PARIS - the most enduring school trip destination. Our tips and favourites - Part 1

Paris, nous t'aimons

Paris remains a perennially popular choice for teachers taking a school trip abroad – and it is clear why. Not only does it offer a dazzling array of scientific, artistic and cultural attractions, as well as the opportunity for language students to put their French into practice, but it is also only a few hours' drive away. There is an excellent choice of budget accommodation, wonderful cuisine … and Disneyland of course! 

The city deserves more than one blog post so here is the first installment of our love letter to Paris.

Unforgettable landmarks

No matter the season, Paris has a timeless familiarity, with more recognisable landmarks than any other city in the world. Not surprisingly, the most popular attractions for our schools groups include Eiffel Tower, Musée du Louvre, Montmartre, Basilique du Sacré-Cœur, Musée d’Orsay, Notre Dame, Disneyland® Paris and its wonderfully Gallic cousin, Parc Astérix.  Also highly recommended are Tour Montparnasse with 360° view of Paris, Cité des Sciences, Europe's largest science museum, and Centre Georges Pompidou, a must-see inside and out for art and design students.

Musée Rodin

The favourite of our Managing Director, Jamie Gardiner, Musée Rodin is dedicated to the works of Auguste Rodin, sculptor, painter, sketcher, engraver and collector.  Auguste Rodin donated his entire collection to the French state in 1908 on the proviso that they dedicate his former workshop and showroom, the beautiful 1730 Hôtel Biron, to displaying his works. They’re now installed not only in the mansion itself, but in its rose-clambered garden – one of the most peaceful places in central Paris and a wonderful spot to contemplate his famous work The Thinker. Other sculptural highlights are The Gates of Hell, the 180 figures of which comprise an intricate scene from Dante’s Inferno; Rodin’s marble monument to love, The Kiss; and some 15 works by sculptor Camille Claudel, Rodin’s muse. This is a fascinating visit for Art and Design students on a school trip to Paris.  

Off the beaten track

Our resident French expert Jennifer Leonard recommends something off the beaten track - a meander through the Rue Mouffetard, one of the oldest streets in Paris; believed to date back to the 1st century, when the city was known as Lutetia.  It is also one of the few areas of Paris not to have been affected by Haussman’s redevelopment of the city, which means the delightful medieval atmosphere that helped inspire Victor Hugo to write Les Misérables still remains intact. 

Located in the 5th arrondissement, it is a long pedestrian street filled with busy bars and restaurants, perfect for people-watching and general “flânerie” and a great way for students to see a slice of real Paris.  It is one of those places that still feels like a village despite being located in the heart of the city: lined with quirky shops, you will find all kinds of amazing cheeses and meat produce, as well as delicious pâtisseries. It is also home to a very lively market, made all the more entertaining by the abundance of street performers - excellent way to spend an afternoon of a school visit with plenty of opportunities to practise your French.

The Rue Mouffetard attracts a varied crowd of students, tourists, and Parisians: whatever time of year you go you are guaranteed a pleasant walk around this street, at only a stone’s throw away from the Panthéon and the Jardin du Luxembourg.

To book your school trip to Paris, call us on 0121 271 0121.

www.diverseschooltravel.co.uk

Basque to basics: school trips to Bilbao

Being somewhat obsessed with Bilbao and the Basque Country after living there for a year, one of the things I was most excited about when I started at Diverse School Travel was the chance to design Basque-themed itinerary.  I couldn't wait to share my enthusiasm for this under-appreciated area of Spain, because I knew that it would be a fantastic destination for school trips.  Here are my top 10 reasons why I love Bilbao, and why I am sure that teachers and students alike will love it too.  

1) The atmosphere

Bilbao is already almost unrecognisable from what it was 30 years ago, and its transformation from a powerhouse of heavy industry into a thriving centre of art and design is still going strong. This gives Bilbao a tangibly exciting, dynamic atmosphere which can be felt in the enthusiasm expressed by its people when discussing their city. Find out more about Bilbao's transformation with a walking tour of the Abandoibarra district, described as an unofficial "outdoor museum" of Bilbao's architectural development. Read more about the Bilbao effect here. 

2) The food 

Oh, the food. The Basque Country is widely celebrated for its rich gastronomic tradition; with more than 40 Michelin stars, it is fast becoming one of Europe’s most important fine dining destinations. Central to this heritage are the Basque pintxos, miniature gourmet bites unique to the region. While living in Bilbao, I spent many a happy evening enjoying the local tradition of poteo: touring the bars and cafes of the Old Quarter, sampling a pintxo in each one. Add a pintxos tour to your school trip to Bilbao for just €15 per person: it’s a lovely treat for both students and teachers!

3) The Guggenheim

"El Guggen", as it is called by locals, is Bilbao’s most famous landmark, and rightly so: since its inauguration in 1997, it has been the motor behind much of the city’s development as a cultural powerhouse. With over a hundred exhibitions to its name, the Guggenheim has acquired key works by some of the most important artists of the twentieth century. Its permanent and temporary collections provide fascinating insights into the diversity of contemporary European art. All of our museum school visits include a private tour with an expert museum guide; if you would rather explore the museums on your own, just let us know. 

