NST Tours for Schools

tours for s p u o r G s school 2019/20

Ireland’s leading school tour specialists

Organising a school trip?

We’re here to help.

We know it can be time consuming to plan a school trip, that’s why we work hard to ease the pressure on teachers.

Choose NST for: • More than 20 years’ experience of creating expertly planned school trips • A wide range of inspiring tour destinations

Inspire their future career at

• A tailor-made quote with no hidden costs & flexibility to hold arrangements until deposits are collected

Immersive student events for KS4 & KS5 learners

• A dedicated, educational travel expert to take care of all the details & create a personalised, smooth-running daily itinerary • My Tour Manager - our award-winning online trip organiser - to give teachers 24/7 access to their school trip information and help keep on track of admin • Instant access to trip information whilst on tour with our awardwinning travel app • 24-hour emergency cover, audited accommodation & transport, a wide choice of assessed excursions & FREE preview visits to assist with risk assessment planning • On-the-ground support from NST’s representatives, guides & escorts in many of our destinations

Our LIVE! student events combine a conference with LIVE! presentations from expert speakers and take place in Disneyland® Paris and New York.

See back cover to find out more about these exciting events!

• Reassurance for parents & teachers with NST’s Locate My Trip providing live updates on a group’s tour location • Financial protection – NST are fully bonded through ABTA, ATOL and IATA and bonded and licensed by the Irish Government as a

Queen Elizabeth School

travel agent.

Looking for a helping hand for your next school trip?

Get in touch today.

Call +353 (0)1 8940300 Email us at info@nst.ie Visit nst.ie or chat online

In this day and age, having a trustworthy travel partner tops most teachers’ lists when it comes to taking a school trip. With more than 20 years’ experience of planning and organising educational tours, you’ll be in safe hands with NST.

Contents Introduction

2-3

Theme parks

4-5

Dublin

6-7

Derry

8

Belfast

9

Our trips offer the best possible value, making learning outside the classroom more

London

10-13

accessible and affordable for families. Our focus is always to include exciting educational

Manchester

14

Edinburgh

15

Paris

16-19

Loire Valley

20

feedback on how our online school trip organiser, My Tour Manager, helps to ease the

Normandy

21

load. It’s here where you can easily keep on top of your school trip admin and download

22-23

free resources all in one place. You can also take all your travel documents on tour

Northern France & Belgium

digitally with our app, My Tour Manager-On-the-Go. See page 2 for more details.

Barcelona & Salou

24-25

Peace of mind is key whilst you’re on tour too and 24-hour support is always just a phone

Madrid

26-27

call away with NST. In addition, your school can follow your group’s location with our trip

Krakow

28-29

Berlin

30-31

Munich

32-33

Rhine & Moselle

34

Brussels

35

Amsterdam

36

experiences in every group’s itinerary; experiences that are guaranteed to inspire pupils.

What’s more we’re fully bonded through ABTA, ATOL, and IATA and bonded and licensed by the Irish Government as a travel agent, so you’ve no worries there.

We appreciate the time pressures you’re under as a teacher and we’ve had some great

tracker, Locate My Trip, providing greater reassurance to both teachers and parents.

Wherever you’re thinking of going this year, be inspired and assured with NST. We’ll be with you every step of the way.

Our commitment to sustainability

Christmas Markets 37 Rome

38-39

environmentally-responsible educational travel, we’re delighted to be partnering with Carbon

Bay of Naples

40-41

Footprint to offset carbon emissions, reduce deforestation and provide wildlife habitats.

Lake Garda

42

For every school trip booked with us, a Maya nut tree will be planted in Peru supporting

Florence & Venice

43

Iceland

44-45

New York

46-48

Washington DC

49

China

50-51

LIVE! student events

Back cover

Supporting reforestation - As a tour operator with a commitment to sustainability and

reforestation, providing benefits to local communities and supporting forest biodiversity.

Carbon emission reductions - To guarantee carbon emission reductions, we’ve pledged to offset an additional tonne of CO2 through the Portel-Para reducing deforestation project in the Brazilian Amazon.

Early booking discount

Refer a friend to NST

Book by end of October 2019 & save €25/£25pp on all European &

Recommend a colleague or teacher from any school and when they

worldwide tours.

book a new tour, we’ll give you €250/£250! Just ask them to quote ‘refer a friend’ scheme when they enquire.

Multi tour bonus If your school books two or more tours with NST for travel in the same school year, your school will earn a bonus of €500/£500!

teacher inspection visits Take advantage of seeing all a destination has to offer by accompanying us on one of our teacher inspection visits.

Visit before you go

In 2020 we’ll be offering teachers the opportunity to join us on one of our visits to Budapest or Morocco. Book your place now by emailing

Qualify for a 2 night complimentary stay for 2 people in your chosen

info@nst.ie or calling +353 (0)1 894 0300.

destination.

See website for terms and conditions.

Get in touch...

+353 (0)1 8940300 info@nst.ie

SEE More online...

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3

Front cover image: St Bedes and St Josephs Catholic College

With you every step of the way

Here are just a few of our most popular theme parks.

Contact NST today to enquire about other theme parks and water parks in your chosen destination.

uk

Alton Towers Alton Towers Resort is home to an awesome choice of world first rollercoasters – enjoy G-forces greater than a space shuttle on the legendary Nemesis, brave Oblivion’s iconic vertical drop, ride The Smiler’s 14 loops or satisfy your need for speed on Rita – hold on tight!

Younger pupils will love exploring favourites at CBeebies Land including Postman Pat Parcel Post, Mr. Bloom’s Allotment, Justin’s House Pie-O-Matic Factory and the In the Night Garden Magical Boat Ride.

4

Theme Parks

With over 50 rides and attractions, Alton Towers Resort is the UK’s number 1 theme park.

NEW! Alton Towers Dungeon - Take a journey through Staffordshire’s darkest history during the Alton Towers dungeon experience! Guaranteed to make you laugh and scream in equal measure, expect live actors, immersive scenes and striking special effects during this spectacular walk-through experience.

Suitable when visiting Manchester, Liverpool & Wales

Our school travel experts are here to help you personalise your tour

Alton Towers

THEME PARKS

uk Thorpe Park Derren Brown’s Ghost Train: Rise of the Demon at THORPE PARK Resort.

Take your one way ticket on a horrifying journey into the chilling depths of the unknown. With intense live action and thrilling physical effects, the grasp of the Demon awaits. Are you brave enough to come face to face with the Demon as it rises from the darkness?

Suitable when visiting London

France

France

Disneyland® Paris

Parc Astérix

Open all year round. Your students will gain so much from learning and interacting in this world-famous resort. Both Disneyland® Park and Walt Disney Studios® Park are jam-packed with rides, shows and attractions, all of which provide a great environment for your students to work together, bond as a class and challenge their personal boundaries.

Parc Astérix is home to over 30 outside attractions, all based around the famous Astérix comic-strips, and is a fantastic alternative to Disneyland® Paris. It is especially well known for its large variety of rollercoasters, and incorporates rides and themes from ancient cultures such as the Romans and the Gauls.

Suitable when visiting Paris

Suitable when visiting Paris

© Disney

Germany

Germany

Phantasialand

Skyline Park

Phantasialand is one of Europe’s top entertainment parks. It is the number one German entertainment park for school groups from Ireland. Seven themed areas with worldwide unique attractions and internationally multi-award-winning shows, promise to be great fun and an educational experience for all your students.

With more than 60 rides and attractions including roller coasters

Suitable when visiting Valkenburg, Rhine & Moselle

and water rides, action enthusiasts will not be disappointed here!

Galaxy Erding Galaxy Erding boasts a total of 27 waterslides that provide 2,700m of adventure and adrenaline together with lots of spectacular effects.

Slides are split into three categories - Family, Action and X-treme.

Suitable when visiting Munich

Spain

Italy

PortAventura & Ferrari Land, Salou

Gardaland

PortAventura has everything to make a school trip unforgettable! Both students and teachers will have a great time in these amazing parks. PortAventura Park is an astonishing amusement park divided in five thematic areas with many rides and shows. PortAventura Aquatic Park is a water park packed with waves and slides. Ferrari Land is the new, authentic Ferrari experience of excitement, adrenaline and fun.

The largest theme park in Italy, attracting over two million visitors a year, with various rides and themed entertainments suitable for all ages. Gardaland is home to six roller coasters and a total of 32 rides. This park is full of adrenaline, fantasy and adventure. If excitement is what you are looking for, this is not to be missed while in Lake Garda.

Suitable when visiting Lake Garda

Suitable when visiting Barcelona & Catalonia

Get in touch...

+353 (0)1 8940300 info@nst.ie

SEE More online...

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Theme Parks

5

DUBLIN

Sample itinerary We’ll build your itinerary from scratch Whatever your learning objectives or subject, we’ll create an expertly planned itinerary that fits your needs precisely.

As Dublin experts we can advise on a great range of visit options to make every second count. Below you’ll find an example of our most popular itinerary.

Day 1

Take your school group to Dublin and enjoy a wide choice of exciting educational, cultural and fun visits. With such a diverse range of activities, museums and guided tours available and with excellent access from all over Ireland, this is a perfect destination for all group sizes and ages.

at a glance...

Getting there - We can arrange your executive coach transport to get you to your destination - and back home again - with ease.

When to go - Dublin is a year-round destination.

6

Dublin

here to help NST can arrange local, experienced guides to assist your group on guided tours, tailored to your needs.

We can pre-book meals at a wide number of eateries before you go, at great group prices.

• Morning departure from school • Tour of Kilmainham Gaol • Guided walking tour • Evening meal

Day 2 • Visit the Croke Park Stadium • Visit to Glasnevin Cemetery • Visit to National Museum of Natural History • Evening meal • Free time at Leisureplex

Day 3 • Visit to Dublin Zoo • Return to school

Our school travel experts are here to help you personalise your tour

Our pick of the best visits...

BOOK EARLY GPO Witness History

Guided walking tour

One of the largest unoccupied gaols in Europe covering some of the most heroic and tragic events in Ireland’s emergence as a modern nation from the 1780s to the 1920s.

GPO Witness History is a brand new immersive exhibition in the iconic GPO building in the heart of Dublin’s city centre. This engaging attraction brings history to life through technology, video, sound and artefacts.

Discover relevant sites of the 1916 Rising to give you an understanding of this historic event. Explore the main features of the War of Independence partition, the Northern Ireland peace process and Ireland today.

Glasnevin Cemetery guided tour & museum

GAA Museum & Croke Park Stadium

The tour visits the final resting place of Daniel O’Connell, Michael Collins, Eamon DeValera and many of the other people who have shaped Ireland’s history. The new state of the art museum complements the tour.

Enjoy a stadium guided tour including a short historical tour focusing on the ancient origins of hurling, the birth and the development of the GAA and early links with revolutionary nationalism.

Florian Christoph / Flickr

Kilmainham Gaol

Tayto Park Tayto Park Theme Park & Zoo offers over 100 attractions that make it suitable for all ages.

Enjoy the adrenaline rides, a 5D cinema and even a sky walk, as well as a zoo which is home to Amur tigers and Mountain lions.

Don't miss...

• Dublin Zoo • Pearse Museum • National Museum of Natural History • Dáil Éireann • Malahide Castle

NST were a brilliant support in planning the trip. I couldn’t have asked for anything else from them. The service and support I received from the start to finish while organising this tour was excellent.

