Perse pupils savour Spanish trip to Madrid
Cheryl (Year 10) shares her thoughts on the Spanish trip to Madrid and Toledo.
Our adventure began in the centre of Sol, where we began exploring the culture of Spain and had some lunch from local cafes.
Afterwards, we experienced a true taste of Spanish indulgence at a traditional chocolatería, where we were given churros and chocolate dipping sauce.
A local tour guide met up with us and took us on a walking tour around Madrid, where we marvelled at the iconic landmarks such as the Royal Palace of Madrid, Plaza Mayor and Plaza de Villa. We learnt lots about the culture and history of Spain, and even got to put our foot on ‘Puerta del Sol’, which marks the centre of Madrid (but is more commonly known as ‘kilometre zero’).
One of the highlights of that day was definitely the dinner. We dined at Taberna Más al Sur, where a delightful array of tapas were served and for dessert, a few slices of cake.
The next day began with a relaxed morning at a park celebrating the San Isidro festival. An endless row of food trucks offered authentic Spanish dishes, and there were fun rollercoaster rides. In the afternoon, we completed an escape room, which encouraged us to engage with our peers and practise our Spanish speaking skills.
Then, we made our way over to IKONO, an interactive contemporary art museum that was really intriguing. As the sun set, we filled up at the Museo del Jamón, which also served delicious tapas.
Afterwards, we were captivated by the festivities for the Fiesta de San Isidro. Despite the light rain, we all loved the concert by the famous Orquesta Mondragón singers, further deepening our connection to Spanish culture.
On the third day, we visited Retiro Park, where popular landmarks such as the Crystal Palace and the Philip IV Gate stood. In groups, we paddled out into the lake on boats and enjoyed the sunshine.
That afternoon, we journeyed to Toledo, a picturesque town a 30-minute train ride away. We visited the breathtaking cathedral and grabbed a quick dinner before getting a shuttle bus to the Puy de Fou night show. This was really the highlight of the trip. The artful depiction of Spain’s history, combined with stunning visual effects, left us breathless. The performance featured not only just actors, but also animals such as horses, bulls, geese and goats. It was truly a magnificent experience and since the narrator spoke in Spanish, this also prompted us to listen carefully to follow the story!
To conclude our trip, we visited the Reina Sofia National Centre of Art. In addition to masterpieces by Picasso and Dalí, the museum featured over five floors of various art styles, including contemporary, modern and 19th Century works.
Reflecting on our journey, it was an enriching experience that deepened our understanding of Spanish culture and history, whilst also allowing us to relax and enjoy moments with friends which won’t be forgotten.