Best of Belgium
Day 5 – Friday 5 July
Our week in Belgium has come to an end. Our last meal in the hostel and the students are showing teamwork and wiping down the tables after breakfast. Final check of rooms and we pile on the coach, laden down with chocolate and souvenirs. We stopped to stretch our legs and eat our packed lunches before heading to Calais. After a much smoother ferry crossing we are back on the road to London. Now to contend with Friday night traffic!
Day 4 – Thursday 4 July
Today we learned more about Belgium’s best known comic book hero, Tintin! The interactive and colourful Hergé Museum tells the story of how Hergé came to create Tintin, displaying many original comic strip plates and stories behind the adventures Hergé (real name Georges Remi) wrote. In the afternoon students enjoyed time riding the rollercoasters at Walibi theme park and splashing around in Aqualibi water park. The night ended with a quiz. Well done to the three joint first place winners!
Day 3 – Wednesday 3 July
Wednesday started with a visit to Waterloo, learning from the interactive museum how Napoleon was defeated in 1815. The students then climbed up the Lion Mount to see the battlefields for themselves and enjoy the panoramic vistas. In the afternoon we went to Brussels and saw the Grand Place, the Manneken Pis and enjoyed some waffles. We also learned about Belgian and other French-speaking comic book characters on a guided walking tour looking at comic murals around Brussels. The day was rounded off by a game of bowling in Leuven. Another fun and action-packed day!
Day 2 – Tuesday 2 July
Tuesday was Bruges day! We started the day learning about how artisan Belgian chocolates are made. Next was a canal cruise tour around the beautiful city of Bruges. After eating lunch in the Grote Markt we climbed up the Belfort. The views from the top were amazing! Lastly, we went to see Michelangelo’s Madonna and Child in The Church of our Lady.
Day 1 – Monday 1 July
Students have been in very good spirits all day, despite the 2-hour delay getting on and then off the ferry! The delay put paid to our plans for a trip to the beach at De Panne, so we are all looking forward to some proper exploring tomorrow!
