Day 8: June 28, 2025

After a full day in Barcelona and a few very intense days on the road since we started the tour, it is time we get to our Costa Dorada extension, for some easy-going beach time. We are picked-up by our bus at the Barcelona hotel and, on the way to Salou, our final destination in this trip, we stopped by Sitges. Nice and bohemian coastal town just south of Barcelona, Sitges has a small yet packed with heritage old town, and one of the cutest sea fronts that you can imagine. There are activities to satisfy all tastes: some in the group enjoy the occassion to ride the tourist train and get to sea the full Sitges sea front; others walk around and check the iconic church of St. Bartholomeus and St. Tecla, with its iconic staircase leading into the sea; the more sporty challenge some locals playing sand volleyball, so a proper USA vs. Spain. Of course, I cheered for our students! After the lunch break, we get back to the coach and head to Salou, just 1 hour drive away. Once in Salou, we learn that we are sharing hotel with a group of 150 Spanish students who are on some sort of holiday trip. They are a bit noisy, but hey, it is kids being kids. I tell our students it is a good ocassion to interact with locals and practice some Spanish. After checking in, our group goes straight to the beach and, later on, after dinner, they go out to town, as there is a carnival-like parade. Lots of things going on in Salou!