Cultural Tour of Spain

You are off to study Anthropology in Spain as you take flight. As your plane finally descends, take a look out your window to see rolling green hills and towering mountains. A local guide will be waiting to greet you at the airport and transfer you to your city hotel.

Take some time to unpack and relax; you have the afternoon free. Venture into the bustling city, splash into the hotel infinity pool, or enjoy a coffee at a local café. It’s up to you! In the evening, you’ll meet for dinner with your local guide. Take time to get to know your group and guides before tomorrow’s adventure.

Wake up excited and motivated for your first full day in Basque Country. Start your trip with a bang by visiting the Pozalagua Cave, recognized as the best location in Spain. Marvel in awe of its draperies, stalagmites, stalactites, shawls, and rhinestones as you explore its depths. Continue to the Santimamine Cave, which is an icon of Biscayan culture. As you enter the cave, you’ll discover cave paintings that date back to the Late Stone Age (that’s old!). Can you spot the bison, horse, and bear paintings? In the afternoon, make your way to Bilbao’s Old Town to meet with a local foodie – you are about to embark on a food tour! Drop by four traditional eateries to enjoy tapas (shared food on a plate). While you travel from place to place, learn about the origin and development of the city.

Rise and shine for another exciting excursion. Climb into your private minivan to travel the Basque Coast. Your first stop is the colossal Transporter Bridge of Bizkaia to admire its stature. Next, venture into the vibrant community of Neguri to discover crumbling colonial mansions once owned by the richest in the town. Following this, arrive at the San Juan de Gaztelugatxe, thought to be the most picturesque coastline in Spain. Soak up its breathtaking rock formations and deep blue sea. After exploring the traditional fishing village of Bermeo, take a break at a local restaurant before having free time to explore. Next, you are off to the UNESCO World Heritage-listed site of Mundaka to admire the Urdaibai Biosphere before ending the day with a tour of the village of Gernika.

Another day as a Worldwide Navigator, another adventure. Make your way into Bilbao’s surrounding charming mountains to discover the picturesque village of Oñati. Visit the oldest university in the Basque Country to learn about what education was like in the Renaissance Era. Continue to the only existing Shepherd School in Europe to discover the secrets of shepherds from the 21st-century. While you’re there, enjoy a taste of creamy Idiazabal cheese. Did you like it? Next, you’re off to the Sanctuary of Arantzazu to discover modern Basque art. Make your way back into town for lunch before learning more about Anthropology at the Ethnographic and Historical Museum. Through various films, objects, and interactive activities, you will learn about how the people in Basque country have evolved socially, biologically, and psychologically. Be sure to drop by the prehistory, sea and fishing, traditional trade, and commercial activity exhibits.

Start your morning with a visit to the most famous attraction in Bilbao – the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao. The architecturally abstract and spectacular building a collection of contemporary artwork and is recognized for its large-scale exhibits, such as Serra’s 100-meter-long Snake. The exhibitions are always changing and commonly host scriptures, sculptures, paintings, and electronic art. Your next stop is at Sopelana to discover the Arrietara, Barinatxe, and Atxabirbil beaches. Stroll along the shore, take a dip in the water, or try your hand at surfing. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before heading out to Puente Colgante Vizcaya, which is the world’s oldest transporter bridge that connects two banks. Learn about its history and engineering before heading back to your hotel.

It’s your final day in Spain, let’s make it unforgettable! Depart to the city of Santander, where you will be transferred to Santillana de Mar; one of the most picturesque villages in Spain. Learn about the society and culture of this town in the medieval ages as you walk down its cobbled streets and admire its old houses. Visit the Collegiate Church of Santa Juliana and shop for a perfect souvenir before making your way to the Altamira Museum. Here, you will discover the “room of paintings” of the Altamira Neo-cave. The cave is the most significant artistic and pictorial cycles of prehistoric paintings in the world. Admire the quantity and quality of the art before heading back to Bilbao.

It has been an incredibly adventurous and educational week in Spain, but the time has come for you to leave. Enjoy a final breakfast with your group and guides. Discuss your favorite memories of the trip. Next, it’s off the airport to catch your departure flight.