Study Abroad in Granada: Cultural Travel

3-day visit to London (Included in fee)

Every semester begins with a 3-day visit to London en route to Spain. Students have the opportunity to visit London, recover from jet-lag and meet fellow AIFS students.

Sunday, August 29 or Friday, January 7 Morning arrival in London. Rest of the day free for rest and relaxation. Overnight in London.

Monday, August 30 or Saturday, January 8 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.

Tuesday, August 31 or Sunday, January 9 Transfer to airport for flight to Malaga. Transfer to Granada.

Includes accommodations, breakfast, 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, September 30 or Tuesday, February 1 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 1 or Wednesday, February 2 Morning sightseeing tour of Madrid and of the Royal Palace and the Prado Museum. Afternoon free. Overnight in Madrid.

Saturday, October 2 or Thursday, February 3 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 3 or Friday, February 4 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. Dates and itinerary are subject to change.

Optional 4-day visit to Northern Morocco ($545)

Wednesday, December 8 or Wednesday, May 11 Early morning departure from Granada to Algeciras. Fast ferry trip from Algeciras to Tangier, Morocco. Continue on to the city of Meknes by bus via the seaside town of Larache. Lunch in a typical restaurant. Continue on to the city of Meknes. Dinner and night in a 4-star hotel in Meknes.

Thursday, December 9 or Thursday, May 12 Breakfast in hotel before taking a panoramic tour of Meknes. Visit the Sultan Moulay Ismail mausoleum, the Bab Mansour Gate, the Dar Jamas Palace and the Royal stables. Lunch in a typical restaurant. Free time for shopping and bartering. Afternoon ride to Fez. Dinner and night in a 4-star hotel in Fez. Optional show featuring the folklore and dance of Morocco.

Friday, December 10 or Friday, May 13 Breakfast in hotel before visiting the monumental and historic city of Fez. Panoramic view of this marvelous medieval city from one of its most important "Kasbahs" (fortress). Visit the Royal Palace and Jewish quarter, visit the medina and the "medersa" (Koran school). Lunch in a typical restaurant. Continue on to Tangier. Check-in and dinner in a 4-star hotel in Tangier.

Saturday, December 11 or Saturday, May 14 Breakfast in hotel before early morning tour of the Grotto of Hercules. Return to Tangier to visit the great "souk" (market). Time to shop in the crafts, goods and food markets. Afternoon ferry from the port of Tangier to Algeciras, Spain. Late evening return to Granada by bus.

Itinerary is subject to slight changes, but all the cities described are visited. Fee includes transportation, 4-star hotel accommodation (triple rooms), breakfasts, most lunches and most dinners, tour director and local guide in English and excursions as described above. Drinks are not included.

Please note: If you are NOT a U.S. citizen traveling on an American Passport, you are responsible for informing yourself of any requirements necessary to visit Morocco and/or Gibraltar as well as acquiring a visa with ample time to participate in these excursions.