An Unforgettable Experience Awaits
Come and play in the churches, medieval market squares and coastal bandstands of this fascinating small country.
Trip Highlights
Historic pianos at the Musical Instruments Museum
Tasting pralines at an artisan chocolate factory
Wildlife and rides at Bellewaerde theme park
Day out in historic Bruges
Performance venues
Bruges Market Square
Bruges Market Square, or Markt, is home to some of Bruges’ most famous sights, including the iconic belfry. With plenty of hustle and bustle all year round, this is a firm favourite with all our groups! Please note that power is not provided at this venue.
Ostend Bandstand
This ornate bandstand is over 100 years old, and continues to provide a great venue for groups to this day! Due to its central location within the resort, a good audience is guaranteed. While you’re here, be sure to check out the great coastal attractions and the St Peter and Paul Church, likened by
Gent Festival
The Gent Festival takes over the city every July with a number of stages dotted all over the city. Thanks to our well established local contacts, we are able to arrange concerts for our groups on some of the most prominent stages within the city such as the one on Cathedral Square. All stages are st
Church of Our Lady, Bruges
This centrally located church is a firm favourite with groups. Pleasant acoustics gently enhance most types of repertoires performed, and both choirs and orchestras are welcome to perform. The regular afternoon concerts are well attended by audiences made up of both locals and tourists.
Brussels Cathedral
This magnificent cathedral is home to a number of professional concerts throughout the year. Visiting groups are invited to perform weekdays in the afternoons for the cathedral’s many visitors. Facilities are excellent and include spacious changing facilities, use of the choir organ and choral riser
The Last Post Ceremony
The Last Post Ceremony is celebrated every day at 8pm at the Menin Gate in Ypres to commemorate the soldiers who lost their lives during World War I. Choirs and brass bands are invited to perform two suitable anthems as part of the ceremony. This will be a very emotional performance for your student
Retirement homes
If this is your first tour abroad and you are looking for an intimate and supportive audience, we have established contacts with a number of nursing homes in Belgium who would be delighted to host your performance. A warm welcome is guaranteed with most homes offering some food and drinks to perform
Recommended excursions
Bellewaerde Park
With landscaped gardens and an ancient castle, Belgium’s oldest theme park is home to wildlife from big cats to capybaras, as well as thrilling rides such as the Screaming Eagle vertical drop tower. Water rides include the Niagara, which careers down the highest waterfall in Europe.
Tip: The Boomerang roller coaster travels at over 80km per hour.
Musical Instruments Museum, Brussels
This beautifully restored Art Nouveau and Neoclassical complex is home to a renowned collection of over 7,000 instruments from grand pianos to glass harmonicas. These are looked after by a staff of specialist scientists called ‘organologists’. There is also a concert hall and a space for workshops.
Tip: There is a fine view of the city from the rooftop restaurant.
In Flanders Fields Museum
This outstanding museum aims to preserve our connection with World War I through character-led experience and the story of the land. Exhibitions blend interactive installations with relics allowing students to explore history on a peer-related level. A permanent exhibit traces the invasion of Belgium with educational programmes to delve deeper into the war past.
Typical accommodation
Europa Hostel, Bruges
Why groups like it:
- Only a 15-minute walk from the train station and conveniently located for exploring
- Consists of a main building and two wings where groups are largely self-contained
- Several common rooms, including a dedicated TV room
Facilities:
- Big-screen TV and PlayStation
- TV and internet access
- Luggage storage/lockers available
Hostel de Draecke, Ghent
Why groups like it:
- Located in a quiet street in the centre of Ghent, just 150m from the Castle of the Counts
- High standard of hostel accommodation with private bathroom facilities
- There’s a common room where students can get together
Facilities:
- Internet access, free Wi-Fi
- TV Room
- Luggage storage facilities
Itinerary suggestion
1 Depart school for Belgium by coach
2 Evening meal
1 Breakfast
2 Concert in the Church of Our Lady
3 Evening meal
4 Take your students bowling
1 Breakfast
2 Visit the seaside resort of Ostend, followed by performance on Ostend Bandstand
3 Visit the In Flanders Fields Museum
4 Evening meal
5 Performance as part of the Last Post Ceremony at 8pm
1 Breakfast
2 Coach travel to the UK
3 Arrive in the UK – Welcome back!
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The itinerary was well thought out and appropriate for our group and our wishes.
Newlands Girls School
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