European Tours for Schools

Lille – France

As the bustling, vibrant capital of Northern France, Lille is a cosmopolitan city filled with rich culture and architectural delights. The buzzing city centre with its brightly lit shopping malls and stylish restaurants contrasts the quaint old town with its maze of tiny cobbled streets and lovely little shops.

If Lille does not appeal to you during the summer season, why not visit between the end of November and Christmas Eve when you can enjoy the added bonus of joining in the Christmas festivities of an exciting melée of market stalls and entertainment?

Cologne – Germany

From the first week of Advent until Christmas Eve, the city centre of Cologne is filled with the traditional Christmas markets, the festive atmosphere of which delights visitors, young and old. The Christmas markets at the Cathedral, on the Alter Markt or the Neumarkt are all available for you to browse at your leisure with your young charges able to practice their German. Extended day trip is possible, for longer stays accommodation is at a youth hostel in the Cologne area.

Aachen – Germany

As an alternative to Cologne, the beautiful city of Aachen on the German border boasts fine traditional Christmas markets from the end of November to Christmas Eve. With Aachen being located 4.5 hours from Calais, it is possible to visit the markets on an extended day trip or an overnight stay.

Ypres

Ypres is a town totally rebuilt from its ashes and acts as a base for our excursions into this part of the Western Front. Our commentary makes plentiful use of poetry, soldier’s diaries and contemporary writing and seeks to trace the fortunes of the average ‘Tommy’ summoned to the front. In this tour we can include a visit to the British cemetery at Tyne Cot and Sanctuary Wood museum.

A study visit to the Ypres salient would not be complete without a visit to ‘In Flanders Fields”. Quite revolutionary in concept, it integrates the artefacts from the former museum into a completely different ‘hands-on’ experience.

Many other sites of interest centre on trench warfare, tunnel and mining warfare, battlefields and memorials.

Many groups seek to add a personal element to their tour – laying flowers on the grave of a family member; poetry reading on the ramparts before the Menin Gate last post or acts of commemoration at the grave of a former member of school. Our guide is always pleased to help in any way that can make this visit more focused for the younger generation.

The Somme

Our sample itinerary visits five varied locations. We begin with an early visit to ‘La Grande Mine’ usually known as the Lochnagar Crater, at La Boisselle. It remains a burial ground and is the largest mine crater on the Western Front.

We move on to the sombre and impressive Anglo-French Memorial to the missing at Thiepval. A short distance away we visit the Newfoundland Memorial Park at Beaumont Hamel, ground sacred to all Newfoundlanders. Enthusiastic and knowledgeable guides escort the group around the entire battlefield and explain all that took place here.

Lunch may be taken at Avril William’s auberge at Auchonvilliers. After lunch Avril will show the party the former trenches and bandaging station underneath the house.

Finally, we visit Vimy Ridge where there are many opportunities for learning, including the opportunity to explore with a guide the tunnels by means of which the Canadians undermined German positions prior to their heroic capture of the Ridge in 1917.

There are many other sites in the Somme you could fit into a one or two day tour. As always we are here to discuss all your itinerary options with you.

Overnight Tour

For your overnight visit to the Somme we would suggest starting with a trip to Vimy Ridge.

The cost for this trip includes visits to Thiepval Memorial, Newfoundland Park; any additional visits will incur a small supplement. There are many other sites in the Somme that could be fitted into a two or three-day programme and we are always happy to accommodate your needs for such a visit.

Paris

One of the ultimate cities to visit within Europe; Paris is a traditional favourite and introduces students to typical French culture. For an overnight or extended stay our programme includes accommodation just outside the peripherique. You may also wish to include a boat trip on the River Seine, a visit to the Eiffel tower or incorporate a day at Disneyland. We can also allow for some free time allowing your young students to explore some of the sights this beautiful city has to offer.

Paris Art

Paris justly deserves its worldwide fame to all things artistic. Boasting the Louvre, Musee D’Orsay, Musee Rodin and much more featuring such works of art as the Mona Lisa, works by none other than Monet, Renoir and Degas to name but a few. A beautiful and vibrant city for your students to experience.

Truly an art lover’s paradise!

Reims

Reims, an historic city in the centre of the Champagne growing region, is situated in the Marne Department in North-East France. The city is known world wide for two things; its spectacular cathedral and of course its Champagne.

The cathedral dominates this vibrant city and is a must to visit. We recommend you take the impressive tour of the MUMM Champagne cellars. The tour leads you to the discovery of how Champagne is made; from the art of blending to the slow ageing process. The museum of Champagne crafts will reveal the barrel makers craft. After the visit over 16’s and adults will be invited for a Champagne tasting.

With Reims only being 2 hours from Paris it is possible to add this day trip onto your Paris itinerary.

Cologne

In addition to its Christmas Markets, the vibrant city of Cologne has much to offer; lively shopping streets, museums, art galleries and Romanesque churches.

As always, we will be more than happy to discuss your individual requirements for your trip to Cologne but here are some examples for you.

There is the twin spired Gothic Cathedral in the heart of the city – visitors are always overwhelmed by its pure size and architecture.

A visit to the Imhoff Stollwerck Chocolate Museum will ensure you know everything about chocolate that you would ever need to know and of course a small sampling!

Just a short drive away is one of Germany’s most popular theme parks ‘Phantasialand’. Journey through the lands – an unforgettable day out and something for everyone.

Or slightly more relaxing take a 1 hour river cruise on the Rhine.

Accommodation is at a youth hostel in Cologne.

