Have you thought about taking your pupils to a Christmas market this winter?

Are you the type of teacher who has paper snowflakes hanging in their classroom? And some tinsel for good measure? Why not go one step further to spread the Christmas cheer this year and take your pupils on a school trip to the Christmas markets of Europe?

We know that summer is barely rearing its head, but now is the perfect time to start planning your Christmas market trip to give you the luxury of promoting it well in advance and maximising the number of students who sign up.

Christmas Markets have been a cherished tradition found all over Europe and more recently in Britain, and continue to be a top-10 favourite thing to do around Christmas time.  We aren't just talking about shopping (although that is a bonus), our students just love the atmospheric experience of a market themed and dedicated to Winter and festivities. Not only that, a short trip to a European Christmas Market is a fantastic way to immerse students in the French or German language for a few days.

Voyager School Travel have been providing Christmas Market school trips to students all over the UK for many years and we know which markets are the absolute best to visit!

Amiens, Arras & Boulogne-Sur-Mer Christmas Markets - France

With hundreds of market stalls and all within 1 hours drive from Voyager School Travel accommodation -Hotel Moulin aux Draps, these Christmas Market trip offers the best combination of festivities and convenience. Students can practice speaking French with stall holders by day and be entertained by our French animateurs by night. The perfect French language immersion trip!

Strasbourg - France

Strasbourg is home to one of the most famous Christmas Markets in Europe, taking place since 1570! This market is filled to the brim with talented craftsmanship, tasty treats, Christmas food and even Winter boat trips. This trip allows students to practice their French Language skills whilst soaking up some wonderful history & atmosphere.

Aachen  - Germany

The Aachen Christmas Market is Germany's nearest Christmas market to the UK and can be reached from Calais in six hours by coach. Explore the city’s streets as they are transformed into a Christmas wonderland of lights, delicious treats and the famous gingerbread, Aachen Printe.  

Cologne Christmas Market - Germany

Cologne Christmas markets are some of the most famous in Europe. Each year Cologne holds seven Christmas markets around the city, the four biggest ones are located around the cathedral, Alter Markt and Heumarkt squares, ‘Market of Angels’ presents itself on the square Neumarkt under a magnificently shining star sky and near Rudolfplatz, every year, these markets attract about 2 million visitors. Each market provides great food and drinks but also shopping too from Christmas decorations to selling chocolate.

It’s a great place to try out your German language skills!

Brussels

There is plenty of choice when it comes to Christmas markets in Brussels, from traditional, artisanal to gastronomic. There is something for everyone; there are markets all over the city, from cobblestone of the Grand Place to the lanes of the green city quarters and the castle.

The markets are open late November until early January and features the usual delights of a Christmas market as well as an ice-rink.  

These are just some examples of the Christmas Markets we visit on our Winter school trips - why not have a look yourself and immerse your students in language skills in an entirely new way?