Journey to sunny Spain, where you’ll explore booming sectors like energy, banking and transportation, all while enjoying the beautiful scenery. Split your time between vibrant Madrid and Barcelona, immersing yourself in the laid-back culture. Take in the rich history, art and architecture of these iconic cities, like La Sagrada Familiar, Park Guell and Plaza Mayor, ensuring your experience is both professionally enriching and culturally rewarding.
* Please note that this is only a sample itinerary for a group of full-time MBA students. All of our itineraries are tailor-made and can accommodate any academic level and theme. All itineraries are subject to change.
Day 1: Saturday, December 9Sat December 9Day 1: bienvenido a España!
orientation talkwith ISP Program Manager and faculty
ONE WEEK PRIOR TO DEPARTURE: Get familiar with the upcoming schedule and activities, uncover the secret ingredients for a successful trip and learn some useful tips from what to not forget before flying to what’s happening in the city.
Madrid
Welcome to The Kingdom of Spain, one of the largest economies in Europe. Spain has undergone a balanced economic recovery, rebounding from the unprecedented economic downturn induced by the COVID-19 crisis, in recent years. Despite facing the deepest contraction among EU member states, the Spanish economy exhibited resilience and expanded firmly in the last 2 years, driven by the recovery of tourism and a robust labor market. Madrid is Spain's vibrant capital and the most important city in the financial and industrial sectors of Spain. It's also home to over 10 major universities that serve as education centers for Spaniards, Europeans, and people from all over the world.
intercity transfersarrive to Madrid
Meet ISP representative at the airport.
air OR own arrangements
transportationtransfer to hotel, check-in
bus transfer
free time to settle in and freshen up
transportationmeet in the lobby, depart for welcome dinner
walk
evening
mealswelcome dinner with traditional tapas
Spend a magical evening combining traditional gastronomy with spectacle and culture. Spanish food is not only comforting and delicious, it is also a window into the history and culture of this beautiful country. Enjoy a meal just as the Spanish do and discuss your and expectations for the week to come. In Spain, the concept of tapeo, or going out for tapas, is a social activity where people gather in bars to enjoy small bites and drinks in a relaxed atmosphere. The culture of tapas varies across regions in Spain, with each area having its own specialties and variations.
restaurant
Day 2: Sunday, December 10Sun December 10Day 2: full day trip to Toledo - the "Imperial City"
breakfast
hotel
transportationmeet in hotel lobby, depart for culture (approx. duration 1 hr)
bus full day
morning
cultural eventguided tour of Toledo - exploring the medieval heritage of Spain
Toledo, this ancient city set on a hill above the plains of Castilla-La Mancha in central Spain, played a crucial role in the coexistence of the three major Abrahamic religions - Christianity, Islam, and Judaism, earning its nickname "City of three cultures". This spirit of tolerance is reflected in the city's architecture, where churches, synagogues, and mosques coexist. The historic center of Toledo is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is characterized by narrow, winding streets, medieval architecture, and a mix of Moorish, Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque styles. It was also the home of Mannerist painter El Greco. The artist's paintings can be found in the Cathedral of Saint Mary of Toledo, one of the most significant landmarks in the city. and example of Spanish Gothic architecture.
walk
mealsgroup lunch at winery
Enjoy a tasty light group lunch at the beautiful winery in Toledo before learning about its history, operations and growing business.
Spain, being the 3rd largest producer of wine worldwide, is home to some of the greatest winemaking cellars and beautiful vineyards. Toledo owns some of the best lands for production and exporting wine delicacies both within and out of Spain. Explore this unique cellar and learn from wine experts as they show you one of the country's main businesses.
discussion, tour of premises, wine tasting
transportationreturn to Madrid
On our way back to the hotel, let's debrief on the day and reflect on what we have learned and experienced. How impactful was the day?
rest of the day at leisure
ISPer's recommendation: Explore the local food markets of the city. Mercado de San Miguel and Mercado de San Antón are great places to enjoy awesome Spanish food and drinks - bon appetit!
Day 3: Monday, December 11Mon December 11Day 3: understanding the local business environment
What does Spain's business environment look like? How does its political and economic context look like? Learn about what it takes to do business in the country as well as what opportunities exist here and what challenges need to be overcome.
