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 Morning Summary Afternoon Summary Evening Summary
1

Depart school

Ferry/Eurotunnel crossing

Arrive in resort

Check in to accommodation in time for evening meal

2

Free time to explore Valkenberg

Visit to the Christmas market located in the underground caves

Evening meal in accommodation

3

Travel to Bruges

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

Arrival back at school

3 days, 2 nights Price from £235 pp
  • 2 nights' half-board accommodation
  • Comprehensive travel and medical insurance
  • Detailed information pack
  • Free staff place ratio 1:8
  • Itinerary planning service
  • Motorway tolls and taxes
  • Other inclusions such as visits and excursions
  • Return Channel crossings
  • Return executive coach travel
  • Vamoos travel app - giving you access to all your trip documents on your phone or tablet
  • VAT at current rates to tour operators

Accommodation

Educational Activities

Memling Museum

Memling Museum

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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

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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

Belfry of Bruges

Belfry of Bruges

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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

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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

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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

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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)

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

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?

School travel creates memorable moments which empower students by giving them the opportunity to explore different cultures and languages, increasing their confidence and curiosity. I love to help create those experiences for children! – Vanessa Barbosa Tour Consultant

Don't take our word for it …

This trip was outstanding. My colleague is now contacting you to discuss our next trip! — Mary Erskine School , October 2019

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
Find out more about our accreditations

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.

High quality service

Our Accreditations

We are a Member of ABTA, which means we are obliged to maintain a high standard of service to you by ABTA’s Code of Conduct.

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.

Financial protection for coach tours

For non-flight packages, the Association of Bonded Travel Organisers Trust Limited (ABTOT) provides financial protection under The Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangements Regulations 2018 for Halsbury Travel (5493), and in the event of their insolvency. ABTOT cover provides for a refund in the event you have not yet travelled or repatriation if transportation was included in your package. Please note that bookings made outside the UK are only protected by ABTOT when purchased directly with Halsbury Travel. 

Financial protection for flight trips

All air tours and flights arranged by us are also **ATOL protected**. Our ATOL number is ATOL 5079. Protection extends primarily to customers who book and pay in the United Kingdom.

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!