Spring Break Adventure Recap
Aimee Gonzalez and Kylie Peavey
Day One
We departed Boston right on time at 7:20 a.m. EST and enjoyed a smooth flight to Paris for our layover. Things got a little hectic afterward as we had to hustle to make our connecting flight—but thanks to some great timing (and a little luck!), the plane was held for us. We arrived safely in beautiful Barcelona! We visited Montjuïc, the 1992 Olympic Stadium, and explored Las Ramblas.
The weather has been absolutely perfect—clear blue skies and just the right temperature. We even had a chance to dip our toes into the sparkling Mediterranean Sea. Despite some jet lag and a bit of sleep deprivation, the day was filled with laughter, unforgettable memories, breathtaking scenery, and rich history.
Here are two reflections from Caroline and Alex!
Caroline: “After taking a walking tour of Las Ramblas, a street in Spain known for its many shops, we were given around two hours of shopping time. After a much needed Gelato break we all headed to a nearby tourist shop. Soon, some of us started trying on sunglasses, and not long after nearly everyone joined, including me. This was really fun to explore and learn about a foreign country and have fun with my friends! “
Alex: “It was cool seeing all the monuments that we saw. I also liked that we had time to get souvenirs.”
And now, everyone is safely settled into their hotel rooms planning to get a wonderful night’s sleep!
Day Two
Our first full day in Barcelona was absolutely incredible! We began with a delicious breakfast before setting out to explore the breathtaking architectural legacy of Antoni Gaudí. Our first stop was Park Güell, where students were amazed by the colorful mosaics and whimsical structures. If you have a chance, I highly recommend reading up on Gaudí’s profound influence on Catalan culture—it’s truly fascinating!
Next, we visited the iconic Sagrada Família. We took a detailed tour of the basilica, which has been under construction since the 1880s. The stained glass windows and intricate interior left the students completely speechless—it was a truly moving experience.
In the afternoon, students had some free time to explore the local streets and enjoy a bit of shopping. We wrapped up the day with a delicious group dinner and lots of happy memories.
Everyone is doing great and having a wonderful time!
The students were all too tired to write much, but from what we overheard, it was another great day!
Day Three
Our final full day in Barcelona was truly one to remember! Although the adventure is beginning to catch up with the students, they still had an incredible day filled with unforgettable experiences. We began in the Gothic Quarter, where students took a 45-minute guided walking tour. Afterward, they split into small groups with maps in hand and completed a scavenger hunt. Along the way, they discovered the Roman roots of the city—sneaking a look through a window at underground ruins and marveling at ancient columns still standing from as far back as 10 BC. It was absolutely fascinating!
No matter which language your student studies, almost everyone rose to the challenge of ordering in Spanish today—it made for a fun and rewarding experience!
Later, we had the unique opportunity to take part in a paella cooking class with a Spanish chef. It was, to say the least, amazing. Each student played a role in preparing a traditional Spanish tortilla—not the kind made of flour or corn, but a delicious egg and potato dish, sliced and served over bread with tomato and olive oil, a staple in Mediterranean cuisine.
We cooked two types of paella: chicken and vegetarian. Students learned how to time each ingredient perfectly, when to season, and how to reduce tomatoes into sauce before adding the rice and stock. It was a delicious, hands-on experience that they’ll remember for years to come!
To top it off, the restaurant owner personally commented on how kind and well-behaved the group was—such a proud moment!
Tomorrow, we’re up bright and early as we prepare to head to our next exciting destination: Paris! We’ll travel by train and spend the afternoon exploring the Latin Quarter.
Here are a few student reflections from yesterday and today:
Rena: “Today we had a long but super fun day. We went to the gothic quarter and cooked with chefs. By far my favorite thing was being on the winning team of a scavenger we did in the gothic quarter, our prize was this magnet with Barcelona landmarks. One of my favorite things from the scavenger hunt was seeing the ancient roman pillars.“
Abigail: “We started off the day meeting up with our tour guides and then going to park güell. It was really fun getting to see all of the interesting architecture and learning all about Gaudy and what went into making the park. After that, we went to La Sagrada Família. It was incredible to see and get to go inside and look and the stained glass and hear all about the symbolism in the different features of the church. We also got to go shopping in the center of Barça, which was also really fun. All in all, today was a great experience and I can’t wait to explore more tomorrow!”
