Activities planned for Spanish courses in Bilbao in June

Every month, Instituto Hemingway organises a plan of activities for their students, which includes information about the day, the time and the meeting point for each activity. Students can add their name to the side of the list of activities in which they would like to participate. All our students are invited to take part in all the activities on offer and they are free for everyone.

Varied, interesting and informative, the activities allow our students to discover Bilbao´s attractions, hidden corners and even places further afield. Here are some examples of activities for this month:

Thursday 2nd June at 3:00pm in the afternoon, we will visit the Museum of the Basque Country, which is situated in the Casco Viejo, or old town. The collection focuses upon the ancient history and archaeology of Vizcaya (the province in which Bilbao is located), the ethnography and history of the Basque Country and the whole museum is enveloped in a cultural concept that transcends the modern-day limits of the Autonomous Community. Its permanent exhibitions show the history of Vizcaya, the importance of the sea, fishing and maritime trade in the area,, the pastoral complex, handicraft industry, pottery, weapons and furniture.

Wednesday 8th June at 3pm in the afternoon, we will be taking a group of students to visit the Guggenheim Museum. This museum of modern and contemporary art is famous for its building designed and conceived by the Canadian architect Frank O. Gehry. There are permanent exhibitions consisting of works of art by the most significant artists from the second half of the twentieth century, as well as various temporary exhibitions.

Saturday 11th June at 9am in the morning, we are planning a trip to San Sebastian, an important city on the Cantabrian coast, dubbed "the pearl of the Bay of Biscay" on account of its beauty, particularly that of its bay, the famous Concha beach. You can then enjoy the magnificent beach, witness the spectacular views, try the Basque cuisine, particularly the world-renowned pintxos (tapas) and discover the city´s hidden gems.

Monday 13th June at 1:30pm in the afternoon, we will be heading up on the Funicular Railway to Artxanda, from where you have beautiful views across the city and the river estuary. The Artxanda Funicular is a mode of transport which connects the city with the mountain of Artxanda. To find the funicular railway, you need to walk to the Plaza del Funicular, just off Calle Castaños, in the neighbourhood of the same name.

Tuesday 21st June at 4:00pm in the afternoon, our Instituto is planning to visit the football stadium in San Mamés, home of the famous football club Athletic Club Bilbao. The stadium has a capacity of 39,750. The club itself was founded in 1898, and the team has won the Copa del Rey (“King´s Cup”) 23 times. The first team has been coached by Joaquin Caparros since 2007.

Saturday 25th June at 9:00am in the morning, we will be going on a little hike up Pagasarri Mountain. An activity only for the bravest students, we will climb up to the summit, 671m above sea level – but the real reward comes in the form of a magnificent view of Bilbao. You will be accompanied by the Institute`s director, Jose Lopez.

Wednesday 29th June at 7:00pm in the evening, we have an appointment with Alfredo Orive for a wine tasting session, to sample some wines from the region (Txakoli, Rioja, Ribera de Duero). During these tastings, we will be learning about the wines´ origins, the production process, how to taste it, how to present it, as well as the three essential phases in analysing a wine: look, smell and taste in your mouth.