Ruta Quetzal
The Ruta Quetzal ("Quetzal Route") is a trip taken yearly by hundreds of Latin American students. The trip is sponsored by the Spanish bank BBVA.
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History
In 1979, king Juan Carlos I of Spain had an idea to form a trip for teenagers from Spain and Latin America, one which would promote intercultural exchange between the youth of Spanish speaking countries, as well as youngsters from Brazil and Portugal.
That same year, the expeditions began. The expeditions are led by Miguel de la Quadra-Salcedo.
Other information
Many different routes have been travelled through the years. Usually, the students chosen to take the trip are among the best in Spain, Portugal, and all of the countries that form Latin America. Students meet at a designated airport, from where they fly off to begin their trip, which always ends up in Madrid. Before returning home, students are taken through Spain to explore that country. Then, they fly off back home from Barajas International Airport.
2004 trip
The travellers of the 2004 version of the Ruta de Quetzal trip met at Benito Juarez International Airport in Mexico City. In Mexico, they visited multiple sightseeing places before flying to Spain.