Think dusk on Lake Garda, a relaxed evening concert in a villa garden with an audience of hundreds, followed by a meal in the balmy Italian air.
It's neither a luxury adults-only holiday nor a Saga outing for the over-50s but an example of the high standards that can be offered on organised music tours for students.
It's Tim Johnson, managing director of Club Europe, who paints this idyllic picture of his firm's Lake Garda trip. He was just four years old when the company was founded by his father and some of his earliest memories are of spending every summer and winter holiday sat in a car or coach driving around Europe with a group, so he knows the benefits that tours offer to both students and teachers.
‘We make it easy for teachers,’ he says. ‘We have an admin portal to help with things like passport details, free places for teachers, and a real focus on musical enrichment as well as providing a good holiday in areas where the weather is pretty much guaranteed.’
High-quality accommodation is important. ‘In the Salzburg area we have some absolute kids’ paradises which are specifically designed for youth groups.’
This year, Club Europe has seen an upsurge in trips to Belgium, with the First World War commemorations. ‘Ghent is popular,’ says Johnson. A three-night trip there costs around £350, while Lake Garda comes in under £500.
Johnson also has advice for more unusual trips: ‘I'm really fond of the stunning Languedoc-Roussillon region of France, home to some of the loveliest weather and the most stunning scenery in the country, with its craggy coastline and multi-hued hills.
‘Our groups stay in the region's hinterland, in Sommières, a glorious historic town with lots of shops, cafes and a weekly market. The whole area is full of romantic associations with art and music.’
A hands-on approach
Julian Edwards, sales manager at OneStage, says that destinations such as Germany, France and Belgium have become increasingly popular, offering excellent value for money, plenty of attractions and short journeys. The year before, Spain and Italy were often the first choice. Edwards says: ‘Musically, you can play in a variety of venues from the biggest and the best cathedrals and concert halls to the tiniest bandstand on the riverside or in a spa town with equal success.’
The OneStage team participates in the tour-managing side of the job as well, to provide the best service to schools. ‘You could be running a tour from your desk but it's only when you're actually out there on tour, dealing with that awkward church custodian or a difficult bus route, that you really understand the intricate details.’
Edwards is keen for his staff to experience tours, warts and all, to provide the best service to schools: ‘You can be running things from your desk but it's only when you're actually out there on tour, dealing with that awkward church custodian or a difficult bus route, that you really understand what's going on and how to deal with it.’
Halsbury Travel are also hugely experienced in running school tours, with more than 30 years in the industry. Marketing manager Katie Wylie finds Tuscany is always incredibly popular with groups, particularly since they followed Ackworth School's summer tour, with a video on Halsbury's website.
‘It's a spectacular corner of Italy packed with unforgettable performance opportunities. Students can immerse themselves in Italian culture, providing plenty of cross-curricular learning.
Tuscany: ‘A spectacular corner of Italy packed with unforgettable performance opportunities’ © ALEKSANDRA STEPIEN
‘Paris, and Disneyland Paris too, offer unique experiences while Barcelona and the Costa Brava are also really popular choices. Most groups stay in the relative peace of one of the seaside resorts along the Costa Brava, heading into the vibrant city of Barcelona for performances and sightseeing. This destination also offers the exciting opportunity for ensembles to participate in the international youth music festival Canta al mar.’
Looking beyond the obvious destinations can pay benefits too.
‘Malta has recently seen a surge in popularity among our groups,’ says Wylie. ‘As a predominantly Catholic country, Malta is great for choirs with sacred or secular repertoires, thanks to the many churches and cathedrals offering performance opportunities.
‘It's also a fantastic choice for bands, who'll really love performing lively concerts in Malta's vibrant town squares.
‘The weather is incredible, the people are wonderfully warm and English is widely spoken, making this a very easy tour. The accommodation is all of a very high standard and there are plenty of low-cost airlines now flying from the UK to Malta.’
Just the sort of thing you want to be planning to keep up your spirits on a wet Monday in November!
Cathedrals are just one of the venues that tours can perform in © MOLLY HOLLMAN
Advice from Halsbury for a first tour
‘The very best advice we could offer any teacher, and especially those arranging their first tour, is to start planning as early as possible. Not only will availability be less of a problem in terms of performance venues, accommodation and transport, but it will make the whole process much less stressful. You'll have time to prepare for each stage of the process and should avoid any last-minute panics.
‘Plus, if you book your tour nice and early, your students and their families will have longer to pay for the tour, making it more affordable.
‘We'd also advise that you make sure you're booking with a reputable, fully accredited tour operator to ensure that your tour is financially protected and that your group's health and safety will be prioritised at all times.’
