Author: Jessica Scott
Join Ben and Jen in Iceland!
The Land of Fire and Ice: a Geographer\'s Dream Travelling the rugged landscape, you get the feeling of being on a different planet. With terrain that wouldn’t look out of place in a space movie, you know that below the surface this country is alive and ever-changing. Iceland offers so much to budding explorers who want to expand on their classroom learning when in the field. It holds great examples of: Tectonic landscapes Volcanic activity Climate change The effects of earthquakes One of the pivotal stops for a study tour for Iceland must be the Southern Coast. Here you’ll see great basalt rock formations jutting out onto the black sand beaches created from volcanic eruptions through the ages. See the majestic glaciers with their layers of history and the impact of climate change slowly making them disappear. Take a look at the waterfalls that plunge over the edges of volcanic mountains. Additionally, The Golden Circle is not to missed! Explore the National Park of Thingvellir. Where you can see the impact of the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates pulling away from each other and creating great cliff edges. The scenery is breathtaking! Check the phenomenon that is Geysir and the natural hot waters that explode from the earth. One of many areas in Iceland where steam will emerge from the landscape as it heats up below the surface and races to find a way out. The Golden Circle also holds a mammoth waterfall with rapids and drops that is a great example of the power of nature. Here you can delve into how Iceland uses its natural energy sources with a tour of the Geothermal Exhibition and Powerplant. Providing a fascinating insight into the storing of carbon and how the plant functions. There are so many interactive, insightful, and educational locations on this island, that you will be spoilt for choice. Just one of the highlights was visiting Vik and the Lava Show. A great example of how lava erupts is how it interacts with the environment around it and feels the heat from this demonstration. One to remember for sure! From Geothermal Powerplants to black sand beaches to a live demonstration of how lava works, Iceland does cover it all. And with so many different choices you can select the correct elements to ensure your students receive the best opportunity to learn outside the classroom. Iceland is so different from other places I’ve travelled too previously. It’s barren but beautiful, it’s peaceful yet alive. As a living, breathing model for studies for GCSE and A-level geography, I would highly recommend you check it out! Take a look at our Iceland Study Tours Here!
Julia Ingold joins MSG Tours
MSG\'s Jen and Jess Hit the Road As I start my new role at MSG Tours, I’m excited for my first dive into the world of sports travel. Despite it being a new start for me, I know that I can look upon the skills I have built throughout my life to get a good start in the industry. Early Years Born and raised in Ottawa, Canada, I have loved to travel from a young age whether that was on family trips abroad or summer camps across Canada. Despite not knowing it at the time, this was the foundation that would set me up for the career I am pursuing now. In high school I completed an exchange program with my family in Nantes, France allowing me to put my French language skills to the test and solidifying my love for travel. When it came to picking my university, I chose a school that had a strong study abroad program meaning I could complete 6 months at the University of Tilburg in Netherlands during my 3rd year. I finally graduated with a Bachelors in Social Development Studies and Business. Travelling the World After my time at university, I started living, working and travelling abroad where I predominately worked in hospitality and customer service in the hotel industry. My first stop was Asia, spending a year teaching English on the small South Korean Island of Geoje before travelling to Vietnam to embark on a 3-month, north to south cycle from Hanoi to Hi Chi Minh City. I briefly returned home to work in a busy city centre hotel in Ottawa before heading back across the globe to backpack around south-east Asia for 4 months. My travels then took me to the land down under where I worked for 6 months in a hotel in Melbourne, Australia before a further 2 years travelling and working in New Zealand from Holiday parks to orchid farms. Settling Down in Derby I have now happily touched down in Derby where I’ve spent the last 2 years building many transferable skills in the recruitment industry as an account manager. However, I decided that it wasn’t the industry for me, and I’m now very excited to pursue a role in a field that has always been at the forefront of my life – travel! I’m excited to join a small but strong team, working on interesting projects and developing my career with MSG Tours.
Meet our New Operations Manager, Josh Short
Josh Short Joins MSG Tours As a BSc Sports Coaching graduate from the University of Brighton working in Sports Travel wasn’t an avenue I really knew about, let alone explored as a career path. However, I find myself in the industry for a third time with a fresh and exciting business, MSG Tours. My Sporting Start As a youngster, I played several sports competitively (rugby, tennis, football, basketball & cricket), but basketball was the one that led the way for me. From the age of 14, I was given my first exposure into coaching as I led the year 7 basketball team, which continued until I left for college. Whilst at University, I got my first taste of ‘sports travel’ without realising it at the time. I worked initially as a group leader before progressing into roles with more responsibility over 4 summers for organisations offering foreign language summer camps in the UK, for overseas students. Organising the activity provision for the summer camp was a great opportunity to deliver varied and interesting activity and excursion programmes for the students visiting the settings. Following my final summer placement, I became the head coach of the men’s university basketball team. The two years of coaching gave me great experience and opened the door for my first full time role as a community coach in London. Starting in Sports Travel Despite basketball being a huge passion of mine, I came to realise that my career aspirations were not going to be reached. However, I was able to use my experience in coaching to aid my start at Edwin Doran Sports Tours where I started as a Sports Tour Operator. Here I operated tours to varying destinations such as Barbados, Sri Lanka, UAE, Holland, USA, Canada and more. The job also allowed me the opportunity to visit the likes of Sri Lanka, Holland (as a Tour Rep), Canada and the Czech Republic. After 2 years, I chose to pause my role at Edwin Doran, as I took a year away to embark on a Working Holiday to Australia in the summer of 2019, which included a 5-week trip to New Zealand. Unfortunately, because of the pandemic we returned to the UK after an incredible 9 months. Due to limited working opportunities, we had to restart our careers out of my Mum’s house which found me working in IT Sales for 2 years. I learned a lot during this time but ultimately, I was itching to return to sports travel and was able to do so as a Senior Tour Operator and Team Lead back with Edwin Doran in the summer of 2022. During my return, I expanded my experience and have now been involved in the travel operations of tours in over 30 countries across 12 different sports. Returning to the Industry Working in sports travel is where I have spent the longest time post university and has given a lot to my career and my development as an individual. When speaking to different organisations during my recent break my partner told me that working in sports travel is “where I’m meant to be”. I have loved my time in the industry to date and I’m thrilled to return, this time with an exciting new company MSG Tours as their new Operations Manager. From speaking with MSG Tours’ Founder and Director, Mark Gardner, I am excited to be joining an organisation that has a fantastic reputation in the industry and has been involved in great projects, such as the recent Rugby World Cup 2023. My new career home in MSG Tours will allow me to again further my experience in the industry and give me the opportunity to be involved in more life changing tours for supporters, clubs, students, and the military!
