Enjoying yourself on a school trip can sometimes be difficult, as you are not in charge of the day’s plan. However, there are lots of little things you can do to make the experience even better, that don’t require very much time or money. These 10 tips will tell you exactly what to do, along with suggestions of how to implement them in some of the destinations that CAS trips travels to!
1. Try the local food
The best way to get to know a new place is by trying the local food. A must do in every new location you visit, a trip for your tastebuds is just as important as a trip for you!
The unique flavour of Bhutanese cuisine are unlike anything you have ever tasted, and trying the country’s many dishes are a crucial part to any trip to Bhutan. You will probably eat Ema Datshi, Bhutan’s most famous dish, everyday, and fall in love with the combination of chillies and cheese. Shakam Paa is also a must try, and is a tantalizing meal of dried beef with cooked radishes and chillies. Chillies are a super important part of Bhutanese food, can all of your classmates take the heat? Try all of the diverse meals to find out!
2. Get moving
Traveling is always a great experience, but often the worst part is actually getting to your destination. Long hours spent on a bus or plane can make you restless, so how about doing something when you arrive. Anywhere you go in the world there will be opportunities to get your blood pumping and see the city you are in at the same time, and how about getting some friends to go along as well!
Geneva is built around the stunning Lac Leman, and going for a run on the boardwalk lining the lake is the best way to fully appreciate it. You’ll have a fantastic view of the city’s most famous landmark, the dramatic Jet d’Eau, an enormous water fountain that reaches heights of 140 meters in the air. The boardwalk is well designed to make going for a run a breeze, with wonderful city views.
3. Find the best view
Whether you take a ride on a cable-car, or experience the thrill of zip-lining, seeing a place from above is always fun! You’ll get a much better feel for the city you’re in, and you can have a competition with your friends to see who can spot the most major landmarks.
Colombia’s second biggest city Medellin, is home to the world famous Metrocable, the cable car that lets you ride over the city’s vibrant favelas. These poorer parts of town, once known for drug cartels and gang violence, have morphed into cool areas to see graffiti and try authentic street food. Seeing these neighborhoods from above will let you experience the bustling and dynamic area in a unique way, and see the main city from the hills.
4. Create a splash
Taking a swim is entertaining for everyone and always gets people to laugh. Swimming in a lake, a sea or even a hot spring will be a great addition to your trip and lots of fun too!
The Buddha Water Cave has been a tourist attraction in Yangshuo China for a long time, and it’s not hard to understand why. A natural mud bath which is both beneficial for you skin and fun to have a mud fight with your classmates, along with several natural hot strings make for an unforgettable part of your trip to China
5. Take home a souvenir
Finding a special souvenir to return home with you will be a great reminder of the amazing time you had. Whether its t-shirts with the city’s name, one-of-a-kind bracelets or keychains that tickle your fancy, discovering the perfect thing just for you, will make your trip even better!
Edinburgh is well known for its quirky vintage and craft stores, perfect places to find a fun something to bring home with you. The Red Door Gallery sells work by local artists, jewelers and crafters, and something will definitely catch your eye. Curiouser and Curiouser might also have something you like, from their selection of Edinburgh made jewelry and vintage trinkets.
6. Check out a local cafe
Checking out local cafes are crucial in getting to know the local vibe of the place you are visiting. Not only that, you can also try great new food, chat with your friends, and people watch to get a better feel of the atmosphere.
The Globe Bookstore and Cafe is Prague’s favorite english bookstore, which is also home to an American-style cafe. You’ll mingle both with locals and foreigners, and have the chance to find some books that might peak your interest too. Or, if you’re in the mood for an old world experience with a modern twist, head to Cafe Letka, a great place for brunch or a mid-afternoon snack.
7. Visit a strange museum
Visiting all the museums on your class’ itinerary can be a bit boring, so why not go to a weird or unusual museum to spice it up. Not only will you learn about some obscure topic, you will also get some better insight into the quirks of the place you are visiting!
Berlin is the birthplace of the Currywurst, the beloved fast food dish the entire country loves. So what better place to have an entire museum dedicated to this iconic dish than Berlin! The Deutsches Currywurst Museum will teach you everything you ever wanted to know through interactive exhibits, along with the chance to lounge on huge sausage sofa!
8. Explore a cool neighborhood
Finding the coolest neighborhoods in a city is a great way to get off the beaten path and experience the youth culture that has taken hold. You can explore the street art and discover the eccentric shops and cafes that always inhabit the coolest neighborhood.
Kazimierz is the old Jewish Quarter of Krakow, that is now the boho centre of the city. This neighborhood has a dark past, as a majority of the Jewish population that lived there was wiped out in the atrocities committed in WWII, however Kazimierz has been revived by the current Krakow Jews, and thoughtfully combines old with new.
Must sees are the Old Synagogue, which is the largest in Krakow, and the Jewish Galicia Museum, in order to fully understand its complicated history. However, Kazimierz is also filled with cool eateries and quaint Israeli restaurants, and the beautiful tree lined streets are worth the visit alone.
9. Relax in the park
Exploring a park is a great way to relax after a day hitting the city, and provide a respite from a busy day of sightseeing. Bring along a frisbee or a football and get your whole class involved in a fun activity!
No trip to New York is complete without a walk in Central Park. Probably the most famous park in the world, Central Park has so much to offer. If you are visiting in the winter, how about testing your ice skating skills, or in the summer, a nice picnic on the Great Lawn. Whatever you end up doing, there will be something for everyone, and Central Park will not disappoint!
10. Do something different
After you have see the major monuments and been to the important museums, it’s time to do something different. Doing something unusual will be a great bonding experience for your whole class and every place has some funky experiences you have to try out, which will make your trip infinitely more memorable!
For an experience you will never forget, head to the Mercado de Brujas in Lima Peru, or the Witches’ Market. Tucked inside a train station, this unique market is full of surprises. Selling traditional folk remedies for a variety of ailments, don’t be surprised if you come across python skins, frog smoothies and snake oil.
Ready to enjoy the school trip of a lifetime? Check out all our destinations here.