Berlin

Berlin, which became the official capital of Germany, has a cultural richness unlike any other city, with a fascinating and diverse selection of museums and historical monuments.

Although a young city by European standards, in its short lifespan it has had a tumultous past, evidence of which can be found throughout the city, no more so than on the eight block tour of Unter den Linden where you will walk through 350 years of history.

Your itinerary includes all the major historical landmarks but can of course be changed according to your preferences – additional visits available include Cheakpoint Charlie Museum, Charlottenburg Place, Zoological Gardens and Aquarium and Babelsberg Studios Theme Park at Potasdam.

Barcelona

You may wish to include in your programme a visit to Barcelona. With its spectacular historical, sporting and architectural features Barcelona needs no introduction..

Banyoles

In addition we can also include this destination within your itinerary.

An architectural and historical dream that dates back to Palaeolithic times. You will find in the heart of the town the ‘Santa Maria dels Turers’ which is a perfect example of Catalonian Gothic architecture dating as far back as the late 13th and 14th centuries. The nearby market offers a variety of local products and a feast of historical surroundings. Finish the day with a visit to the lake where you can relax or take an informative tour on one of the ‘Swan boats’.

Antwerp

• Rubens House (birth place of Rubens)
• Cathedral of Our Lady (Rubens paintings)
• Diamond Museum / Fashion Museum
• Steen, castle and maritime museum

Bruges

• Gruuthuuse Museum (Flemish tapestry)
• Chocolate Museum / Lace Centre
• Church of Our Lady (Michelangelo statue)
• Boat trip on Bruges Reien

Ghent

• Museum of Industrial Archeology and Textile
• Saint Baafs Cathedral (Van Eyck painting)
• Castle of the Counts (see picture)
• Boat trip on river Leie

Brussels

• Museum of Art and History
• Museum of Army and Military History
• Atomium (built for world exhibition in 1958)
• Open Tour Bus (Hop On Hop Off

Brussels – Business Studies

The capital of Belgium and the home of the European Parliament is an ideal destination for any Business Studies group.

The European Parliament offers your group the chance of a visit, including a talk by an official on what it is about and how it works. Should you travel at a time when the European Parliament is in session, it is also possible to observe debates from the Visitor’s Gallery.

You may also wish to add to your tour other visits such as the chocolate factory or car manufacturers; for the older travellers it is also possible to incorporate a guided tour of a brewery.

As this is a specialised programme, we have not included any visits into our price. These will be quoted separately to you on request.

In the region there is also the Six Flags theme park. With 50 rides and attractions it is home to Bugs Bunny, Tweety Pie, Sylvester, the rest of the Looney Toons and Belgium’s only wooden roller coaster. The park also features the tropical paradise of Aqualibi with waters at 29 degrees all year round and water slides at more than 140 metres’ long. Two parks in one! An ideal option for any itinerary.

Be sure to view our sample itinerary with suggested visits. Also please feel free to contact us to discuss your exact requirements, which will enable us to incorporate the visits, which are most suitable for your group.

Disneyland Paris

Disneyland Paris, originally Euro Disney Resort, is based in Marne-la-Vallée, 32 km east of the centre of Paris and is the most visited attraction in all of France and Europe.

Parc Astérix

Parc Astérix is a theme amusement park in France, based on the stories of Asterix (by Albert Uderzo and René Goscinny). Situated approximately 30 km north of Paris. It opened in 1989 and is especially well known for its large variety of roller coasters, and has begun incorporating rides and themes from historic cultures such as the Romans and the ancient Greeks.

St Omer

This typically French town is distinct in Flemish ambience and has proved to be an excellent centre for shopping and sightseeing; it continues to be the first choice of many participating schools. There is also the possibility of including a visit in the region such as the paper factory.

Wimereux

The journey to this small, historic French town is a scenic drive along the coast from Calais and offers a variation to our programme with small markets open on Tuesday and Friday mornings.

Le Touquet

Le Touquet, ‘the Playground for Parisians’, a splendidly verdant and colourful seaside town, it is an ideal day trip destination offering almost a total contrast in architecture to some older towns in Northern France. You may also wish to include a visit to Etaples or perhaps the interesting walled town of Montreuil.

Calais

Calais is Europe’s most important passenger port although it still has a quiet and attractive town centre, indomitably French. Its close proximity to England allows plenty of time for sightseeing and shopping as well as the possibility of other visits, for example to Cap Griz Nez. You may also wish to add a visit to the extensive nearby shopping centre of Cité Europe, which boasts both hypermarkets and worldwide fare.

Montreuil-sur-mer

Once a medieval port, Montreuil looks out over the valley of the river Canche towards the sea at Etaples and is a most charming and interesting town. After a visit to the Citadel, take a tour of the ramparts: this is a lovely walk with plenty of excellent scenery. A visit to the traditional chocolate factory at Beussent is an ideal addition to a day here.

Lille

The capital of Northern France is a beautiful city steeped in culture and blessed with a rich variety of architectural styles. The city centre has many modern stores whilst the Old City is a maze of tiny streets with boutiques and antique shops set in quaint old houses.

Le Portel

Le Portel is a seaside town with quiet cobbled streets, colourful houses and small friendly cafés offering visitors a perfect introduction to French life. Only 15 minutes from Boulogne it is ideal to combine a visit to the old town of Boulogne into this day trip.

Dunkirk or “Church on the Dunes”

The Church on the Dunes tells its own story, most notably the evacuation of 350,000 soldiers in June 1940 and the destruction of the majority of the town during the last war. Today it is France’s third largest port and growing industrial area with much charm still in its older parts. Again other visits can be included in your itinerary.