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If you’re looking for a real festive treat for your students, a school trip to the Christmas markets in Bruges and Valkenburg is hard to beat!

You’ll receive a friendly welcome in Valkenburg in Southern Holland, with its numerous restaurants and shops. The city comes alive during the winter months, as thousands of visitors come to enjoy the Christmas markets that are famously hidden in caves underground.

During November and December, Bruges is transformed into a Christmas wonderland – with its quaint cobbled streets and pretty squares. The market stalls form a ring around an open-air ice rink, and there’s even an ice palace!

Suggested Itinerary (3 days, 2 nights)

Day 1/3

Morning

Morning

Depart school

Afternoon

Afternoon

Ferry/Eurotunnel crossing

Evening

Evening

Arrive in resort

Check in to accommodation in time for evening meal

Day 2/3

Morning

Morning

Free time to explore Valkenberg

Afternoon

Afternoon

Visit to the Christmas market located in the underground caves

Evening

Evening

Evening meal in accommodation

Day 3/3

Morning

Morning

Travel to Bruges

Afternoon

Afternoon

Visit to Bruges including Christmas market visit, a canal boat trip, horse and carriage ride or a visit to the Chocolate Museum

Depart late afternoon and head back to Calais

Evening

Evening

Arrival back at school

What's included?

  • tick icon2 nights' half-board accommodation
  • tick iconComprehensive travel and medical insurance
  • tick iconDetailed information pack
  • tick iconFree staff place ratio 1:8
  • tick iconItinerary planning service
  • tick iconMotorway tolls and taxes
  • tick iconOther inclusions such as visits and excursions
  • tick iconReturn Channel crossings
  • tick iconReturn executive coach travel
  • tick iconVamoos travel app - giving you access to all your trip documents on your phone or tablet
  • tick iconVAT at current rates to tour operators

Educational activities and visits

Memling Museum

Memling Museum

The St. John’s Hospital (now Memling in Sint-Jan Hospital Museum) is one of the oldest preserved hospital buildings in Europe… Read More

Valkenburg Christmas Market

Valkenburg Christmas Market

Valkenburg's annual Christmas Market is held in an underground grotto. Many hundreds of thousands of visitors have already passed through… Read More

Cultural activities and visits

Belfry of Bruges

Belfry of Bruges

One of the city's most prominent symbols, the Belfry formerly housed a treasury and the municipal archives, and served as… Read More

De Halve Maan Brewery

De Halve Maan Brewery

The museum offers the unique opportunity to discover the old traditional brewing methods in Bruges. Daily guided tours allow you… Read More

Horse and Carriage Ride Bruges

Horse and Carriage Ride Bruges

See this beautiful city in style with a 35 minute horse drawn carriage ride which takes you around the main… Read More

Roose's Chocolate World

Roose's Chocolate World

On arrival, charming and professional shop assistants will lead your group to the demonstration area where they will see pralines… Read More

Wilhelminatoren (Tower)

Wilhelminatoren (Tower)

This magnificent tower which was built in 1906, offers fabulous views of the whole of the Southern Limburg Province. On… Read More

Accommodation

Hotel Dupuis
Hotel Dupuis

Tucked in the historic and charming town of Valkenburg is this 2-star hotel with a welcoming atmosphere. The humble rooms vary in size from singles to family rooms, making this the perfect location for all types of travellers.

Guests can begin their day with an extensive breakfast buffet before wandering along into the city centre.

Supporting you every step of the way

1 Creating Your Perfect Trip

We'll tailor make your school trip to meet your specific requirements

2 Launching your trip to parents and students

Head to our resources section for FREE promotional materials

3 After you've booked

Your dedicated Itinerary Coordinator will work with you on the finer details of your trip

4 While you're away

You'll be able to reach us 24/7 during your trip if you need our help

5 After your trip

Head back to our resources section to continue the learning

Need help?

Gail Biggins — Tour Adviser

Don’t hesitate to contact me for any advice or further information on how your school trip can be tailored to your requirements.

Gail Biggins
Munich is fantastic if you are studying Nazi Germany. Thanks Halsbury, once again amazing. Very impressed with itinerary and particularly the transport - the tickets valid for each day made it so easy. — Flint High School

Your School Trip is Fully Protected

As a fully-accredited school travel company, booking with Halsbury Travel offers you complete peace of mind. Our accreditations are your guarantee that:

  • Your school trip will be fully financially protected
  • Your group’s safety will be prioritised
  • Your trip will be a quality educational experience

Safety prioritised

As an Assured Member of the School Travel Forum (STF) we have an effective Safety Management System in place.

As well as reassuring you that your group's safety will be prioritised at all times, this will also help you to meet your due diligence and reduces the amount of External Provider paperwork required.

Financial protection

Our Accreditations

Our ABTA bond means all our school trips are financially protected. Plus, all air tours and flights arranged by us are also ATOL protected.

Quality educational experiences

The Learning Outside the Classroom (LOtC) Quality Badge is your reassurance that Halsbury Travel is committed to offering LOtC activities that are safe and beneficial to learning.

The Halsbury Difference

School trips designed by teachers for teachers

Originally founded by teachers in 1986 and with several former teachers in our team, we understand the pressures on you as Group Leader and work hard to relieve them.

Trips tailored to your curriculum and learning objectives

We’ll design your trip around your specific learning objectives and curriculum, to ensure it meets your particular requirements.

Rewarding loyalty scheme

Work together with other teachers in your school to save thousands of pounds on future school trips with our multi-trip loyalty scheme!