EUROPE FOR OLDER TEENS
MEDITERRANEAN WANDERLUST
Barcelona, Paris & Rome
Three countries, three cultures, one unforgettable adventure. Designed for older teens ages 16–19, this epic summer journey takes you through the best of Barcelona, Paris and Rome on one incredible adventure abroad.
Program Overview
Make the most of your summer by visiting three exciting countries marked by Mediterranean influence: Italy, France and Spain. Begin in Barcelona, the vibrant capital of Catalonia, where Gaudí’s masterpieces like Park Güell and the Sagrada Familia inspire awe, and where you’ll dive into Spanish culture by cooking signature dishes with a local chef. Continue to Paris to experience iconic sites such as the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre, then step off the beaten path on a graffiti tour through hidden neighborhoods and indulge in the city’s world-famous culinary delights, from croissants to chocolate. Conclude your adventure in Italy, where timeless beauty and history await in every city, culminating in Rome, where ancient wonders like the Colosseum, Roman Forum and Vatican City blend seamlessly with the modern energy of Italy’s heart and soul.
On GLA’s Europe For Older Teens: Mediterranean Wanderlust program you will:
- Explore Park Güell and Sagrada Familia, Barcelona’s architectural masterpieces
- Take a cooking class and prepare your own signature Spanish dishes with a local chef
- Climb the Eiffel Tower and delight yourself with the colorful sunset
- Take a selfie with the Mona Lisa at the Louvre Museum
- Create your own French perfume at a private atelier du parfum
- Visit Vatican City and discover the history of this magnificent site
- Wander the awe-inspiring Colosseum and toss a coin into the iconic Trevi Fountain
Program Menu
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MEDITERRANEAN WANDERLUST
Sample Itinerary
Let’s take a sneak peek at what your program experience might look like this summer! Please note that the order of activities may differ for each program session. The details provided here represent a general outline of what you can anticipate, though community service projects and activities are subject to change based on the needs of our local community partners, cultural celebrations and traditions, weather conditions and the specific requirements of the student group.
Day 1: Arrival
Welcome to Barcelona! Our GLA staff will meet you in the Barcelona airport arrivals terminal wearing their GLA t-shirts. We will spend this first day settling into our first Home Base and building connections with fellow travelers. Before we sleep off our jetlag, we will enjoy a local welcome dinner.
Days 2-4: Exploring Barcelona
Start your Mediterranean adventure with breakfast and orientation, meeting fellow travelers and GLA staff. Explore Barcelona on a walking tour of the Gothic Quarter, visit Park Güell, and admire the Sagrada Familia. End the day with a private cooking class, learning local flavors and techniques from a Barcelona chef.
Day 5: Barcelona to Paris
Hop aboard a high-speed train as we say “adiós” to Barcelona and head to the City of Light! Today’s about travel, put your global skills to use navigating train stations and crossing from Spain into France. Then, relax by the window as the scenery shifts from the Mediterranean coast to southern France’s rolling hills before arriving in iconic Paris.
Days 6-8: Paris, The City of Light
Paris, the city of lights, romance, museums, and macaroons! Start with stunning views of the Eiffel Tower from the Trocadéro steps and climb to the second level for a breathtaking panorama. Explore the Louvre and see the Mona Lisa up close, wander Montmartre’s charming streets, and take a day trip to Versailles, biking through its gardens. Connect with a local organization supporting vulnerable communities, then end your adventure at a French atelier by creating a personalized fragrance to treasure forever.
Days 9-11: When in Rome…
From Paris to Rome, dive into a walking food tour, savoring Italian flavors and gelato. Explore Vatican City, the Colosseum, and Roman Forum, then try your hand at a pizza-making class. Snap photos at the Trevi Fountain and Spanish Steps, enjoy some downtime, and dine like locals at cozy Italian restaurants.
Day 12: Departure
Before we know it, our Mediterranean adventure will come to an end. Head to the airport with incredible memories, new friends and confidence that will last a lifetime!
GLA staff will accompany you to the airport and assist with check-in. As you settle into your seat for the journey home, reflect on the sights, people and places you experienced. We’ll see you on your next adventure!
Program Map
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MEDITERRANEAN WANDERLUST
Community Service
While this program spans multiple countries and emphasizes travel, learning and immersion, meaningful community service is at the heart of every GLA program. In this program, you’ll lend a hand to a community or organization in need. This could involve an environmental project, assisting at a food pantry or kitchen, or partnering with a local group to support a community initiative. We will select a service project that aligns with the community’s needs as the program session approaches.
Hands-on Learning
In each city you visit, the opportunities to explore and learn are endless. In Barcelona, learn about Gaudí’s architectural masterpieces and prepare your own signature Spanish dishes. Discover why Paris is called the City of Light as you explore the streets along the River Seine. In Rome, step into history as you uncover the stories behind the Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Vatican City, gaining insight into the civilizations that shaped the modern world.
Adventure
Travel the European continent by high-speed trains, moving from one mesmerizing city to the next. Go to the beach in Barcelona and relax in the warm waters of the Mediterranean. Climb the Eiffel Tower and enjoy the colorful sunset. Explore Rome, where ancient wonders blend seamlessly with modern energy, as you walk through world-renowned sites like the Colosseum, Roman Forum and Vatican City.
Lodging & Meals
Students will have various Home Bases throughout the program due to its travel-focused nature, including youth hostels and hotel blocks. Youth hostels offer dorm-style accommodations with AC, en-suite bathrooms and common areas. All hotels are 3-star, featuring en-suite bathrooms, AC and rooms with 2-6 beds.
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MEDITERRANEAN WANDERLUST
Dates & Tuition
12-Day Program
2026 Session Dates
July 09 – July 20, 2026
Program Details
Tuition Includes All In-Country Expenses
Airport pick-up/drop-off
In-country transportation
Lodging
3 meals per day
Professional full-time staff and experts
24/7 parent support hotline during program
Secondary medical and evacuation insurance
Cultural activities, lectures and excursions
Pre-departure materials and support
Educational materials
An application fee and $600 deposit are required
to hold your spot on-program.
Backed by our 5-Point Safety System™
GLA HOME BASE:
SAFE & SECURE LODGING
CARING SUPERVISION &
EXPERT LOCAL KNOWLEDGE
SAFE
TRANSPORTATION
HEALTHY FOOD
& PURE WATER
24/7 SUPPORT &
EMERGENCY RESPONSE
Recommended by Students and Parents
“It’s a saying that you can’t truly understand something unless you were there. That is absolutely acurate for a GLA trip. Any story I tell or any memory I recall will never fully describe the connections and learning tools I took away from this trip. The lifelong connections and the countless memories will live on in my heart forever.”
Anslee K. | Student | 2024
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