Basking in the Beauty of the Costa Brava Beach

This past weekend, we had the pleasure of traveling outside the city to Empuries for a guided tour of the amazing Greco-Roman ruins and an afternoon of watersports at the beach. Empuries is a great destination along Spain’s Costa Brava, known both for its beautiful beaches and to learn about the ancient cities built along the coast by Greek and Roman explorers. The ancient ruins in Empuries are well-preserved and provide valuable insights into the daily lives of the people who lived there centuries ago. Over the past few weeks, CIEE students have learned about Spanish culture through its intricate art history, tying the influence of the Greek statues and Roman mosaics of Empuries to the tilework and classic architecture they see walking the streets in Barcelona.

After our amazing archaeological tour of the ruins in Empuries and their Greco-Roman museum, we descended the steps of the ruins to go down to the water and explore the beautiful beaches along the Costa Brava. We then took our bus into the neighboring town of L’Escala, where we paddleboarded, kayaked and swam along the crystal blue waters. Whether we were kayak racing other groups across the bay or paddling alongside schools of Mediterranean fish, we had a lifechanging, exciting day to bask in the beauty and tranquility of life on the Spanish coast. The students were able to relax and have fun while also learning about what life was and is like in Costa Brava.

Overall, the tour was a great opportunity for the students to broaden their horizons (while gazing out onto the sea horizon) and learn about a different culture. We were able to experience firsthand the beauty and richness of the Mediterranean, and the importance of preserving its history and cultural heritage.