• Boyne Valley – en-route visit

Creagh College

• Dublinia

• National Museum of Ireland • Leisureplex

See more online

Get in touch...

+353 (0)1 8940300 info@nst.ie

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Dublin

7

DERRY

Sample itinerary We’ll build your itinerary from scratch Whatever your learning objectives or subject, we’ll create an expertly planned itinerary that fits your needs precisely.

As Derry experts we can advise on a great range of visit options to make every second count. Below you’ll find an example of our most popular itinerary.

Day 1

Explore a variety of topics from historical, cultural and religious perspectives such as The Apprentice Boys of Derry, religious affiliation, cultural identity, ecumenism and cultural responses to ‘The Troubles’. Students can also explore the Complexity of Regions and Culture & Identity as part of the geography curriculum.

• Transfer to Derry • Tower Museum • Walking tour of Derry • Guided tour of the Apprentice Boys Memorial Hall • Evening meal • Quiz night

Our pick of the best visits...

Where you will be staying...

• The Museum of Free Derry & Bogside Murals

Hastings Everglades Hotel

• The Tower Museum • Walking Tour of the City • The Apprentice Boys Memorial Hall

See more online

8

Derry

This modern hotel is located on the banks of the River Foyle, overlooking the rugged hills of County Donegal.

Only a 5-minute drive from the centre of Derry, the hotel is also within reach of beautiful beaches and the superb Sperrin Mountains.

Day 2 • Guided tour of the Museum of Free Derry and the Bogside Murals • Transfer back to school

Our school travel experts are here to help you personalise your tour

BELFAST

Sample itinerary We’ll build your itinerary from scratch Whatever your learning objectives or subject, we’ll create an expertly planned itinerary that fits your needs precisely.

As Belfast experts we can advise on a great range of visit options to make every second count. Below you’ll find an example of our most popular itinerary.

Day 1

With a wide range of history based visits, an NST tour to Belfast is a great opportunity to explore politics and society in Northern Ireland first hand. Additionally history students can benefit from our guided tours. Belfast also has a great choice of cultural visits to excite students studying a variety of topics including the Titanic Belfast® which has brought new life to the Titanic Quarter.

Our pick of the best visits...

Where you will be staying...

• Titanic Belfast®

Hastings Stormont Hotel

• Guided tours

Overlooking the gardens of Stormont Castle, in the leafy suburbs of Belfast this modern hotel offers excellent facilities. Just 4 miles from Belfast city centre, and only 10 minutes’ drive from George Best Belfast City Airport.

• Crumlin Road Gaol • Stormont Parliament Buildings • W5 – Science Exhibition

See more online

Get in touch...

+353 (0)1 8940300 info@nst.ie

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• Transfer to Belfast • Guided tour of Shankill Road & Falls Road • Guided tour of Stormont Parliament Buildings • Evening meal • Bowling

Day 2 • Titanic Belfast® • Visit the Ulster Museum & the permanent exhibition of ‘The Troubles’ • Transfer back to school

add on a visit to the giants causeway

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Belfast

9

LONDON

Sample itinerary We’ll build your itinerary from scratch Whatever your learning objectives or subject, we’ll create an expertly planned As London experts we can advise on a great range of visit options to make every second count. Below you’ll find an example of our most popular itinerary.

Day 1 • Morning flight from Ireland

An exciting London tour offers pupils the opportunity to cover many aspects of their curriculum in a short space of time. We can create a school tour itinerary package around any topic you’re studying in the classroom. By choosing NST, you’ll receive invaluable advice and expertise on hundreds of visits, as well as excellent prices at top attractions, West End shows and pupil-friendly accommodation.

at a glance...

When to go - London is a year-round destination.

Getting there - We offer flights from a variety of departure airports.

Good to know - NST can book West End theatre tickets in advance for your group in order to secure the best availability and price.

10 London

here to help We can tailor-make a tour to your exact requirements, and create an itinerary that caters for a cultural or subjectbased experience covering a range of subjects including art & design, business studies, English, drama & performing arts, geography, geology & environmental science, history, maths, media & film studies, music, psychology & sociology, religious studies and science.

• Blue Badge guided tour of London • Science Museum • Natural History Museum • Evening meal • Jack the Ripper tour

Day 2 • London Dungeon • Thames River cruise • Coca-Cola London Eye • Madame Tussauds • Evening meal • West End show

Day 3 • Shakespeare’s Globe Guided Tours • Free time for some shopping & exploring • Return flight to Ireland

Our school travel experts are here to help you personalise your tour

Rainey Endowed School

itinerary that fits your needs precisely.

Queen Elizabeth School

Our pick of the best visits...

Thames river cruise

Natural History Museum

For a fantastic bird’s eye view of England’s capital city, take a ride on the Coca-Cola London Eye. Spot famed landmarks and take in the 30-mile panoramic view. Plus enjoy fantastic group prices with NST.

Take in London’s best-loved sights on this enjoyable cruise. Your pupils will gain an insight into the many layers of history that have built up along the river from the Houses of Parliament to the Coca-Cola London Eye.

Explore the natural world and discover the amazing diversity of life that has evolved on our planet. Study a range of themes including climate change, evolution and the natural environment.

Madame Tussauds

Blue Badge guided tour

West End show

Filled with 14 exciting, interactive zones and the excellent Marvel Super Heroes 4D movie experience, Madame Tussauds London combines glitz and glamour with incredible history with over 300 wax figures, including David Beckham, Lady Gaga, the Queen and many, many more.

See the major sights of the city with an expert Blue Badge Guide who will bring the city to life! Your guide will join you on your coach to take your group to see many landmarks of the city, including Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament, Trafalgar Square, Piccadilly Circus, Westminster Abbey and St Paul’s Cathedral.

A West End show is a magical and unforgettable experience and a must for school groups visiting the city! Catch an award-winning show with a choice that includes Matilda, The Lion King and Wicked.

© Madame Tussauds

© Disney

Coca-Cola London Eye

BOOK EARLY

Step on to authentic sets, discover the magic behind spellbinding special effects and explore the behind-thescenes secrets of the Harry Potter film series.

Tread the original stone floor of the iconic Hogwarts Great Hall, encounter animatronic creatures and wander down Diagon Alley.

Located at the Studios where all 8 films were produced, the Studio Tour showcases the incredible British talent, imagination and artistry that went into making the impossible a reality on screen.

Students will relive the magic through the eyes of the filmmakers who brought the Harry Potter film series to life.

New for 2019 – enter the set of Gringotts Wizarding Bank!

TM & © 2019 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. Harry Potter Publishing Rights © JKR.

Get in touch...

+353 (0)1 8940300 info@nst.ie

SEE More online...

nst.ie

London

11

Greenock Academy

Our pick of the best visits continued...

The Science Museum

Thorpe Park

The dungeon will reinforce your pupils’ historical education in an accurate, dramatic and thought-provoking way. Witness scenes of British history depicting human sacrifice, martyrdom, torture and witchcraft.

The Science Museum is packed with aweinspiring galleries, interactive resources and inspirational exhibitions. Try collecting DNA or discover what your voice sounds like as a member of the opposite sex.

Get on board a world’s first with Derren Brown’s Ghost Train: Rise of the Demon.

With intense live action and thrilling physical effects, this one-of-a-kind experience is a fully immersive attraction designed to manipulate the human mind.

Shakespeare's Globe Guided Tours

Wembley tour

West End workshops

Visit the new stadium and take a 90-minute tour to see England’s changing rooms, the players’ warm-up zone, VIP reception area, the Royal Box, dugouts, the post-match interview area, press conference room, treatment rooms and the Bobby Moore Statue. You can even ‘Lift the Cup’!

We offer a range of interactive expert-led workshops that can all be tailored to your chosen West End performance and include a Q&A with a cast member from the show you are seeing (subject to availability)! With a choice of workshops to suit the interests of your group, our fun workshops teach the techniques used by West End actors.

Walbottle Campus

The London Dungeon

Enjoy a Shakespeare experience at The Globe including a guided tour, productions, theatre workshops and other educational experiences at our great group prices. We have worked closely with the Globe for many years and are an official ‘Friend of the Globe’.

Don't miss...

• HMS Belfast - Discover the stories behind this warship from WWII and beyond.

• Tower of London - Learn about some of England’s famous monarchs, see the largest collection of early weapons and armour in Britain.

• Tate Modern - Britain’s spectacular museum of modern and contemporary international art. Themes include landscapes, environment, still life, action, and the body.

• Jack the Ripper tours - On this truly eerie walk your group will be led around the very streets where the story of Jack the Ripper unfolded.

12 London

• National Gallery - This gallery houses a collection of Old Masters’ works from the early Renaissance onwards.

• The View from The Shard - Visit the tallest building in Western Europe and see how The Shard has redefined London’s skyline.

• Free time to explore the city London is a fantastic city for your group to explore. Covent Garden in particular is a great place to watch the many street performers.

A well-balanced itinerary which ran smoothly in terms of timings of visits. The service provided by NST was excellent.

Our trip organisers, Noelle and Ria, were very helpful and efficient.

Malone Integrated College

See more online

Our school travel experts are here to help you personalise your tour

Lochaber High School

Where you will be staying...

MEININGER Hyde Park In an ideal central location offering a unique blend of high quality accommodation and large selection of conference rooms.

Get in touch...

Everything was perfect! It was so excellently organised this year and the students thoroughly enjoyed their trip. The students are already asking when we will be going again!

Bishopstown Community School

Royal National Hotel

Premier Inn

A large, busy hotel offering a good standard of accommodation in a central location, with a good range of facilities.

All hotels belonging to the Premier Inn chain offer comfortable accommodation and are located close to a tube station.

YHA Hostels

Safestay London Holland Park

Purpose-built hostels offering safe, secure and clean accommodation plus great meals.

Originally a Jacobean Residence set in own grounds which has undergone substantial conversion to modern youth hostel accommodation.

+353 (0)1 8940300 info@nst.ie

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London

13

MANCHESTER

Sample itinerary We’ll build your itinerary from scratch Whatever your learning objectives or subject, we’ll create an expertly planned itinerary that fits your needs precisely.

As Manchester experts we can advise on a great range of visit options to make every second count. Below you’ll find an example of our most popular itinerary.

Day 1

The lively city of Manchester offers lots to see and do. Major touring musicals stop off at the Palace Theatre, MediaCity UK continues to grow, and the exciting tour of Manchester United’s Old Trafford ground is still our most popular visit. Manchester offers a convenient alternative to London for those wishing to travel by coach and ferry.

• Morning flight from Ireland • Visit Imperial War Museum North • Manchester theatre performance

Day 2 • Full day visit to Alton Towers

Day 3

Our pick of the best visits...

Where you will be staying...

• Old Trafford Stadium tour

YHA Manchester

• Evening theatre production

Just 10 minutes’ walk from central Manchester, this hostel offers a good standard of accommodation in an excellent location for groups.

• Museum of Science & Industry • Alton Towers • The Trafford Centre & IMAX cinema

• Tour of Old Trafford • Free time exploring & shopping at the Trafford Centre • Return flight to Ireland

See more online

14 Manchester

Our school travel experts are here to help you personalise your tour

EDINBURGH

Sample itinerary We’ll build your itinerary from scratch Whatever your learning objectives or subject, we’ll create an expertly planned itinerary that fits your needs precisely.

As Edinburgh experts we can advise on a great range of visit options to make every second count. Below you’ll find an example of our most popular itinerary.

