Top schools pride themselves on extra-curricular activities, believing that education does not come from books alone. They encourage pupils to play a sport or learn an instrument. A rugby/hockey tour is a common school trip. Now schools take music on tour. This article looks at visiting Germany.

Where to Go

If a school trip is going abroad, it is important to experience the host country. For many, that will take the form of organised tours, but it might also include some visits with local families, perhaps as part of an exchange scheme. Some research and planning ahead can ensure that pupils and teachers get the most out of the trip.

Berlin: A beautiful city combining modernity with history in abundance, Berlin has plenty of venues for musicians to perform, many of which are churches. When not performing, visitors have many options to keep them entertained in this great capital. The Musical Instrument Museum, with 2,000+ exhibits might be appropriate for an orchestral tour.

Rhineland: A great destination for school groups, there is something for everyone to enjoy, although tours of school children will need to abstain from the wine-tasting! The many spa towns along the River Rhine have some great small venues for visiting schools to perform in and some of the small villages turn out the most appreciative audiences. Many castles still exist in the region and with some of the most beautiful countryside in the country, a river trip is a great way to explore and spend some time.

Bavaria: Munich is the regional capital but if the city is not enough to bring a school to the area, the border with Austria falls within the Alps. Mount Zugspitze is the highest peak in Germany and the snow-peaked mountains provide plenty for thrill-seekers, whether in winter sports or mountain biking.

Tips for an Enjoyable Tour

Manners cost nothing. The Germans are known for being meticulous and punctual, so don’t be late. If you children are visiting a German home, ensure they take a gift   flowers, for example   as a gesture of thanks, are bound to be appreciated.

Shake hands. It’s the established form of greeting, so be deliberate; take your other hand out of your pocket and make eye contact.

Teach your child some German phrases. It’s unlikely that they’ll need them because so many natives speak excellent English, but they really do appreciate the effort.

Ensure they look after their valuables. Although the violent crime rates are very low, petty crime in the big cities can be a problem for those who are not careful and a distracted pupil on a school trip is an easy target for an opportunist.

Whether the field trip’s main aim is touring a sporting team or an orchestra, the chance to showcase their talents is a valuable opportunity for a young person. Beyond that, what they learn in terms of language, social skills and self-confidence is invaluable.

AUTHOR BIO:

Tom Campbell writes regularly on various travel themes for a range of websites and blogs. He is a keen traveller himself and is hoping to pass on this passion to his children. As part of their school orchestra, Tom’s twins recently took their first trip abroad themselves through http://www.travelbound.co.uk/music-tours.

The rivalry between England and Australia is legendary, but the 2013 Ashes campaigns give the cricket lover the perfect chance to see the sights.

The series.
In 2013, the two rivals will play back-to-back Ashes tours for the first time and after five thrilling tests in the UK, the English team will depart for Australia to play five more games either side of the New Year. England currently hold the urn after an emphatic win in Australia in 2010-11, but the two teams seem more evenly matched this time.

Both Ashes series give the visitor the perfect chance to combine sport and sightseeing but what are the Australian venues for the forthcoming tour and what attractions does each one provide?

Brisbane.
When the teams come to Australia, the Ashes series starts at the historic Gabba, in Brisbane. As the capital of Queensland, Brisbane is a bustling city and while it may get little publicity in comparison with areas such as Sydney, there is still plenty to do.

Some of the best sites include the city museum, which holds a fascinating display of Brisbane’s history, while the Botanic Gardens are arguably the best in Australia. The nightlife is lively too and the city will get especially busy when the Ashes arrives.

Adelaide.
The Adelaide Oval is the scene for the second test of this five match series and by now, the teams will have settled into the battle and there should be plenty at stake. Adelaide is the capital of South Australia and like all Australian Ashes locations, this is a bustling coastal resort where you can just sit and relax on the glorious beaches.

Alternatively, you can take in some popular tourist sites such as Windy Point and the spectacular Adelaide Hills.

Perth.
Expect a battle of the pacemen when the Ashes heads to Western Australia for the third test of the series. The pitch at the WACA ground is fast and bouncy and this has led to some bruising encounters between the teams over the years.

This is the last test before the Christmas break, so there will be a lively, festive atmosphere around the city, which is famous for its national parks that contain some incredible native wildlife.

Melbourne.
Tradition dictates that the Melbourne test is held every Boxing Day and this adds to the special atmosphere at the historic MCG. This game has often decided the outcome of the series, so expect a tense match between the teams.

This is the second largest city in Australia and it contains a diverse mix of historic buildings, from Colonial days through to the impressive modern structures of the present time.

