Marvellous Madrid trip savoured by Perse Spanish students
Lili and Sophie (both Year 10) provide their thoughts on the Spanish trip to Madrid.
After unpacking at our very comfortable hostel, we visited Retiro Park, where we saw the Crystal Palace and Philip IV Gate. We also successfully completed an escape room in Spanish, which really tested our logical thinking, as well as allowing us to practise our comprehension skills in the language.
There were a wide variety of cuisines on offer in Madrid. We especially enjoyed our evening meal at Taberna Más al Sur, which included a tapas selection and some slices of cake to round off the meal.
On the second day, we visited Toledo, a picturesque and historical town about an hour by train from Madrid. There, we visited the Colegio Maristas Santa María, a local secondary school where we watched some thoroughly entertaining presentations about the area, as well as joining in PE, chemistry and robotics lessons. It was a wonderful opportunity to meet lots of enthusiastic people and make some new friendships.
In the evening, we watched the renowned Puy du Fou light show, which told the story of the history of Spain. It was absolutely spectacular and the lighting effects were really breathtaking.
On the final day, we visited IKONO, which is a contemporary art museum. After that, we ate some freshly-prepared churros dipped in chocolate at a traditional chocolatería, which was a fantastic opportunity for us to enjoy some more authentic Spanish treats. We then battled through the rain on a walking tour of Madrid, where we learnt a lot about the Royal Palace of Madrid and the Almudena Cathedral, among other places.
That evening, we visited the world-famous Reina Sofia National Centre of Art Museum, where we observed fascinating works by the likes of Picasso and Dalí. The museum also boasted a rooftop terrace, which provided a stunning view of the sunset over Madrid.
All in all, the Madrid trip was such a wonderful experience that not only helped us to delve deeper into the vibrant Spanish culture and history, but also allowed us to relax, enjoy the mostly beautiful weather and have fun with our friends.