Study Abroad in Granada: Cultural Excursions

London, England (3 days)

Included only for students on the AIFS Flight Package

Begin your semester with a 3-day visit to London en route to Granada. This will allow you to relax, recover from jet lag and get to know your fellow classmates while touring England’s capital.

Take a sightseeing tour 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. Have time to explore the city on your own where you can take in the gorgeous parks and gardens, see a play in the West End or shop for vintage clothes at Camden Market.

Includes accommodations, breakfast, sightseeing tour and local guide. Lunch and dinner are not included.

Madrid and Castile (4 days)

Included in program fee

After orientation, depart for Castile in the heart of Spain. You will receive an academic and cultural perspective on the sights.

Head to Madrid where you will take a walking tour of the city center including the Plaza Mayor, Puerta del Sol and the Paseo de la Castellana. The next day enjoy a sightseeing tour of Madrid, the Royal Palace and the Prado Museum as well as free time to explore the city.

The next 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.

Finally, depart 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 time to visit ceramic and pottery shops before returning to Granada.

Includes accommodations, breakfast and most lunches, transportation and entrances to museums and monuments.

Optional 3-day visit to Tangier and Tetuan, Morocco (3 days - $375)

Early departure from Granada to Tarifa. Travel in a fast ferry to Tangier, Morocco. Visit to the Cape Spartel, caves of Hercules and a short stop will be made for a camel ride and then on to visit the medina and the souk of Tangier.

After breakfast in the hotel, take a tour of Tetuan including Plaza Moulay El Medhi, Plazas Hassan I and the Royal Palace. Continue on to the Mellalh or Jewish neighborhood and to the medina and souks. Time to sample and shop in the crafts, goods and food markets. Continue on to the mountain town of Chaouen. Lunch in a typical restaurant followed by free time for shopping and bartering. Walking tour of the Alcazaba fortress and the medina. Dinner and show and night in a 4 star hotel.

On the last morning, depart Tangier for the coastal town of Asilah. Visit the city medina and walls. Free time for lunch before departure. Afternoon ferry to Tarifa and tate return to Granada by bus.

Transportation, accommodation, breakfasts, most lunches and dinners, tour director and local guides in English, excursion as detailed above are included. Drinks at dinners or lunches, breakfast on the first day, lunch and dinner on the last day and tips are not included. If a minimum enrolment of 25 is not met, the tour may be cancelled.

Dates and itineraries for all excursions are tentative and subject to change.