / CATANIA

Breakfast & Day Briefing

Excursion to Acitrezza and Isola dei Ciclopi - Acitrezza is a small fishing village located on the eastern coast of Sicily, a few kilometers north of Catania. This charming village is known for its clear waters, rocky formations, and its connection to Greek mythology.

Isole dei Ciclopi (Cyclopean Isles) - The Isole dei Ciclopi, or Faraglioni dei Ciclopi, are a series of rock formations located just off the coast of Acitrezza. These impressive basalt rocks are associated with the legend of Polyphemus and Odysseus, as narrated in Homer's Odyssey. According to the legend, the rocks were thrown into the sea by Polyphemus at Odysseus.

Return to Catania

day 12 / CATANIA

Breakfast & Day Briefing

Trekking on Mount Etna - Guided excursion to explore the largest active volcano in Europe, whose geological history dates back over 500,000 years. During the trekking, you can admire unique landscapes and learn about the formation of Etna and its historical eruptions.

day 13 / CATANIA

Breakfast & Day Briefing

Early Morning Visit to Fish Market in Catania - Discover this open-air market located near Piazza del Duomo. Here, you'll find a wide variety of fresh fish and seafood in a bustling atmosphere, with vendors shouting to attract customers. It offers an authentic experience of Sicilian culture, making it an ideal spot to discover local flavors and immerse yourself in the daily life of Catania.

Cooking Class and Farewell Lunch - A hands-on lesson where participants prepare traditional Sicilian dishes like pasta alla Norma or arancini under the guidance of a chef. The experience concludes with tasting the prepared dishes together.

Free Afternoon 

day 14 / RETURN

Breakfast & Day Briefing

Airport Transfer

Depart Catania, Italy for Home

Request Price For This Program

All items (*) are mandatory

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