Adventure Tours in Madrid, Spain

I had so much fun in Spain and France. From the food to the locations to the people it was a blast and TFT made sure to guide us and give us the freedom to explore how we wanted. I have such amazing memories and met awesome people from this trip and would love to go again.

I had a lot of fun in Spain in Portugal. I went in knowing no one nervous that I wasn’t gonna meet anyone and not my friends, but I came out with friends that I still talk to, I had a lot of fun. We got to see very cool sites and eat good food and it was very fun.

My trip to Spain and Portugal was incredibly fun. The places we went to and things we saw and activities we did were all very fun and I ended even up enjoying things I thought I wouldn’t like just because the people around me and the environment was so great. The counselors definitely cared about our safety but were still fun and nice. My only complaint is that we didn’t have as much freedom or free time as kids who had done other TFT tours said they had but I understand that it is a safety precaution.

Last summer (2023), I was lucky enough to join a trip with Travel for Teens (TFT) to Spain and Portugal, and it completely changed my perspective on travel—and on life. Experiencing a trip with TFT is a unique kind of love, one that only those who have traveled with this incredible company will truly understand. After my first trip with them, I fell in love with the company, the world, and the connections I made. I knew it wouldn’t be my last. With over 140 trips in more than 40 countries to choose from, Spain and Portugal felt like the perfect choice. From the moment I arrived in Madrid, I knew I was in for something extraordinary. Each day was packed with unforgettable experiences, from wandering through the vibrant streets of Lisbon to kayaking along the cliffs of Lagos. TFT has a way of crafting itineraries that balance adventure, culture, and pure fun like no other. What makes TFT so special is the people. Our counselors weren’t just leaders; they became incredible role models who genuinely cared about us. Their passion and guidance made a lasting impact, and I know they’ll always be there if I need advice or support. But the real magic came from the friendships I formed with the other teens. From the first day, we were encouraged to step out of our comfort zones and truly connect. Through group activities, late-night talks, and shared adventures, we created bonds that feel like they’ve existed forever. The hardest part of a TFT trip is saying goodbye. It’s incredible how just two weeks can feel like a lifetime with people you’ve grown so close to. Leaving always brings tears, but I wouldn’t trade those goodbyes for anything because they’re proof of how meaningful the experience was. TFT, thank you for showing me the world, introducing me to lifelong friends, and giving me memories I’ll cherish forever. You’ll always hold a special place in my heart. Until next summer!

During the summer of 2023 I took a trip to Spain and Portugal with Travel for Teens. We explored many parts of both countries, and a couple stood out above the rest. I vividly remember scuba diving off the coast of Lagos, Portugal with a really fun group of people that I still keep in touch with today. We saw an octopus and it even shot some ink at us as it zoomed away. That day was one of my favorites I have ever had in my life, and it would not have been possible without TFT. Another highlight of the trip was the group of people I got to experience it with. If I had been traveling with my family or on my own I could have still visited the same places, but I wouldn’t have gotten the same experience or the lifelong connections that I ended up with. The nights in my hotel room playing cards and talking with the others on the trip could not be replaced by anything. I would highly recommend taking a trip with TFT, and I am absolutely thrilled that I decided to.

I had the time of my life on this trip! Not only was I able to visit one county I have always dreamed about, I was able to visit 2! Especially at 15, I never thought I would have the opportunity. We visited famous landmarks and ate authentic food all while still having a "native" experience. The counselors felt more like friends, which made the group feel like a tight knit family. I was able to make lasting friendships that I will forever cherish and memories that will last a lifetime! Thank you Travel for Teens!