4) Basque history and culture

Spain has long been a favourite destination for UK tourists, but how much do we actually know about it? Many tourists might be surprised to find out that Spain is a multilingual, multicultural and (some argue) multinational country. While living in Bilbao as a Spanish student, I found it fascinating to learn about the Basque language and culture, and gain a whole new perspective on the country that I had studied. A school trip to Bilbao will undoubtedly leave students amazed by the richness and diversity of Spanish heritage, and will enable them to talk about cultural topics in much more depth. For those who are especially interested in Basque culture, the Museum of the Basque People provides detailed information on the Basque language and culture, and even contains a relief map of the area big enough to fill a whole room. 

5)    The shopping! 

Perhaps this interest of mine might be a little less intellectual than the previous one, but it is an interest all the same. The labyrinthine streets of the Casco Viejo (Old Quarter) are packed with tiny boutiques to discover, while the city’s main street (Gran Vía) boasts some of the biggest labels, both Spanish and international. The city’s shopping mall is also a great place to bargain hunt. 

6) Guernica 

The modern day Guernica is a small, charming coastal town: a casual visitor would struggle to find the marks of the horrific aerial attack which destroyed the town almost completely in 1937, and which inspired Picasso’s iconic mural, “Guernica”. However, the town does commemorate its dark past, and in a remarkable way: the Guernica Peace Museum is not a strictly historical museum, but an exploration of the concept of peace and the possibility of reconciliation in global conflicts. The Peace Museum is my very favourite cultural landmark in the Basque Country, and I have enjoyed a number of their temporary exhibitions over the course of many visits. Don’t miss the upcoming special exhibition about the flight of Basque refugee children to the UK during the Civil War.

7) The scenery 

Bilbao is affectionately nicknamed “el botxo”, meaning “the hole”, in reference to its position in a valley between several mountains. This means that not only is the city itself stunningly beautiful, it is also surrounded by stunningly beautiful scenery. Bilbaínos traditionally walk up Mt Pagasarri on a Sunday morning, although the less adventurous can take a cable car up Mt Artxanda and enjoy fantastic panoramic views of the city from its summit, perfect opportunities for sketching for our school groups.   

8) The Alhóndiga 

This striking building was once a wine warehouse, but now fulfils all manner of functions under its loose definition as a cultural centre. Alhóndiga's glass-bottomed swimming pool is a favourite hangout of local teenagers, while its tiny underground cinema is a great place to see the latest releases.

9) The Fine Arts Museum

An interesting contrast to the Guggenheim, the Fine Arts Museum is a celebration of art which stretches from the 13th century to the present.  With over eight thousand works in its permanent collection, complemented by diverse temporary exhibitions, the Fine Arts Museum always has something different to offer to our school groups. 

10) The beaches 

The rugged Basque coastline may be famous for its status as a surfing hotspot, but there are plenty of quieter beaches for sunbathing, paddling and relaxing. The coastal town of Lekeitio, famous for its Day of the Goose festival, is a great place to spend a half or even a full day, with its beautiful Old Quarter and sandy beach. 

Our school trips to Bilbao start from just £299 per person. Book now on 0121  271 0121.

www.diverseschooltravel.co.uk

Our picks: The London Design Festival, 14-22 September

One of our favourite events is just around the corner - The London Design Festival, an annual event held to celebrate and promote London as the design capital of the world, and as the gateway to the international creative community. With more than 300 exhibitions and events to choose from, the task of selecting what to visit during the Festival for a school trip can seem overwhelming.  So, here are our top picks for this year: 




London Design Museum

Design Museum is collaborating with the UK's innovation agency, the Technology Strategy Board, to deliver a major new exhibition about the sweeping changes in manufacturing 
that are transforming our world.  Do you want to know your additive manufacturing from your 3D printing?  Or find out how the 'new industrial revolution' will impact your life?  Or just want to understand more about how the things around you are actually made?  Then visit "The Future is here" exhibition at the Design Museum.  This is an excellent visit for the KS3/KS4 Design and Technology students. The Future is Here Factory is a particular must-see for a school trip: technicians will be operating a laser etcher or cutter and 3D printers and the school groups will be able to assemble various objects and projects.

Southbank Centre

It looks to us as though the Southbank Centre is embracing the London Design Festival this year like never before!  Building on the legacy of its founding, during the Festival of Britain in 1951, the Centre is laying on an array of free, eclectic design events across its sites.  There are showcases from international designers, a variety of talks and screenings, Designerblock's flagship show, the largest lava lamp in the world (!) and so much more. School groups can spend the day and evening exploring, eating, and enjoying all that this famous riverside location has to offer.  Suitable for students studying art and design at KS3 and above. 

Endless Stair

An interlocking series of 20 staircases, the Endless Stair installation is the Landmark Project for the London Design Festival. It is a playful, yet technically ambitious public project to be installed with the powerful backdrop of one of the city's best-loved school visits, the Tate Modern. Endless Stair can be viewed from the 13th of September.

Artist's impression - Endless Stair

Somerset House - elBulli exhibition

Finally, over at Somerset House, we really like the world's first exhibition dedicated to a chef and his restaurant: the global icon of gastronomy, Ferran Adria and the restaurant he built to become the world's best, elBulli.  Students can enjoy a behind-the-scenes look at the laboratory and kitchen of the restaurant which delighted diners for over 50 years. While not strictly a design showcase, this is an ode to creativity, imagination and innovation which we think will inspire and educate school groups.        

www.diverseschooltravel.co.uk