Welcome to Spain!

Upon arrival the group flight will be met for the transfer to the hotel with check in at 3pm. Lunch is by individual arrangement today. 

The Avani Alonso Martinez is located just 100 m from the historic Plaza de Alonso Martinez on a quiet, tree-lined avenue, the city’s liveliest bars, chicest boutiques and world-famous museums are just minutes away. Guest rooms have en-suite bathroom, USB ports, coffee machine and much more. The hotel has onsite dining for breakfast, a fitness center, meeting space and free Wi-Fi. 

Your guide will take the group on a walking tour of the best of the city, its stories, legends, and emblematic corners of the Madrid of yesterday to enjoy the Madrid of today. Start from the city center, explore old part of Madrid, the heart of the capital. From the very popular Plaza Mayor, San Miguel Market and Puerta del Sol to pass by the impressive Royal Palace.

Enjoy a welcome dinner at the hotel this evening. 

Overnight: Avani Alonso Martinez (or similar)

Included meals: Dinner

After breakfast, professionals will depart for a meeting at a local training hospital like La Paz University Hospital or their affiliated medical school. Spend the morning learning about the nursing system in Spain along with an opportunity to discuss undergrad and postgraduate training programs. 

Accompanying guests: Guests will head out this morning to Prado Museum. Considered the most important museum in Madrid (and one of the most popular in Europe), the Museo Nacional del Prado is perfect for anyone interested in Spanish, European, and international art—though, even novice art enthusiasts will enjoy this activity. With the help of a professional guide, they'll walk through the museum, learning about its history and global influence. Join the others for lunch and your afternoon activities. 

Lunch will be provided this afternoon with dinner on your own expense.

Later today the group will visit a local non-profit like Yo Sí Sanidad Universal. This grassroots citizen movement advocates for collaboration between professionals and users to maintain healthcare for all. Their networks of support groups ensure that everyone receives the medical attention they need within the National Health System. 

Overnight: Avani Alonso Martinez (or similar)

Included meals: Breakfast & Lunch

After breakfast, check out and depart for the 3.5-4-hour journey to Vitoria with a lunch stop in route (own arrangements) to stretch your legs and grab a bite to eat.

Upon arrival enjoy a walk through Salburúa Park. One of the most striking things about the city is its large number of green areas. It is the Spanish capital and has the highest ratio of landscaped spaces per inhabitant with more than 150,000 trees of 140 different species. It is surrounded by a Green Belt made up of four parks that constitute a real natural lung for the city. One of them is Salburúa, one of the most important wetlands in the Basque Country. Enjoy a walk through this wetland habitat on the outskirts of the city to see all the species that are part of this ecosystem with your guide.

Check in and get settled this afternoon at Hotel Silken Ciudad de Vitoria is in heart of the city, with onsite dining, a bar, laundry services, café, and more. Guest rooms were recently refurbished and offer a private en-suite bathroom, free Wi-Fi, AC, safe, bathroom amenities, desk, minibar, hairdryer and all the comforts for a great stay.

Dinner will be provided this evening at a local restaurant like El Portalon. 

Overnight: Hotel Silken Ciudad de Vitoria (or similar)

Included meals: Breakfast & Dinner

After a leisurely breakfast, depart for Bodega Torre de Oña, located in the picturesque region of Rioja Alavesa, is a vinous gem of the prestigious La Rioja Alta. This winery is distinguished by its combination of traditional methods and modern techniques, producing high-quality wines that reflect the richness of its terroir. Upon arrival, visitors will learn about the history and philosophy of the winery. Following this introduction, a tour of the vineyards and facilities will commence, where guests can appreciate each stage of the winemaking process.

An included lunch will offer a selection of regional dishes paired with their wines. 

Transfer back to Vitoria with dinner on your own. 

Overnight: Hotel Silken Ciudad de Vitoria (or similar)

Included meals: Breakfast & Lunch

Head out after breakfast to visit Pamplona. 

Professionals will spend the morning visiting a local hospital like Navarra University Hospital. The University Hospital of Navarra (HUN) serves as the primary healthcare center for a population of 494,083 individuals in the Pamplona Health Area, and it also functions as a tertiary hospital for the entire Navarra region and occasionally for neighboring communities, owing to its unique specialties and diagnostic support services that are points of reference within the region.

Accompanying guests: Guests will enjoy a guided tour of Hemingway's footsteps in Pamplona offering a fascinating journey through the places that inspired the renowned writer during his time in the city. You will pop into the bars and restaurants frequented by Hemingway, such as the legendary Café Iruña, where he used to enjoy his appetizers and drinks. Your explorations also will include iconic locations related to the San Fermín Festival, such as Plaza del Castillo and the bullring, where Hemingway witnessed the bull runs and drew inspiration for his masterpiece "The Sun Also Rises." 

Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant and time to explore independently before heading back to Vitoria with a light bite to eat for dinner included (pintxos).

Overnight: Hotel Silken Ciudad de Vitoria (or similar)

Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Light Dinner

Head out after breakfast to visit San Sebastian. 

Professionals will spend the morning wrapping up your professional program with a visit to a facility like Onkologikoa. The Kutxa Oncological Institute is a specialized center dedicated to the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of cancer. In 2010, it received the most prestigious recognition since its founding in 1933: the award of the Gold Medal of the City by the City Council of San Sebastián.

Accompanying guests: Guests will enjoy a guided walk of the city. Explore everything from 12th-century fortresses to modern sculptures. The city has a bit of everything, which makes a self-guided walking tour a perfect way to spend a few hours. Whether you're a history buff, outdoor enthusiast, or art lover, you can cater a tour to your specific interests. San Sebastián is a city of beautiful hills, beaches, parks, squares, and architecture. As you make your way through the Old Town and New Town, you'll quickly understand why this is considered one of the most beautiful cities in Europe. You may notice how the sea has impacted San Sebastián's history and culture and why the locals have such an affinity for contemporary art.

Connect later this afternoon for a Pintxos Workshop. Get a taste of the Basque Country during this private small Spanish snack workshop. First you will visit the market, buy the ingredients, and try a "gilda" at your guide’s favorite stall. On your way back to the cooking school, stop at a bar for a glass of wine, and onward to cook the best tapas and pintxos from San Sebastián.

Head back to Victoria and overnight. More formal dinner is on your own if still hungry.

Overnight: Hotel Silken Ciudad de Vitoria (or similar)

Included meals: Breakfast, Cooking Class

After breakfast, check out and make the drive back to Madrid. 

Lunch is on your own in route back so you can stretch your legs. After arrival back in town you will have a free afternoon to explore or shop and can store your bags if rooms are not quite ready yet. The city’s main sights can easily be reached by metro.

Enjoy a farewell dinner at a local restaurant this evening. Enjoy one glass of Spanish wine and toast to your new friends!

Overnight: Avani Alonso Martinez (or similar)

Included meals: Breakfast & Dinner

Say farewell to Spain and return to the U.S. today with arrival the same day. 

Included meals: Breakfast

Dr. Carol Huston served as president of Sigma Theta Tau, the International Honor Society of Nursing, from 2007-2009. She taught in the School of Nursing at California State University-Chico (CSUC) for 38 years and retired as Director in 2015. In addition, Dr. Huston has authored 7 l eading books on leadership and management and keynoted/presented at > 300 nursing and healthcare conferences worldwide.

She is the author of multiple leading textbooks on nursing leadership and professional issues including:

Leadership Roles and Management Functions in Nursing: Theory and Application

Professional Issues in Nursing: Challenges and Opportunities

Connect with Dr. Huston on Linkedin

Photo:  Professional Nursing Journey Peru.

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