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Calle Solano 11, 3º C
Pozuelo de Alarcón
28223, Madrid. Spain
By appointment only
Tel: (34) 91-518-9985
Fax: (34) 91-518-9985
Cell: (34) 637-543-900
Skype: best.programs.usa
best@bestprograms.org
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BEST CUL-TOUR PROGRAM - MADRID
SPANISH LANGUAGE AND COOKING
FOR ADULTS 50 PLUS
 
Location - Venue
Being the capital with the most monuments on the UNESCO World culture and Natural Heritage list, Madrid is the geographic, administrative and cultural heart of Spain. It is home to such diversities as the Real Madrid soccer club, the Prado Museum and the Royal Palace of the King and Queen of Spain. Its food is famous as a mediterranean cuisine and plates such as paella and Spanish tortilla are renowned. Its fish dishes and an extensive selection of nouvelle cuisine are also not to be missed. The general aspect of Madrid is modern, with boulevards and fashionable shopping areas, but the old quarters have picturesque streets.
Spanish Courses for Mature Students
These courses are designed for students over 50 (please inquire otherwise). For two-weeks the small group classes (up to 12 maximum), are focused on practical, everyday communication in Spanish with emphasis on listening and speaking, as well as cultural and social aspects.
Our language school is in an historic building in the center of Madrid, specialized in teaching Spanish to foreigners, with modern teaching facilities and easy access to public transportation. It is CEELE certified for quality by the University of Alcalá de Henares and has been their first-prize winner three times in Quality Certification for Spanish Language Teaching in Spain.
 
The Spanish language classes attempt to insure that participants emphasize oral and listening skills. More advanced students also study reading comprehension, writing, and grammar skills. You will be sent a level test before arrival. Up-to-date materials introduce Spain's culture, history, literature, and current social and economic life. The curriculum is based on the needs of each level and designed to allow mature adult participants to progress rapidly and gain language fluency. Modern teaching methods combined with years of experience focus on instilling linguistic, practical communicative and cultural aspects of the language, as well as the Spanish way of life.
Four classes a day are held everyday from Monday to Friday. Each class is 45 minutes long with 15 minute coffee breaks.
Spanish and Mediterranean Cooking Classes
 
Lessons are taught by certified bilingual teachers, or with a bilingual assistant. The school, which is a short distance from the city center within easy communcation by metro or taxi, includes a completely equipped kitchen with study area incorporated, and a large dining/living room area. In addition, there is music and everything else you might need to make this an up-market, unforgettable experience.
 
Sample schedule - Cooking Classes Madrid
11 am - Arrival at our purpose-built facilities in Madrid's up-market northern part of the city where our Cordon Bleu trained chef will be waiting for you.
11:15 am - Once everyone has arrived, the chef will give you an apron and class materials. After a short introduction, you will begin to prepare the day's menu. Menus are focused on Mediterranean recipes and typical Spanish dishes including local appetizers (called tapas), rice dishes, fish, local desserts and the incredibly creative nouvelle cuisine dishes being served now in modern Spanish restaurants all over Spain. There are lessons in "contemporary cooking" called "cocina de mercado" in Spanish because they use only products which are fresh and available from the market on that day. Other characteristics of these contemporary cooking dishes are their small portions, because they are very filling or because they are served as delicacies, and their artistic presentations with a tendency towards minimalist design on the plates.
  
  
12:15 pm - A short break allowing you to taste the appetizer just prepared and drink a nice Sherry wine. Don't forget the lesson is not a demonstration; it is hands-on which means that the chef will insist that you mind the flavour...
1:30 pm - The menu is now ready and you can all sit and eat what you have prepared, along with the taste of a good Rioja wine and ending with a good cup of espresso coffee and liqueur.
3 pm - Full enough after the delicious meal but happy to have learned how to cook a typical Spanish menu, you will return to your lodging to relax or sightsee.
  