Day 1

Walk down the Royal Mile in the footsteps of some of the best-known figures in Scottish history during a trip to this historic city. Edinburgh Castle takes students to the heart of the nation’s history, symbolised in the Honours of Scotland – the Scottish Crown Jewels, on display with the famous Stone of Destiny. Enjoy a variety of exciting visits including Our Dynamic Earth and Edinburgh Dungeons.

• Flight from Ireland • Camera Obscura & World of Illusions • Evening meal

Day 2 • Edinburgh Castle • Edinburgh Dungeons • Evening meal

Our pick of the best visits...

Where you will be staying...

• Witchery Ghost Walk of Edinburgh

Day 3

• Edinburgh Castle

Edinburgh Central Youth Hostel (SYHA)

• Dynamic Earth interactive experience

• Edinburgh Dungeons

This modern hostel offers simple, bright rooms, providing functional group accommodation. This hostel is centrally located, a 10-minute walk from Waverley Railway Station and within walking distance of all main attractions.

• Transfer to airport for return flight to

• Dynamic Earth Interactive Experience • Camera Obscura & World of Illusions • Witchery Ghost Walk of Edinburgh

See more online

Get in touch...

+353 (0)1 8940300 info@nst.ie

SEE More online...

Ireland

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Edinburgh

15

PARIS

Sample itinerary We’ll build your itinerary from scratch Whatever your learning objectives or subject, we’ll create an expertly planned As Paris experts we can advise on a great range of visit options to make every second count. Below you’ll find an example of our most popular itinerary.

Day 1

Paris is one of NST’s most popular overseas destinations as well as one of Europe’s most iconic cities. The French capital offers an abundance of exciting visits and attractions. An experience here is one that will both expand your pupils’ cultural awareness and encourage group bonding too! Our cultural experiences in Paris offer far-reaching educational benefits relevant to a range of subject areas.

at a glance...

When to go - Paris is a year-round destination.

Getting there - We offer flights from a variety of departure airports.

Good to know - NST can book Metro tickets in advance, as well as local coaching, so you can explore the city as soon as you arrive.

16 Paris

here to help Our Paris City Representative, Aliya, or a member of her team will meet you on arrival, assist you with hotel checkin, advise you on points of interest and public transport and provide 24-hour emergency assistance.

• Morning flight from Ireland • Guided sightseeing tour of Paris • River Seine cruise

Day 2 • Guided tour of Stade de France • Montmartre & Sacre Coeur • Louvre Museum • Les Invalides & Napolean’s Tomb • Montparnasse Tower

Day 3 • Disneyland® Resort Paris • Disney Village

Day 4 • Latin Quarter • Champs Elysees • Free afternoon for shopping and sightseeing • Return flight to Ireland

Our school travel experts are here to help you personalise your tour

City of Oxford College

itinerary that fits your needs precisely.

© Yorgy67

Stamford Queen Eleanor School

Our pick of the best visits...

Le Stade de France

Château de Versailles

This 196m tower offers fabulous views of Paris.

Interactive facilities help to build language skills and enhance knowledge of Paris, plus downloadable quizzes in English and French are also available

Tour the Museum of French History where several historic events have taken place, including the signing of the Treaty of Versailles.

Explore the impressive 250-acre gardens too.

Stamford Queen Eleanor School

Take your pupils behind-the-scenes of France’s premier stadium. Take a tour, in French or English, of the fifth-largest stadium in Europe, including the pitch, players’ tunnel, changing rooms, security facilities, and museum.

Montparnasse Tower Observation Deck

Seine River boat cruise

Louvre Museum

Montmartre & Sacré Coeur

An enjoyable river cruise along the Seine is a relaxing way to get a unique view of the city and catch a glimpse of some of the famous landmarks. Pupils also learn from the French (or English) commentary on their headsets.

Probably the most famous museum in the world and home to some of the finest collections of antiquities, sculpture and art. It is the ideal place for pupils to see the prominent role that art plays in French culture.

Montmartre provides an opportunity for pupils to practise their language skills with its many street stalls and artists, shops and cafés. Plus, your pupils will enjoy a spectacular view of Paris from the steps of the Sacré Coeur.

®

Experience the magic of Disneyland Paris Both Disneyland® Park and Walt Disney Studios® Park provide a great environment for your pupils to work together, bond as a class and challenge their personal boundaries. Why not include a visit during your trip?

Disneyland® Park Explore five themed lands filled with Disney classic stories: adrenalin packed thrill rides such as Big Thunder Mountain, Disney classics like Pirates of the Caribbean and Dumbo the Flying Elephant and many opportunities to meet your favourite Disney Characters.

Walt Disney Studios® Park

Get in touch...

+353 (0)1 8940300 info@nst.ie

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© Disney

Step through the studio gates and immerse yourself in the fascinating world of movies, animation and television. Find out how Disney creates the magic and feel what it’s like to be star of stage and screen.

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Paris

17

Our pick of the best visits continued...

Guided tour of Paris

Centre Pompidou

Parc Astérix

A tailor-made coach tour of Paris that includes a dedicated French or English-speaking guide, who will help with pronunciation and knowledge of the many sights of Paris. Don’t miss the evening Paris illuminations tour!

The design of this art gallery is a proud example of modern French architecture.

Outside, the street artists, musicians and performers and the nearby Stravinsky Fountain is an added bonus.

This typically French theme park is home to over 30 outside attractions, all based around the famous Astérix comic-strips. Parc Astérix is especially well known for its large variety of roller coasters and entertainment.

Gourmet Chocolate Museum - Notre Dame & Île De La Cité This stunning and imposing building is a mustChoco Story Students will learn about the history of chocolate making, dating back over 4,000 years right up to the modern day, then students can sample some of the delicious products.

see of Paris, particularly as the cathedral has witnessed many important ceremonies for Christianity and the history of nations.

Aquaboulevard This large aquatic indoor recreational park provides enjoyment and fun for all ages.

Beautiful tropical surroundings all year round.

Ideal for Transition Year programmes

Immer studen for KS4 learner

Don't miss...

• Eiffel Tower - Paris’ best-known monument has outstanding views of the city, which on a clear day can stretch for 70 kilometres, giving the chance to pinpoint many landmarks.

• Fragonard Perfumery - Take a free guided tour in your choice of French or English and visit the museum and shop where you’ll find a wide range of fragrant products.

• Musée d’Orsay - There are many curriculum relevant starting points housed here, including the outdoor scenes of Impressionists such as Renoir, Sisley, Pissarro and Monet, to Munch, Klimt and the architectural models of Frank Lloyd Wright.

• Musée de l’Orangerie - Providing a highly original insight into modern art, featuring Cézanne, Renoir, Picasso, Rousseau, Matisse, Derain, and others.

• Cité des Sciences (The Science City) - The largest science museum in Europe, Cité des Sciences is packed with exhibits exploring man’s experiences with science.

• Accord Language School Workshop - Awarded the prestigious French Foreign Language Quality Label, this fabulous language school operates the ‘play and learn’ method of teaching French. Sessions can even take place on the streets of Paris and are tailored to the group’s requirements.

See more online

18 Paris

LIVE! student events at Disneyland® Paris Bring learning to life for your students and fire their future career ambitions at one of our LIVE! student events at Disneyland® Paris in March 2020!

Our LIVE! student events combine a conference with LIVE! expert speaker presentations with the magic of Disneyland® Paris. See back cover for details.

Our school travel experts are here to help you personalise your tour

Where you will be staying...

FIAP Jean Monnet

Campanile Val de France á Disneyland® Paris

This simple, clean accommodation comes highly recommended and has the best facilities of all the centres in Paris.

Residence International de Paris

Hôtel Ambassadeur

A simple youth centre with experienced and accommodating staff. Good facilities available for disabled persons.

Located in Montmartre, just a few minutes away from the Sacré Coeur in Paris, Hôtel Ambassadeur is a 3-star hotel that offers you a charming stay in the artists’ district.

B&B Hotel Disneyland® Paris A modern, functional hotel located in an eastern Paris suburb. Clean rooms and well-maintained.

Get in touch...

The hotel is located just outside Disneyland® Park and offers comfortable accommodation and facilities for groups.

+353 (0)1 8940300 info@nst.ie

See more online

SEE More online...

nst.ie

Paris

19

LOIRE valley

Sample itinerary We’ll build your itinerary from scratch subject, we’ll create an expertly planned itinerary that fits your needs precisely.

As Loire Valley experts we can advise on a great range of visit options to make every second count. Below you’ll find an example of our most popular itinerary.

Day 1

Known as ‘the Garden of France’, the Loire Valley is home to many cultural and educational visits for groups. A school trip to this popular destination offers groups outstanding immersion in the charm of French country life. During your trip to the region, NST can tailor your itinerary to include Futuroscope theme park – a popular and fun visit that your pupils will love!

Our pick of the best visits...

Where you will be staying...

• Flights from Ireland • Transfer to Loire Valley

Day 2 • Full day at Futuroscope

Day 3 • Bigot Patissier Chocolatier • Explore the towns of Tours, Amboise or Loches • Eurobowl Buxerolles

• Futuroscope theme park

Hotel du Futuroscope

Day 4

• Aquarium du Val de Loire

Simple, comfortable on-site accommodation.

The hotel is ideal for groups visiting Futuroscope but is also well-located for excursions into the delightful Loire Valley.

• Visit to the Châteaux of the Loire Valley

• Châteaux of the Loire Valley • Patisserie Chocolaterie Bigot • Explore Saumur, Amboise & Loches

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20 Loire Valley

• Transfer to Paris • Return flight to Ireland

Our school travel experts are here to help you personalise your tour

Hipperholme Grammar School

Whatever your learning objectives or

NORMANDY

Sample itinerary We’ll build your itinerary from scratch Whatever your learning objectives or subject, we’ll create an expertly planned itinerary that fits your needs precisely.

As Normandy experts we can advise on a great range of visit options to make every second count. Below you’ll find an example of our most popular itinerary.

Day 1 • Daytime flight from Ireland

A trip to Normandy offers a wealth of cultural visits, from traditional seaside towns and local markets to famous historic sites. During your tour to Normandy, your pupils will be immersed in French life whilst enjoying diverse cultural heritage. Plus, when you book with NST, you’ll benefit from our first-hand knowledge of visits and accommodation that will best suit your group’s needs.

Our pick of the best visits...

Where you will be staying...

• Bayeux town

Maison Familiale Bon Sejour

• Co-Pains Boulangerie

This is a highly recommended, popular option for school groups. The centre offers a good standard of accommodation and superb facilities. The staff are very experienced in accommodating youth groups.

• Cidrerie • La Cité de la Mer • Arromanches

See more online

Get in touch...

+353 (0)1 8940300 info@nst.ie

SEE More online...

• Check into accommodation • Local orientation

Day 2 • Bread making & tasting at Boulangerie Co-Pains • Demonstration & tasting at Ciderie Manoir d’Apreval • Exploration of Honfleur • Free time

Day 3 • Practise language skills in Bayeux & its local market • Guided tour & demonstration of a goat dairy farm • Free time

Day 4 • Audio tour of the Bayeux Tapestry • Departure for return flight to Ireland

nst.ie

Normandy

21

NORTHERN FRANCE belgium

Sample itinerary Whatever your learning objectives or subject, we’ll create an expertly planned itinerary that fits your needs precisely. As Northern France experts we can advise on a great range of visit options to make every second count. Below you’ll find an example of our most popular itinerary.

