Germany and Spain Spanish Club Trip 2012

From Van Horne to Chicago Overnight Flight to Munich

Arriving in Munich: Day 2

• The Dachau Concentration Camp was in operation from 1933 to 1945, thus becoming the only concentration camp to encompass the 12 years of the Third Reich.  It became a vital tool of Nazi oppression, acting as the model camp and the so-called school of terror.

• Meet with local guide for panoramic tour of Munich and one site.

• Dinner in Munich Hotel, 2 nights

Tour of Munich: Day 3

• Residenz Neuschwanstein Castle

• “The castle of the fairy-tale king". It was built in the 19th century by Ludwig II, King of Bavaria since 1864. He was only 18 years old when he became king. Unfortunately Ludwig II couldn’t enjoy his new residence long. He died under mysterious circumstances less than a year after he moved in.

Nymphenburg Palace

• Located just west of Munich, the Nymphenburg Palace was commissioned in 1664 by Elector Ferdinand Maria, to celebrate the birth of his son, Maximilian Emanuel.

Day 4: Munich to

Madrid

• Breakfast in hotel

• Morning flight to Madrid

Day 4: Madrid • Retiro Park• Plaza Mayor

During the middle ages the Plaza Mayor was just a market place outside the city walls. In the 1560s, King Phillip II asked that the market place be turned into a real square.

Day 4: Madrid SHOPPING!

• El Corte Inglés is the biggest departmant store group in Europe and ranks 4th worldwide. It is the only remaining department store chain in Spain.

Stores tend to be very large in size and offer a wide range of products: stores may sell music, movies, portable & household electronics, furniture, hardware, books, clothes, groceries, gourmet food, cars and even real estate.

Day 5: El Escorial

• Built to honor San Lorenzo (St. Lawrence) after having defeated the French on August 10th, 1557, King Philip II charged his scholars to find a place to build it. Five years later construction began, and the town and the Castle/monastery has undergone many political and demographic changes.

Day 5: El Escorial

• The Monastery of El Escorial is considered one of the modern wonders of the world and on November 2, 1984, UNESCO declared it Monument of Worldwide Interest.

 

Day 5: Valley of the Fallen

• Constructed from the 1940´s onwards the Valley of the Fallen was built by over 20,000 prison laborers from the defeated communists side of the Civil War. The cross is on top of an underground tomb where Franisco Franco is buried. On the other side of the cross is the burial place for the over 100,000 soliders that were killed in the Civil War.

Day 5: Segovia

• Meet Local Coordinator & Homestay Families

• Dinner & Overnight with the Host Family and other student participant

Day 6: Tour of Segovia

• Alcazar Palace• A castle-palace, lies in the

walled city of Segovia. It's one of the most famous castles in Spain. Queen Isabella & King Ferdinand resided here as well as several other famous Spanish royalty. This castle is actually the inspiration for Walt Disney to build Cinderella's Castle

Made it to the top!

The Cathedral

• In 1525, the construction of Segovia Cathedral was ordered by Charles V to replace an earlier cathedral near the Alcázar, which had been destroyed during a War.

Day 7: Toledo

Shopping in Toledo!

• Toledo Cathedral stands on the site of the Great Mosque of Toledo, which itself had replaced a Visigothic church. Built from 1226 to 1493, the long process is reflected in Toledo Cathedral's variety of styles.

Toledo Cathedral

• Visit Sta. Ma la Blanca. The synagogue of "St. Mary the White" was designed and decorated by Mudejar architects (defined as Moors working on Christian soil on non-Islamic buildings). It was completed in 1203.

Day 8: Speed Train to Barcelona

• Visit Sagrada Familia

• The Sagrada Familia, Antoni Gaudí's unfinished masterpiece, is one of Barcelona's most popular tourist attractions. Construction on this church is scheduled to be complete in the year 2026, but it has already become Barcelona's most important landmark.

Day 8: Barcelona

Day 8: Las Ramblas

• La Rambla is the most famous street in Barcelona• The Rambla was originally a small stream flowing just outside

the city walls. In the 16th century convents and a university were built along the river. In the 19th century the city wall was torn down and buildings were erected along the now dried up river.

Day 8: Guell Park • The bench at the Guell Park snakes its way around the edge of a large open-air square. The park was built between 1900 and 1914. Construction of the bench was in the later stages (1910 to 1913). Gaudì is said to have used seated workmen as actual models for the form of the seat.

• Drive to Costa Brava. Dinner in the hotel and stay on the beach for 2 nights

Day 8: Barcelona to Costa Brava

Day 9: Beach Day

Day 10: Barcelona to Home• The flight back

to Chicago

Tentative Dates: June 9th – 18th

Cost: 40-50 participants $3,295

30-39 participants $3,395

20-29 participants $3,650

15-19 participants $3,850

$350 Deposit and Enrollment Form

Adult Participants: $650 Deposit and Enrollment Form

***Make checks payable to Interact Travel

Registration Preference

Juniors-Tuesday, May 10th

Sophomores-Wednesday, May 11th

Freshmen-Thursday, May 12th