Europe Trip 2025

IHA Students Visit Spain and France

By Arianna George ‘27 and Madeline Schlereth ‘27

After taking finals and beginning our summer vacations, 38 IHA students embarked on an unforgettable experience abroad and visited Spain and France from June 18-27. This trip was everything we could have hoped for and more! Our traveling classroom was moderated by Ms. Ana Echeverría P’05, world language teacher; and chaperoned by Ms. Ellen Donoghue ’76, guidance counselor; Mrs. Maria Daly-Valls, world language teacher; Mrs. Jeannine Woolley P’20, director of studies; and Mrs. Donna Sandt P’20, ’23, ’24, English teacher. 

We started our adventure in Madrid and met our witty and knowledgeable tour guide who shared what to expect over the coming days before jumping right into a sightseeing tour. The first full day in Madrid was so exciting and consisted of visits to many iconic Spanish landmarks, as well as the Prado and Reina Sofia Museums where we saw many magnificent pieces of art. Later on, our group enjoyed some paella and then took a beautiful walk through Pasadizo de San Ginés, 5 for an authentic Madrid experience at the historic Chocolatería San Ginés to savor their famous churros and chocolate. 

We visited the city of Toledo, where narrow roads with a charming atmosphere made us feel like we had traveled back in time. We learned that the city is the repository of over 2,000 years of history and is currently a World Heritage Site. Its many works of art and architecture are the product of three major religions: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Our local guide walked us through many of Toledo’s most noteworthy sites, including a Gothic Cathedral, the Church of Santo Tomé, and a historic Medieval Synagogue. After our walking tour, we put on our chef hats and participated in a Spanish cooking class, which turned out to be a highlight of our trip and wrapped up our visit to Toledo. 

We also traveled to the Northern Coast of Spain by bus to visit the beautiful city of Bilbao. We made our way to the Guggenheim Museum, which was full of unique modern art pieces, and continued to the gorgeous coastal city of San Sebastián, where we enjoyed a group dinner at our hotel. The next morning, we met up with a pair of local guides who brought us to Miramar Palace, the residence of the Spanish monarchy, which offers stunning views of the coast, before leading us through a tour of the city. We enjoyed the picturesque coastal streets on our own and sampled some of the Basque region’s renowned pintxos, which are akin to Spanish tapas and a delicious staple at many local bars and restaurants.

We went on to cross the French border and made our way to the coastal city of Biarritz where we enjoyed a dip in the Bay of Biscay and a stroll on the scenic boardwalk. That night, our IHA sisters enjoyed our first taste of French cuisine at a local restaurant. We were all very excited to board the high speed train the next morning that would take us to Paris!

When we arrived in Paris, we visited the Opera district for lunch, the views atop the rooftop of the Galeries Lafayette department store, and the famous Fragonard Perfume Museum. After returning to the hotel, we quickly got ready for a night that was sure to be a highlight of the entire trip: the Eiffel Tower! You could feel the excitement in the air as we walked to the Eiffel Tower during Golden Hour. Riding the elevator to the top was certainly a thrill, and we enjoyed an unparalleled view of Paris at night as the buildings around us seemed to glow. Back on the ground, we gathered together and watched as the Eiffel Tower sparkled — a truly indescribable experience that cemented the night in our memories forever!

The next morning, we toured the beautiful Luxembourg Gardens. From there, we visited many iconic landmarks, including the Arc de Triomphe, the Luxor Obelisk, and Les Invalides. We made our way to the Musee d’Orsay, where our guides introduced us to a variety of works by such famous artists as Monet, Van Gogh, and Manet. We capped the night off at the banks of the Seine for a relaxing, hour-long sightseeing river cruise. 

Onto Versailles the next morning, which was just as grandiose and awe-inspiring as we had learned in history class. The sheer splendor of the palace’s exterior was enough to give us a hint of just how impressive the interior would be. Our group had the chance to stroll through Versailles and explore the famed Hall of Mirrors, the expansive grounds, and detailed gardens, such as Marie Antionette’s Hamlet. The highlight of our visit to Versailles was our hour-long bike ride through the gardens and a sweet reward at the gelato cart!

Back in Paris, we were blessed to visit the renovated Notre Dame during Mass and light votive candles for our own special intentions. Afterwards, we took the Metro to Montmartre, passing the famous Sacré-Cœur Basilica on our way to our final meal together that included staples of French cuisine: escargot and chocolate mousse!

As we headed back to the airport, we were sad that our trip had come to an end, but we couldn’t wait to share our stories and experiences with our loved ones. Our European trip was packed to the brim with once-in-a-lifetime opportunities with our IHA sisters; a bonding experience that rivals no other. But this journey also sparked a new desire for us to continue learning, traveling, and exploring, introducing us to a lifetime of discovery.

Click here to view more photos from the trip.