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Seville, Spain BASECAMP
Confident. Connected. Ready to Roam.
your crash course in independent travel, with all of europe just a train ride away
JANUARY 2026
SEVILLE BASECAMP - HOW DOES THIS WORK?
Travel can be one of the most exciting and life-shaping experiences available. It can also feel like stepping off a cliff—thrilling, but seriously overwhelming. Whether you're gearing up for a full gap year or just testing the waters with a shorter adventure, you deserve a solid launch.
Sure, there are plenty of YouTube videos and blog posts with travel tips. But nothing compares to learning directly from real humans—seasoned travelers who’ve been there, done that, and are ready to guide you, step by step. We’re not just handing you a checklist—we’re showing you how to use it.
At Gap Year Basecamp in Seville, you’ll do more than learn about travel. You’ll stay in a lively European hostel in an amazing Spanish city, explore nearby areas by train and bus, and navigate real-life situations with real support. Through (fun) daily workshops, programs and real-life learning, you’ll gain safety skills, practical skills and street smarts, ask questions, reflect, try new things—and start to build the kind of confidence that only comes from experience. We will take Fridays off so that you can venture to the beach in Portugal, to Madrid or Barcelona or even Mallorca or Morocco, with guidance and support and fellow travelers.
By the time we wrap, you’ll walk away with a Eurail pass in your pocket, a plan for what’s next, and a crew of new friends who get it. This is where your adventure truly begins.
Not a tour—this is real travel training in the heart of Europe, where you’ll learn the ropes, build your crew, and then launch on your own journey.
SEVILLE BASECAMP
takes place in two parts
3 WEEKS OF TRAINING & FUN IN SEVILLE AND THEN YOU LAUNCH INTO EUROPE ON YOUR ADVENTURE!
WHEN?
JAN 12-FEB 2, 2026
SEVILLE, SPAIN
WHO?
20 participants
(18-23 YRS OLD)
COST?
$2780
INCLUDES EURAIL PASS
TRIP LEADER
IVEY PATTON
AND SPEAKERS
Ivey Patton
Founder of Gap Year Basecamp, Ivey is a passionate advocate for transformative travel experiences. As a dedicated gap year counselor helping young adults plan and thrive on travel adventures around the world, she guides young people through the complexities of independent travel and helps them choose from the vast number of amazing gap programs and opportunities.
After college and a decade of world travel, Ivey settled with her family in Durango, Colorado, where she’s worn many hats: teacher, small business owner, summer camp founder, and ski instructor. Fueled on caffeine and enthusiasm, she’s happiest when exploring on foot, wild swimming, and eating breakfast at foreign cafes. She's excited to return to Brussels!
Max Patton
Co-Leader Max grew up in the mountains of southwest Colorado, where adventure was a way of life. His travels have since taken him around the world—from a study abroad in Madrid and a Semester at Sea to backpacking through Greece and the Balkans, paddling from Vermont to Montreal, and losing a tran-Atlantic tall ship race. He’s also shared his love of the outdoors as a camp counselor and sailing instructor in western NC.
A graduate of Fort Lewis College with a degree in journalism, Max has worked in travel and hospitality and loves exploring new cultures through food and connecting with people wherever he lands. He’s gathered more than a few unforgettable stories—including the Workaway gig he literally had to escape over the back balcony. He’s excited to co-lead the Brussels Basecamp and share his best lessons, laughs, and travel hacks with the next wave of adventurers.
Coming Soon
Interns and guest speakers will be announced in the next few months. Would you like to be an intern? Send us an email and share your unique qualifications and why you think you'd be good fit for this position. Interns are unpaid, but will receive free lodging and meals in Brussels. We will give first consideration to returning Brussels participants.
APPLY NOW. SPACE IS LIMITED
Who This Trip Is For
This trip is for First-time travelers who want a solid launch before flying solo, young adults planning a gap year in Europe or beyond,
those who want to feel safe, confident and have a good plan in place, but need a little help and parents who want peace of mind knowing their kid is prepped, not just packed
Why Seville?
If Europe had a best-kept secret, it’s Seville—and you get to live it. This is the city of endless sunshine, late-night tapas crawls, and streets that ooze with charm, color and beauty. Here, history isn’t behind glass—it’s the cathedral towering over your café table, the palace gardens you stroll through after class, the flamenco dancers who light up the night.
