Palatial Parks and Perks of studying in Madrid

For students' first weekend in Madrid, everyone had the opportunity to explore the city with their host families and enjoy all the wonderful attractions that the capital has to offer. Many students went to el Retiro Park, which is in the heart of the city and contains many gardens, fountains, and views of Madrid. Some attractions include strolling through the winding Rosaleda rose gardens or renting row boats by the lake to better see the Velazquez Palace and Glass Palace that are connected to the Reina Sofia Museum of art. 

Luckily for CIEE students, Madrid is not short of breathtaking views! Excited to explore the city with friends from the program, many students visited the Palace of Cybele, an Anatolian goddess lovingly named the "Mountain Mother." Originally the city's main post office, this opulent palace and fountain is a famous landmark in Madrid and a classic example of Retiro architecture. Eager for more grand views of the Spanish sierras, many students even went on a day trip to Toledo, an imperial city that was once the peninsula's capital in the 16th century. There, many students climbed to the top of the Castle of San Servando to overlook the city and mountains surrounding it. Overall, it was a very action-packed and fulfilling adventure, and we are all ready for the sites we'll see ahead. As one student put it, "here in Spain, they live like kings!"