Madrid - Explore Up Close
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BARCELONA +
Madrid
EXPERIENCE May 12 - 25, 2021
Spain's Art and History
with Western Carolina University
Trip highlights:
In-depth exploration of each city's rich
cultural history
Antoni Gaudi's famed Sagrada Familia
Basilica and Parc Guell
National Museum of Catalunyan Art
Evening performance at the Palau de
la Musica Catalana
Evening flamenco show
Madrid's Palacio Real
The Reina Sofia and Prado museums
Day trip to the mountaintop monastery
of Montserrat
Day trip to Salvador Dali's home and
museum in Figueres and Cadaques
Day trip to Toledo, in the footsteps of
El Greco
Questions about this trip?
Contact Explore Up Close:
hello@exploreupclose.com
864.384.6947
www.exploreupclose.com/studytravel
Western Carolina Travel Study:
Barcelona + Madrid
May 12 - 25, 2021
Travel with Western Carolina professors and immerse yourself for two weeks in splendid Spain – the historical
southern European melting pot of style and design. Discover Barcelona and the provocative design of the
Modernista movement; get to know Madrid’s museum and performance scene. From each base, explore nearby
retreats whose natural settings served as inspiration to some of the world’s most important artists.
Estimated price: $4,200 / participant*
Price includes round-trip shuttle from WCU to the Charlotte or Atlanta airport; bus driver tip; round-trip
international airfare; 12 nights highly-rated central hostel-style accommodations (double, triple, quad, or family
room occupancy), with breakfast; 2 dinners; all entrances, touring, guide services per the itinerary; all airport-hotel
shuttles in Spain; bus and/or train service for all day trips described; train tickets from Barcelona – Madrid;
metro pass in Barcelona; trip insurance.
Price does not include optional activities and transportation; lunches and most dinners; personal expenditures.
*Please note, price will remain an estimate until airfares are confirmed by carriers in Summer 2020.
Trip Registration and Deposits Payment Schedule:
Sign up for this Western Carolina University student trip
directly through Explore Up Close. Deposit of $500, paid at the time of trip registration
to reserve your spot.
How do I sign up? $500 - due May 1, 2020
Two ways to register and pay for your trip: $1,200 - due September 17, 2020
1) Online: Visit www.exploreupclose.com/studytravel, $1,200 - due November 12, 2020
complete the online registration, and and pay your deposit Remaining balance due February 11, 2021
with a credit card via our secure online payment portal
Your deposit is fully refundable until 2/11/21.
2) By mail: Print and complete a trip registration form from Trip insurance, which will be purchased prior to
www.exploreupclose.com/studytravel, and mail with your February 11, 2021, will protect your trip investment
check (made out to Explore Up Close, LLC) to: in the case of a family or medical emergency after
Explore Up Close, LLC the 2/11/21 payment deadline.
P.O. Box 9537, Greenville, SC, 29604
WCU Spain 2021 Trip Itinerary May 12, 2021: Depart Western Carolina for the Charlotte or Atlanta airport, and our overnight flight across the Atlantic. May 13: Arrive in Barcelona this morning, and enjoy an introductory walking tour to orient us to the city. Spend the afternoon exploring the Barri Gotic and the famous shopping street of La Rambla. Overnight, Barcelona. May 14: Explore the Barri Gotic, the upscale La Ribera neighborhood – visit the Picasso Museum, and the Santa Maria del Mar church, and the Parc de la Ciutadella – perfect for photography, watching musicians, drummers, and dancers; renting bikes; or relaxing at an outdoor café. This evening, enjoy a group dinner together to welcome us to the city. Overnight, Barcelona. May 15: This morning, travel by metro to visit the most famous Gaudi structure in a city full of them: the Sagrada Familia Church. Later, visit one of the world’s most unusual parks: the Parc Guell – another Gaudi design. Our local guide will explain the Modernista art movement, and introduce us to the surrounding Eixample neighborhood. Free time this afternoon. Overnight, Barcelona. May 16: Journey to Montserrat, a monastery perched in the rugged mountains northwest of Barcelona, and home to a treasure trove of art, including the Black Madonna statue. Return to Barcelona in the afternoon. In the evening, enjoy a performance at the Palau de la Musica Catalana. Overnight, Barcelona. May 17: Today, we’ll explore Montjuic – a panoramic hill, rising near the harbor, that has been a showcase of architecture and art for 100 years. Visit the National Museum of Catalunyan Art, see the Bauhaus structures from the 1929 world architecture exhibition, and take in the views of Barcelona and the Mediterranean Sea. Overnight, Barcelona. May 18: Venture into the land of Salvador Dali today, as we enjoy an excursion to the regional capital of Figueres (home of Dali’s self-created museum in the old bombed-out municipal theatre) and the pretty fishing village of Cadaques, where we’ll visit Dali’s former residence. Overnight, Barcelona.
WCU Spain 2021: Trip Itinerary, continued
May 19: In the late morning, we will depart by fast train for Madrid. We’ll check into our hotel, leave bags, then
explore. We’ll have an orientation walk around central Madrid’s plazas and streets, including the atmospheric 16th
century Austrias District and the Plaza Mayor. Enjoy the vibrant mood of central Madrid. Overnight, Madrid.
May 20: This morning, visit two of Madrid’s iconic showpieces: the Palacio Real (royal palace) and the adjacent
Almudena Cathedral. In the afternoon, we’ll visit the Reina Sophia Museum – location of the Picasso’s renowned
Guernica. Later, enjoy free time in small groups to explore the Paseo del Prado, before a flamenco performance
this evening. Overnight, Madrid.
May 21: Discover Madrid's vast treasure trove of Renaissance art today: the Prado Museum. Afterwards, explore
the vast Retiro Park – one-time private “retreat” of Spanish royalty. In the afternoon you can visit some of Madrid’s
lovely shopping galleries. Relax at a café, people watch, and enjoy the Madrileno way of life. Overnight, Madrid.
May 22: Today we’ll take a day trip to the atmospheric city of Toledo. Pass through the Moorish gates into the old
city: a remarkable tangle of ancient streets and squares, featuring Arab, Christian, and Jewish art and
architecture. A local guide will lead us along the trail of resident painter, El Greco. Overnight, Madrid.
May 23: Today, enjoy free time today to explore on your own, on foot or by using the easy metro system. Why not
visit the ancient Egyptian Templo de Debod, and then ride the téléferico to Casa de Campo park (great views of
Madrid below)? Some may want to make their way to the Estadia Santiago Bernabeu – home of one of the
world’s most famous soccer teams, Real Madrid – to tour the stadium. Or, enjoy browsing the boutiques and
people-watching along the glitzy Gran Via. Overnight, Madrid.
May 24: Today, we’ll take a field trip to the Baroque palace, el Escorial, just west of Madrid. The monastery and
palace complex was built as a tribute to the greatness of Spanish might in the 16th century, and is the final resting
place for many of Spain’s rulers. Return to Madrid in the afternoon; free time. We’ll enjoy a final dinner together
this evening. Overnight, Madrid.
May 25: Shuttle to the airport this morning for our return flight to the U.S. ¡Adiós!
Register online: www.exploreupclose.com/studytravel
Questions? Contact Explore Up Close:
(864) 384-6947 | hello@exploreupclose.com
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