The Top 12 School Trips Abroad for Enriching Experiences

Taking students abroad does more than break up the routine. It lets them discover how their subject connects to real-life experiences. When students have those moments—standing in a place they’ve only read about—it becomes clear why school trips are important.

In this blog, we've picked 12 destinations that go beyond sightseeing. These are trips that link meaningfully to the curriculum and leave a long-lasting impression.

Walk Through Ancient History in Rome

There’s nowhere quite like Rome for bringing ancient civilisations to life. students can step inside the Colosseum and picture the roar of the crowds, or trace the old roads of the Roman Forum to see how daily life unfolded. It’s a brilliant way to show how the ancient world shaped everything from our language to our laws.

On a school trip to Italy, you can also weave in lessons on Renaissance art, traditional food, and the culture that still inspires so much today.

Reflect on Remembrance in Kraków and Auschwitz

A visit to Kraków and Auschwitz is something students never forget. Walking through Auschwitz-Birkenau, they see the scale of the camp for themselves and start to understand what prejudice can lead to. Schindler’s Factory nearby shows how one person’s actions made a difference when it mattered most.

When you plan a school trip to Poland, you can also build in time to wander Kraków’s old squares and explore the castle that’s been standing there for hundreds of years.

Discover Art and Culture in Paris

Paris is packed with places that fire up students’ curiosity. The Louvre is a must-see, whether you’re studying ancient civilisations or Renaissance masterpieces. Over at the Musée d’Orsay, students can get up close to famous Impressionist paintings that shaped modern art.

A school trip to Paris isn’t just about museums, though—you can also stroll along the Champs-Élysées, look up at the Arc de Triomphe and soak up the atmosphere that has inspired writers and artists for centuries.

Understand Cold War Berlin

Berlin’s full of history you can feel. Planning a school trip to Berlin means students can walk along the Berlin Wall and really get a sense of how divided the city once was. The murals at the East Side Gallery show how art became a powerful way to speak out.

Visit the First World War Battlefields in Belgium

Planning a school trip to Belgium is one of the most powerful ways to help students connect with the history of the First World War. Standing quietly among the headstones at Tyne Cot Cemetery, they start to see just how many lives were lost on these battlefields.

Explore Art and Culture in Barcelona

If you’re planning a school trip to Barcelona, you’ll find it offers something for almost every subject. Gaudí’s Park Güell and the soaring Barcelona Cathedral are packed with inspiration for creative minds, while a tour of Camp Nou lets students step right into football history. There are plenty of creative trip ideas for schools in Barcelona that make learning memorable.

Connect with Science and Diplomacy in Switzerland

A school trip to Switzerland is a great way to help students see how science and diplomacy work in real life. At CERN, they can watch scientists exploring the universe and learn how physics shapes what we know. At the United Nations, students see how countries work together to try and solve problems that affect everyone.

Explore Iceland’s Dramatic Landscapes

Taking students on a school trip to Iceland feels like stepping into a real-life geography lesson. Seeing the Geysir shoot water high into the air is far more memorable than any diagram. And standing by Gullfoss Waterfall, with the roar and the spray, shows the power of nature in a way they won’t forget.

Appreciate Music and Heritage in Austria

A school trip to Austria can cover a lot in just a few days. students can step inside Schönbrunn Palace to see the grand rooms where emperors once lived. And it’s hard to miss how music is woven into everyday life in Vienna.

Explore Global Culture in New York

A school trip to New York really gets students thinking. Standing in front of the Statue of Liberty, they start to picture what it must’ve been like to arrive here for the first time—hopeful, nervous, maybe a little overwhelmed. It helps them understand what hope feels like for people starting fresh. At the 9/11 Memorial, it’s quiet. The names are carved into stone, and the ground where the towers stood is still.

Reflect on History in Amsterdam

Going on a school trip to Amsterdam brings history to life. The Anne Frank House brings the past alive, while the Rijksmuseum and Van Gogh Museum show how art tells its own story.

Explore European History in Czech Republic

When you organise a school trip to the Czech Republic, there’s a lot to discover. Walking across Charles Bridge, students see views that haven’t changed for centuries. The Astronomical Clock and Prague Castle help bring European history to life.

Choosing the Right Trip for Your Students

The best school trips inspire, educate, and stay with pupils long after they return. If you're thinking of planning a school trip abroad and need help, we at Interschool Travel are here for you. Just get in touch, and we'll make planning easy.