Cangas de Onís, Asturias	Plaza de Santa Ana, Madrid

Tentative 2010 itinerary

June 29th	Program starts in Madrid (planned activities include a panoramic tour, visits to the Royal Palace and the Prado and Reina Sofía art museums, a flamenco show and a day trip to the nearby city of Toledo)
July 4th	Transfer to Oviedo
July 5th	Placement and First Day of Classes
July  30th	Last Day of Classes
July 31st	Transfer to Madrid
August 2nd	Program ends

The Links page gives you access to more information about the places we will visit.

Madrid
The contrasts between narrow winding streets, broad tree-lined boulevards and new skyscrapers attest to the ways in which Madrid has never lost sight of its past while quickly evolving into one of Europe's most modern and dynamic capital cities. A city of three million inhabitants, Madrid boasts a vibrant cultural scene (including 3 world-class art museums* within a mile of each other), a modern infrastructure and an increasingly diverse local population. The madrileños tend to spend more of their days and nights than their American and northern European counterparts in the streets enjoying their warm (often very hot in the summer) climate and each other's company.

(*The Prado, the Reina Sofía and the Thyssen-Bornemisza)

While in Madrid, accommodations will be in double or triple rooms at a centrally located hotel. Breakfast and one other meal (lunch or dinner, according to each day's activities) will be provided. Group excursions and academic activities aim to provide a meaningful introduction to Madrid and Spain, but students are encouraged to use their ample free time to explore the city in small groups in order that they may begin to make Spain "theirs."



Oviedo, capital of the Principality of Asturias, lies approximately five hours north of Madrid and sits at the foot of the Monte del Naranco from which 9th-century pre-Romanesque structures preside over a modern city of approximately 200,000 inhabitants.  Summers in Asturias are moderate compared with much of Spain. The beaches of the port city of Gijón (pop. 270,000) and the mountains of the Picos de Europa National Park are within easy reach. Asturias is known for its Celtic music (bagpipes and all!), varied cuisine (seafood, fresh produce and hearty meats and stews) and lush green countryside. In spite of these attractions, the program site is still relatively free of the masses of tourists and U.S. students that often characterize better known Spanish cities and universities.

Students will be living with families in Oviedo in order to get a better sense of daily life. Students should continue to use their free time to explore both the city and the surrounding region. The larger city of Gijón is thirty minutes away by frequent train and bus service and features several clean and popular beaches. The University of Oviedo will sponsor three day trips (announced upon arrival) to areas within or close to Asturias. See the Homestay page for information and advice about living with families.