The first day in Barcelona involved a walking tour of Las Ramblas, a beautiful pedestrian walkway in the heart of the city, filled with endless entertainment, restaurants, markets and monuments.

The following day, students learned about the brilliant and innovative architecture of Antoni Gaudí through a walking tour of Park Guell, a complex of gardens and homes, and a guided visit of La Sagrada Familia, a basilica that began construction in 1882 and remains unfinished.

The next day, students visited several houses designed by Gaudí, including Casa Milà and Casa Batlló in the modernist district. Students ended the night by attending a cultural cooking class, crafting their own tortilla and paella dish.

Students spent the next two days traveling outside the city of Barcelona. The first of the days involved a trip to Montserrat, a beautiful mountain-top monastery with shops, farmers markets, and a world-famous boys choir. The view from the 4,000 feet summit was breathtaking.The next day involved an excursion to Figueres, a small town where Spanish artist Salvador Dalí was born. In the heart of the town lies the Dalí Museum where students were given a guided tour through the interactive exhibitions.After an incredible time in Barcelona, the students traveled to Madrid where they explored some of the major plazas, including Puerta del Sol, Plaza Mayor, and Plaza de Oriente (The Royal Palace Square).

Toledo, a historic and cultural city about an hour away from Madrid, was the destination for the penultimate day of the excursion. Students learned about the peaceful intersection of multiple religions and the beautiful architecture of the city. 

Finally, students explored Segovia, a quaint village with flourishing history. The group visited numerous landmarks and finished their day by climbing to the top of the royal palace.

For the group who had not previously been to this region of the world, this faculty-led study abroad experience was an eye-opening and unforgettable experience.

Melissa Kaplan, administrative director of the Honors Program, and Gabriel Acevedo, assistant teaching professor of sociology, led the trip.