Benalmádena Language Immersion (Spain)

Flight to Málaga or Madrid

On arrival, board the coach to your school in Benalmádena. Meet the host families with whom you will be staying during your immersion trip. Dine with your assigned families, as every evening, and take advantage of the evening to discuss your cultures and interests, or to do any other activities offered by the families. You will also be able to enjoy some free time to rest or to study what you will learn in your Spanish lessons.

Have breakfast with your host families before going to your language school. In the morning, attend your first Spanish lesson at destination. You will then have the chance to take a cooking class to learn how to make a staple of Spanish cuisine, paella, which you can enjoy for lunch! The rest of the afternoon will be free, you can discover the surroundings of the school or return to your family to relax. Dinner with your family in the evening. You will have to adapt a bit for meal times, the Spaniards have lunch around 2 p.m. and dinner around 8 p.m.

Today, in addition to your Spanish lessons from 9:30 am to 1:30 pm, go on an afternoon adventure. Take a trip to Malaga by train and discover a vibrant port city, the capital of the “Costa del Sol” of the Mediterranean. Visit the Cathedral of the Incarnation which presents a curious mix of styles. As one of its towers remains unfinished, locals have nicknamed the cathedral “La Manquita” (The Manchot). Also explore the birthplace of Picasso, where he spent his childhood. Since 1988, this house has belonged to the city of Malaga and is home to the headquarters of the Pablo Ruiz Picasso Foundation, which works to preserve the heritage of the famous painter. Return to your host families in the early evening.

After your Spanish lessons, take an excursion to Benalmádena and Mijas by coach. Visit the beautiful coastal town of Benalmádena, once a quiet fishing village that is now a bustling town. Explore the old town located inside the municipality: Benalmádena Pueblo, a typical Andalusian village at the foot of the mountain. Also see Mijas, a charming little town nearby which will offer you wonderful landscapes. Go back to your families for dinner.

In the morning, pursue your Spanish lessons. After lunch, immerse yourself in Spanish culture through a Flamenco class. Flamenco is a dance that originated in 18th century Andalusia and consists of a complete style of dance, song, music, facial expressions and even clothing. This art mixes cultural influences from the region and is constantly evolving. Learn the basics and have fun! Return to the families for dinner.

Have a nice breakfast with your families and go to your Spanish lessons. In the afternoon, enjoy free time at the beach in Torremolinos, which can be reached by public transport. The Alboran Sea, the western part of the Mediterranean, welcomes you with its salt water and fine, warm sand. Pleasure and relaxation await you. Return to your families for dinner at the end of the day.

In the morning, meet at your language school for a departure to an excursion to Seville by coach. Explore one of the country’s most important cities, the cultural, economic and political heart of Andalusia. City of light, its historical and artistic heritage makes Seville one of the most popular tourist destinations in Europe. Visit the Cathedral of Our Lady of the See, one of the largest in the world and the largest in Spain. Gothic in style, the cathedral is a spectacular monument that houses a number of works and several burials, including that of Christopher Columbus, the famous Spanish explorer. The Giralda, a former minaret of the mosque that was built where the cathedral was erected, now serves as a bell tower and reminds us of the history of this place. Also visit the Alcazar of Seville, a fortified royal palace that is the work of centuries of architecture. Until recently, the royal family still used part of this complex, which was the residence of the Spanish kings for almost seven centuries. Go and discover it! Return to Benalmádena at the end of the day.

This morning, get ready for another day of touring. Set off for Granada and discover a city shaped since ancient times by many peoples: the Iberians, Romans, Muslims and a coalition of Christian states. Explore the Alhambra, modified during the different reigns to find today monuments of Islamic architecture such as palaces, fortresses, gardens, fountains and more. In this fortified city, discover in particular the Generalife, a palace which served as summer residence to the Nasrid rulers whose name means: “garden of the supreme paradise”. At the Alhambra, you will be transported between dream and reality in a surprising and majestic setting in Europe. Return to your families at the end of the day for a last dinner in their company. Take advantage of your last evening with them to share about your immersion experience.

Flight back home.