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School Trips to Brussels

A school trip to Brussels is an engaging learning experience for students of all ages, particularly those focussing on business or science for their studies.

Since the end of the Second World War, Brussels has maintained its position as the political capital of Europe, home to the headquarters of the European Union, NATO and countless multinational organisations. An educational tour of the city will undoubtedly enhance your group’s understanding of how businesses operate as part of a major economy. 

Science and technology is also highly developed in the Belgian capital. For budding scientists in particular, the city’s Museum of Natural Sciences brims with interesting attractions and exhibits. That’s not to mention the range of other dedicated scientific institutions dotted around the city, all of which can be factored into your bespoke itinerary on your school trip to Belgium.

For food lovers, sampling a taste of Brussels’ world-renowned chocolate, waffles and french fries is a must. That’s not to mention the infamous sprouts…

If you’re looking to plan your perfect school trip to Brussels, talk to one of our expert travel advisors today – we’re always happy to help.

Browse our curriculum-linked school trips to Brussels

Business Studies

Business Studies

Brussels is a fascinating hub for your pupils to visit, and a place where they’ll undoubtedly gain a greater understanding of global politics and business.

Learn more about our business studies trips to Brussels here

Music

Music

With a variety of concert venues to choose from, together with a wide range of cultural visits to be enjoyed, Belgium is an ideal destination for music school tour.

Learn more about our music trips to Belgium here

Theme Park

Theme Park

There are a vast number of seaside towns along the Belgian Coast, all with sandy beaches, cafés, restaurants and shops, ideal for introducing groups to another culture whilst experiencing the thrills of range of theme parks.

Learn more about our theme park trips to Brussels here

Brussels trip highlights - our groups love...

Euro Space Centre

Euro Space Centre

This fascinating and interactive experience is dedicated to space exploration, its history, galaxies and planets. Experiences include:

A Space Odyssey
Tour the indoor exhibition on Space Conquest, from the Big Bang to the most futuristic of space exploration projects. Hop on board a full-scale mock space shuttle, tour the cockpit and cargo bays, then ‘ride an asteroid’ in the dynamic cinema.

One-Day Astronaut
Let your students experience life as an astronaut. With a whole range of missions and programmes, your group’s experience could include rides on multi-axis and moonwalk chairs as well as a microrocket workshop.

Museum of Natural Sciences

Museum of Natural Sciences

Dedicated to natural history, this museum has the largest dinosaur gallery in Europe and plenty of fascinating hands-on items to discover.

Atomium

Atomium

The Atomium is a monument built for the 1958 World Fair and, with its highest sphere being at 102 metres tall, offers a stunning panoramic view of the city. This unusual structure houses interesting exhibitions and other public spaces within each of its huge spheres.

European Parliament

European Parliament

During this thoroughly insightful visit, your group will discover how this parliament plays an active role in drafting legislation, including consumer rights and the free movement of workers, capital, services and goods. 

Parlamentarium

Parlamentarium

Experience the European Parliament as never before. At the Visitors’ Centre in Brussels discover in a refreshingly new way, more about the institution that represents them. Dynamic, interactive multimedia displays guide students through the journey of European integration and the impact this has on everyday lives.

Role Play Game - Step into the shoes of a Member of the European Parliament. Take a fast-track course on how Europe’s democratically elected body works. You will need to negotiate with fellow students to build the future you want for Europe. In imaginary political groups, you will discuss issues such as water solidarity and micro-chipping and will need to find a compromise in order to legislate.

European Commission

European Commission

Your students will leave this visit with an understanding of how representatives from each of the member states come together as one to discuss and decide on matters of international importance.

Concept Chocolate

Concept Chocolate

An excellent tour which includes an explanation on the origin of chocolate and the chocolate-making process. Your group will then be able to see production in action before sampling the finished product. You can even add a workshop at the end of the tour to give your students the chance to try their hand at making chocolate!

Coca-Cola European Visitors Center

Coca-Cola European Visitors Center

Take a guided tour to learn about the foundations of Coca-Cola, from the choice of products offered and the people that work there, to the responsibilities and issues that the company must consider. Your group will tour the production and distribution departments and leave with a clear understanding of the production process.

Brussels school trip experts

Hundreds of students travel with NST to Brussels every year, and members of our team regularly visit the city to really get to know the ins-and-outs of the area, from logistics and visits to our range of student-friendly accommodation.

Your dedicated Tour Co-ordinator will use their knowledge to create an itinerary that’s tailor-made, perfectly timed and meets your exact school travel needs.

They’ll be able to share their first-hand experience, suggest options you might not have considered and give you insight into the feedback other teachers have given us too.

Planning your first school trip?

If you're planning your first school trip, our essential guide will take you through each step of the process...