Sydney.
The Ashes tour concludes at the Sydney Cricket Ground and for many visitors, this is the place to be if you want to visit the best Australian sites. The iconic Harbour Bridge and Opera House are here amongst many more attractions and the busy nightlife makes this a perfect place to be.

The Ashes is a hugely anticipated sporting event, but the series in Australia gives you the perfect chance to combine sport and travel to the best degree.

AUTHOR BIO:
George Roberts is a sports correspondent who has covered the Ashes Series for a number of printed and online publications over the last thirty years.

Spain is one of the most popular destinations in Europe; it recently topped the Post Office Worldwide Holiday Costs Barometer for 2013 making it the best value too. Although there are ways to get even more for your money if you live like a local whilst you are there.

Dine Spanish Style
Spain attracts a lot of travellers each year from families on package holidays to the popular resorts or students using a gap year to work and explore the country. If saving money is uppermost in your mind it is good to know that every restaurant in Spain is, by law, required to have a Menu del Dia. Started as a way to make sure Spanish workmen had access to a hearty, economical meal during the day, you can find a good meal (sometimes with a glass or even a bottle of wine) for as little as eight or nine euros. There has also been a growth in delicatessens providing tables and chairs for customers. You can select your meal from the products on display and the staff prepare it for you to eat there and then, often charging no more than you would pay to buy at the counter.

Many cafes offer breakfast, a coffee, tostado or croissant for around two euros, but if you are keeping a close eye on your spending during a working holiday it is not uncommon in Spain for the locals to take their own pastries or sandwiches to a cafe where they order coffee. In restaurants, sharing meals is never frowned upon and it gives you a way to try out new and different dishes. Restaurants rarely charge extra for bread either, but be sure to check. The places to avoid are chain tapaserias where your bill is decided according to the amount of toothpicks on your plate. Tapas may be a feast of delicious morsels, but the eventual cost can add up to even more than a full meal in a modest restaurant, no good if watching your money.

Live Spanish Style
If you are in Spain on a working holiday you could be there for a while so get to know the place you are staying in. Check out local notice boards and posters in bars and cafes and pick up the local free sheets, they publicise forthcoming events, drink promotions and two for one offers often missed by tourists. In Madrid and Valencia on a Saturday morning once a month, there is the Desayuo Con Viandantes or Breakfast with Pedestrians. Long tables are set up and crowds gather bringing sweet and savoury things, biscuits, bread rolls and pastries as well as large jugs of coffee and fruit juice. Everyone is invited to join in and sometimes a party atmosphere develops.

If you have some free time on your hands to explore, one of the best ways to get around a Spanish city is by bicycle. Spanish Town Halls usually have a hire system where you can pick up a bike from one of the stations around town and leave it at another when arrive at your destination. If you return the bike within half an hour, it is free but there may be a small registration fee.

AUTHOR BIO
TIm Cresswell is an inveterate traveller who has been on an extended working holiday since he left university. He has taken part in medical projects, conservation and wildlife work as well as teaching English as a Foreign Language. He writes for a number of blogs and websites about his travels.

It is true that many travelers will return to the same location time after time because they like knowing what to expect.  These travelers like knowing what the hotel is like, where to rent a car, what food is available and the know the beaches are clean and quiet.  On the other hand, there are those who will choose a new destination each time they have the time and money to go somewhere.  These are adventurous people and they take time to search online for out of the way destination that offer a lot less tourist traffic and more of an experience with the locals and their culture.

It is easy to find the typical vacation destinations online but it takes more effort to find a location where waterfalls and deserted white sand beaches give visitors that one of a kind experience.  A search online for unique vacation can take you to small villages, hidden ski lodges or even to an island where you can feel like you are the only one there.  If you love the snow, you will use that in your search criteria but if islands and lots of sunshine are what you seek, you literally have the whole world and every ocean to choose form.

Maybe the Canary Islands off the west coast of Africa have caught your attention. One island in particular is Gran Canaria, found in the Atlantic, part of the archipelagos of  Salvajes, Madeira, Cape Verde and the Azores.

 On this island, it is possible to bask in 80 degree temperatures on the beach and on occasion, see snow on the mountain tops.  Learn more when you visit Respect-Holidays.co.uk. Your choices for a unique vacation is a close as your computer where you can spend some time comparing activities, weather, customs, foods and the best time of your to visit.

