An Unforgettable Experience Awaits
Noordwijk is a friendly beach resort and an ideal base for visiting Amsterdam and The Hague.
Teachers of all subjects will find an exciting trip that satisfies each part of the curriculum.
Trip Highlights
Cruise down Amsterdam’s canals
Moving exhibits at Anne Frank’s House
Windmills and wooden shoes at Zaanse Schans
Discover Van Gogh’s work at the Van Gogh Museum
Recommended excursions
Anne Frank House, Amsterdam
The building where Anne Frank hid from Nazi persecution sits on the Prinsengracht canal. As well as the preservation of the hiding place and an exhibition on the life and times of Anne Frank, the museum acts as an exhibition space to highlight all forms of persecution and discrimination Photo © Konrad Glogowski.
Rijksmuseum
The Netherlands’ largest museum houses a fantastic collection of Dutch masters from Rembrandt to Vermeer and Frans Hals. Students can trace the developments and continuities of artistic styles and techniques. Reopened in April 2013 after major renovations, the collection also encompasses objects from Netherlands’ cultural history and Asian art.
Van Gogh Museum
The largest collection of Van Gogh paintings in the world is housed here, along with the works of his contemporaries, Impressionists and Post-Impressionists. A visit here helps students understand the artistic context in which his works were created and the influence they had upon others.
Tip: The permanent collection includes 200 paintings, 500 drawings and more than 700 letters.
Stedelijk Museum of Modern Art
This spacious museum shows modern and contemporary art and design from early 20th century up to the 21st century. It reopened in 2012 after renovations and features artists such as Wassily Kandinsky, Ernst Ludwig Kirchner, Marc Chagall, Henri Matisse, Jackson Pollock, Karel Appel, Andy Warhol, Willem de Kooning and Gilbert and George.
Rembrandthuis
Rembrandt’s former home on the Jodenbreestraat has been restored to its former glory and furnished with items and works of art from the 17th century. See where his son Titus was born, the workshop where he printed his etchings and, of course, the master’s studio. Photo © Lian Chang.
Tip: The museum has around 250 etchings by Rembrandt on display.
Canal Cruise Amsterdam
A cruise through Amsterdam’s canals is a pretty and peaceful way to see some of the city’s most beautiful spots. Gliding through the old centre, the view encompasses elegant merchants’ mansions, carillon-crowned churches and warehouses with their rich history from Holland’s Golden Age.
Tip: There are 65 miles of canals that meander through the city.
Amsterdam ArenA Tour
The Amsterdam ArenA was officially opened in 1996 as the new home for Ajax, Amsterdam’s world-renowned football team, and is the first football stadium in Europe with a retractable roof. The Amsterdam ArenA offers guided ‘World of Ajax’ tours that include the press room, mixed zone, VIP areas, and dressing rooms. The guided tour lasts about 60 minutes and in English and Dutch.
The Hague
Seat of the Dutch government and home of many International organisations, The Hague is considered the second capital of the United Nations. At Scheveningen you can visit the Sea Life Centre and the Omniversum Imax film centre. Close to The Hague discover the Netherlands in miniature at Madurodam.
Madurodam
This miniature park is home to a range of perfect 1:25 scale model replicas of famous Dutch castles, public buildings, and large industrial projects. Students can learn the stories behind the buildings and interact with exhibits, loading containers on a cargo ship in the port of Rotterdam, or operating the Oosterscheldekering storm surge barrier.
Zaanse Schans
Zaanse Schans is the Netherlands in a nutshell: a town of traditional Dutch crafts and architecture, with six windmills, a wooden shoe workshop, a cheese farm and more. Some think it’s an open-air museum, but actually, Zaanse Schans is simply a town full of extraordinarily well preserved architecture and traditions. It is both a fun and informative day out.
Duinrell, Wassenaar
Set among the forest and dunes, this amusement park features plenty of spectacular attractions. Thrill seekers can go for a hair-raising ride in the dazzling Falcon, Mad Mill or the Dragonfly roller coaster. And for students who want to launch themselves into the water, the Tiki Pool boasts one kilometre of water slides.
