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Visit the volcanic landscape of the Cabo de Gata-Níjar Natural Park
The stunning Tabernas Desert is often considered as the only true desert in mainland Europe, making it an exciting destination for field studies. Students study desertification, slope process systems, mass movement and the role of episodic fluvial processes in arid environments. The itinerary can be tailored to the needs of the group. Our educational school tour groups are taught by a fantastic expert who is a former manager at a UK Field Studies Centre with over 30 years’ experience teaching field studies.
Some highlights include a visit to the volcanic landscape of the Cabo de Gata-Níjar Natural Park, as well as Costa del Polythene – the world’s largest concentration of greenhouses; an ideal location to study the impact of sustainable management of intensive agriculture in an area undergoing rapid desertification. Tours can be extended to include more time to study urban geography in Almeria and to visit the stunning Las Salinas salt pans.
This unique Geography field studies trip in the only true desert in mainland Europe is targeted at A-level students, but should there be younger Geography students interested in exploring this awe-inspiring destination, the itinerary can certainly be adapted.
Our students are based in the beautiful, easy-accessible city of Almeria on Spain’s southern coast. There is downtime factored in to allow for exploration of the local area.
Sample itinerary
If you are a different ensemble type, please ask us for a sample itinerary.
Day 1
Depending on arrival time enjoy a local tour of Almeria. First evening class session - introduction to fieldwork and background to the Tabernas Desert and the Cabo de Gata-Níjar Natural Park. Prepare for fieldwork.
Day 2
Transfer to Tabernas desert. Morning walk through the desert and dry valleys, studying dryland erosional processes and landforms, as well as field activities looking at rock types, infiltration, weathering and soils. Enjoy a picnic lunch in the desert! Continue the walk studying mass movements and applying a systems model to dryland erosion. After dinner, class session collating field data, statistical analysis and preparation for Cabo de Gata-Níjar fieldwork.
Day 3
Transfer to Cabo de Gata-Níjar Natural Park. Fieldwork on aeolian processes and landforms, barchan sand dunes and plant adaptations to arid conditions. Lunch on idyllic Monsul beach. Free time to explore San José village. Stop off at Costa del Polythene to view an intensive agri-business and how they minimise their ecological impact. After dinner, class session collating and analysing data. Preparation for second day of Tabernas fieldwork.
Day 4
Transfer to Tabernas desert. Fieldwork studying the role and extent of episodic fluvial processes in the drylands. Enjoy a picnic lunch in Tabernas village. Class session to collate and analyse field data and conclude the field course. Free evening.
Day 5
Departure for homeward journey.
Visits
Browse a selection of our favourite activities and visits.
- Tabernas Desert
- Cabo de Gata-Níjar Natural Park
- Costa del Polythene
Located within Spain’s south-eastern province of Almeria and spanning approximately 110 square miles.
Wild and isolated protected area.
There are an estimated 30,000 hectares of greenhouses in Almería, southern Spain, the largest concentration in the world.
Where to stay
Popular places to stay.
Groups are based in 3-star hotels in the city of Almeria.
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FAQs
Find the answers to some of our most frequently asked questions.
The most pleasant time of year to come to Europe is between May and September; you may wish to consider this when planning your tour. Summer temperatures across Europe range from 18-35 degrees Celsius. European cities in winter can also offer many interesting cultural experiences that you may enjoy.
Yes, there are many advantages to this. One is that greater numbers sign up which means a lower tour price per student. Another is that a diverse (two-subject) itinerary can broaden the horizons of both ‘groups’ though, of course, we can create separate agendas for each if preferred.
We agree a three-stage process so that payments can be staggered to make it easier for parents.