There are so many romantic places to go on a dinner in Berlin near your Berlin apartment that it will be hard to pint just a few. Still, I will try to do just that and in case you cannot find the place that best suits your needs and taste, then you can google the restaurants in Berlin and find that special place that will be the perfect place for your dinner. The first stop on our list is The Weinerei in Berlin, which is a delightful and elegant restaurant in the very center of Berlin. The meals are very tasty and the choice of wine is superb.

This photo of Galeries Lafayette

Another great place that deserves our attention is Trattoria Belamonte. As the name suggests, the food served here is Italian and as usually, it is very tasty. The place is authentic and very cozy. Here are being served lovely dishes of a great taste.

This photo of Cape Town

Those who want to get even more romantic in Berlin, could try the restaurant Ars Vini Berlin, which serves fantastic cheese fondue and an excellent selection of wines. If you have that special occasion, then just make a reservation and you will be delighted by the service, the meals and the atmosphere, not to mention the wines.

If the occasion deserves some champagne drinking, then may be it would be a good idea to check the Galeries Lafayette. There one could enjoy oysters and champagne, located on the last floor of the German Kaufhaus. Of course, the oysters are not cheap, but still if the occasion is worth it, you can give it a try.

For those who are looking for an intimate place to dine, there is Knofi restaurant. There are served some delicious meals from the Turkish cuisine and the atmosphere is quite romantic. The freshly baked bread is great and so is the chocolate pie. Another great restaurant is Onkel Ho, which is a small place serving Vietnamese food. The place is not expensive at all and the cocktails are great.

In case you have more time to pamper yourself, you can always go on a brunch at Oranium, which has some relaxed and lovely atmosphere. The place serves fresh small croissants and different breakfasts based on eggs, but also interesting yoghurt combinations too. Another modern place that deserves the focus of our attentions is the restaurant Cape Town, which is placed in the residential zone Prenzlauer Berg. The atmosphere there is idyllic and the interior is cozy. The meat served comes from crocodile, zebra, wildebeast, etc. The appetizers are great and so are the side dishes. The place is a little bit expensive though, but it is worth it.

This photo of Hotel Transit Alexandria

Those who love the Fusion Asion cuisine should go to Transit restaurant which is a very trendy place. Here are being served Asian tapas. The place is not expensive at all and you can mix the dishes.

Another Romantic destinations in Europe are Vienna and Rome where you can stay in apartment in Rome and Vienna apartments

For those who plan a trip to the Hungarian capital Budapest, there is some information concerning the public transport, which they might find useful and interesting. The public transport in Budapest is excellent and strict and covers all international standards accepted. There are stops on every 400 meters, very close to your apartment in Budapest, and a great variety of trolley buses and trams, buses and underground trains. They usually operate from 4.30 h in the morning until 11 h in the evening. There are also 32 night bus lines that operate for the rest of the time. The night buses usually run along the main roads.

This photo of Budapest

Before the trip, people should know that they need to buy a ticket in advance, which is being sold at the terminals, the newsagents and the metro stations. The single tickets that are on sale are the same for all means of transport in the city. The children under the age of six, do not need a ticket when they travel with an adult. The public transport vehicles do not have conductors, the travellers should validate their tickets at the start of the journey and if they do not, the fines are quite high. Besides the single ticket, mentioned above, there are also day tickets, a 3 day ticket for tourists and a 7 day travel card. There are also season tickets for 14 or for 30 days and they are made with a photo. The Budapest Card allows for a free travel for three days. All tickets except the monthly passes are valid from midnight to midnight and thus when one buys them, he or she needs to specify the dates.

When on a trolley bus or a bus, people have to push the button which is set next to the door, in order to indicate their intention to get off the vehicle. The rest of the public transport makes all the stops on the line. The suburban trains HEV are part of the public transport system as well and with them one could go to the towns outside Budapest like the towns of Godollo or Szentendre.

This photo of Children’s Railway

The city of Budapest has three metro lines, which are underground, a little yellow line, a red line and a blue line. The network of buses, trams, trolleybuses is extensive and well organized and all means of transport are on time. If the bus has a red number rather than black, this means that this is an express line with fewer stops.

Besides the main means of transport and the standard vehicles, the city of Budapest has several unique means of transportation that should be mentioned. These are the Cogwheel Railway, the Funicular that goes to Buda Castle from the Square Clark Adam, the Chairlift, and also the Children’s Railway, which is a great option for excursions in the Buda Hills. These all are great to try when with kids.

This photo of Children’s Railway

If you are looking for a city will good public transport you should check Prague and Amsterdam where you can stay in apartments in Prague or apartment in Amsterdam .

