What was your main aim for this trip?
Throughout this trip we aimed to combine both science and geography. We wanted to look at the ecology of Iceland through activities such as whale watching, alongside learning more about geological processes.
On top of the more conventional learning outcomes, we also wanted to provide both new and unique experiences for the students, which we were able to.
Why did you choose this destination?
Iceland is so unique in terms of both landscape and what is on offer to students. It means that we are easily able to combine both science and geography, with students seeing many of the concepts that they learn about in real life.
Before visiting it was a destination that none of the students had previously been to, making it a truly unique experience for them.
Can you briefly describe some of the visits and activities you enjoyed on the trip?
Our first activity was 'Fly Over Iceland'. This gave us a taste of what Iceland would have to offer during our time there. This further excited our students about what they would see and experience over the coming days.
On the evening of the first day, we took a walking tour around Reykjavik. We saw the cathedral, the Sun Voyager and the John Lennon Memorial - and we even had time for some souvenir shopping!
On our second day, we enjoyed a whale-watching tour. Although this was in the typical Icelandic cold, we were lucky enough to see a large pod of dolphins, as well as some porpoises and a minke whale (from a distance!).
In the afternoon, we visited Thingvellir National Park, where we were able to see how tectonic plate movement has helped to shape the landscape. We also visited the Great Geysir, where we were able to see a number of impressive eruptions!
We spent time on the Golden Circle tour, visiting and going behind the waterfalls at Seljalandsfoss and Skogarfoss. We also visited the black sand beach at Vik, where we also saw the impressive cliffs.
One of the highlights of the trip for many of the boys was hiking on the Solheimajokull Glacier, which saw us embark on a slippery but enjoyable walk to the top of the glacier, even managing to drink pure glacier water at the top!
Why did you choose these visits and activities?
As well as this linking to what they would learn in lessons, these activities provided a vast range of experiences for students in Iceland, to give a real taste of the country, the geology and the ecology that we aimed to look at.
These activities combined also offered the best possible experience for the students - there was very little downtime, meaning that the students got to experience as much as possible in the time that we were in Iceland.
For some students, they may be once-in-a-lifetime activities, whether this be as a result of them not having an opportunity in later life to visit again, or by glaciers melting so they would not have the chance to walk on these again!
What will be your lasting memories of this trip?
This was a trip of firsts for many of the students, from the first time seeing geysers or the first time whale-watching, it was filled with many new experiences for the students which allowed them even more awe and wonder.
Why did you choose Halsbury for this trip?
We have now worked alongside Halsbury for a number of years and the service that we receive is always brilliant. From the point of booking to the last minute before we depart, the communication is always excellent and they are always on hand with advice about how best to spend our time at the destinations.
They are always flexible to fit in as many activities as possible, making each day full to the brim with activities which means that students can truly have the best possible experience.
How would you describe the experience of working with Halsbury on this trip?
Halsbury are a fantastic company to work with. I know that if I provide a list of ideas about a trip they will tailor this to be the best possible experience for us.
As the staff had already been to Iceland recently, they were able to offer ideas that we wouldn't have thought of to make the trip even more enjoyable for the students and run extremely smoothly.
Would you recommend Halsbury to your Halsbury to your friends and colleagues?
I would definitely recommend working with Halsbury. We have always had such positive experiences from the point of booking to departing and being on the trip. They are always on hand with help and advice if needed and provide the best value for money on our trips. The visits, accommodation and transport options offered are always fantastic.
The staff are all very knowledgeable about the destinations, meaning that they can advise which activities would be best, while still making this unique to our trip - it doesn't feel like an 'off the shelf' product.