Panelists from our network of local professionals and entrepreneurs will be ready to answer all your questions and share real live case studies from Spain's business world. Use the opportunity to also learn about working and living in this region, future outlook and more. Prepare your questions to make this session as fruitful as possible!
hotel conference room
mealsnetworking lunch with panelists
Use the lunch time to continue your discussions, learn more about life in the region, and reflect on your morning learnings.
hotel restaurant
transportationmeet in hotel lobby, depart for city tour
walk
afternoon
cultural eventMadrid's historical center food tour
Experience the real Spanish gastronomy by tasting an eclectic mix of food from across the country and get to know the Spanish way of enjoying food! Pass by marvellous landmarks such as Puerta del Sol (Madrid's oldest hotel since 1610), Plaza Mayor (the oldest continuously operating restaurant in the world since 1725), Mercado de San Miguel, Teatro Real (Royal Theatre), Palacio Real (Royal Palace), and the Almudena Cathedral (Madrid's main cathedral).
rest of the day at leisure
ISPer's recommendation: Explore Madrid from a different perspective, away from the city bustle, in the glorious gardens of El Retiro Park, located right in the heart of the city. This park was built in 1505 for the royals and now it houses beautiful sculptures and monuments, galleries, a peaceful lake, and much more!
Day 4: Tuesday, December 12Tue December 12Day 4: business transformation & cultural heritage
breakfast
hotel
transportationmeet in hotel lobby, depart for visits
What does Spain's marketing landscape look like? What does it take to reach the local consumer here? How can we craft solutions that better connect design and technology to create valuable business transformations? Learn from marketing company about how they help companies improve their brands, products, and ideas through state-of-the-art technology, creativity, design, storytelling and investigate case studies.
management presentation, case study, discussion
mealslunch: own arrangements
Own arrangements
afternoon
visitto 5G or not to 5G - succeeding in the age of digital transformationTelefónica
Discover the innovations and new technologies being utilized by the Spanish innovative company, the reasons for its global recognition, and the framework they have put together to help reach the sustainability goals.
presentation, discussion, brainstorming session
evening
optional cultural eventsoccer - Spanish passion
Cheer with locals and experience the unforgettable atmosphere during the soccer match at Real Madrid stadium.
sts pay individually, subject to schedule
Day 5: Wednesday, December 13Wed December 13Day 5: transfer to Barcelona, the historic capital of Catalonia
breakfast
hotel
transportationcheck out, load luggage on the bus, transfer to the train station
bus transfer
intercity transfersspeed train to Barcelona (approx. duration 2 hrs 30 mins)
train
Barcelona
Welcome to Barcelona, a captivating seaside city known for its culture, stunning architecture, and exceptional dining scene. Barcelona is the capital and largest city of the autonomous community of Catalonia, as well as the second-most populous municipality of Spain. Catalonia plays a crucial role in attracting foreign investment in Spain and Europe. The region has been recognized by the Financial Times for having Europe’s best foreign investment attraction strategy. That demonstrates the high degree of stability, satisfaction, and return on investment enjoyed by foreign firms. A talented proactive workforce in a dynamic business climate offers new companies numerous competitive advantages with workers enjoying Barcelona, a Mediterranean city with the highest quality of life in Southern Europe. Beyond its beauty, Barcelona is also a leader in sustainability, implementing a zero-waste strategy, and as the first city in the world, Barcelona obtained the Biosphere certification.
transportationarrive in Barcelona, transfer to hotel, check-in
bus transfer
mealslunch: own arrangements
Own arrangements
transportationmeet in hotel lobby, depart for city tour
bike
afternoon
cultural eventguided bike tour of Barcelona
Discover Barcelona on a bike! The city is very much bike friendly so let's explore the famous sights such as Raval, Gothic Quarter, Barceloneta Beach, Ciutadella Park, Arc the Triomf, Sagrada Familia, Casa Millà, and Casa Batlló while taking a relaxing bike ride. This will be an easy ride full of photo opportunities, stories, and memorable anecdotes with a free drink at a beach cafe.
rest of the day at leisure
ISPer's recommendation: Discover and enjoy the atmosphere of La Rambla street - the most famous street in Barcelona! This busy street is always lively and has numerous terraces and restaurants to enjoy, as well La Boqueria, Barcelona’s most iconic street market that will be the perfect place to buy local products as souvenirs to take back home to your loved ones.
