IB Geography Trip to Platja D’Aro Spain

Morning:
Flight to Barcelona.
Coach transfer to Platja D’Aro (approx. 1.5 hours).

Afternoon:
Check into the hotel.
Orientation session: Welcome, aims of the field course, health and safety briefing, and itinerary overview.

Evening:
Group dinner at the hotel.
Free time to explore Platja D’Aro seafront and beaches.

Morning (Class Session 1):
Introduction to Geographic Themes (Option G – Urban Environments).
Overview of fieldwork methodology and sampling techniques.
Preparing questionnaires in Spanish for tourism-related studies.
Fieldwork Session 1:
Walk to study areas in Platja D’Aro.
Fieldwork activities focusing on urban environments and tourism provision.

Lunch:
Lunch in Platja D’Aro.

Afternoon (Fieldwork Session 2):
Continue urban geography fieldwork: data collection, mapping, and surveys.
Return to the hotel on foot.

Evening (Class Session 2):
Collate and analyze data using graphical and statistical methods.
Review findings, draw conclusions, and discuss evaluation strategies.

Night:
Dinner at the hotel.
Free evening to relax or explore local attractions.

Morning (Class Session 3):
Introduction to coastal landforms and management between Platja D’Aro and San Antoni de Calonge.
Fieldwork Session 3:
Coastal walk from Platja D’Aro to San Antoni de Calonge.
Study erosional coastal processes, landforms, and management strategies.
Activities: beach profiling, sediment analysis, and environmental quality surveys.

Lunch:
Lunch in San Antoni de Calonge.

Afternoon (Fieldwork Session 4):
Assess wave energy and the effectiveness of breakwaters.
Walk along the seafront to Palamos and enjoy free time exploring the old town.

Return:
Public bus back to the hotel in Platja D’Aro.

Evening (Class Session 4):
Analyze data using statistical methods (e.g., Spearman’s Rank).
Interpret findings and prepare group presentations.

Night:
Dinner at the hotel.

Morning (Class Session 5):
Introduction to sand dune succession and ecosystem dynamics.
Develop plant ID keys for field use.
Fieldwork Session 5:
Drive to Gola de Ter (40-minute drive north).
Conduct transect studies of sand dunes, focusing on biotic and abiotic factors.

Lunch:
Lunch in the medieval walled village of Pals.

Afternoon (Fieldwork Session 6):
Comparative tourism study in Pals, contrasting with Platja D’Aro.
Investigate the balance between tourism and heritage preservation.

Return:
Drive back to Platja D’Aro.
Evening (Class Session 6):
Review field data and create kite diagrams.
Statistical test of association between biotic and abiotic factors (chi-squared test).

Night:
Dinner at the hotel.
Free time for leisure or group reflection.

Morning (Class Session 7):
Travel to cork oak forests near Cueva d’en Daina, Romany de Selva.
Introduction to soil ecology and woodland management.
Fieldwork Session 7:
Soil and hydrology studies in the field.
Assess woodland management strategies and environmental impacts.

Lunch:
Lunch on-site in the forest.

Afternoon:
Return to the hotel, pack, and prepare for departure.

Evening:
Coach transfer to Barcelona for return flight.