Note: This adventure has postponed indefinitely.

Visit Spain—a prosperous and congenial modern country! David Ringrose ’60, history professor emeritus at the University of California-San Diego, will provide background on Spain’s difficult path from an imperialist country to a modern one. Al Montero, Carleton professor of political science, will talk about the country’s remarkable transition from the poverty of the Franco years to its current prosperity. Along the way we will visit both familiar and lesser known parts of Spain, including the verdant northern coast, the Rioja wine country (in addition to its wineries), the 16th–century cathedral in Leon, and historic Madrid, while also taking in some spectacular modern architecture.

FACULTY

Al Montero is an associate professor of political science and international relations and director of the political economy concentration at Carleton. He has been at Carleton since 1998. Prof. Montero has been researching and traveling to Spain every year since 1994, the same year he met his wife, Mar Valdecantos, a native madrileña. He has published a book on Spanish political economy and several articles on the politics of Spain’s regional system (el Estado de las Autonomías), a centerpiece of Spanish political life throughout history and most notably in the democratic era (1978-present). Prof. Montero has conducted extensive fieldwork in virtually all of the regions of Spain, and especially the most complex nationalist regions of Catalonia, the Basque Country, and Galicia.

David Ringrose '60 has taught Spanish and World History at the University of California, San Diego for over thirty years. He has published eight books on Spanish history. He and his wife, Kathryn (Mackay, class of 1960) Ringrose, have lived a total of five years in Spain since their first visit in 1963. Their second son was born in Madrid and their first son, now also a professor of history, graduated from Carleton in 1988.

GROUP SIZE AND PRICING

• $4800 per person double occupancy for a group of 15-19 travelers
• $4250 per person double occupancy for a group of 20-24 travelers
• $4000 per person double occupancy for a group of 25 travelers
• For a group of 10-14 travelers, we will see if the travelers are interested in paying a small-group surcharge (amount to be determined by size of group)

Deposit: $200 per person. The deposit may be paid by credit card or check.

Balance Due: On March 14 (60 days before departure). The balance due can be paid by check or credit card. However, a cash discount has been applied to the price, so there will be a 3% additional charge to pay the balance by credit card.

Single Supplement: $750 Please note: a single room is usually a smaller room with a single bed. If you prefer a double room for sole occupancy (a normal-sized room with a double bed) the single supplement is $1290 additional per person.

Price includes:

- Insight and expertise of the two Carleton tour leaders
- Accommodation in the hotels as mentioned in itinerary (see blue box on right)
- Local English-speaking guide in each destination
- Ground transportation in private air-conditioned vehicle
- Meals according to itinerary
- Sightseeing as mentioned in the itinerary including all admission fees
- Baggage handling at hotels

Price does not include:

- International airfare to/from your home to Spain
- Drinks at all meals
- Personal expenses
- Tips (see below)

Madrid Extension: $600 per person double occupancy. Includes 4 nights hotel in Madrid, continental breakfast daily, and airport transfer (note: no activities are included).

CANCELLATION POLICY

If written notice of cancellation is received from the passenger:

• More than 91 days prior to departure--$50 per person cancellation fee
• 61-90 days before departure--$200 deposit is forfeited
• 31-60 days--$200 deposit plus any non-refundable fees paid to vendors on the passenger's behalf
• 7-30 days before departure--85% is non-refundable
• Less than 7 days before departure, no refunds

INSURANCE

Both Carleton College and EEI Travel recommend that you purchase travel insurance, especially if you have a pre-existing health condition that may prevent you from joining the trip. If you do have a pre-existing condition, most travel insurance companies require you so purchase insurance within a set amount of time (often 15 days) of registering for the trip. If you do not have a pre-existing condition, you may purchase trip insurance anytime until the trip starts. You may use the EEI form above (see blue box) to purchase insurance through them when you register or you may CLICK HERE to purchase travel insurance through Travel Guard (please note that a small commission goes to the alumni advenures program when you use this link to purchase insurance).

TIPS & GRATUITIES

Tips and gratuities are not included in the package price. The tour operator encourages passengers to tip according to the service they are provided and also directly to the person they are getting the service. Below is a recommended tipping schedule (of course, this is just a recommendation and if you receive excellent service it would be good to increase a bit):

• Coach: one-way transfers €1.50
• Airport greeter/assistant €1.50
• Driver: Half-day sightseeing €2.50
• Guide: Half-day sightseeing €2-3
• Driver: Full-day sightseeing €3.50
• Guide: Full-day sightseeing €3-5
• Overall Tour Escort €5-6 per day
• Long distance coach driver €5-6 per day
• Housekeeping Staff (Maid Service) €1.50 per day
• Restaurant Staff (Group Meals) for exceptional service €1.50

Based on the tour, each person should budget approximately €150-200 for tips

CURRENCY FLUCTUATIONS

All prices are quoted in U.S. dollars. In the event of a significant currency fluctuation, the tour operator, EEI Travel, reserves the right to add a currency surcharge. In the unlikely event that this is necessary, you will be notified of any change in pricing before your balance is due.

QUESTIONS?

Contact Amy Goerwitz at the Alumni Affairs Office: 800-729-2586 or 507-222-5645 (direct line) or by e-mail at amy.goerwitz@carleton.edu.