Product Improvement 2009
With another incredibly successful schools season in France well under way, the schools team have taken the opportunity to have a close look at what we offer and all the feedback received from Group Leaders.
As a result, we have decided to make a couple of exciting changes that are sure to improve the experience of group leaders, visiting pupils and our centre staff alike.
Revised Itinerary - Coach Travel
Having listened to group leaders concerns regarding the quality of short sessions on arrival and the pick and mix sessions on the day of departure, we have decided to change our itinerary slightly.
All groups traveling by coach to our French centres in 2009 will now leave slightly earlier on a Saturday afternoon in order to arrive on-site in France in time for breakfast at 09:00* on the Sunday morning.
This will enable us to start the core activity programme immediately and ensure that pupils are immediately engaged in well structured, high quality activity sessions.
Groups will then leave at about 20:00* on Friday after dinner and a prize giving / certificate presentation.
The main benefit of this system is that groups will get the same amount of time on-site as they always had before, however they will not loose too much of their weekend to travel at the end of the trip. Having arrived back home at lunch time on Saturday, there is plenty of time to relax / prepare ahead of the next week at school.
Revised Itinerary - Eurostar and TGV Travel
In the light of the changes above, those groups traveling by Eurostar / TGV will now depart on a Saturday, arriving on-site in time for dinner and evening entertainments. Their core activity programme will then start on the Sunday Morning and run through until Thursday evening. Groups will then depart on the Friday Morning to arrive back in the UK that evening.
A Great New Day Out Opportunity - Basque Country Rafting
We have teamed up with a fantastic white water rafting centre situated in the foot hills of the pyrenees near to Biarritz. This half day descent of 'La Nive' is lead by highly experienced local instructors.
After a coach journey of 1- 2 hrs to the rafting centre, groups will be issued with wet-suits, helmets and paddles. The group will then get back on the coach for a short 10 - 15 minute transfer to the start point where they will meet their instructor and Raft.
The journey starts with a dramatic river entry via an efficient roller system from the bank. Once on the river, the route starts with a placid section during which the instructor will give a thorough briefing on technique and safety.
From then on, the route varies in its complexity and challenge taking in various rapids and rock slides etc.
In the afternoon, groups have the opportunity to visit the nearby caves (Grottes de Istoritz et Oxocelhaya) or take in the shops and cosmopolitan atmosphere of Biarritz.
We are pleased to be able to offer this great day out in the heart of the Basque Country for just £20 per person (add £5 for the visit to the caves).
