For many students, an educational tour abroad is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to connect their studies with real-world experiences. Los Angeles, with its unique blend of culture, creativity, and industry, offers an extraordinary classroom beyond the campus walls.
In this Q&A, Ashley Jones from Cambridge Regional College shares a detailed, first-hand account of leading his learners on a tailored tour of Los Angeles with Travelbound Student Tours – highlighting the places they visited, the learning outcomes achieved, and why this destination continues to inspire future trips
Q: What were some of the first places your group visited in LA?
On the first day of our itinerary, we explored Melrose Avenue-a vibrant area in southwest Hollywood full of vintage and thrift shops, boutique stores, and record collectors. Our music students particularly enjoyed hunting for affordable vinyl and band merchandise.
Just a 10-minute walk south, we visited the Fairfax Farmers Market, well known for local foods, gifts, and trinkets. Students could sample some of the county’s finest fresh food and enjoy shopping at the adjacent mall with a mix of high-street and designer outlets.
Q: How did you find getting around Los Angeles with students?
Los Angeles’ public transport and metro system is very accessible, affordable, and reliable. Buses and metro lines run every 15 minutes and many include free Wi-Fi, which the students appreciated.
Q: Was there a stand-out highlight for the group?
Absolutely – Universal Studios Hollywood was a major highlight. The behind-the-scenes studio tour is a core part of the experience, offering insight into iconic film sets like Back to the Future, War of the Worlds, Jaws, Psycho, The Grinch, and more.
Our media and performing arts students found this particularly enriching, as it gave them the opportunity to see how their industry operates on one of the most famous filming lots in the world.
Other favourites included thrill rides like The Mummy and Jurassic World, and Super Nintendo World, where our games students loved collecting digital coins with interactive wristbands.
Q: Did the trip include any major industry events?
Yes, on the Thursday we attended the NAMM Show-the world’s leading event for music performance and production. Students explored the latest tech from top music manufacturers and attended seminars by industry leaders.
One highlight was a live sound seminar by Allen & Heath and a mixing and mastering talk by Chris Lord-Alge, known for working with Green Day, Muse, and My Chemical Romance. You’ll often spot famous musicians on the show floor, too.
Some students also visited Disneyland California, just across the road from the convention centre. While not part of the main trip package, affordable day tickets and queue-skipping Fast Passes made it a popular option.
“I personally co-ordinated this tour, which coincided with the wildfires in Los Angeles. Understandably, parents were concerned about safety and air quality. The team at HI Santa Monica were outstanding in their support. They directed us to a live webcam on Santa Monica Beach, so parents back home could see the area was safe, and provided reassurance that, at that time, the local air quality was actually better than in parts of the UK.
HI Santa Monica also explained how they work closely with their sister properties across California, and that in the unlikely event the fires had spread, they were fully prepared to relocate the group swiftly and safely. Their professionalism and care gave both staff and parents complete confidence throughout the trip.”
– Holly Drew, Senior Tour Co-ordinator – Travelbound Student Tours
Q: How did you round off the week?
We took a full day to visit the Grammy Museum, where students explored the history of recorded music and viewed costumes from iconic artists like Michael Jackson and Madonna.
Later, we headed to Griffith Observatory for panoramic views of LA and the Hollywood sign. The observatory includes a space museum and Tesla Coil demonstrations.
We ended the day on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, visiting sites like Capitol Records, the Chinese Theatre, and finishing with dinner and live music at the Hard Rock Café Hollywood. A final stop at Amoeba Records-a large music store-was a favourite for our learners.
Our last day was spent at Santa Monica Beach. We visited the pier-home to the iconic Ferris wheel and Bubba Gump Shrimp-and strolled to Venice Beach and the Venice Canals. It was a perfect way to relax and take in the LA atmosphere.
Q: What has your experience been like working with Travelbound?
During my 8 years at Cambridge Regional College, I’ve led five international trips-all with Travelbound as our provider. They’re exceptional in their planning, attention to detail, and communication.
Travelbound tailor each trip to meet both the learners’ needs and the college’s requirements. They go above and beyond with their service, and their team is always available for support. Holly is exceptional-her planning ensures every trip runs smoothly and is enjoyable for both students and staff.
We’re already planning our 2026 return to Los Angeles with Travebound and cannot recommend them highly enough.
If you want your learners to experience the same blend of cultural discovery, industry insight, and unforgettable moments that Cambridge Regional College enjoyed in Los Angeles, our Travelbound Student Tours team can make it happen. From the first conversation to the final day of your trip, Travelbound ensure everything runs smoothly – so you can focus on the experience, not the logistics.
Get in touch today via our online enquiry form or by calling 01273 244572 to start planning a bespoke itinerary that inspires, educates, and stays with your students long after they return.
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