Day 1

Northern France is an ideal destination for groups seeking to enhance language skills and for those visiting the WWI battlefields.

A perfect based for groups to practise language skills, discover French culture through a range of educational and cultural visits.

For history groups the key battlefield sites of Ypres and the Somme are less than 90 minutes away.

at a glance...

here to help

Getting there - We offer flights from a variety of departure airports into either Paris or Brussels.

Language workshops - In a relaxed environment your students will take part in speaking and listening sessions with native speakers, greatly enhancing their learning experience.

Good to know - Combine a trip to Northern France with a visit to Paris or Belgium to make the most of your time away.

Town Treasure Trails - NST’s exclusive trails are an excellent method of getting students to read, repeat and understand French words and phrases.

When to go - The best time to travel is March – December.

22 Northern France & Belgium

• Morning flight from Ireland • Guided tour of Brussels • Transfer to accommodation • Group quiz

Day 2 • Local boulangerie with demonstration & tasting • Free time in Boulogne-sur-Mer • Local goat farm • Les Chocolats de Beussent • Karaoke evening

Day 3 • Full day excursion to Ypres & the Somme including visits to the Ulster Tower & Wood, ‘In Flanders Field’ Museum & the Tyne Cot Cemetery • Attend the Last Post Ceremony

Day 4 • Last minute shopping & sightseeing in Bruges or similar • Transfer to airport for return flight to Ireland

Our school travel experts are here to help you personalise your tour

Tettenhall College

We’ll build your itinerary from scratch

Our pick of the best visits...

Bellewaerde Theme Park

Les Chocolats de Beussent

Nausicaá Sea Centre

Spend a day at this fantastic theme park, home of the wonderful mix of rollercoasters, shows, animals and water features.

Combine the demonstrations of melting, moulding and coating with a guided tour of the workshop and the chance to sample the chocolates.

This fascinating sea centre promotes French learning through interactive exhibits. A range of educational workshops are available to book for all age groups in French or English.

In Flanders Fields Museum

Menin Gate & Last Post Ceremony

Sanctuary Wood Museum

Covering most aspects of the war in Flanders, this is a superb state-of-the-art, interactive museum. Students will be taken on a journey through the eyes of someone who witnessed the WWI.

Don't miss...

The largest and the most important of the British memorials to the Missing in The Salient, the Menin Gate holds the names of 54,896 soldiers of the British Empire. Your students will witness the moving ‘Last Post Ceremony’.

This fascinating visit shows well-preserved, original trenches. It consists of two rooms housing artefacts and photos from WWI.

Where you will be staying...

• Boulangerie Escoeuilles

NST’s Château d’Ebblinghem

• Natur’Pom Cider Farm

• Purpose built accommodation – Alongside the 19th century

• L’Escargotière du Choquel • Boulogne-sur-Mer • Ulster Tower • Thiepval Memorial • Vimy Ridge • Newfoundland Park • Irish Peace Tower • Tyne Cot Cemetery

See more online

Get in touch...

French country house stands a number of accommodation buildings. We built these from the ground up with your needs in mind.

• Support of a Group Co-ordinator – They will be your main point of contact at the château and it’s their job to make your stay as comfortable and hassle-free as possible.

• Safe and secure – Only NST staff and groups are allowed onto the grounds.

• Outstanding recreational facilities – How does four hectares of private ground, two football pitches, volleyball area and a games room sound?

• Your own group leaders’ lounge – Sometimes it’s necessary to have a bit of a breather and get your feet up, and you can do so in your own private group leaders’ lounge where you’ll be served complimentary wine & cheese each night.

+353 (0)1 8940300 info@nst.ie

SEE More online...

nst.ie

Northern France & Belgium

23

BARCELONA SALOU

Sample itinerary We’ll build your itinerary from scratch Whatever your learning objectives or subject, we’ll create an expertly planned itinerary that fits your needs precisely. As Barcelona & Salou experts we can advise on a great range of visit options to make every second count. Below you’ll find an example of our most popular itinerary.

Day 1 • Morning flight from Ireland

A trip to Spain’s ‘Gold Coast’ will give your pupils the opportunity to explore a diverse area which extends from the cosmopolitan city of Barcelona to Tarragona in the south. With a range of enrichment experiences to choose from, the area also boasts endless miles of golden sandy beaches, lively resorts and PortAventura theme park. A school trip to this region is ideal for groups seeking a budget-friendly base.

at a glance...

When to go - Southern Catalonia is most popular between February – October.

Good to know - NST can provide language groups with a free Go Explore Journal. Specifically designed for language groups, pupils will be able to record their experience and new vocabulary in a daily journal.

24 Barcelona & Salou

here to help Our Barcelona City Representative, Eva, or a member of her team will meet you on arrival, assist you with hotel checkin, advise you on points of interest and public transport and provide 24-hour emergency assistance.

• Guided coach tour of Barcelona taking in the key sights (Plaza Catalunya, the Gothic Quarter & Cathedral, Las Ramblas & Columbus Monument & more) • Transfer to Salou • Stroll around Salou

Day 2 • Nou Camp Stadium • Sagrada Família & Park Güell • Bowling

Day 3 • Full day at PortAventura & Ferrari Land

Day 4 • Roman town of Tarragona • Last minute shopping & sightseeing • Transfer to the airport for return flight to Ireland

Our school travel experts are here to help you personalise your tour

Our pick of the best visits...

Guided tour of Barcelona

Nou Camp Stadium

La Sagrada Família

Taking in Montjuïc Mountain with the Olympic Ring and Stadium, the Gothic Quarter, two Gaudí buildings, drive by the Olympic Village, finishing at the Sagrada Família.

This world-famous football stadium offers students the opportunity to experience the awe-inspiring size of this venue whilst also learning about the heritage and history of Barcelona FC.

Gaudí’s unfinished masterpiece remains a popular tourist attraction and a symbol of the city. Students will be amazed by its sheer size and its architectural complexity.

Montjuïc

Tarragona

Montserrat Monastery

This historic, hilly area provides the best views of Barcelona. Explore its wide range of attractions, including the Olympic Stadium and Poble Espanyol. You can also take a cable car from Montjuïc down to Maremagnum.

Now a modern port, the city is home to many Roman ruins, including the impressive ‘Devil’s Bridge’ aqueduct and the Amphitheatre.

This spectacular monastery, founded in 1025 and much rebuilt since then, is still home to monks and has accommodation for pilgrims.

The monastery is the centre of the Catalan faith.

Portaventura Ferrari Land Don't miss...

NST and PortAventura have been working closely together to bring you the very best value tickets.

• Port Vell – IMAX Cinema & Maremagnum • Las Ramblas • Park Güell • L’Aquarium • Font Major Caves, L’Espluga • Markets – La Boqueria, Places de les Glories • Gaudí Houses • Dalí Theatre & Museum • Sitges

Ferrari Land is the new, authentic Ferrari experience of excitement, adrenaline and fun. Enjoy a thrilling experience at this unique theme park and discover all the secrets behind the legendary Italian brand and its creator, Enzo Ferrari.

Take in several shows, from the dazzling wonders of Teatro Imperial in China to the exotic dances of Polynesia and then enjoy the thrills and spills of the many, many rides.

PortAventura is located only ten minutes’ from the mythical Roman Tarragona. Here, you’ll enjoy a trip full of imagination, education, laughter and entertainment.

See more online

Get in touch...

PortAventura has everything to make a school trip unforgettable! Both students and teachers will have a great time in the two amazing parks.

PortAventura Park is an astonishing amusement park divided in six thematic areas with many rides and shows. Costa Caribe Aquatic Park is a water park packed with waves and slides.

+353 (0)1 8940300 info@nst.ie

SEE More online...

nst.ie

Barcelona & Salou

25

MADRID

Sample itinerary We’ll build your itinerary from scratch Whatever your learning objectives or subject, we’ll create an expertly planned itinerary that fits your needs precisely.

As Madrid experts we can advise on a great range of visit options to make every second count. Below you’ll find an example of our most popular itinerary.

Day 1

Explore this vibrant city full of museums, monuments and parks.

Madrid combines a modern infrastructure with an important cultural and artistic heritage, the legacy of centuries of fascinating history.

NST has school-friendly accommodation within its compact centre, allowing you to see almost all the sights on foot or by using the excellent metro system.

at a glance...

When to go - Madrid is a year-round destination but is best avoided during July when the city is very hot and busy.

Good to know - NST can provide language groups with a free Go Explore Journal. Specifically designed for language groups, pupils will be able to record their experience and new vocabulary in a daily journal.

26 Madrid

here to help Our Madrid City Representative, Virginia, or a member of her team will meet you on arrival, assist you with hotel checkin, advise you on points of interest and public transport and provide 24-hour emergency assistance.

• Daytime flight from Ireland • Transfer to accommodation • Explore Casa de Campo

Day 2 • Real Madrid Football Club • Parque de Retiro, Plaza Mayor & Plaza Espana, & the Gran Via • Bowling evening

Day 3 • Warner Brothers Movie World

Day 4 • Prado Museum • Shopping & sightseeing at El Rastro or around Gran Via & Calle Preciados • Transfer to airport for return flight to Ireland

Our school travel experts are here to help you personalise your tour

© Pablo Costa Tirado

Our pick of the best visits...

Warner Brothers Movie World

Real Madrid Football Club

Language workshops

Host to some of Europe’s largest and fastest rides with 25 attractions including five roller coasters; one free fall tower; one simulator; three water rides & seven shows (seasonal opening).

Students can take a guided or self-guided tour of the trophy room, the pitch and players’ tunnel at the Santiago Bernabeu football stadium, home of one of the world’s most famous sporting clubs.

Madrid language school is centrally-located and focuses on working at your group’s current skill level with workshops that involve topics linked to visits in the city.

Prado Museum

Centro de Arte Reina Sofia

Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum

Located right at the heart of Madrid’s cultural centre, the Prado is home to many European masterpieces. The extensive collection features historical works by artists such as Goya, Velázquez and El Greco.

Completing the cultural triangle of museums in Madrid, this centre houses a permanent collection of Spanish modern and contemporary art and is home to Picasso’s Guernica.

Considered to be one of the finest collections of art in the world, it consists of over 700 paintings including masterpieces by many famous artists.

Don't miss...

Where you will be staying...

• Guided tour of Madrid • Las Ventas Bullring

A central hotel offering simple rooms and good value for money.

Hotel Mediodia is located in the heart of the city centre, close to all major museums and attractions.

• Toledo • Flamenco lessons • Reina Sofia Museum • El Escorial • La Puerta del Sol

TOC Hostel Madrid

• Tapas tasting

Located in central Madrid, just 150 yards from Puerta del Sol Square, this trendy hostel offers smart, air-conditioned rooms with free WiFi and eye-catching décor.

• Parque de Atracciones • El Rastro (flea market) • Casa de Campo

See more online

Get in touch...

An excellent itinerary which represented outstanding value for money. It was an excellent tour which was fully enjoyed by everyone. NST went above and beyond during the planning of the trip.

The support and advice provided by Trish and Samantha was first class.

Hotel Mediodia

+353 (0)1 8940300 info@nst.ie

SEE More online...

St Paul’s High School

nst.ie

Madrid

27

KRAKOW

Sample itinerary We’ll build your itinerary from scratch Whatever your learning objectives or subject, we’ll create an expertly planned itinerary that fits your needs precisely.

