School trip activity holiday in Croatia
| country: | Croatia |
| location: | Vis Island |
| departures: | This trip can be tailor made for schools in the months of April, May, September and October. |
| price: | From £350 - £550 (4-7 days) excluding flights. Price depends on duration and requirements. Minimum group size 10, maximum group size 40, 1 teacher free with every 10 students |
| vouchers: | Gift vouchers can be used with this holiday |
the amazing things you'll be doing
Enjoy a variety of activities on Croatia’s stunning unspoiled Island of Vis. Students will explore the island by foot, paddle and peddle power. Kayak into remote bays, cycle to small villages through the vineyards and hike through the old trails to fishing coves. The trip involves physical challenges combined with cultural experiences and a visit to the local school to gain a greater understanding of life on a Croatian island.
A visit to the island of Vis is a great way to combine physical activity with discovering life on this beautiful historical island. Your hosts, Xania and Craig are both PE teachers who have now made the island their home. Students will be encouraged to develop leadership skills and cooperative skills while experiencing sea kayaking, cycling through vineyards and hiking to remote villages. The trip is about self development, discovery of new communities and participation in everyday Croatian life. Croatian history is very diverse and the island of Vis is no exception. The trip can be tailored to suit the curriculum requirements of your school. It can be a combination of physical experiences with History for example.
The island was a Yugoslav military base until 1991 and the British helped General Tito hide on the island during WW2. The locals have a first hand knowledge of the impact of conflict on the community.
As far as Geography and Environmental topics, students can understand the issues that seasonal employment has on the local economy and the positive and negative effect that tourism can have on an island. What's special about this island is that tourism has only been allowed to develop in the last 10-15 years, and is very controlled. You won't find hotel complexes or rampant commercialisation on Vis.
Education will be combined with the friendliest of people, unspoiled, secluded coves, delicious food, stunning scenery and the cleanest waters in the Adriatic .
A visit to the island of Vis is a great way to combine physical activity with discovering life on this beautiful historical island. Your hosts, Xania and Craig are both PE teachers who have now made the island their home. Students will be encouraged to develop leadership skills and cooperative skills while experiencing sea kayaking, cycling through vineyards and hiking to remote villages. The trip is about self development, discovery of new communities and participation in everyday Croatian life. Croatian history is very diverse and the island of Vis is no exception. The trip can be tailored to suit the curriculum requirements of your school. It can be a combination of physical experiences with History for example.
The island was a Yugoslav military base until 1991 and the British helped General Tito hide on the island during WW2. The locals have a first hand knowledge of the impact of conflict on the community.
As far as Geography and Environmental topics, students can understand the issues that seasonal employment has on the local economy and the positive and negative effect that tourism can have on an island. What's special about this island is that tourism has only been allowed to develop in the last 10-15 years, and is very controlled. You won't find hotel complexes or rampant commercialisation on Vis.
Education will be combined with the friendliest of people, unspoiled, secluded coves, delicious food, stunning scenery and the cleanest waters in the Adriatic .
day-by-day itinerary
| Day 1: | Fly to Split from the UK. Catch the ferry to the island of Vis. Check into accommodation and receive information on activities and a general island overview |
| Day 2: | Kayak trip. The students will be advised on safety, equipment and techniques prior to the trip. The group will then embark on a full day kayak which will visit caves, coves and remote beaches. Lunch will be provided by a local family in the bay of Rukavac and will be a typical Vis meal cooked on the grill and using locally grown produce. In the evening the students will have time to explore the town of Vis and reflect on the days adventures while enjoying a meal at the hotel. |
| Day 3: | After an energy fuelled breakfast, the group will embark on a bike ride through the middle of the island. The students will experience off road trails through vineyards, challenging hill climbs and exhilarating downhills. For lunch the group will visit one of the inland vineyards and sample one of the islands infamous lamb and octopus dishes in a traditional 'Peka'. In the afternoon students will visit the local school. Within the school, students from both groups will have the opportunity to interact and share differences in their education and culture. This is will allow the local English class to practice their spoken English and the visiting group to better understand life on Vis. |
| Day 4: | From the hotel the students will participate in a 5 hour hike through rosemary bushes, lavender fields and olive groves on the north of the island to the fishing town of Komiza. While in Komiza the students will have chance to explore the old town and swim in the sea at one of the local beaches. The return trip will be made by boat to the hotel. |
| Day 5: | Ferry journey back to Split. After breakfast in the old town, students will have chance to explore the old Diolectian palace accompanied by a local guide. After lunch we will then transfer you then to the airport for the return flight to the UK. |
how this holiday makes a difference
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Daily transport will involve a combination of kayak, bicycle and foot – far more suited to our goal of enjoying and preserving the beauty of Vis island. While kayaking we will make the students aware of their surrounding and provide them with suggestions of how to minimize potential negative impacts on the marine ecosystems of Croatia. Cycling and hiking allow the students to be amongst the fauna and flora while learning to respect the environment.
When visiting the school on the island, local teachers and tour operators will educate guest groups on how tourism can impact on the ecology of the region if not managed carefully. It will also be highlighted how tourism can have positive and negative effects on the local community. Certain days may include a picnic in an isolated bay. Students will be actively involved in the process of carrying out waste and educated on the impact of waste on the environment. Other meals on the island, the students will be encouraged to try local dishes and learn about gourmet traditions of the island of Vis. There are a number of small, private olive and wine producing enterprises that are once again beginning to spring up on the island. We have developed links with such projects and can provide access for students to observe the traditional methods of agriculture that are being revived. Dedication to the stimulation of the local economy extends to promoting employment opportunities where possible and this happens in terms of guiding, local restaurants and local accommodation providers for the visiting groups. Being able to participate and connect with the local culture provides a richer school trip experience. Accompanied by knowledgeable guides and a visit to the local school, guests are able to understand in depth about Croatian life, especially life on the island of Vis. |
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