Experiencing Spain and Portugal

By Laura Moraes '26 and Chloey Rodriguez ‘26

April break is a highlight for many. For some people it's the thought of not having school. For others it's about hanging out with friends and family. But for a select group at Wethersfield High School, it's a break of freedom. 

Thirty-seven students spent their vacation exploring the vibrant culture and history of Spain and Portugal. The trip took students from the busy streets of Madrid to the quiet cobblestones of Evora. 

During this trip students spent time exploring the countries on their own and even with small groups. As a whole group, students toured sites spanning the cities of  Lisboa, Évora, Algarve, Cape St Vincent, Sevilla, Granada, Toledo, and Madrid. 

They visited the small city of Evora to see the famous Capela dos Ossos where the walls and pillars are covered in thousands of real bones placed by the Franciscan monks during the 16th and 17th century.

At the entrance a sign  reads “Nós ossos que aqui estamos, pelos vossos esperamos," which translates to "We bones that are here, for yours we wait." Rather than instill fear, the chapel was built to encourage visitors to think about the value of life. For WHS students, it is a memory that they will never forget.  

“I thought it was very interesting to see the Chapel of Bones because it was made of real skulls. Especially when we learned that there was a butterfly made out of a human femur and a child’s skull,” said Tessa Dudek, one of the travelers on this trip. 

After spending days in Portugal the students crossed the border into Spain. 

During their time in Spain they traveled to Madrid and visited the Royal Palace of Spain. 

Once they arrived they stood in awe of the massive palace, with over 3,418 rooms filled with paintings. The building has over 3,418 rooms filled with gold, giant clocks, and beautiful paintings. It is one of the largest palaces in Europe and showcases the incredible power of Spain's former kings and queens. 

Students walked through the Throne Room and Dining Room. The grand size offered a sense of scale that is hard to find back in New England. Students appreciated this firsthand look at the wealth that built the Spanish Empire. 

“The Royal Palace was beautiful. It was huge and it was really cool to see how different kings and queens lived in the past. I loved the decorations of the rooms,” stated Dudek. 

Between the two stops students tasted local foods and saw the beauty of the Iberian countryside. 

They learned about the difference between the Spanish and Portuguese language, as well as how each country has its own unique style of music and art. They also listened and watched real Flamenco dancers perform. 

The trip was more than just a vacation. It was a chance to see the world in a new way. 

“I really enjoyed this trip because I got to experience a new culture. I also loved touring the cities and meeting people. Plus, I loved trying new food,” said Madisen Nieves, another student on this trip.

While these travelers returned to Wethersfield with stories of gold palaces and bone chapels, they also brought back memories that will last a lifetime. 

The trip proved that the best way to learn history is to walk right through it. 

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