As Krakow experts we can advise on a great range of visit options to make every second count. Below you’ll find an example of our most popular itinerary.

Day 1 • Morning flight from Ireland

The ancient capital of Poland is a hugely important historical and cultural centre. Its compact and pretty city centre provides students with easy access to the many impressive tourist attractions. A history based trip will provide an in-depth study of the Jewish community in the city, one of the most important centres of Jewish life in pre-war Europe.

• Guided walking tour of Krakow including the Old Town Square, University District, Wawel Hill, Kazimierz & the Jewish Quarter • Explore the old town

Day 2 • Excursion to Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial Site with on-site guide • Park Wodny Aquapark

at a glance...

here to help

When to go - Krakow is a year-round destination - although the winter days are short and cold.

Eating out - NST can pre-book meals at a range of restaurants making it easier for you.

Local currency - Zloty

NST’s Educationalist History Guides Benefit from an NST Educationalist Guide for local knowledge and educational support. All our history guides are professional academics, historians and writers. Ask us for further details.

Good to know - At Christmas and Easter time, traditional market stalls fill the Old Town Square – a great evening activity for your group!

28 Krakow

Day 3 • Wieliczka Salt Mines • Schindler’s Museum • Meet with a Holocaust survivor or relative

Day 4 • Free time for shopping or additional sightseeing • Transfer to airport for return flight to Ireland

Our school travel experts are here to help you personalise your tour

Our pick of the best visits...

Around the Old Town Square

Auschwitz-Birkenau

Galicia Museum & workshops

Rynek Główny (Town Square) - the largest in medieval Europe, Mariacki Church (St Mary’s Church) of Gothic origins with a fine altar, Sukiennice (Cloth Hall) of vast proportions.

Following the Nazi invasion of Poland in September 1939, this town became home to the largest concentration and death camp.

Today as a museum, Auschwitz serves as a poignant reminder of the horrors of WWII.

This private museum celebrates the Jewish culture of Galicia and poignantly commemorates the victims of the Holocaust.

During your visit, your students can take part in a choice of new interactive workshops.

Meet with a Holocaust survivor or relative

Wieliczka Salt Mine

Park Wodny Aquapark

A listed World Heritage Site, 15kms south of Krakow, this deposit of rock salt has been mined since the 13th century. Spread over nine levels, it has 300 km of galleries with works of art, altars, and statues sculpted in the salt.

Krakow’s Aquapark offers marvellous fun for all age groups, featuring attractions such as sauna, hydro-massage, jacuzzi, climbing walls and 800 meters of totally twisted slides!

Groups have the invaluable opportunity to meet and speak with Holocaust survivors or a member of a survivor’s family. An incredible chance to gain first-hand insight into life under Nazi-rule.

Don't miss...

Where you will be staying...

• Podgorze (Wartime Ghetto)

Hotel Wyspianski

• Kazmierz (former Jewish district)

This hotel offers comfortable accommodation and is situated in a fantastic central location.

• Wawel Hill

The tour was excellent.

The itinerary was so suited to our needs and the pupils loved the different activities and museums.

• Krakow Under Nazi Occupation Museum (The Schindler Museum) • Meal in a traditional Jewish restaurant

Best Western Hotel Galicya A modern hotel with friendly staff, offering a good standard of accommodation.

• Krakow Old Town

See more online

Get in touch...

+353 (0)1 8940300 info@nst.ie

SEE More online...

Ballyclare High School

nst.ie

Krakow

29

BERLIN

Sample itinerary Whatever your learning objectives or subject, we’ll create an expertly planned itinerary that fits your needs precisely.

As Berlin experts we can advise on a great range of visit options to make every second count. Below you’ll find an example of our most popular itinerary.

Day 1

Berlin is one of Europe’s most historic cities and has evolved to become vibrant and cosmopolitan with a wide range of educational and cultural visits. A school trip to Berlin gives pupils a greater understanding of German life, past and present. History groups can gain insight into the Holocaust and the Cold War. German language pupils will be immersed in the culture of German life, helping to enhance language skills.

• Daytime flight & transfer to accommodation, check-in assistance from NST City Representative • Guided coach tour of Berlin • Visit to the Reichstag building

Day 2 • Sachsenhausen Memorial Site • Olympic Stadium • Checkpoint Charlie & Wallmuseum Haus • Bowling

at a glance...

Good to know • The best way to get around is by foot and on the S-Bahn and U-Bahn. Purchase small group tickets to save on cost.

• NST can pre-book meals at a range of restaurants making it easier for you.

• Visit at Christmas time and experience a traditional German market for a festive evening activity for your group.

30 Berlin

here to help Local Assistance - Our Berlin City Representative, Tatjana, or a member of her team, will meet you on arrival, assist you with hotel check-in, advise you on points of interest and public transport and provide 24hour emergency assistance.

NST’s Educationalist History Guides - Benefit from an NST Educationalist Guide for local knowledge and educational support. All our history guides are professional academics, historians and writers. Ask us for further details.

Day 3 • Guided tour of the Berlin Bunkers • Guided tour of the Hohenschönhausen Memorial (Stasi prison) • TV Tower

Day 4 • Last minute sightseeing and some shopping.

• Transfer to airport for return flight to Ireland

Our school travel experts are here to help you personalise your tour

Southmoor Acadmey

We’ll build your itinerary from scratch

Woking High School

Our pick of the best visits...

Hohenschönhausen Memorial (Stasi Prison)

Sachsenhausen was one of the earliest and most significant concentration camps in Nazi Germany. The history of the camp, including its post-WWII use by the Soviet Union, is told with detailed exhibitions as well as physical remains.

This former political prison for people detained by the Stasi is now a museum which covers the Stasi period and its origins as a Soviet Special Prison. NST can arrange for a guided tour to be taken by an ex-political prisoner.

Woking High School

escpeapalumni / Flickr

This interactive museum immerses students into daily life during the Communist Era in East Berlin helping them understand the period in a unique and entertaining way. Take a virtual drive round an East German housing estate in the Trabi simulator.

Sachsenhausen Memorial Site

Woking High School

The Story of Berlin

Berlin Bunker tours

Topography of Terror

Pro-Log workshops

A fascinating tour into the secret history below the city’s streets, giving an insight into the Home Front in Berlin during the WWII as well as preparations made for nuclear attacks during the Cold War.

This fascinating exhibition is contained within the former cellars of Gestapo HQ, illustrating the terrors and crimes of the Nazi era.

The new documentation centre and other exhibitions are presented in both English and German.

Located close to many of our most popular hotels, these workshops are taken in German by local teachers. The sessions can include city trails or other activities. After the workshop visit the markets to practise language skills.

Don't miss...

• Guided city tour • Brandenburg Gate area • Holocaust Memorial • Wallmuseum-Haus • Wannsee Villa • Checkpoint Charlie • Cecilienhof Palace & Potsdam

Where you will be staying...

MEININGER Hotel Berlin Central Station

Schultz Hotel Berlin

A very modern and comfortable hotel which offers a high standard as well as good in-house facilities.

It is located in the heart of Berlin, with excellent access to public transport.

A large hotel with 350 rooms centrally located. Built with school groups in mind, modern and comfortable with excellent facilities.

• The Reichstag

MEININGER Hotel Berlin Alexanderplatz

Citylight Hotel

• The TV Tower

A very good standard of accommodation, care of the well-known MEININGER Hotels chain. Strategic location for visits in both former West and former East Berlin.

This hotel has received consistently high praise from returning groups. It is modern and spacious, with excellent leisure facilities and very professionally managed.

• My Tropical Islands Water Park

See more online

Get in touch...

+353 (0)1 8940300 info@nst.ie

SEE More online...

nst.ie

Berlin

31

MUNICH

Sample itinerary We’ll build your itinerary from scratch Whatever your learning objectives or subject, we’ll create an expertly planned itinerary that fits your needs precisely.

As Munich experts we can advise on a great range of visit options to make every second count. Below you’ll find an example of our most popular itinerary.

Day 1

A tour to Bavaria’s capital offers groups a diverse range of exceptional cultural experiences, from royal palaces to modern architecture, film studios and numerous museums. With a fantastic range of visits and language enrichment experiences on offer, we’ll help you create the perfect itinerary for your group.

• Daytime flight & transfer to accommodation • Check-in assistance from NST City Representative • Munich guided tour • Bowling

Day 2 • Olympic Stadium & tour

at a glance...

Good to know • Getting around will be on foot and using public transport, the S-Bahn and U-Bahn.

• Public transport tickets offer a small group ticket which is ideal for groups.

• During the end of November and December, visit the festive Christmas markets.

32 Munich

here to help Local Assistance - Our Munich City Representative, Birgit, or a member of her team, will meet you on arrival, assist you with hotel check-in, advise you on points of interest and public transport and provide 24hour emergency assistance.

NST’s Educationalist History Guides - Benefit from an NST Educationalist Guide for local knowledge and educational support. All our history guides are professional academics, historians and writers. Ask us for further details.

• Galaxy Erding Water Park

Day 3 • Full day visit to Salzburg including Sound of Music tour

Day 4 • Allianz Arena • Free time for shopping or additional sightseeing • Transfer to airport for return flight to Ireland

Our school travel experts are here to help you personalise your tour

Olympic Stadium & Olympiapark adventure tour

© Jo Jan

Christian Scheja / Flickr

Our pick of the best visits...

Neuschwanstein Castle

Berchtesgaden Saltmines

Take a fabulous guided tour of this international event centre, sports and recreational park and tourist attraction with world fame.

“The castle of the fairy-tale king” is one of the most popular of all the palaces and castles in Europe. The setting of this beautiful and magical white turreted castle could not be more idyllic.

A guided tour can be taken of this fascinating underground world. Dressed in miner’s clothing, you can enjoy a ride on a train, a funicular, a raft and go down slides! You will also learn about mining history and techniques.

Salzburg

Dachau Memorial Site

Guided walking tour

Take a trip to the beautiful city of Salzburg and visit some of the many famous sights including the Mirabell Palace and Gardens, the Hellbrunn Palace and Trick Fountains and the Hehensalzburg Fortress.

The only concentration camp to encompass the 12 years of the Third Reich. It became a vital tool of Nazi oppression, acting as the model camp and the so-called school of terror.

Take a walking tour of this fascinating city with Birgit, NST’s dedicated City Representative. Your walking tour will take in the sights and sounds of the city, and will be tailored to your group’s level.

Don't miss...

• Munich Documentation Centre

• The BMW Museum

• Skyline Amusement Park

• Allianz Arena

• Hitler’s Eagles Nest

• Nuremburg

• Zugspitze Platt & Cogwheel train

• Mirabell Gardens

See more online

Where you will be staying...

MEININGER Hotel Munich City Center A modern and comfortable hotel, close to Central Station offering a large number of in-house facilities. Excellent value for money.

Get in touch...

+353 (0)1 8940300 info@nst.ie

Galaxy Erding Waterpark With 27 slides, Europe’s largest slide world offers unlimited fun on 2,700 metres of slides. Three difficulty levels Family, Action, X-Treme offer everything your pupils wish for.

Highlights of the Galaxy Erding include the Magic Eye, with 360 meters the longest, closed tube slide in the world, the Speed Racer slides that invite you to exciting duels slip and the Black Mamba, the official slide of the German race slip championships. Slides as high-performance sports can be found on our X-treme slides - three slides, three tests of courage, three times adrenaline!