With multiple universities and study abroad programs, Seville is buzzing with students and travelers from all over the world, but it never loses its authentic, laid-back Spanish soul. It’s affordable, ridiculously beautiful, and perfectly placed for weekend trips across Spain and beyond. Most of all, it’s a city that makes you feel alive—you will never forget your time here.
How many people will be in the group
We keep this group small (20 max) so you get personal support and the group can be cohesive. If your backpack is calling and your courage is growing, don’t wait.
What about alcohol?
Yes, drinking alcohol is allowed. Participants will be of legal drinking age in Europe, and we recognize that for many, this may be their first experience in bars or social settings without age restrictions. Part of our travel training includes a workshop on drinking responsibly, understanding cultural norms, and scaffolding safety practices for going out in unfamiliar places. You’ll have the chance to experience this in a guided, supportive environment before you’re on your own—because safety and smart decision-making are key parts of being a confident traveler.
What about drugs?
Illegal drugs are a hard no—both for legal and safety reasons. Any use or possession of illegal substances during the program will result in immediate dismissal without refund. We take this seriously because international drug laws can be extremely strict, and our priority is keeping everyone safe and healthy.
What kind of accommodations will we have?
We’ll stay in a clean, friendly youth hostel in the heart of Seville, close to public transport and all the action. Rooms are shared and are dorm style, with Wi-Fi, a kitchen, a rooftop bar and common spaces for socializing.
How do I get to Spain?
You’ll book your own flights to Spain. You can fly to Seville or to Madrid and take a train to Seville. We’ll share instructions for getting from the airport to the hostel.
What Happens After Basecamp?
After your 3 weeks in Seville, and with a Eurail Pass in hand, you'll leave with a plan, a crew, and the confidence to go off on your own. Europe awaits. Some of our previous travelers have gone to Cologne, Germany, Bern, Paris, San Sebastian, Switzerland, the south of France, Slovenia, Paris, the Amalfi coast, Anecy, France, Serbia, the British countryside, Amsterdam, Norway, Berlin….where will you go?
Still Have Questions?
We’ve got answers. Just contact us here or book a quick call. We’re real humans, and we love helping future travelers get out the door.
Who This Trip Is For
- First-time travelers who want a solid launch before flying solo
- Young adults planning a gap year in Europe or beyond
- Those who want to feel safe, confident and have a good plan in place, but need a little help.
- Parents who want peace of mind knowing their kid is prepped, not just packed
Why Seville?
If Europe had a best-kept secret, it’s Seville—and you get to live it. This is the city of endless sunshine, late-night tapas crawls, and streets that ooze with charm, color and beauty. Here, history isn’t behind glass—it’s the cathedral towering over your café table, the palace gardens you stroll through after class, the flamenco dancers who light up the night.
With multiple universities and study abroad programs, Seville is buzzing with students and travelers from all over the world, but it never loses its authentic, laid-back Spanish soul. It’s affordable, ridiculously beautiful, and perfectly placed for weekend trips across Spain and beyond. Most of all, it’s a city that makes you feel alive—you will never forget your time here.
Spots Are Very Limited
We keep this group small (20 max) so you get personal support.
If your backpack is calling and your courage is growing, don’t wait.
What Happens After Basecamp?
After your 10 days of travel training, and with a Eurail Pass in hand, you'll leave with a plan, a crew, and the confidence to go off on your own. Europe awaits. Some of our previous travelers have gone to Cologne, Germany, Bern, Switzerland, the south of France, Slovenia, Paris, the Amalfi coast, Anecy, France, Serbia, the British countryside, Amsterdam, Norway, Berlin….where will you go?
Still Have Questions?
We’ve got answers. Just contact us here or book a quick call. We’re real humans, and we love helping future travelers get out the door.
Lock in your student’s spot today with a $250 Hold Fee—a simple way to secure their place for 30 days while the application is being finalized. This non-refundable fee is applied directly toward the total program cost and guarantees access to our limited spaces. It also gives families time for important conversations and flexibility for busy schedules, so you don’t lose your chance at this transformative opportunity.