Efteling Theme Park Experience
Enter the realms of fantasy at this huge theme park, based on ancient myths, fairy tales, fables and folklore. You can discover the Fairytale Forest, lose yourselves among the elves and the trolls or jump on the Python and Vogel Rok rollercoasters. This popular theme park features the largest water show in Europe, while both choral and instrumental groups are invited to perform on the bandstand.
This is Holland – Amsterdam
This new educational attraction will allow groups to take a virtual flight experience above Holland’s beautiful landscapes using the latest I-ride technology. Specialised vehicles suspended above the ground move with the film to offer an exhilarating experience of flying. A pre-flight edutainment presentation explains how Holland was created from sea and swamp.
Clara Maria Cheese Farm and Clog Factory
The Clara Maria Cheese Farm and Clog Factory is located southwest of Amsterdam in the polder. A guided tour allows students to see Gouda cheese being made in the converted barn using the milk from the farm and traditional processes. Groups enjoy a cheese tasting and a chance to see Dutch wooden clogs being made using antique machinery. An on-site souvenir shop has a variety of Dutch products available
A’DAM Lookout
Enjoy a 360º degree view of Amsterdam and the surrounding area from the rooftop and 20th floor of the A’dam tower. A lift with sound and light effects will transport you in 20 seconds to the indoor Lookout on the 20th floor where visitors can enjoy the panoramic views and discover more about the history and culture of Amsterdam through interactive screens. Take the stairs to the roof for more views of the historic city, the port, airport and the polder landscape.
Noordwijk Space Expo
Explore what it was like for the first men to land on the moon as students experience a simulated launch of an Ariane rocket ‘live’. See the test model satellites used for European Space Missions at the European Space Agency’s largest technical establishment.
Typical accommodation
Sea You Hotel, 2-star
Why groups like it:
- Single party hotel
- Family run property with long experience in welcoming school groups
- Great location in the resort close to all amenities
Facilities
- Modern en-suite rooms
- Cosy bar and free Wi-Fi access
- Storage room/Rehearsal space
Stayokay Youth Hostel, Heemskerk
Why groups like it:
- Located in a 13th century castle
- Stunning gardens
- Rehearsal spaces
Facilities
- Modern en-suite rooms for 4–8 students
- Terrace with barbecue area
- Table tennis
Itinerary suggestion
1 Depart school in your coach
2 Channel crossing to Calais. Journey time from Calais 5 hours
3 Arrive at your accommodation
4 Evening meal
1 Breakfast and pick up packed lunch
2 Full day in Amsterdam for Anne Frank’s House, Art Museums and Canal cruise
3 Evening meal then bowling
1 Breakfast and pick up packed lunch
2 Morning visits to Zaanse Schans, traditional windmills, cheese and clog making
3 Spend the afternoon in The Hague, Madurodam or Duinrell Leisure Park (seasonal)
4 Evening meal and disco
1 Breakfast and pick up packed lunch
2 Depart for Calais
3 Channel crossing
4 Arrive back at school
Learning outcomes
Subject focus
Students can:
- Experience learning outside the classroom in another country
- Gain a deeper understanding of modern European history, World War II and the Holocaust at Anne Frank’s House
- Discover science at the Noordwijk Space Expo, the Corpus journey through the human body, The Nemo Science Centre Amsterdam and the Apenheul Primate Park
- Understand the Netherland’s colonial history and historic trade links
- Examine the geography of the region and the constant battle to keep out the North Sea
- Build confidence and learn to value the skills and techniques needed for personal and team success
- Discover, explore and have fun with fellow students and teachers.
Student outcomes
Students will have had an opportunity to:
- Visit a foreign country and experience another language and culture
- Gain independence and self-confidence
- Strengthen existing friendships and make new friends
- Learn more about history, art, geography and science
- Understand personal organisation, co-operating and working with others in a variety of environments
- Identify the Netherland’s place in modern European history
- Furtherdevelop their personal organisational skills
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Trip was wonderful overall, the students are all scoring it 8/9/10 out of 10 which is very positive
Cramlington Learning Village
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