Description

Enjoy a complete immersion Spanish Weekend Course in the 'City of the Admirals', in the heart of Castilla y León. By combining Spanish language lessons, cinema workshops, serveral visits to places still much unknown to mass tourism with good food and good company, your hosts will make every effort to make your stay enjoyable. During the whole stay you are encouraged and motivated to exclusively converse in Spanish :-)

Although situated some 200km from the nearest seaside, Medina de Rioseco became headquarters of the Admirals of the Castilian kingdom in 1424. A small and lively medieval town with 5,000 inhabitants, Rioseco maintains the beautiful arcades in the narrow main street, boasts 3 fine churches (from 15/16th cent.) and 3 of the gates of the once fortified city: Ajujar (late 12th early 13th cent.), Zamora (16th cent.) and San Sebastian (mid 16th cent.). In Rioseco you may wish to visit the Holy Easter Week Museum (Museum de Semana Santa) that explains you all about this beautiful tradition, the Museum of San Francisco, which has an impressive arts collection (17th cent ivory, 16-18th century sculptures and Flemish paintings. Also, a visit of the flour factory 'San Antonio' (19th cent.) is well worth a visit.With a good range of bars, cafes and restaurants (and a leisure centre) Medina de Rioseco has something to offer to everyone. Rioseco is situated just 15mins from Valladolid Airport (3 weekly flights by Ryanair from Stansted Airport, also direct flights from Dusseldorf, Paris, Brussels, Milan (Bergamo) and Barcelona).

Near Medina de Rioseco is the historic city Valladolid, once a capital city of Spain, and home to Cervantes and Christopher Columbus, Valladolid attracts visitors form all over the world for its history, art, culture and pure language. The many modern buildings and the University of Valladolid, gives it a young and dynamic flair without loosing the peaceful atmosphere of a provincial town.

Apart from its many bars, restaurants, cathedrals, Medina de Rioseco also has a heated indoor pool, tennis courts, paddel courts and you can rent bicycles/canoes during the summer months. You can also go on a scenic boat trip on the canal of Castile.

SAMPLE itinerary for guests arriving from London Stansted (times and visits may change)  

(Please note that you may also fly to Madrid and then make your way by bus or the fast train (AVE) to Valladolid/Medina de Rioseco)

Itinerary
Saturday:

11.35                      Arrival to Valladolid; transfer from Valladolid airport to Medina de Rioseco

12.45                      Guided tour around the old town; coffee in the famous bar 'Cubero'

14.30                      Homecooked lunch with your hosts

16.00 - 18.00           Free time (you can have a siesta or you can either walk/cycle along the canal,

                              do a bit of shopping or just relax with a good book...) 

18.00 - 20.00           Spanish workshop based on grammar and Spanish culture/customs  

Evening                   Free 

Sunday: 

09.00 - 09.30             Breakfast

10.30 - 17.30             Visit Valladolid by bus, (Casa de Cervantes, Cathedral, University, Plaza Mayor); you will have time for lunch

                               (not  included in course price)

20.00 - 21.00            Dinner with your hosts

21.00 - 22.30            Spanish movie

Monday