Day by Day Itinerary

Day 1 – Departure Day

Depart the U.S. on an overnight flight to Europe. Students and teachers begin a shared journey centered on music as cultural expression, art as storytelling, language immersion, and identity across borders. This program is designed to go beyond sightseeing, offering meaningful opportunities to engage with history, creativity, and global connection through performance and the arts.

Day 2 – Arrival in Paris & Seine River Cruise

Arrive in Paris, one of the world’s great cultural capitals. Upon arrival, the group meets the local Program Director and transfers to the hotel. After time to settle in, head out on a walking orientation, gaining an initial sense of Parisian life, architecture, and neighborhood culture.

In the evening, gather for a welcome dinner, followed by a Seine River cruise. As the group glides past illuminated landmarks such as Notre Dame, the Louvre, and the Eiffel Tower, participants begin to understand how geography, history, and creativity intersect in shaping the city.

Day 3 – Art, Impressionism & Paris by Night

Begin the day with a guided walk through the Notre Dame area, exploring the historic heart of Paris. The group examines Gothic architecture, public space, and the role of religion and art in shaping European cities over time.

In the afternoon, take part in an interactive painting workshop, exploring Impressionist techniques. This hands-on experience is followed by a visit to the Musée d’Orsay, where the group views original works by artists such as Monet, Degas, and Van Gogh, connecting creative practice with historical context.

After dinner, visit the Montparnasse Tower for panoramic nighttime views of Paris, offering perspective on the city’s layout and the neighborhoods that have long inspired artists, writers, and musicians.

Day 4 – Little Africa, Performance & Montmartre

Begin the morning in La Goutte d’Or (Little Africa), a neighborhood shaped by immigration from West and North Africa. The group visits a fabric store and local market, learning how textiles, food, music, and language reflect cultural heritage, migration, and identity in modern Paris.

Later in the day, the group presents a singing performance (venue to be confirmed, with efforts to arrange a community or church setting such as an African Gospel Church). This performance serves as a cultural exchange, highlighting music’s ability to connect people across backgrounds and languages.

In the afternoon, explore Montmartre, beginning in the lower neighborhood to trace the history of Black artists and musicians during the 1920s. The group learns about the Jazz Age in Paris, including the influence of African American musicians such as the Harlem Hellfighters, before continuing to upper Montmartre and its legacy as a center for artistic experimentation.

Day 5 – Travel to Madrid, Old Town & Paella Cooking Class

Fly to Madrid, Spain’s capital and political heart. After transferring to the hotel, head out for a guided walking tour of Old Madrid, exploring historic plazas, royal landmarks, and neighborhood streets that reveal the city’s layered past and present-day life.

In the evening, take part in a paella cooking class, where the group learns about Spanish ingredients, regional traditions, and the cultural importance of shared meals. Preparing and enjoying dinner together reinforces food’s role in community and cultural expression.

Day 6 – Prado Museum, Performance & Real Madrid Stadium

Begin the morning at the Prado Museum, home to one of the world’s most important art collections. The group explores works by artists such as Velázquez and Goya, discussing how art reflects political power, social values, and national identity in Spain. Connections are drawn between visual art, storytelling, and musical expression.

In the afternoon, visit Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, home of Real Madrid, to explore the role of sport in Spanish culture. The visit highlights how soccer functions as a source of national pride, global connection, and shared identity.

Later, the group takes center stage with a singing performance (venue to be confirmed), sharing their voices with a local audience and experiencing how performance can transcend language and cultural boundaries.

Day 7 – Toledo Excursion & Farewell Tapas Dinner

Travel to Toledo, a city known for centuries of Christian, Jewish, and Muslim coexistence. As the group explores historic streets and landmarks, participants examine how architecture, language, and art reflect cultural exchange and shared history. Toledo offers a powerful lens through which to understand collaboration, conflict, and coexistence over time.

Return to Madrid in the evening for a farewell tapas dinner, celebrating performances, creative growth, and the relationships formed throughout the journey.

Day 8 – Return Home

Transfer to the airport for the flight home. Students and teachers return with strengthened confidence, artistic inspiration, and a deeper understanding of how music, art, language, and culture connect across borders, carrying these perspectives back into their classrooms and communities.