SEE More online...

nst.ie

Munich

33

RHINE mOselle

Sample itinerary We’ll build your itinerary from scratch Whatever your learning objectives or subject, we’ll create an expertly planned Rhine & Moselle experts we can advise on a great range of visit options to make every second count. Below you’ll find an example of our most popular itinerary.

Day 1

The region offers a wide range of visits that give an insight into German life and a welcoming environment to practise language skills. NST offers an excellent choice of accommodation serving the needs of school groups and our tailor-made itineraries will add real value to your classroom-based learning.

Our pick of the best visits...

Where you will be staying...

• Phantasialand (seasonal opening)

SMARTY Cologne City Center

• Rhine River cruise

Functional but comfortable accommodation in the centre of Cologne.

The hostel team are experienced in accommodating school and student groups and there is a friendly atmosphere.

• Explore towns of Cochem, Cologne, Boppard, Rüdesheim, Koblenz & Trier • Vineyards & regional food tasting • Marksburg Castle

See more online

34 Rhine & Moselle

• Morning flight from Ireland • Sightseeing in Cologne • Cologne Chocolate Museum

Day 2 • Cochem Castle • Cochem Wave Pool • Quiz night

Day 3 • Full day excursion to Phantasialand

Day 4 • Boppard chairlift to Vierseenblick • Rhine steamer cruise from Boppard to St Goarshausen • Transfer to airport for return flight to Ireland

Our school travel experts are here to help you personalise your tour

Kings Langley School

itinerary that fits your needs precisely. As

BRUSSELS

Sample itinerary We’ll build your itinerary from scratch Whatever your learning objectives or subject, we’ll create an expertly planned itinerary that fits your needs precisely.

As Brussels experts we can advise on a great range of visit options to make every second count. Below you’ll find an example of our most popular itinerary.

Day 1

With the headquarters of the European Union and the European Commission residing here, Brussels is a city of dominant international standing. This is a fascinating city for your students to visit as well as being a great base for other visits around Belgium. NST can arrange everything your group will need - and at great group prices too!

• Morning flight from Ireland • Guided tour of Concept Chocolate • Guided city tour by night

Day 2 • Coca-Cola European Visitors Centre • Visit & ascend the Atomium

Our pick of the best visits...

Where you will be staying...

• European Parliament & Parliamentarium • Coca-Cola European Visitors Centre • European Commission • Concept Chocolate • Automium

• Stroll around the Grand Place • Bowling

MEININGER Hotel Brussels City Center

Day 3

A modern, comfortable hotel which offers a high standard of room comfort, as well as good in-house facilities.

• European Parliament tour • Return flight to Ireland

See more online

Get in touch...

+353 (0)1 8940300 info@nst.ie

SEE More online...

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Brussels

35

amsterdam

Sample itinerary We’ll build your itinerary from scratch Whatever your learning objectives or subject, we’ll create an expertly planned itinerary that fits your needs precisely.

As Amsterdam experts we can advise on a great range of visit options to make every second count. Below you’ll find an example of our most popular itinerary.

Day 1 • Flight to the Netherlands & transfer to accommodation

Whether you want your group to study or just experience the culture, Amsterdam has it all. Discover artistic masterpieces, explore the picturesque countryside with its iconic windmills, canal towns and fields filled with tulips. De Eftling’s theme park is a huge attraction for visitors of all ages or take on the wildest rollercoasters at Walibi Holland.

Our pick of the best visits...

• Dutch Resistance Museum • Jewish Historical Museum • Arnhem – Operation Market Garden • Portuguese Synagogue • Corrie Ten Boom House

See more online

36 Amsterdam

Where you will be staying...

MEININGER Hotel Amsterdam City West A very modern and comfortable hotel which offers a high standard of room as well as good in-house facilities. Safe location with excellent access to public transport links to central Amsterdam.

• Exploration of local area

Day 2 • Full day visit to Amsterdam. Tour of Anne Frank’s House, canal cruise, free time for shopping in Damm Square, museum or gallery visits • Quiz night

Day 3 • Visit to Rembrandt’s House • Clara Maria Cheese & Clog Farm en route to Noordwijk • Free time

Day 4 • Free time for shopping & sightseeing • Transfer to airport for return flight to Ireland

Our school travel experts are here to help you personalise your tour

christmas markets In the build-up to Christmas, take your group on an exciting trip to a winter wonderland in Germany or France. Pupils can practise and improve their language skills, enrich their cultural understanding and connect as a group. Enjoy tobogganing and ice-skating, a trip on a Ferris wheel and city sights too.

Where you will be staying...

SMARTY Cologne City Center Functional and comfortable accommodation in the centre of Cologne.

MEININGER Berlin Central Station

Cologne

Berlin

Lille

With six different markets open daily, and well into the evening, you’ll definitely maximise your time away in Cologne. See the largest Christmas tree in the Rhineland, sample local artisans’ produce, visit nostalgic attractions and Santa Claus’ quarter and enjoy a Christmas cruise.

Combine a traditional market experience with a visit to one of Europe’s most vibrant cities. Over 60 Christmas markets and a great programme of cultural events await you. Visit the Potsdamer Platz Winter Wonderland and ‘Boccia on ice’.

Enjoy a magical Christmas market combined with a stay at NST’s Château d’Ebblinghem. From here you can visit up to three Christmas markets (Lille, Bruges and Ypres), and enjoy a Christmas quiz night and a five-course traditional Christmas dinner.

Get in touch...

A very modern and comfortable hotel with great public transport access.

Château d’Ebblinghem NST’s exclusive school group accommodation.

See page 23 for further details.

See more online +353 (0)1 8940300 info@nst.ie

SEE More online...

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Christmas Markets

37

ROME

Sample itinerary Whatever your learning objectives or subject, we’ll create an expertly planned itinerary that fits your needs precisely.

As Rome experts we can advise on a great range of visit options to make every second count. Below you’ll find an example of our most popular itinerary.

Day 1 • Daytime flight from Ireland

Combining its classical heritage with the trappings of a modern city, Rome is a fascinating year-round destination to visit with a wealth of educational visits and attractions for pupils to explore. Its centre is sufficiently compact to accommodate walking tours while its extensive and excellent metro system also affords easy access to the superb range of museums, monuments and tourist attractions.

• Transfer to accommodation with check-in assistance from NST City Representative • Guided tour of Ancient Rome including the Roman Forum • Evening meal

Day 2 • Visit to the Vatican • Casa St Angelo

at a glance...

When to go Anytime of the year but it gets very hot during the summer months and there’s little shade when visiting archaeological sites.

Good to know • Most shops close from about 1.00pm to 4.30pm, they then stay open until 8.00pm to 9.00pm.

• Some visits are free to schools if you take along your school headed paper.

38 Rome

here to help Local Assistance - Our Rome City Representative, Norman, or a member of his team, will meet you on arrival, assist you with hotel check-in, advise you on points of interest and public transport and provide 24hour emergency assistance.

Local Guides - Our experienced, bilingual guides, led by head guide Richard, understand the requirements of school groups and will bring Rome’s culture, architecture and history to life.

• Enjoy exploring the Spanish Steps & Trevi Fountain

Day 3 • Ancient Christian Catacombs • Visit the Galleria Borghese • Free time at Piazza Navona

Day 4 • Last minute sightseeing & shopping • Transfer to airport for return flight to Ireland

Our school travel experts are here to help you personalise your tour

Carmel College

We’ll build your itinerary from scratch

Tre-Gib School

Our pick of the best visits...

Vatican & Sistine Chapel

The Colosseum

St Peter’s Basilica

The Sistine Chapel and the Stanze della Segnatura, decorated by Raphael, are on the visitor route through the Vatican Museums.

This chapel represents a collection quite unique in the history of painting.

The largest ever amphitheatre built in the Roman Empire, is one of the greatest works of Roman architecture. The Colosseum was used for gladiatorial contests and public spectacles, including re-enactments of famous battles.

Famous as a place of pilgrimage, in Catholic tradition, this is the burial site of its namesake.

Like all the earliest churches in Rome, St Peter’s has its entrance to the east and the apse at the west.

Ancient Christian Catacombs

Ostia Antica

Rainbow Magicland

Forming an underground maze in the outskirts of the city, over 40 catacombs provide a glimpse into the world of early Christianity in the city.

The harbour city of ancient Rome is 20 miles out of the city but is a fascinating visit.

Students will enjoy exploring the extensive remains of the Roman town and often prefer it to Pompeii and Herculaneum.

(seasonal opening)

Don't miss...

Where you will be staying...

• Trevi Fountain

Hotel Lazio

• Roman Forum

Both the pupils and staff

Offering good quality accommodation within easy reach of the main tourist areas of Rome, and within easy walking distance of the Termini Station.

• Palatine Hill • Pantheon • Capitoline Museum • Galleria Borghese • Galleria Nazionale d’Arte Moderna

thoroughly enjoyed the tour. My pupils have been inspired by what they have seen and look forward to using their experience in their current course of

• Ostia

Hotel Floridia

• Guided walking tours

Situated in a good, central location, close to the Termini Station and within easy reach of the main sights of Rome.

• Spanish Steps • Day trip to Pompeii

See more online

Get in touch...

A new themed amusement park located near Rome covering an area of 600,000m2.

The themed areas are based around several ancient cultures and civilisations bringing a very appealing package of themes and good rides.

+353 (0)1 8940300 info@nst.ie

SEE More online...

study. Thank you.

Rainey Endowed School

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Rome

39

BAY OF NAPLES

Sample itinerary We’ll build your itinerary from scratch Whatever your learning objectives or subject, we’ll create an expertly planned itinerary that fits your needs precisely.

As Bay of Naples experts we can advise on a great range of visit options to make every second count. Below you’ll find an example of our most popular itinerary.

Day 1 • Daytime flight to Rome & transfer by coach to Naples

The preserved towns of Pompeii and Herculaneum provide a unique insight into 1st century Roman life, while coastal towns show their strategic importance to both the provision and protection of Rome.

Our tailor-made Bay of Naples itineraries provide students with a real insight into life in Roman times.

• Check-in at hotel • Evening meal

Day 2 • Visit to Vesuvius • Continue on to Pompeii for a guided tour • Evening meal

at a glance...

When to go The Bay of Naples is a year-round destination, however it gets very hot during the summer months.

Good to know Most shops close from about 1.00pm to 4.30pm, they then stay open until 8.00pm to 9.00pm.

40 Bay of Naples

here to help As well as pre-booking your visits during the day, NST can also pre-book activities for your group in the evenings.

Popular evening activities include a quiz or disco at your hotel, bowling or visit an ice cream parlour to sample one of Sorrento’s most delicious ice creams!

• Free time

Day 3 • Full day on the Island of Capri; ferry ticket, Capri town, Faraglione & Arco Naturale • Evening meal • Bowling

Day 4 • Last minute sightseeing & shopping • Transfer to airport for return fight to Ireland

Our school travel experts are here to help you personalise your tour

Our pick of the best visits...

Take a guided walking tour of this olive and lemon farm and working mill in Sorrento.

Your group will also enjoy a cheese-making demonstration, plus a complimentary pizza and soft drink.

This stunning rocky coastline features the Arco Naturale and Faraglione landforms, shaped over many years by the erosive power of the sea. The coastline is accessed via a short ferry ride.

La Fabbrica Della Pasta di Gragnano During this fascinating visit, your students can learn about the ancient art of making pasta and see the production process during a 30 minute guided tour of the factory before receiving a small memento of their visit.

