European city school trips for summer 2024: Beyond Paris and the Olympics
Summer school trips can offer an excellent opportunity to broaden students’ horizons, encourage them to explore new cultures, and create lasting memories. However, with Paris hosting the highly anticipated 2024 Olympics (from 26th July to 11th August 2024), the city is expecting to be busier than usual throughout summer 2024, so it might be worth considering some other options.
In this blog post, we explore alternative cities hand-picked by our travel experts that offer unique experiences and educational opportunities, ensuring an unforgettable adventure for students in Summer 2024 – while achieving your group’s learning goals.
For art & design school trips, try Barcelona
For students pursuing art and design, Barcelona presents an excellent alternative to Paris. Barcelona's rich artistic heritage, exemplified by the works of Antoni Gaudí, offers endless inspiration. Students can visit iconic landmarks like the awe-inspiring Sagrada Familia and the whimsical Park Güell. The Barcelona Museum of Contemporary Art (MACBA) and the Picasso Museum provide immersive experiences, showcasing a range of artistic styles. Additionally, exploring Barcelona's vibrant street art scene and engaging in workshops with local artists can deepen students' understanding of art and design.
Art & Design School Trips to Barcelona >>
For Business Studies school trips, try Brussels
As the capital city of Belgium and the headquarters of the European Union, Brussels offers a perfect alternative to Paris for business studies school trips. In Brussels, students can visit the European Parliament and gain insights into the complexities of European governance and international business. Excursions to multinational companies and organisations based in and around Brussels, such as the Belgian National Bank and the European Commission, also provide valuable exposure to real-world business operations. Furthermore, exploring Brussels' bustling business districts creates the perfect backdrop to enhance your students' understanding of the global business landscape.
Business Studies School Trips to Brussels >>
For Film & Media school trips, try London
London, with its vibrant film, television, and radio industries, serves as an excellent alternative for students interested in film and media studies. The city offers various educational excursions, such as visits to renowned film studios like Warner Bros. Studio Tour, or visits to the educational London Film Museum, where they can take part in workshops. Students can also explore iconic filming locations on a film & media based school trip to London, including Harry Potter's Platform 9¾ at King's Cross Station, and the bustling streets of Soho. London's vibrant theatre scene, with its famous West End shows, also provides opportunities for students to appreciate different forms of media and performing arts.
Film & Media School Trips to London >>
For French Language school trips, try Lille
Located in northern France, Lille offers a similarly immersive alternative to Paris for a French language school trip. Lille's close proximity to the French capital allows students to experience French culture while avoiding the bustling crowds – particularly during the Olympics. Exploring historical sites like the Grand Palace and the Old Town's charming streets enhances students' linguistic and cultural immersion as they find opportunities to build their vocabulary and skills. Students will have further chances to demonstrate their linguistic prowess at Lille's French markets and cafés, where they can try to purchase items from local sellers. Who knows, they may even be able to negotiate a bargain!
French Language School Trips to Lille >>
For Performing Arts school trips, try Lake Garda
Nestled in the picturesque Italian Alps, Lake Garda offers a scenic and immersive alternative for performing arts school trips. Drama students can participate in workshops and masterclasses, while budding dancers in your group can choose to improve their study across a wide variety of genres ranging from hip-hop to modern jazz. Groups may also wish to spend a half day visiting nearby Verona, or alternatively a full day in Venice, where they can participate in a mask making workshop.
Performing Arts School Trips to Lake Garda >>
For STEM school trips, try Geneva
In Geneva, Switzerland, students can visit CERN, the European Organisation for Nuclear Research, to explore cutting-edge scientific research and the home of the famous Large Hadron Collider. For engaging exhibitions and interactive experiences, don’t miss the city’s numerous science museums, such as the History of Science Museum. You can also enjoy the Lake Geneva itself with a boat cruise, while across the lake you’ll also find Emosson Dam, where your class can learn about hydroelectric power and renewable energy first-hand as they enjoy views of the Mont Blanc mountain range.
STEM School Trips to Geneva >>
Your summer 2024 school trip plans – sorted!
As we’ve shown, while Paris may be hosting the Olympics in Summer 2024, there are several alternative cities that offer equally enriching and memorable experiences for a summer school trip. Whether it's the architectural wonders of Barcelona, the political hub of Brussels, or the cultural vibrancy of London, each city promises unique opportunities for students to expand their knowledge, embrace new perspectives, and create lifelong memories. So, step beyond Paris and discover the wonders that cities across Europe can offer your group in Summer 2024!
To find out more about our educational school trips across Europe, please call us on 01273 648248. You can also fill out our webform, and our school trip experts will get back to you as soon as we can.