This was my second year attending a travel for teens trip and I have loved every moment of it. This past trip to Barcelona and Paris was truly an incredible experience that I will never forget. Not only did I love the friendships I made with people who I still talk to to this day but I also just love the opportunities that I was able to have because of this trip. These were two places that I had never been to before and after this trip, I want to go back immediately. I loved how we got to immerse ourselves in the culture of both places while still being able to have fun and experience life away from home. This trip was the perfect balance of learning and gaining new knowledge along with enjoying a relaxing summer and a beautiful country. My favorite thing that we did in Barcelona was the Bike Tour because I loved being able to see a lot of the city at once and learn from a local about the incredible history of the area. While in Paris my favorite thing was visiting the Eiffel Tower and trying all of the incredible food pastries and desserts. The staff was amazing and truly helped make this experience one of a kind, Not only were they light-hearted and funny and kind but they were also intelligent and knew a lot about travel and about different areas, therefore They were able to teach me lots of new great information.

I traveled with Travel for Teens on the Barcelona and Paris Explorer trip for 8 days. This was the best 8 days of my life, it was my second time ever visiting Europe and my first time traveling all by myself. Upon arriving in the airport and meeting with my group, everyone was super friendly and the counselors were super inviting. When we got into the cities it was initially a shock about the authenticity of of our travels. It felt like I was living like a local, being allowed to walk around my my new friends and choose where we want to go, from walking everywhere and taking the public transit it felt like I was authentically experiencing the cultures of these cities. What I took home from this trip was a newfound confidence in myself and my independence. I have also made a lot of lifelong bonds with my peers on the trip.

Upon arriving in Madrid, I already could feel this would be one of my life's different and best months. The trip was full of fun adventures and unique and new experiences. I created bonds with people that I will forever be appreciative of. Every single person I met on this trip left a long-lasting impact on me. I learned lessons of gratitude, Spanish history, and culture, the Spanish language, and the diversity of Spain. The lessons I learned during my time abroad I have taken back to my home with and I will never let them go. I created bonds with people that will last forever. The hardest part of this trip was saying goodbye, not only to the people I had spent my month with but to the many various places I had created lifelong memories.

Upon beginning the program, there are many resources available for my family and I to get all the information I needed. Along with this, we had a personal online helper, which we could email about any questions – I definitely used that to my advantage. Applying for the program was fairly easy through their website. The in country staff was amazing and cooperative with the students along with my personal leaders who were very caring. I made many friendships with a variety of American and Spanish people. The immersion of culture was a quick paced environment, but enjoyable nonetheless. I was able to meet many residents of the village I stayed in, this helped me further my Spanish and push me out of my bubble. I was able to learn many new words and try a variety of different foods. I am so happy to have had this experience!

I left America with one family and returned with two. At the beginning of the trip, my main goal was simply to make friends and lasting memories during the month abroad. Those goals stayed the same throughout, but I left with a deeper love and gratitude for the new people in my life. The group of kids I left the airport with soon became the ones I’d laugh, cry, and experience newfound independence with. We all got lost together, tried new things together, and got homesick together. We occasionally would bicker just like siblings, but it only made us understand each other more. In terms of my host family, I couldn’t have asked for a better one. My sisters saw me as one of their own, and their mother and grandmother were always there to ensure I was comfortable, happy, and loved. While in Spain, I learned the importance of gratitude and how many ways there are to show your love to someone. If I were to do the program again, I can’t think of a better group to do it with.

It was my first time out of the country and I couldn't have asked for a better experience. Being able to experience such a rich culture like Spain's was a dream! Lots of sightseeing and walking tours, so be ready to walk! Homestays were scary to think about at first, I find to now to be one of the most memorable times. Being able to see how Spanish families communicate and live their day to days was really special for me.

During my time in Spain I was deeply immersed in a culture which held little in common with what I had been living my whole life. This allowed to both my mind and my heart to open in ways that could not be possible by staying in the United States forever. The country itself was almost as beautiful as the people living within it who opened their arms to me without a second thought. I was overwhelmed by the mesmerizing scenery, the fascinating history, and the intricate language which filled every street. My group leaders never once failed to give me and the rest of my group anything less than an awesome experience. The in-country partners were just as organized and intelligent, enabling me and my group to receive education and inclusion way beyond what we would ever get as simple tourists. My host family were incredibly kind, caring, and funny, and my time with them flew by. Never did I have doubts or feel unsafe during this trip. Every single aspect and every single detail allowed me to grow and form new appreciation for the world and for life. Because of this trip I now feel as though I have a second home and a second family, neither of which I will ever forget.