 Rosa Pertierra - Chef
"Teaching to cook is a marvellous experience that allows me to communicate my enthusiasm and tastes for cuisine arts to everyone."
Rosa Pertierra holds degrees in Business from the University of Wales (England) and in Cuisine, Pastry and Catering Arts from the Cordon Bleu Culinary Institute in London.
She has had a wide professional experience in cooking for important hotels, Spanish and international restaurants such as Arzak in San Sebastian or Claridges Hotel in London. She has also managed the Hotel Los Linajes in conjuction with consulting for events and restaurants.
Quick Facts
PROGRAM AT A GLANCE
- Small groups: 6 to 12 participants
- Commencing first Monday of month (except July, August and December)
- Duration: 3 weeks
- No language requirement. We offer 8 levels of language classes from complete beginners to composition classes for advanced speakers. Most of our staff is bilingual.
- Accommodation options
- Designed for active travelers who prefer around 50/50 organized activities with free time.
INCLUDED HIGHLIGHTS
- Transfers from and to Mardrid's Barajas airport.
- 50/50 balance between organized activities and time to explore on your own.
- Option for 21 nights lodging in Madrid in shared apartments with Spanish family or apartments with Spaniards and/or other program participants.
- Two-week intensive language course.
- Full-coverage health and accident insurance.
- Orientation pack.
- One group cultural activity (concert, excursion, exhibition, et al).
- Optional cultural activities coordinator for those who want more or can't get enough, with free and small fee activities.
- Six-hour cooking course on Spanish Mediterranean cuisine.
- Lunches in the cooking school.
- Madrid based bilingual staff.
- Free Internet access at Spanish school.
- Testing, materials, certificates, value-added taxes.
- Low bureaucracy.
Not included: Transportation (except transfers), normal meals, communication costs and personal expenses.
START DATES
Tour programs start on the first Monday of the month. Arrival to Madrid should be scheduled for the preceding Saturday or Sunday. In order to avoid coinciding with high season and college student rush during the summer months this program is not offered in June, July, August or December.
- October 2-22, 2006
- November 6-26, 2006
- January 8-28, 2007
- February 5-25, 2007
- March 5-25, 2007
- April 2-22, 2007
- May 7-27, 2007
- September 3-23, 2007
ACCOMMODATION
We give you the option to arrange your own lodging in traditional hotel accommodation and extract it from the program fee or to include it in the program. Included alternatives 1 and 2 are listed below. These choices depend on whether you prefer an accompanied or more independent lifestyle.
- Living in a Spanish host family to gain maximum contact with Spaniards and learn about the Spanish way of life. This option is for those who seek an immersion in Spanish culture (included in program cost).
 
- Lodging in fully-equipped shared apartments with other program participants or native Spaniards (included in program cost).
  
- Deluxe accommodation in apart/hotels (not included in program cost).
  
LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS
None. We offer 8 levels of language classes from complete beginners to composition classes for advanced speakers. Most of our staff is bilingual.
COST PER PERSON
1990 EUR (2552 USD) with accommodation, 1590 EUR (2035 USD) without accommodation. Payment is in euros. Dollar amounts are approximate and may fluctuate with daily exchange rates. All itineraries and prices are subject to change. Full payment is due before arrival. There is a 50 euros surcharge for payments made after arrival.
HOW TO SIGN UP
- Fill out online application form.
- Method of payments for 300 euros deductible deposit.
A.) Online payment.
B.) By Western Union. Send it to Jill Arcaro Gordon.
In this last case you will need to send us the Control Number by email.
- Send us a scanned copy of your passport(s) by email.
- You will receive registration confirmations and a detailed itinerary (with individually verifiable dates, names, addresses, descriptions, photos, maps, etc. before final billing.
- Send us a copy of your arrival details. (flight, airline, date, time, terminal, flight number). Plan your arrival for the Sunday preceding the commencement of the program.
For questions, or to set up a telephone interview write us 365/24.
We will confirm reception of all applications and payments.
best@bestprograms.org
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