Spotlight on Belgium – battlefields, business, and more
There are several features unique to Belgium that make it an excellent destination for a business studies school trip, or a school history tour. But it’s the little things that make Belgium, well, Belgium that set it apart from other countries in the bloc. In this blog, we’ll outline the many reasons we believe student groups benefit from on a school trip to Belgium, as well as what you can expect from some of our enriching school travel packages. Read on and feel inspired!
Close enough for a quick coach trip
Situated a speedy 4-5 hour coach ride (via the Eurotunnel) from central London, Belgium is located in such close proximity to the UK that you could have breakfast at home and still make it to your destination in time for lunch! Its location near the French border means Ypres is the closer of our two main Belgian destinations to get to – taking just under four hours – while Brussels adds an hour to the journey.
What’s more, travelling by coach also means your school group will have the convenience of door-to-door transport, without the need to worry about additional transfers to your accommodation and excursions. Read more about the perks of travelling by coach.
Cuisine to delight your students
Belgium is famed for its cuisine, and students travelling to Ypres or Brussels will have plenty of opportunities to sample the treats on offer. Of course, it wouldn’t be a school trip to Belgium without a taste of the country’s eponymous chocolate or waffles!
Bursting with European culture
Divided through the middle into two distinct communities – the Dutch-speaking Flanders, and French-speaking Wallonia – Belgium is a brilliant choice to add a more cultural edge to your school trip. Here, your students can explore the many customs (from France, the Netherlands, and Germany) that have influenced the country’s history, politics and business, as well as those of the wider European continent.
Brussels means business
The political and business centre of Europe and the European Union, Belgium is the perfect destination for a business studies school trip thanks to its location in the cross-section of several European economic powerhouses. Our Belgium business studies trips place students in the heart of Brussels, which presents learning experiences galore through tours of the National Bank of Belgium Museum, Parlamentarium and Mini Europe. Meanwhile, the Stella Artois Brewery in Leuven offers further opportunities for learning, as groups gain an insight on the running of a business, and find out what makes one of the country’s finest exports so popular.
A hub of European history
For a taste of historic warfare in a city setting, look no further than our history school trip to Brussels, where students can discover first-hand key historic periods of European conflict. Explore the development of warfare over the last millennia at Coudenberg Palace and the Royal Museum of the Armed Forces and Military History, or swot up on the recent (since 1830) history of Belgium at the BELvue Museum.
Battlefields that add context to global conflict
Belgium was the focal point for some of the fiercest battles in both the First and Second World Wars, making it a key destination for both WWI and WWII history school trips. With the region’s huge variety of landmarks, cemeteries and museums, you can easily customise your group’s history school trips to Ypres around different learning objectives. Whether you wish to follow a certain regiment’s journey in the conflict, uncover individual stories, learn more about medical advancements during WW1, or view as many key landmarks as possible, this fascinating corner of Belgium presents plenty of opportunities to enhance classroom teachings and offers opportunities for students to reflect on the futility of war.
Our battlefield school trips to Ypres are often combined with the Somme in France for a twin-centre trip, which offers a more complete perspective of the World Wars to your students.
Much more to Belgium than chocolate!
An exceedingly accessible destination for UK groups, Belgium continues to be a popular option for schools looking to expand their teachings on international business and historic battlefields – and it’s easy to see why. Its unique location puts it in a prime position for teaching students about European history and economics, while its rich culture offers several additional treats to make your school trip to Belgium as exciting as it is educational.
At Equity, we work with you to arrange your Belgium school trip the way you want it – from start to finish. Our team has expert know-how on accommodation and hidden gems, which we’ll share with you to create an unforgettable tour for you and your students. To start talks with us about your latest school travel adventure, call us on 01273 648248. You can also fill out our webform, and our team will get back to you as soon as we can.
