School trips to Portugal are growing in popularity, thanks to the country’s fascinating culture and spectacular landscapes.
Most school groups who travel to Portugal actually choose to visit the Azores, a remarkable and spectacular Portuguese archipelago in the Atlantic Ocean. These nine volcanic islands are the ideal choice for a geography school trip with a difference.
Why visit Portugal?
Epic Macaraonesian geography
The Azores is part of Macaronesia, a collection of four volcanic archipelagos in the Atlantic Ocean. Because of the geological activity here, the Azores is often regarded as a fantastic alternative to Iceland for a geography school trip.
While Iceland allows students to see a country in the making, the Azores will give them a good idea of what Iceland may look like in around 2 million years’ time. They’ll learn all about the incredible geology here, as well as how the landscape and land use has changed.
A real highlight of your geography school trip to the Azores will be when you sample one of the local delicacies, cozido. This is a stew prepared in volcanic calderas and an unforgettable example of how the landscape around us can influence our culture and traditions.
Most groups who choose a geography school trip to Portugal stay in Ponta Delgada, the economic capital of the Azores. Ponta Delgada is on São Miguel Island, the largest in the archipelago. Not only is this an excellent base from which to explore the geography of the islands, but it’s also the perfect place in which to get a flavour of the unique Azorean lifestyle and culture.
Incredible food
One thing you don’t need to worry about on a school trip to Portugal is your students going hungry. Portuguese cuisine is diverse and delicious. With influences from both the Atlantic and the Mediterranean, Portuguese cuisine is also known for the variety of spices used. This is due to Portugal’s spice trade in the East Indies.
If you do visit the Azores on your school trip to Portugal, you’ll notice there are a lot of cows. So you may not be surprised to find out that the archipelago produces around 50% of Portugal’s cheese!
And make sure you take some time to enjoy some of Portugal’s pastries and desserts, which have influenced many others across the West – did you know marmalade and caramel both have Portuguese roots?
Book with Halsbury
Take a look at our range of Portugal school trips below, and then get in touch with one of our tour advisers to discuss your requirements.