As the parent of high school students who have traveled with Global Works as well as another group, I would highly recommend Global Works Study. From the first encounter, asking questions, getting information, navigating the process, etc. it was all simple and detailed. I was able to ask questions and get responses quickly and accurately. Once my son was on the trip, updates were frequent and were written by the students, with photos attached! Flights were easy to book and the group leaders were easy to find at the meeting airport location. Loved that the group leader called us before the trip to introduce herself and ask if we had any questions. My son's (16 years old, going into Junior year of high school) said his favorite part was the homestay...made friends for life!

This was my very first trip with TFT and I have nothing but good things to say about it. The whole trip was well organized and allowed the perfect balance of educational experiences, like bike tours of the city's history, and relaxing activities, like a nice day at the beach. Not only was the trip amazing, but the people were so welcoming and I was able to make lifelong friends. We had the opportunity to try crazy new foods, like escargot, and one of my personal favorites was trying all the different gelato flavors. Definitely a trip I will remember forever!

My Global Works trip was a life changing experience. I went on the Spain Language and Leadership trip. The three week trip was amazing. We formed friendships and learned how to better our global community. Our trip started in Madrid and ended in Barcelona. In between, we visited medieval castles in Segovia and kayaked in Sebucor. We worked on an organic farm in Almuyeas and learned the importance of growing produce with no pesticides, better for the environment and us! We also learned how to make bread, a fun process with a delicious end result. Next we went to the Valencia and learned about how rice patties had destroyed a natural biome of the wetlands. We saw first hand the pollution of the wetlands but did our share to clean up the trash in the water. It may not sound so, but we also had fun. We rewarded ourselves with a dip in the beautiful ocean, which was warm and the color of blue beach glass. The next day, we made traditional Valenciano paella and took a Flamenco dance class. Our trip ended in the beautiful city of Barcelona. We had the amazing opportunity to see a live Flamenco show, which was awesome, especially after having taken a class a few days earlier. The next day we visited the Sagrada Familia, Gaudi's masterpiece, which has been under construction for 128 years, and still not finished. It was stunning and the stained glass windows that reflected color into the Cathedral itself were my favorite part. Between discovering Spain and its incredible culture and food, practicing and improving my Spanish, and meeting new people and making incredible friends, this trip was an experience of a lifetime, one I will cherish and remember forever. I loved my counselors and thought they were great trip leaders, keeping us engaged, informed, immersed in Spanish language and always amused. My group was fantastic and there were lots of hugs and tears at the airport. I can’t wait for my next Global Works trip!

Awesome trip. Had an absolutely fantastic time, meet great people and got to explore some amazing places. My favorite part was the exploring Barcelona on the bike tour. Inspired me to take a Spanish college class.

Travel for Teens will give you an experience like no other program. They truly immerse you in the culture and the society. The counselors are caring and trained for any obstacles that may come. The other travelers are friendly and you are guaranteed to make life long friends.

I absolutely loved going on this trip! It was honestly the experience of a life time. I went with my sister and I had the best time. I had never been to either place or country before, and it was a great introduction. Everything was so organized and I felt so safe and protected, I wasn't scared or nervous at all. Everything activity we did added so much to our experience there. We saw every aspect of each culture and really dived in. We got to experience behind the scenes of peoples lives, much different than if I were to go with my family because we would only see touristy options. Travel for Teens gets the travelers into the real culture. The food was amazing, and it was amazing meeting people my age that were also in love with traveling. I made friends that I still talk to today. It was one of the greatest experiences of my life and I'm so thankful for it!

Overall this was such an amazing experience I'll always cherish with me. I've gotten to make new friendships with people I never knew before the trip. The homestay experience was integral to the cultural immersion, and it was an experience I'll never forget. At times there were random itinerary changes, which was sometimes frustrating. Regardless, this was truly a trip I'd do over again if i had the chance to.