Culture & Heritage

Our MadWorld Passport Program events include those described below.

Please note that activities offered each semester vary by availability.


Cooking workshop

Real ingredients and real Spanish food!

Students participate in making popular Spanish dishes such as paella, gazpacho, tortilla de patata, and tarta de Santiago, but the best part is getting to enjoy the culinary creations afterwards!


Flamenco workshop

Flamenco is a type of Spanish dance music characteristic of the Romani people in Andalusia and well known all over the world.

This is your opportunity to learn how to clap in the flamenco style, as well as some basic steps in flamenco dance.


tapasTapas crawl

Our tapas crawl route around the historical center of Madrid will bring students to half a dozen tapas bars where they will sample the house specialty in each.

This insider’s view into Spanish gastronomy will introduce students to local delicacies ranging from croquetas to crispy chicken, salmorejo, and morcilla.


museo-reina-sofiaThe Reina Sofía and other art museums

The Reina Sofía Museum opened its doors to the public in 1990 with a major collection of Spanish and international art covering the period from the late 19th century to the present day. Two years later, Pablo Picasso’s Guernica, the museum’s main attraction, was placed on display.

The Thyssen Museum displays fascinating pieces dating from the Gothic and Renaissance periods, right up to the works of Hopper, Bacon, and Freud. It’s not surprising that these magnificent museums attract millions of visitors every year.


torBullfighting

Bullfighting is a long-held Spanish tradition.

You’ll attend an information session to better understand the ritualistic aspects and symbolism of the fight, then attend a corrida de toros in Las Ventas, Madrid’s stunning Mudéjar bullring.


Royal Palace

The Royal Palace of Madrid, considered one of the most impressive in Europe, is a towering structure with over 250 years of history. It is the official residence of the Spanish Royal Family in the city of Madrid but is only used for state ceremonies. Former home to the Kings of Spain, from Carlos III to Alfonso XIII, Madrid’s beautiful Royal Palace is open to the public.


parlamentoSenate & Parliament: Political walking tour

Join our political science professor on a walking tour that explores Spain’s young democracy, how it works, and what its challenges are. Participants will visit and learn about Madrid’s Senate, Parliament, the place where the socialist party was founded, and the monuments in Retiro Park and Atocha that pay homage to victims of terrorism.


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Escape Room

In case you didn’t know yet, an escape room is a physical adventure game in which players are locked in a room and have to use elements of the room to solve a series of puzzles and escape within a set time limit. You’ll have a blast trying to “escape” with your classmates.