6 Great school tours for the October mid term break

The October mid term break is a fantastic time of the year for school groups to travel abroad to experience some practical learning on the ground.

From a Science visit that will inspire young bright minds to an active school tour or a trip through Europe’s history… if you are looking for new learning and travel ideas for your class, have a read as our Schools travel team have picked 6 great school tours for the October mid term break:

WORLD WAR HISTORY IN KRAKOW AND AUSCHWITZ

Krakow and nearby Auschwitz are unmissable destinations for history students, as the backdrop of some of the most dramatic chapters of European modern history.

The Kazimiriez Jewish quarter was a thriving community before the arrival of the Nazis and the creation of the infamous Krakow ghetto during WWII. It is here where students can visit Schindler’s factory, made famous by Steven Spielberg’s feature film Schindler’s List about the heroic actions of Oskar Schindler, filmed in the streets of Krakow.

No other name invokes the horrors of war and intolerance as vividly as Auschwitz – Birkenau, a name that is synonymous with the Holocaust. The memorial and museum at the former Nazi concentration camp is a must see for students to understand the background and long lasting effects of one of Europe’s bloodiest conflicts and its aftermath.

MORE DETAILS: KRAKOW AND AUSCHWITZ HISTORY SCHOOL TRIP

WALKING THE CAMINO DE SANTIAGO

Thousands of people of all ages, backgrounds and nationalities walk the Camino de Santiago trails every year; like pilgrims have been doing since the Middle Ages, as far back as the 9th century. For younger walkers, a stint on the Camino is an opportunity to challenge themselves, having time and space to bond with classmates over hours of walking and connecting with local culture in a completely different way.

There are many different Camino de Santiago routes but the two most popular ones are the Camino Frances and Camino Portugues. While most routes can take weeks to complete, it is possible to work shorter stretches into Santiago de Compostela.

MORE DETAILS: CAMINO DE SANTIAGO FOR SCHOOLS

SCIENCE IN GENEVA

A school trip to CERN, the European Organization for Nuclear Research, near Geneva is an experience that will spark curious minds.

Hundreds of scientists and researchers work here, at the ‘home of Science’, which was founded in 1954. It was at CERN where the very first website went live in 1991 and the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) was created in 2008, the world’s largest and most powerful particle accelerator, used by scientists to understand the mysteries of the universe a little bit better.

MORE DETAILS: GENEVA AND CERN SCIENCE SCHOOL TRIP

ANCIENT HISTORY IN GREECE

Western civilisation owes much of its Philosophy, Politics, Science, Art and even the origins of the Olympics to Ancient and Classical Greece, birthplace of democracy and the Latin alphabet. On a school trip to Greece students will visit important archaeological sites but also learn how Greek mythology, history and philosophy has shaped Europe’s culture.

MORE DETAILS: ANCIENT GREECE SCHOOL TRIP 

FUN AND CULTURE IN LAKE GARDA AND VENICE

Lake Garda in Northern Italy is a land of stunning landscapes, scenery and culture as well as one of Italy’s classic holiday resorts.

There is fun and thrills at the Gardaland Theme Park and Aquarium, one of the best amusement parks in Italy; and plenty of sightseeing in this stunning region, taking a day trip on the lake, riding the Bolzano cable car and visiting the fascinating floating city of Venice, built over 100 islands on the Adriatic Sea in the 5th century.

MORE DETAILS: LAKE GARDA SCHOOL TRIP

AUTUMN IN NEW YORK

Autumn brings out some wonderful colours in Central Park, New York’s lung and while the city that never sleeps is always open to visitors, it is just perfect for October mid term break school tours. Explore Manhattan, walk across the Brooklyn Bridge, take a ferry to Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty, catch a Broadway show and feel inspired in the city’s world-class museums. Weather permitting you might even get a chance to go enjoy ice skating in Central Park.

MORE DETAILS: SCHOOL TRIP TO NEW YORK CITY

For more great ideas for school tours for the October mid term break and assistance to plan your next school trip, talk to our Schools travel team at JWT. You can also register to our Travel Newsletter.