Throughout Andalusia, Moorish palaces jostle for space with Gothic cathedrals, reminding southern Spaniards as well as your students of the diverse religious forces that shaped the history and culture of this region. The Great Mosque of Cordoba and Granada’s famous Alhambra glitter with Arabic ornamentation, while Seville’s immense cathedral draws Catholic pilgrims from all over the world. Andalucia’s geography is as varied as its history: the Sierra Nevada, the Costa del Sol, and over twenty nature reserves provide endless fun for outdoor enthusiasts.

Not afraid to wear her “art” on her sleeve, Barcelona enchants visitors with rambunctious architecture and avant-garde style. Across the city, buildings and parks flaunt the influence of the world’s most famous Moderniste artists.

Capital of Spain and home to the Royal Family, the city of Madrid thrives on modernity even as it bears the legacy of bygone Bourbon power. Explore the famed Palacio Real and nearby El Escorial for a taste of luxury, or revel in the rhythm of daily life at the Plaza Mayor and the parque del buen Retiro.