Day 6: Thursday, December 14Thu December 14Day 6: business hub in the Mediterranean
breakfast
hotel
transportationmeet in hotel lobby, depart for visits
bus full day
morning
industry showcasedriving to the future - how technology is changing our mobilitySEAT
The Catalan industrial sector accounts for over 10% of the region's GDP, while Spain is also the second largest automotive producer in Europe. Visit an industry leading company and learn how important innovation is in order to stay competitive in a global market.
management presentation, discussion, tour of premises
The Port of Barcelona has a 2000-year history and great contemporary commercial importance as one of Europe's major ports in the Mediterranean, as well as being Catalonia's largest port. Explore the logistical and operational side of running the port and discover the port's business strategy with its management. Take a look behind the scenes of the port on a tour of facilities on a boat.
management presentation, discussion, tour of the port
late afternoon
optional cultural eventboat tour & sunset sail trip on an eco-catamaran
Did you know that the first ecological maritime passenger catamaran in Europe was designed and built entirely in Catalonia? The boat is 100% ecological and today you will have a chance to test it out on a sailing trip. This environmentally friendly vessel will take you along the Barcelona coastline while you enjoy magnificent views and discover the benefits of sustainable sailing.
sts pay individually
rest of the day at leisure
ISPer's recommendation: Take the opportunity to visit Palau de la Musica Catalana - the amazing concert hall designed in the Catalan modernista style by the architect Lluís Domènech i Montaner. Tucked away in the back streets of the old town it emanates a certain magic that sums up Barcelona's appeal!
Day 7: Friday, December 15Fri December 15Day 7: tech & digital hub
breakfast
hotel
transportationmeet in hotel lobby, depart for company visit & Montserrat
Take this unique opportunity to mix and mingle with local entrepreneurs and pick their brains about the startup environment in Barcelona. Tech Barcelona has become the backbone of the technological and digital ecosystem in Southern Europe, currently having more than 1200 companies in its ecosystem. Discover how Barcelona became the hub for tech&digital startups and find out how Tech Barcelona supports and catalyzes Barcelona’s digital and technological ecosystem.
management presentation, discussion, networking
mealslunch: own arrangements
Own arrangements
afternoon
visitexpanding company footprint around the globe - strategies for sustainabilityRoca Barcelona Gallery
Roca Barcelona Gallery is a family-owned company with a unique approach to business, making sustainability and design key pillars of its brand. The gallery provides a space to explore the intersection of sustainability and design through exhibitions of the latest sustainable technologies and trends. The company's management is committed to sustainable strategies, from energy-efficient buildings to eco-friendly products, making it a leader in sustainable business practices. Visit to gain a new perspective on sustainable business practices and make a positive impact on the environment.
management presentation, discussion, tour of gallery
rest of the day at leisure
ISPer' recommendation: Bullfighting has been officially banned in Catalonia for a good few years now, but what happened to the city’s bullfighting rings? Well, Las Arenas was transformed into a ring-shaped shopping center. And if you are tired of shopping go up to the top floor and you’ll find a 360-degree ringed viewing platform that gives you a great view of Montjuic, the Miro Park, and the Eixample district.
Day 8: Saturday, December 16Sat December 16Day 8: full day trip
breakfast
hotel
transportationmeet in lobby, depart for Montserrat (duration approx. 1 hr))
bus full day
morning
cultural eventincredible Montserrat & Sitges
Take a scenic ride to Montserrat, the mystical mountain nestled in the heart of Barcelona's landscape which rises majestically to 1.200 meters. Visit the Royal Basilica, one of the most important pilgrimage sites in Spain famous for the Black Madonna, and walk around to take in more of this special place. And remember. Montserrat is a photographer's dream so have your cameras ready!
On the way back to Barcelona, we will stop by at Sitges and walk in the footsteps of Picasso. This coastal city dates back to 15th century. You will have a chance to explore the old fishermen's quarter with its white homes with blue borders, as well as the 15th-century Church of Sant Bartomeu and Santa Tecla with its Baroque interior.
mealslunch: own arrangements
Own arrangements
transportationreturn to Barcelona
closing up the experience
As the trip is almost at an end, let's take a moment to reflect on this international experience and share our biggest takeaways. How was the journey? What have we learned? What was the most eye-opening moment? Use the time in the bus to share stories, pictures, and final reflections on the overall inspiring experience!
transportationmeet in hotel lobby, depart for farewell dinner
bus transfer/walk
evening
mealsfarewell dinner - paella cooking expert
A fantastic way to learn some new skills, as well as to soak up some of the local habits. Your private chef will explain about the history of local cuisine while you learn how to make the famous paella dish before taking a seat and enjoying all of your delicious work. Discuss the key takeaways and reflect on your experience throughout the trip before saying adios to this beautiful country.
cooking class
Day 9: Sunday, December 17Sun December 17Day 9: depart for USA