Tre Gib School

Island of Capri

Tre Gib School

Olive & Lemon Farm & Mill

Mount Vesuvius

Pompeii

Phlegraean Fields

Nowhere in the world can the effects of a volcanic eruption be better understood. Take a 30-minute guided walk to the rim with an Alpine guide and study the most densely populated volcano in the world.

Observe the destructive impact of the volcanic eruption of Vesuvius in 79AD which buried, and consequently preserved this famous town.

Take in the original streets, houses, preserved human casts, and works of art on display.

The Bay of Pozzuoli is a giant caldera 12-15km across. Visit the Temple of Serapis in Pozzuoli followed by Monte Nuovo and Lake Avernus.

Don't miss...

Where you will be staying...

• Mozzarella Farms

Hotel Flora

Hotel Ascot

A medium sized hotel with 130 modern rooms, centrally located in Sorrento. The majority of rooms include private balconies, some with views of the bay.

A well-presented hotel at the southern end of the resort with easy access to the town centre with its array of shops and cafes.

• Naples Underground

Klein Wein

Hotel Mary

• Paestum

A delightful family-run hotel. The hotel offers a good standard of accommodation in a spectacular location.

A spacious, comfortable, family-run hotel with superb panoramic views of the Bay of Naples.

• Herculaneum • Naples Archaeological Museum • Amalfi Coast • Cumae • Pozzuoli • Sorrento bowling alley

See more online

Get in touch...

+353 (0)1 8940300 info@nst.ie

SEE More online...

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Bay of Naples

41

LAKE GARDA

Sample itinerary Whatever your learning objectives or subject, we’ll create an expertly planned itinerary that fits your needs precisely.

As Lake Garda experts we can advise on a great range of visit options to make every second count. Below you’ll find an example of our most popular itinerary.

Day 1 • Flight from Ireland into Milan

A favourite destination for NST groups offering a diverse range of educational visits and cultural enrichment experiences against a backdrop of dramatic mountains and sparkling waters, coupled with the typical laidback Italian culture, you can’t fail to be swept away with the charm of the area. Verona and Venice are popular day trip options which also provide your group with additional learning opportunities.

• Explore the city of Milan • Visit San Siro Stadium

Day 2 • Full day in Venice

Day 3 • Full day in Gardaland

Day 4

Our pick of the best visits...

• Gardaland Theme Park (seasonal opening) • Boat trip on Lake Garda • Malcesine cable car • Day trip to Venice, Bologna or Verona • Gardaland Sealife Aquarium

Where you will be staying...

Hotel San Vito, Negrar

• Half day in Verona • Boat trip on the lake • Free time in Sirmione • Transfer to airport for return flight to Ireland

This family-run hotel will offer a friendly welcome to school groups. The hotel is located in the centre of the quiet resort of San Vito di Negrar in the area of Valpolicella.

See more online 42 Lake Garda

Our school travel experts are here to help you personalise your tour

Youth Brass 2000

We’ll build your itinerary from scratch

FLORENCE VENICE

Sample itinerary We’ll build your itinerary from scratch Whatever your learning objectives or subject, we’ll create an expertly planned itinerary that fits your needs precisely. As Florence & Venice experts we can advise on a great range of visit options to make every second count. Below you’ll find an example of our most popular itinerary.

Day 1

Your students will be amazed by the vast array of impressive buildings, fascinating galleries and treasure-crammed churches in Florence. Venice is a truly magical city of painted palaces and serene churches built on a series of islands that are united by bridges and crisscrossed by canals.

Our pick of the best visits...

Where you will be staying...

Golf Hotel

• Piazza Santa Croce

The Golf Hotel offers friendly, comfortable accommodation close to many major tourist attractions.

• Ponte Vecchio • Pisa – The Leaning Tower, Duomo and Baptistry • St Mark’s Square • Palazzo Ducale (Doge’s Palace)

This hotel is located 200 metres from Central Station, in the business centre of Florence.

See more online

Get in touch...

+353 (0)1 8940300 info@nst.ie

SEE More online...

• Daytime flight from Ireland & transfer to accommodation • Take the funicular to Montecatini Alto

Day 2 • Guided tour of Florence including the Cathedral, Bell Tower & Baptistry, Ponte Vecchio Bridge & Bobli Gardens • Uffizi Gallery and Galleria dell’Accademia • Enjoy an early evening stroll soaking up the Florentine atmosphere

Day 3 • Full day excursion to Pisa & Lucca • Bowling

Day 4 • Shopping & sightseeing in Bologna • Transfer to airport for return flight to Ireland

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Florence & Venice

43

ICELAND

Sample itinerary Whatever your learning objectives or subject, we’ll create an expertly planned itinerary that fits your needs precisely.

As Iceland experts we can advise on a great range of visit options to make every second count. Below you’ll find an example of our most popular itinerary.

Day 1 • Daytime flight & transfer with assistance to accommodation

This ‘land of fire and ice’ well deserves its title. Your group will bear witness to rare phenomena, from dramatic volcanic lunar landscapes and spouting geysers, to diverging plates, glaciers, and outwash plains! There is no better place to observe the ongoing impact of glaciations and vulcanicity: ice fields, waterfalls and geothermal pools! Iceland also has a unique heritage and a style all of its own.

at a glance...

Getting there - Depart from Belfast on direct flights throughout the year, or from Dublin on set departure dates.

When to go - April to October offers the best weather for visiting.

Local currency - Króna Language - Icelandic is the national language, but English is spoken by most Icelanders.

44 Iceland

here to help Why not add on a guide to support your tour: NST’s Field Studies Guides - Benefit from an NST Field Studies Guide for local knowledge and educational support, allowing your group to explore a wealth of natural wonders and unique geographic features. Ask us for further details.

Local assistance - A local Icelandic Guide can provide you with daily support with excellent local knowledge and bring Iceland’s history and folklore to life.

• En route visit to a power plant and geothermal village

Day 2 • Golden Circle Adventure Day: Hellisheidi Power Plant tour. Gulfoss, Geysir Centre, Thingvellir, Nesjavellir • Hunt for the Northern Lights

Day 3 • South Shore Adventure: Skògafoss & Seljalandsfoss, Reynishverfi beach on the Dyrholaey coast, Sòlheimajökull • Opportunity to explore the local area

Day 4 • Walking tour in Reykjavik • Swimming at Secret Lagoon • Transfer to airport for return flight to Ireland.

Our school travel experts are here to help you personalise your tour

Lutterworth High School

We’ll build your itinerary from scratch

Culcheth High School

Our pick of the best visits...

South Shore Adventure Day

The Golden Circle Adventure Day

Visit the 200ft high Skógafoss waterfall then continue on to Seljalandsfoss waterfall to compare differing formations. Study coastal processes and wave characteristics along the black volcanic beaches and basalt-columned cliffs of the Dyrholaey coast. Then take the rare opportunity to walk on Sólheimajökull, a glacier tongue extending south from the Mýrdalsjökull Glacier, study the outwash plain, and witness glacial processes in action.

Study geothermal activity at truly spectacular locations! First, visit the Hellisheidi power plant for a 30-minute tour. Appreciate glacial influences at the spectacular Gullfoss waterfall, which contrasts those waterfalls seen on NST’s South Shore Adventure. Witness Strokkur in action and visit the Geysir Center. Finally, visit Thingvellir National Park and walk through its dramatic canyon - the only place in the world where the Mid Atlantic Ridge can be observed above sea level.

Reykjavik boat tours

Secret Lagoon

Reykjanes Peninsula Tour

Whale Watching (April to October only): Catch sight of whales, dolphins, porpoises and seabirds from the fantastic viewing areas aboard your luxury ship during this 3-hour tour.

Experience the steamy hot waters of the Secret Lagoon. These natural hot springs provide a traditional and unique Icelandic experience that will leave you relaxed and rejuvenated, and ready to continue your Icelandic adventure!

Visit lake Kleifvatn before stopping in the Seltún geothermal area, then make a stop at Graenavatn explosion crater before visiting Litli Eldborg.

Don't miss...

Where you will be staying...

• Volcano House • Hunt for Northern Lights (Sept-Mar only) • Thorsmork Valley • Skaftafell & Jokulsarlon • Westman Islands

Hotel Cabin, Reykjavik A bright modern hotel offering good facilities and comfortable accommodation, located approximately 30 minutes from Keflavik airport.

• Geothermal Greenhouses

Get in touch...

The hotel is very spacious and comfortable and enjoys a quiet small-town location.

It offers excellent facilities for groups.

Reykjavik City Hostel, Reykjavik

• Lava Tubing

See more online

Hotel Ork, Hveragerði

Hotel Viking This is a uniquely Icelandic hotel about a 15-minute drive from Reykjavik city centre.

The hostel offers comfortable budget accommodation and excellent facilities. Located within 45 min walk from Reykjavik, the hostel is next door to the geothermal pool.

+353 (0)1 8940300 info@nst.ie

SEE More online...

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Iceland

45

new york

Sample itinerary Whatever your learning objectives or subject, we’ll create an expertly planned itinerary that fits your needs precisely. As New York experts we can advise on a great range of visit options to make every second count.

Day 1 • Daytime flight • Met on arrival by a local Agent Representative for an escorted transfer to accommodation

Absorb the bright lights and pizzazz of Broadway with its shows and musicals guaranteed to get your group’s toes tapping. Take in the art scene at world-renowned museums and galleries, visit top media organisations to get the low-down on TV, film and radio production, explore the origins of the Civil Rights Movement, discover the city’s past as an arrival port for 20th century migrants and learn more about the heart of US finance on Wall Street.

at a glance...

Good to know • New York is best explored on foot or via subway. We can help you with subway ticket options.

• Marathon week in late October can be very busy. We’ll advise you on the dates to avoid.

• Don’t forget to budget for tipping. We can offer you advice on how much to take.

46 New York

here to help Local support - We have worked closely with our local agent in New York for many years.

Together, we ensure that you’ll have the best support whilst away.

Eating out - We can pre-book your meals at a wide number of eateries before you go, enabling you to get the most out of your time away. Popular options include Bubba Gump Shrimp and Planet Hollywood.

• Ascend the Empire State Building

Day 2 • Guided walking tour of midtown Manhattan including: Central Park, Fifth Avenue, Times Square & Broadway • Visit one of New York’s free museums • Free time to explore the city

Day 3 • Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island cruise with priority boarding • Opportunity for shopping on Fifth Avenue including Macy’s & Bloomingdale’s

Day 4 • Visit Top of the Rock for a 360 degree farewell view of the city • Transfer to airport for return flight to Ireland

Day 5 • Arrive in Ireland

Our school travel experts are here to help you personalise your tour

Deyes High School

We’ll build your itinerary from scratch

Our pick of the best visits...

Empire State Building

Top of the Rock

Broadway shows

Venture over a quarter of a mile skyward and observe as your group takes in the scale of the immense urban landscape which opens up before them. A particularly popular evening visit.

Experience the best and most complete daytime view of New York City! The unparalleled views of New York’s landmarks include Central Park, Times Square, the Brooklyn Bridge and the Statue of Liberty.

Broadway is crammed with an array of spectacular theatrical performances to choose from. Popular options include Wicked, Aladdin, The Lion King, The Phantom of the Opera, and Chicago.

Ideal for Transition Year programmes

The Statue of Liberty Cruise & Ellis Island Museum The Ellis Island Museum is dedicated to the history of immigration, and a 45-minute audio tour invites students to relive the immigrant experience. You will visit the island as part of a short boat cruise passing the Statue of Liberty.