  • Choosing your destination
  • Gaining approval from your Local Authority and/or your Head
  • Promoting your tour in school
  • Confirming your booking
  • Tailor-make your tour
  • Completing your risk assessments (including a sample risk assessment)
  • Quick reference timeline
  • Pre-tour checklist

Additional support, resources & information

Tour planning service

Tour planning service

With NST, you’ll get your own dedicated, knowledgeable Tour Co-ordinator who’ll work with you from start to finish. You’ll benefit from their unrivalled destination knowledge, and their experience gained from working with many other groups too. They’ll tailor-make your itinerary from scratch and take care of everything for you: 

  • Pulling together an itinerary that runs smoothly 
  • Planning the right balance of visits every day with realistic timings 
  • Pre-arranging and pre-booking your visits, entrance tickets, passes and meals 

 

You’ll receive your final itinerary a full 4-weeks before you travel too.

Free school trip promotion pack

Free school trip promotion pack

We’ll support you and provide everything you need to advertise your school trip around school and to parents. Our free school trip promotion pack consists of: 

  • Parents’ letter & permission slip template for you to complete A3 posters to promote your trip around school 
  • PowerPoint presentation templates which you can tailor to your own needs 
  • Online parents’ video which showcases the benefits of taking a school trip 

Risk assessment support including preview visits

Risk assessment support including preview visit

Risk assessment plays a vitally important part in the planning and organisation on any school tour.

Our risk assessment guide aims to help you understand more about your obligations and how you can more effectively manage group safety on your next educational visit and provide you with risk assessments for your trip.

Planning first school trip

Planning first school trip

Organising your first school trip can appear to be a daunting process. 

If you're planning your first school trip, our guide will help to take you through each step of the planning process, answering frequently asked questions and providing tips and support along the way. 

Our helpful guide covers the following: 

  • Choosing your destination 
  • Gaining approval from your Local Authority and/or your Head 
  • Promoting your tour in school 
  • Confirming your booking 
  • Tailor-make your tour 
  • Completing your risk assessments (including a sample risk assessment) 
  • Quick reference timeline 
  • Pre-tour checklist 

 

View our essential guide to a successful school trip here

Get live updates on your group's tour location

Get live updates on your group's tour location

Locate My Trip uses GPS technology and is the easy, convenient way for your school to follow your location whilst on tour. Specifically designed to provide reassurance to both parents and teachers, NST will know where your group are 24/7. If your schedule needs to change, we’ll put plans in place to keep your tour on track. 

With Locate My Trip your group can also share photos and videos with the school and parents, via a secure link, to keep them updated on your experience whilst you’re away.

Watch our short Locate My Trip video here

Your online school trip organiser - My Tour Manager

Your online school trip organiser - My Tour Manager

Save time and stay on track with your school trip admin with our online orgnaniser - designed to help busy teachers like you. 

With My Tour Manager, you'll be able to download FREE resources and access trip paperwork online and in one place. Your personalised checklist details what you need to do and by when, plus you'll receive fortnightly reminders too. 

What's more, you can take all your trip documents on the go whilst on your tour with our app, My Tour Manager-On-the-Go. 

Find out more and watch out short My Tour Manager video here

Free classroom resources

Free classroom resources

We've created a range of free geography resources and educational posters to brighten up your classroom!

Take a look at our downloadable posters here

Why choose NST...

Here's why hundreds of teachers choose NST each year...

  • Unrivalled knowledge

Your dedicated co-ordinator will use their unrivalled local knowledge and expertise of Brussels to create a tailor-made, curriculum-linked itinerary to meet your group’s exact needs.

  • Making it easier for you

With our online school trip organiser, travel app, free classroom posters to support in-school promotion.

  • FREE group leader inspection visits

We offer a free inspection visit to your chosen destination to support your risk assessment planning. 

  • Value for money

We’re committed to bringing you the best possible value trips to help make every penny count.

 

  • More than 20 years’ experience

With over 20 years’ experience, with NST you can rest assured that your group is in safe hands.

  • Risk assessment guidance

Our risk assessment guidance will help you to manage group safety on your next educational trip. 

  • Peace of mind

Your group’s location can be followed with our trip tracking device - Locate My Trip - plus you’ll have 24/7 support from us whilst you’re away.

  • Offsetting carbon emissions

For every trip taken, we'll plant a Maya nut tree in Peru to support reforestation, local communities & biodiversity. Plus, we'll offset an additional tonne of CO2 to guarantee carbon emission reductions. 

Looking for protection on your next school trip? 

Booking with a school travel company is the best way for you to protect parents’ money and give yourself peace of mind.

Financial protection from the moment you book

NST are fully bonded & licensed:

  • ABTA
  • ATOL
  • IATA
  • Commission for Aviation Regulation

 

Managing safety on school trips

For your protection, NST's independently audited Safety Management System covers:

  • 24-hour emergency cover
  • Audited accommodation & transport
  • Excursions & school visit assessment
  • Group leader preview visits to assist with risk assessment planning

Package Travel Regulations 2018

Don't forget - if your school arranges transport, accommodation and other services directly, you’ll be liable under the Package Travel Regulations – meaning you’ll have all the responsibilities of a travel company, both legal and financial. 

We're LOtC Council’s Quality Badge assured

For groups travelling from Northern Ireland... the Department for Education advises schools to always look for the LOtC Quality Badge when choosing a school travel provider.

Learn more here