An Unforgettable Experience Awaits
This vibrant city pulsates with life, and groups on a cross-curricular school trip to Madrid get enthused by its art, culture, food and language.
Trip Highlights
Over-the-top opulence at Palacio Real
Tour of Bernabéu Football Stadium
The Prado
Thrilling rides at Warner Brothers Theme Park
Recommended excursions
Palacio Real
The Royal Palace awes visitors with its sheer size and monumental presence. It was commissioned in the early 18th century by Felipe V, who was inspired by his childhood at Versailles with his grandfather Louis XIV. Inside, 2,800 rooms compete with each other for over-the-top opulence. The guided tour winds a mile-long path through its highlights.
Plaza Mayor
This large city square, surrounded by a huge building, was built in 1619 at the behest of Philip II as part of his plan to make Madrid the capital of Spain. It has been the site of executions, tournaments, weddings, bullfights and Inquisition trials. Nowadays it is home to cafés, bars, restaurants and shops selling antiques, coins, and military memorabilia.
Museo del Prado
The main Spanish national art museum has one of the world’s finest collections of European art, from the 12th century to the early 19th century, based on the former Spanish Royal Collection. As well as works by Hieronymous Bosch, Rembrandt and Boticelli, students can view the best single collection of Spanish art, including many works by Francisco de Goya.
Bernabéu Football Stadium Tour
Visit the 85,0000-seater home of legendary football club Real Madrid for a look behind the scenes. Students can walk in the steps of the players, from the tunnel to the locker rooms, the bench, the pitch and even the presidential box. The tour ends with a visit to the new museum and a look at some footballing artefacts that bring the club’s history to life.
Museo Reina Sofía
Dedicated to 20th century Spanish art, the biggest draw of this museum is Picasso’s Guernica, shown with preparatory sketches and photographs of the artist at work. This exhibit gives students an appreciation of how artists create their work and respond to the world around them. Dalí, Miró, and others are also represented in film, sculpture and photographs.
Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza
Completing the ‘Golden Triangle’ of art museums in Madrid – along with the Prado and Reina Sofía museums – this one focuses on the works the others neglect. From early Italian paintings to contemporary European and American works, students can explore and draw inspiration from these fine examples of art that will aid their studies enormously.
Las Ventas Bullring
Las Ventas is the home of bullfighting in Spain. On a guided tour, students can experience the emotions that might be felt by a bullfighter or a member of the public, visiting the patio de cuadrillas (where the bullfighters wait before the event), the patio de arrastre – where the bull is taken after the fight – the main gate, the ring itself and the stands.
Toledo
This beautiful city, on the River Tajo was the seat of the Spanish court until its 16th-century move to Madrid. During the 13th century, it became one of the few places in Spain where Moors, Christians and Jews managed to live together and tolerate each other more or less peacefully. Students can admire the remains of churches, mosques and synagogues built over the centuries.
Segovia
With its famous Roman aqueduct and fairytale-castle Alcázar – rumoured to have inspired the castle in Disney’s Sleeping Beauty – Segovia makes a most interesting day trip from Madrid. The soaring aqueduct is two thousand years old and still in immaculate condition.
Warner Brothers Theme Park
This massive park is divided into five themed areas. Hollywood Boulevard is the home of the stars while Movie World Studios has live shows with shoot-outs, chases and explosions. The Superheroes World area is the place for action and thrilling rides, and there’s also Cartoon Village and the Old West Territory with wooden roller coasters and wild waterfalls (seasonal). Photo © FDV.
The Race for Time – E3 City Trail
The Race for Time trail is a teacher-led, self-guided city tour showcasing top landmarks. Fun activities along the way promote teamwork and dynamic thinking, turning a normal walk into a sightseeing adventure! Each trail pack includes comprehensive teacher’s notes and a risk assessment document (MFL and Enrichment version available).
Bike Scavenger Hunt – Retiro Park Madrid
Enjoy an off-road scavenger hunt on bikes in Madrid’s famous Retiro Park. Discover the history and become an expert on the park through a series of fun activities and challenges. Puzzle-solving, socializing, and team spirit are key to this activity. Bikes, guide, helmets and a bottle of water are included for each participant.
Typical accommodation
Hostal Marlasca ★★
Why groups like it:
- Central location, a 10-minute walk from Thyssen-Bornemisza, the Prado Museum and the Chueca District
- Four metro stations are within a five-minute walk away
- Air-conditioning for the warm Spanish evenings
Facilities
- Private bathroom
- TV in room
- Lift and free Wi-Fi access
Hotel Mediodia ★★
Why groups like it:
- Five minutes’ walk from El Retiro Park and 100m from Atocha station and the Reina Sofia museum
- The Prado Museum and Thyssen are 800m away
Facilities
- Air-conditioning
- Free Wi-Fi access
- TV in rooms and a lift
Itinerary suggestion
1 Flight to Madrid – about 2.25 hours
2 Coach transfer to your accommodation included
3 Own evening sightseeing (flight time permitting) – evening meal
1 Breakfast
2 City sightseeing – we suggest the Royal Palace, Plaza Mayor and Museo del Prado
3 Evening meal
1 Breakfast
2 City sightseeing – we suggest the Bernabéu football stadium and the Museo Reina Sofia
3 We suggest a Flamenco evening – evening meal
1 Breakfast
2 Shopping in the Gran Via (flight time permitting)
3 Coach transfer to the airport
4 Flight to the UK
Learning outcomes
Subject focus
Students can:
- Experience learning outside the classroom in another country – the language, culture, history, geography and art
- Practise speaking a foreign language
- Build confidence and learn to value the skills and techniques needed for personal and team success
- Broaden the mind through the study of another culture
- Discover, explore and have fun with fellow students and teachers
Student outcomes
Students will have had an opportunity to:
- Visit a foreign country and experience another languages and culture
- Understand more about Spanish history, art and architecture
- Gain independence and self-confidence
- Strengthen existing friendships and make new friends
- Understand personal organisation, co-operating and working with others in a variety of environments
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