Guided walking tour

LIVE! student events

Bring the history and culture of New York to life and tailor a tour to your exact needs.

Popular options include: Manhattan – midtown and downtown, Financial district, Harlem Civil Rights and TV and movie sites.

Bring learning to life for your students and fire their future career ambitions at Business LIVE! or Art & Design LIVE! in New York!

Our LIVE! student events combine a conference with LIVE! expert speaker presentations with the magic of the Big Apple. See back cover for details.

Don't miss...

• Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) - New York’s premier showcase for what’s new in the visual arts showcases Cubism, Fauvism and Abstract Expressionism. The modern influences will inspire any pupil, and a 3D course with wide examples of machine art, ranging from sewing machines to ballbearings!

• Times Square - Stop off for a selfie at one

• 9/11 Memorial Museum - The 9/11 memorial honours the 2,983 who perished in the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 and February 26, 1993.

• Circle Line Cruise - Take in the views of Manhattan from the water, and pick out famous landmarks which dominate its skyline.

• One World Trade Centre - The 104 storey building stands on the World Trade Center site in Manhattan – giving amazing views of the city as well as interactive exhibitions.

of the world’s most visited tourist attractions.

• St Patrick’s Cathedral - Pay a visit to this prominent and impressive Gothic-style New York landmark, which lies opposite the Rockefeller Center.

• St Paul’s Chapel - This chapel served

• Madison Square Garden - Get an insider’s look at this world-famous arena.

Get in touch...

as a place of rest and refuge for recovery workers at the WTC site after the September 11 attacks.

+353 (0)1 8940300 info@nst.ie

SEE More online...

• Shopping on Fifth Avenue - This shopping street is a spectacle and considered among the most expensive and best shopping streets in the world.

• NST Broadway workshops - NST offers a choice of theatre-based workshops that can be tailored to the show you see and to your exact requirements.

• Irish Hunger Memorial - Located in Battery Park, the memorial is dedicated to raising awareness of the Great Irish Famine and those that lost their lives during 1845-52.

Landscaped with stones, soil, and native plants transported from the western coast of Ireland it also contains stones from all of the counties of Ireland.

nst.ie

New York

47

I s f le

© Dan Murray

Our pick of the best visits continued...

UN building tour

Yankee Stadium tour

NBC Studio tour

On this guided tour, your pupils will learn about the organisation, its structure and history and the broad range of fundamental issues dealt with here.

This classic tour of the famous Yankee Stadium includes visits to New York Yankees Museum presented by Bank of America, Monument Park, MasterCard, Batters Eye Café and Press Box.

Enter the world of American television on this historic tour through the halls and working studios of NBC’s New York operations! Visit some famous studios, including Saturday Night Live, and explore the departments.

Guggenheim Museum

Radio City

Macy’s tour

A unique museum containing leading examples of Expressionism, Cubism and Abstraction.

Offers modern creations associated with major movements.

Now a leading hall for popular concerts, stage shows and special attractions, this prime spot was turned into Radio City Music Hall during the years of the Depression.

Macy’s is one of the world’s largest, and one of the last turn-of-the-century, department stores. Take a tour and learn about the company’s history.

Noelle and Andrea were excellent at organising the trip and following through with our requests. The Locate My Trip app was a great addition and the parents really enjoyed tracking us while we were away.

Where you will be staying...

48 New York

St Ronan’s College

Vanderbilt YMCA

Manhattan at Times Square Hotel

Youth hostel offering simple standard of accommodation but excellent value with the benefit of a central location single beds and recreational facilities.

The Manhattan at Times Square is a comfortable hotel offering a good standard of accommodation in an excellent central location.

West Side YMCA

Courtyard Midtown East

This large youth hostel offers good value for money and excellent facilities in a nice location.

An centrally located hotel with a good range of facilities, located in the heart of mid-town Manhattan. Groups are assured a comfortable stay.

Our school travel experts are here to help you personalise your tour

WASHINGTON DC

Sample itinerary We’ll build your itinerary from scratch Whatever your learning objectives or subject, we’ll create an expertly planned itinerary that fits your needs precisely. As Washington DC experts we can advise on a great range of visit options to make every second count. Below you’ll find an example of our most popular itinerary.

Chosen as the US capital for its tactical location between the South and the North, Washington DC offers a whole host of experiences for school groups. Home to the US Government, many of the nation’s monuments and museums, historic landmarks and memorials to great US presidents of the past, the city’s skyline might be low profile but its attractions certainly aren’t.

Our pick of the best visits...

Where you will be staying...

• Half day guided walking tours

Hotel Harrington

• US Capitol building tour

Simple accommodation in an excellent central location, with vast experience of accommodating pupil groups. Efficient and friendly service.

• National Museum of American History • Arlington National Cemetery • Memorials – FDR Memorial, Lincoln Memorial, US Holocaust Memorial

Day 1 • Daytime flight • Met on arrival by a local Agent Representative for an escorted transfer to accommodation

Day 2 • Guided walking tour of historical sites • Visit to the Pentagon

Day 3 • Guided walking tour of memorial sites • Holocaust Museum

Day 4 • US Capitol building tour • Transfer to airport

Day 5 Arrive in Ireland

See more online

Get in touch...

+353 (0)1 8940300 info@nst.ie

SEE More online...

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Washington DC

49

CHINA

Sample itinerary Whatever your learning objectives or subject, we’ll create an expertly planned itinerary that fits your needs precisely.

As China experts we can advise on a great range of visit options to make every second count. Below you’ll find an example of our most popular itinerary.

Day 1 • Overnight flight to Beijing

Day 2

A tour of China will be the experience of a lifetime for many students. The diverse mix of historical landmarks, incredible scenery and interactive Chinese experiences reveal the rich and long history of one of the oldest civilisations in the world that’s now re-inventing itself for the 21st century. A tour here will help to give students an appreciation of different cultures and lifestyles.

Day 3 • Full day visit to the Great Wall of China, the Sacred Road & the Ming Tombs • Evening meal

Day 4 • Beihai Park

at a glance...

When to go - China is a year-round destination, although spring and early autumn offer the best weather for visiting.

• There is a high speed bullet train between Beijing and Shanghai which offers another alternative to flying.

Local currency - Yuan Good to know

• Bartering is expected at markets so make sure you grab yourself a bargain.

• Your English speaking National Guide will meet you on arrival and stay with you for the duration of your tour.

• We can tailor your trip to your exact requirements. If you’re visiting partner schools, we can arrange the details for you.

• All visitors require a visa so make sure to budget extra. We can advise you on this.

• Tipping is expected in China and when you book with NST, this is already included in your tour price.

50 China

• Early afternoon arrival in Beijing & escorted transfer to accommodation.

En route visit to the Temple of Heaven.

• Evening meal & free time to settle in

• Tiananmen Square & the Forbidden City • Evening meal

Day 5 • The Summer Palace • Shopping at Silk Alley & Friendship Store • Evening meal & Chinese Acrobat show

Day 6 • Free time. Transfer to airport for return flight to Ireland

Our school travel experts are here to help you personalise your tour

Lochaber High School

We’ll build your itinerary from scratch

key cities

Choose from one, two or three of these amazing cities to visit with your group:

Beijing

Xi’an

Shanghai

This is the political, cultural and educational centre of China, with historic buildings and landmarks, contrasted by a modern and vibrant city.

This ancient city is now famous as the home of the spectacular Terracotta Warriors.

China’s largest city is the flourishing focal point of modern China. Its brightly coloured neon-lit skyscrapers are an example of the recent boom in China’s economy.

There is so much to take in. Walk the Great Wall and the Sacred Way, visit the Ming Tombs, venture into the Forbidden City, experience the Temple of Heaven, marvel at the Summer Palace and stroll across Tiananmen Square.

Shop ’til you drop at Silk Alley, take in the Olympic Stadium, compare cultures in a local high school and visit the traditional Liumingying Village to witness life outside the big cities.

Students can also explore the City Walls, Wild Goose Pagoda, Huaqing Hot Springs and the numerous temples, ruins and mausoleums.

You may also wish to increase cultural learning by experiencing our Chinese Watercolour Painting class, Chinese Cookery class, or the Tang Dynasty Show.

Many groups choose to combine a visit to Xi’an with Beijing.

You could even watch a Chinese Acrobat or Legend Kung Fu Show, listen to the Peking Opera and sample a Peking Duck Banquet.

Tucked away between the modern developments are the temples, markets and Chinese gardens which give a glimpse into the city’s past. Many groups in particular choose to visit the Jade Buddha Temple, Oriental Pearl TV Tower and Yuyuan Garden for an all-round experience.

Nanjing Road is great for shopping. The evening cruise on the Huangpu River is always a favourite too. Shanghai also offers a great selection of business studies visits.

here to help Getting you there Book with us and you’ll benefit from scheduled flights, excellent group prices and group seating. You’ll be met by an NST Airport Representative for your outbound flight. Flights to Beijing and Shanghai are approximately 10 hours and 12 hours from Ireland respectively.

Eating out With the help of our partners in China, and the knowledge of your guide, we’ve selected a high standard of hotel and local restaurants which will automatically be included within your full board package price. Pre-paying for your meals will make planning your budget easier too.

Accommodation Great group accommodation options in Beijing, Shanghai and Xi’an at a choice of 3* hotels.

Get in touch...

+353 (0)1 8940300 info@nst.ie

Tour escort & local guides Your group will be accompanied by an Englishspeaking Tour Escort throughout your tour, with additional Local Guides in each city. You will be provided with 24-hour assistance, useful information at each geographical site and you’ll be assisted with entry into attractions and all your meals. Previous groups have rated the quality and enthusiasm of our guides very highly.

SEE More online...

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INSPIRE THEIR FUTURE CAREER AT LIVE! Immersive student events

Ideal for Transitio n Year

Our LIVE! student events combine a conference with LIVE! presentations from expert speakers and take place in DisneylandÂŽ Paris and New York.

During our exciting and immersive events, high calibre speakers will deliver first-hand industry experiences through live presentations, making the perfect experience to complement your Transition Year programme or inspire a greater interest in learning.

Why choose our LIVE! events?

Leading industry professional speakers

Build confidence & experience

- deliver engaging presentations in person on key topics to motivate and inspire your learners.

- transform the learning experience of young people, raising aspirations within school and beyond.

Ideal for exam preparation

Student workbook

- our event is tailored to provide relevant material for case study work and exams.

- an interactive student workbook is provided with background information on speakers & challenges to be completed.

Industry advice on future career opportunities - interact with industry professionals and ask questions about future opportunities and careers.

Certificate of attendance - can be used in their National Record of Achievement.

Linking the curriculum with the real world

Fun!

- the aim is to meet core learning objectives and fully engage learners with the subject.

- destinations with huge student appeal bring together the best possible learning experience in a fun and memorable way.

For more information, please visit www.nst.ie or call our school travel experts on +353 (0)1 8940300 NST, 22 Northwood Court, Santry, Dublin 9, Ireland NST Limited is registered in Ireland at the above registered office address with company registration number 240123.

NST is licensed and bonded by the Commission for Aviation Regulation, licence number TA0449. NST Ltd acts as an agent for the NST Travel Group Ltd under ATOL 3606 and ABTA V0550.

Printed on Forestry Commission paper stock.

BROCHURE19/20