St. Joseph's RC High School's Spanish Trip to the Costa Brava

The main objective for this trip was to give our young people the opportunity to see and experience a different country and culture first-hand. It gave our Year 8 students the opportunity to practice the Spanish that they had learned in class, and also created a buzz around languages for the incoming Year 7 students. They are already asking about the next trip...

I chose this destination as I have taken many trips here before. I had originally planned to stay in Tossa de Mar, but the amazing team at Halsbury advised a more cost-effective alternative. They even gave me the opportunity for a planning trip to Calella, so I could see the hotel and resort for myself. Wherever you are in the Costa Brava, you are really spoiled for choice in terms of things to do. Some teachers even made it out for a 5k in the morning along Calella beach!

Port Aventura theme park is always a big hit for pupils and teachers alike. It gives the trip a "wow factor", which creates a good level of excitement for the trip. The team at Halsbury were so helpful in planning our itinerary with all of their experience and advice, even going so far as to book some additional trips for us. 

The Sagrada Familia was breathtaking, and was equally enjoyed by our pupils, who were amazed to see this world-famous cathedral first-hand. For a Catholic school, visiting the Sagrada Familia during Holy Week made it extra special. 

Poble Espanyol was selected for the cultural aspect of our trip. It's also a very chilled and safe place for our students to enjoy it for themselves. 

The Nou Camp would normally be a nailed-on visit for this trip. However, the building works currently going on made it difficult to visit when we wanted to. We watched FC Barcelona Men's Futsal Team instead, and the pupils absolutely loved it...giving the players high-fives after the game. 

We chose these visits to give the best possible experience, so that it would become an intrinsic part of their time at our school, as well as new shared memories with their friends. 

Although there was trepidation about the cable car ride for some students who don't like heights, you could not help but be impressed by the city from above. 

Poble Espanyol gives the pupils the opportunity to see a condensed version of Spanish culture, as well as have churros con chocolate. 

Barcelona Futsal was great value for money, even for the non-sporty kids. There was a great atmosphere, lots of fast-moving action and goals. Selfies and high-fives with the players after the game gave bragging rights among their peer groups. 

Giving the children the opportunity to experience things for themselves is an intrinsic part of our trip. The excitement and size of Barcelona, along with the small, independent cafes and shops of Calella, gave our pupils a varied and authentic experience. 

My lasting memories of our visit would be our students being absolutely mesmerised by the beauty of the Sagrada Familia, and being engrossed by our guided tour experience there, which was booked by Halsbury. Seeing our pupils grow in confidence and walking around Barcelona, using their Spanish wherever possible. Playing rugby on the beach is still spoken of fondly by our pupils to this day. 

I had booked a trip with a rival company in 2018, when that company subsequently went out of business. Halsbury picked up the trip and were fantastic. I have been on lots of school trips with other companies as a language specialist, but I would only book now with Halsbury.

Communication was excellent, both with the sales and booking department and the itineraries team. There was no hard sell, and they always listened to my suggestions, as well as using their years of experience to create a memorable visit to Spain for our pupils. Even while in Spain, when it came about that I had an issue and needed help, Halsbury were on the end of the phone, and the issue was sorted within the hour. 

100%. I have already recommended Halsbury after my last trip. 

Some of the feedback from our students included:

"It was so good being in Spain with my friends, we spent all day at the theme park going on all of the rides!! Such an amazing experience."

"The weather in Spain was nice and hot, and we did so much stuff. Really enjoyed the cable car ride."

"The journeys on the coach were long, but we were sat with our friends having such a good time...wouldn't have changed it for the world."

"The visits were interesting and well-balanced between staying in our school groups and letting us explore for ourselves."

"It was the funnest trip I've ever been on. Choosing Spanish at GCSE!!"