Coop: “Today was an exciting day. We woke up, ate breakfast, and toured the gothic quarter, the oldest part of Barcelona. Then we went to a Taste of Spain cooking class and learned how to cook old Spanish. This was interesting to learn about the culture of the area. We cooked paella and a traditional snack consisting of tomato and bread. Then we had free time and explored the shops around Las Ramblas and finished with dinner at the Chicken Bar. Tonight we bought food at the supermarkets for tomorrow’s long and early train ride. We have to get up at 5:00 am! All in all this was a great day.”
Adiós, Barcelona—¡gracias por los recuerdos!
Day Four
Today, we boarded the fantastic TGV train and traveled through the Pyrenees and southern France. The views were breathtaking—we passed animals grazing, charming châteaux, rolling countryside, and quaint villages, all flying by as we sped from Barcelona to Paris.
Upon arriving in Paris, we jumped right into exploring the Latin Quarter. Students discovered more Roman-era ruins, admired the statue of Charlemagne, and visited the iconic Notre-Dame Cathedral. As this is the first Holy Week since the tragic 2019 fire, we weren’t able to go inside. Still, standing before the cathedral and taking in its grandeur was a moving and memorable experience.
To end the day, we enjoyed a delicious Parisian dinner: Bœuf Bourguignon, Gratin Dauphinois, fresh bread, and crème brûlée. It was the perfect welcome to France!
Now we’re settling into our hotel for some well-earned rest—tomorrow is a busy one!
Day Five
Wow—what an absolutely incredible day we’ve had! We started our morning with a delicious French breakfast: cheeses, fresh fruits, classic pastries, and, of course, great coffee. Then it was off to Paris for a full day of adventure!
Our first stop was a guided bus tour of the city’s most iconic landmarks. We got up close to the Eiffel Tower, drove around the impressive Arc de Triomphe, and enjoyed a café and croissant break near Les Invalides. From there, we headed to the magnificent Palace of Versailles, where students had the chance to explore the opulent halls and beautiful gardens—truly a memorable experience.
In the evening, we enjoyed a scenic cruise along the Seine River, taking in breathtaking views of this beautiful city from the water. After the cruise, we shared a lovely dinner together and finished the night with a bit of shopping.
We’re soaking up every moment and looking forward to one more exciting day on tour.
À bientôt
Day Six
Today was our final day in Paris, and it couldn’t have been more special. We began with an unforgettable visit to Montmartre. Many of us (some walking, some running!) made our way up the famous steps to take in the beauty of Sacré-Cœur. The view of Paris from this historic hill—the only one in the city—was absolutely stunning.
A few adventurous students joined Ms. G. in climbing all the way to the top of the Sacré-Cœur dome—about 300 steps up a narrow spiral stone staircase! The panoramic view from the top took our breath away.
Afterward, we enjoyed a lovely lunch before heading to a traditional perfume workshop. Students learned about the art of French perfume-making at a historic factory founded in 1926 by Eugène Fuchs, originally located in Grasse, the perfume capital of France.
We ended our amazing day—and our trip—with a visit to the Louvre. Exploring the museum’s treasures was the perfect way to wrap up this incredible journey.
Below are a few student reflections from today!
Carter: “I had so much fun today! We went to Sacre Cœur and I climbed up the chapel! I could see the whole entire city of Paris! We went to the Louvre and a perfume factory! Everything was amazing. I am quite tired now.
Emelia: “Today we had breakfast, and got right into it. First we went to the Sacre Coeur, which was super pretty on the inside and out, with hundreds of candles on the inside. One group got to go to the top of the church, and the other group, which I was in, went to a super delicious crêpe restaurant. We met back up, and walked around the great Montmartre. Lunch was great, it was a flatbread sorta thing, with different toppings on it. Next was the Louvre.We got to see the Mona Lisa! We explored, and went a bit of shopping, and went home. Goodbye Paris.
Anna: “Today we began at the Sacre Coeur, a beautiful church at the top of the only hill in paris. Some of us climbed all the way to the top of the cathedral tower and got to see an incredible view of Paris. After lunch, we got to take a tour of the Fragonard perfume museum and learned a lot of interesting facts about how perfume Is made. Then we went to the Louvre museum and got to see a lot of incredible famous pieces of art. It was an incredible experience to be able to go there (even though we were all a bit tired afterwards). It has been an incredible experience being able to visit both Paris and Barcelona and it is a bittersweet moment to be heading home tomorrow, but I can’t wait to tell you about all the amazing things we’ve done here that I will never forget.”