The city of Prague is a wonderful tourist destination that could be explored in many different ways. One of these ways is by going on a city bike tour or arranging a city bike rental. There are many companies near your Prague apartment that offer both of these services and guarantee that you will be save to experience the city with fun. These companies provide a wide variety of bike rental, special bike tours and daily city bike tours. This is a great option to discover the history of the city, as the tours offered come with knowledgeable guides. The tour guides are trained in such a way as to put the traveler’s safety first. That is why the Prague bike tours offer safety gear and handlebar bells, as well as helmets. The same are also applied when renting a bike.

This photo of Bike Tours & Bicycle Rent in Prague

The Prague bike tours are made in groups and are fun informative and according to the abilities of the bikers in the group. Besides these group tours, there are also new city bike audio MP3 self-guided tours, which are great fun as well and are for those individual travellers that prefer to go on their own pace and not to depend on other people. One of the positive aspects of the guided Prague bike tours is that the participants could see more of Prague city in less time, even if made at a leisure pace. These bike tours are designed to suit all age groups and the routes are on a flat terrain, lasting for two hours to two hours and a half.

This photo of Bike Tours & Bicycle Rent in Prague

During the bike tours, the guides stop at all sites in Prague that one might want to make photos of. The guides also answer questions on the history, the lifestyle and the nightlife of the city. They also might stop for a beer or other drink, if the group requires that. The tours that are offered may vary, but they usually include a City Ride Tour, that covers the entire city center and all the popular sites. Another major tour is the Castle Ride, which covers the Prague Castle and the Letna Park and all the interesting sites and buildings along the way. Private tours are also possible and are made when at least two people participate. These private bike tours in Prague usually take one hour more and are planned to present a unique experience.

This photo of Bike Tours & Bicycle Rent in Prague

Renting a bike in Prague is also an option to explore the city by yourself. The travelers are getting a map of the center of Prague and it is free of charge. Some companies also provide a bottle of water or a good Czech beer for refreshment. Usually, these people are also given good tips on the places for eating out and staying in Prague. The rates go on a daily basis usually, though there are hourly rates as well. There are also special deals for the larger groups.

Another cities popular with the bike tours for tourist are Krakow and Warsaw, where you can stay in apartment in Krakow or in Warsaw apartment

The city of Rome has always been among the most desired holiday destinations by the tourists. The Italian capital however, is usually visited during the spring and autumn, and even in the summer despite the fact that temperatures are too high at that period of the year. Rome is usually not visited in the period between November and March though it shouldn’t be so.

roman collosseum

Rome is a great city to spend time at and in winter it could be even more pleasant to visit if you find accommodation in apartments in Rome. At that time, there are no crowds, no queues and no stress. At that period of the year hotels often offer discounts and special prices, the staff at the museums tends to be more attentive to our questions and the waiters at the restaurants seem to be more polite. Things get a little bit busier during the two weeks before Christmas, but even then travellers could find solitude when visiting galleries, museums and churches. A good place to stop by at that time would also be the Christmas market on Piazza Navona and buy a gift on sale or the outdoor skating rink Tiberside near Castel Sant’ Angelo and the Vatican City. If you happen to go to Rome for the New Year’s Eve, then expect a lot of fireworks, but stay inside around midnight. The view over the beautiful Rome from your window will definitely be priceless.

Piazza Navona Rome

Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi Rome

The Jewish Museum

Once the noise of New Year’s Eve is behind, and January and February approach, then this is the best way to get a good flight and accommodation price and the most peaceful time to enjoy the city of Rome. The days get their sunshine even if still cold and walking around the parks, Ostia Antica and Villa Borghese could be just the perfect way to relax in the Eternal City. Another way to enjoy Rome in winter is by visiting the current exhibitions at the local galleries and museums. They are not ass good as the ones in Paris, but the accommodation should be cheaper that Paris apartments. Of course, having a lovely meal at one of the many romantic Italian restaurants is also a great way to spend a few hours in the cold winter day. The Roman specialties should be garnished with one or several glasses of good local wine. If you need just refreshment, then stay at one of the cozy cafes in Rome, and they are many, and order a cup of cappuccino and something sweet as tiramisu, for example.

The city of Rome has its beauty in all seasons, but if you want to feel closer to it, without the crowds of tourists, and get to feel the true atmosphere of this marvelous and ancient city, then a visit in winter will do that for you. Even if temperatures at that time tend to be around and below 10 degrees Celsius, with some warm clothes, a coat and comfortable shoes, one could conquer all the places of interest that need to be seen here and has the best time of one’s life.