The age-old Valladolid has been recognized as the region that speaks the purest Spanish in the world. But, history and culture are also inevitable themes within the language courses, and even more so when leaving the school.

Two hours north of Valladolid are the cave paintings of Altamira, dating back 15,000 years. An hour north, are the caves of Atapuerca with evidence of being inhabited, as far back as 780,000 years ago, by the first men in Europe. Within an hour's distance there are numerous ruins, and monuments still standing, which reflect the history of the Iberian Peninsula from pre-Roman to modern times.

VALLADOLID and LITERATURE: our city is home to the houses of two famous Spanish writers: Miguel de Cervantes, author of Don Quijote, and José Zorrilla, romantic author of Don Juan Tenorio.

VALLADOLID, CAPITAL of CASTILLA-LEÓN and former capital of Spain in the Fifteenth and Sixteenth Centuries (One of the most important periods in our history): the kingdom of the Catholic King and Queen, the Discovery of the New World…Valladolid was where Christopher Columbus spent his last years and died. Nowadays, his house stands as a museum of pre-Columbian art.

VALLADOLID and its MUSEUMS: the National Sculpture Museum is the most important polychromatic wood sculpture museum in Europe, where you can see some of the most famous pieces representing Christ's Passion, which are carried through the city during Holy Week.

VALLADOLID and its UNIVERSITY: the second oldest in Spain and one of the oldest in Europe, founded in the still-standing Palace of Santa Cruz.

VALLADOLID and its ROUTE OF CASTLES: castles, towers, and medieval forts are located in villages all over the province. Some of the most well known are in Fuensaldaña, Simancas, Peñafiel and Medina del Campo.

MODERN VALLADOLID

Over the years, Valladolid has become a modern and well-communicated city. It is the capital of Castilla - Leon and is open to industry, new technology and culture. But, as Valladolid increases its pace, the "Vallisoletanos" still like going to the cinema or theatre, going out with their friends, and eating and drinking well. Valladolid has reached the twenty-first century combining the best of progress and quality life style.

VALLADOLID GASTRONOMY and WINE: Ribera de Duero, Rueda, Cigales… offer some of the most select wines in Spain. In the castle in Peñafiel you can visit the Wine Museum. In addition, Valladolid has a great variety of Mediterranean food. All our students love it. We can't forget the famous wine area in Valladolid where you can find the most typical "tapas"

VALLADOLID is very easy to reach and within an hour's distance from other important major tourist sites: Salamanca (Historical City of Europe 2000, and home of the oldest university on the continent), Segovia (a Disneylandish palace-castle, a large Roman aqueduct . . .), Burgos (City of El Cid), Madrid or Santander.

VALLADOLID AND the MODERN ART MUSEUM "PATIO HERRERIANO": you can see wonderful Spanish paintings and sculptures from the beginning of the twentieth century to the present.

VALLADOLID and CULTURE: Different events and festivals are held all year round. The most important one is the SEMINCI, The International Film Week. The Science Museum, our newest construction stands as proof of our interest in progress.

VALLADOLID and NIGHT LIFE: the night belongs to the students. There are many night-life zones, countless pubs and discos that close in the early morning hours

By Plane: Valladolid Airport: you have different choices to reach to Valladolid from Villanubla A irport (=Valladolid Airport): by bus, by taxi or by the airport service transfer that the school offers.

Madrid Airport: you have different options: The school offers the airport transfer service or the meeting service and the other option is to take a bus or train to Valladolid. From the airport you can take the metro to the bus or train station.

By Train::The train station “Campo Grande” has different connections to other Europe countries. It is a cheaper and more comfortable way to travel to Valladolid.

If you arrive at Madrid Airport and you would like to take the Train, you have two options: The “Atocha” Train Station or “Chamartín” Train Station. If you would like to reach “Atocha” Train Station you have to take from Terminal 2 the metro, Line 8, to “ “Nuevos Ministerios” where you can change to Line 1 (to Congosto), this Line will take you straight away to Atocha.

If you prefer to reach “Chamartín” Train Station, you have to take from Terminal 2 the metro and take the Line 8 to “Nuevos Ministerios” where you have to change to Line 10 (to Fuencarral), this Line will take you straight away to Chamartín.

If you would like to have a look at times and prices you can look at the web page: horarios.renfe.es

By Bus:: From the Bus Station in Madrid “Estación Sur” you have buses to Valladolid every hour.
To reach the bus station “Estación Sur” from Madrid Airport, you have to take the metro in Terminal 2 and take the Line 8 to “Nuevos Ministerios” and change to Line 6 at “Méndez Álvaro”, in this metro stop you will find an exit to the Bus Station “Estación Sur”.

If you would like to see the times and prices, please visit the web page www.alsa.es

Madrid´s Metro Map: Pincha aquí to see Madrid´s Metro Map.