Dragon School to Barbados
MSGs Mike Hendey on his trip to Barbados: As I arrived at Manchester airport, the nerves began to kick in….
REME football to New Orleans and Miami
Freshly kitted up in L4 Teamwear gear, Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineer (REME) FA men’s and women’s teams gathered outside Heathrow ready to depart on their 12-day tour covering both Miami, Florida and New Orleans, Louisiana. The tour kicked off with REME Men vs New Orleans’s Blues Brothers and REME Women took on their Women’s Soccer XI. Both teams secured wins, with the men winning 4-2 and the women 6-1. The men’s team played match 2 against the New Orleans All Stars giving them a “footballing masterclass” beating them 9-2, then it was on to Miami! Once in Miami both groups had a private tour of DRV PNK Stadium – the home of David Beckham’s Inter Miami. 2 days later they were back again this time amid the action as Inter Miami took on New York Red Bulls. REME watched on from the field-level area ‘The Paddock’ as Miami took the victory from New York, resulting in plenty of celebration. “The visit to inter Miami was fantastic, the tour and the VIP treatment at the game was amazing.” – Yvette Kemp. Then it was back to business for both teams as they took on Miami Utd FC at Milander Park. The women’s game unfortunately ended in a 3-0 loss, whilst the men completed their touring series with a 3-1 win. We’d like to thank the Army Sports Lottery, Forces Mutual, The REME Charity and the Army Sports Control Board for their help with the funding and administration of this tour as well as thank you to our partner kit company L4 Teamwear.
Military and School Groups to RWC 2023
When Supporters and Tours Combine! We are less than one year away from the return of one of the most prestigious tournaments in the sporting world, Rugby World Cup 2023. We have a record number of our MSG family heading to France to witness history. Military and school groups will be embarking on their own tours, coinciding with RWC 2023, so will watch the sport they love at the highest possible quality. The two teams (Royal Logistics Corps Rugby (RLC Rugby), representing the British Army, and Guilsborough School) will play their fixtures alongside the tournament unfolding. RLC Rugby are fielding both a men’s and women’s team. They will be in France for 14 days, visiting Lyon, Toulouse, Montpellier, and Marseille. They will look to defeat three sets of local opposition, alongside attending two live Rugby World Cup 2023 games. During the tour, they will have plenty of time to take in the local culture through some sightseeing, exploring the beautiful French cities, and learning about the rich history of Lyon. What more could you want? Guilsborough School will be in France for four days. The group will spend most of their time in Lille, competing in one fixture. Afterward, they will visit the Stade Pierre-Mauroy to watch their beloved England side take on Chile in what is sure to be a heated affair. Before heading home, the students will have plenty of time to learn outside the classroom and experience the rich history of the area as they will depart for Ypres, a small town in western Belgium, and the site of the fascinating WWI memorial. They will even lay a wreath to pay respects to fallen soldiers from past battles. Both tours will be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and we cannot wait to see them out there! #LetsGetTouring
School sports tours to Malaysia and Singapore
With a thriving school sports scene across all curriculum disciplines, award-winning gastronomy, friendly locals, bustling cities and beautiful beaches, it’s little wonder Malaysia is cropping up in conversation so often with our teachers. Sat just 12 hours’ direct flying time from London, students can enjoy the modern comforts of the A380 Malaysia Airlines aircraft and on board entertainment offered on this overnight flight from Heathrow. One of Kuala Lumpur’s key attractions – Malaysia’s capital – is its geographical contrasts. Skyscrapers and towers overlook wooden huts surrounded by a panoramic of natural rainforest, all of which offer an exciting array of excursions for your touring group. Spend the morning exploring the Perdana Botanical Gardens and Forest Research Institute of Malaysia (FRIM) where exotic fauna makes way for colossal trees and walkways guided by local experts. After a sumptuous locally cooked lunch, explore Batu Caves, Chinatown and witness this incredible city from the 41st floor of the world’s tallest twin towers – Petronas – as dusk meets night. Continue your playing experiences in the southern city of Melaka, located 3 hours’ bus drive from ‘KL’. Take in the modern art at The Orangutan House, sample local delicacies cooked freshly on Jonker Street and revel in the culture of the numerous temples around Bukit St Paul. Your trip continues to deliver excitement and intrigue, this time with the 4h journey via bus to Singapore. This ultra-modern, English-speaking city entertains endlessly outside of your planned touring fixtures. Must-do’s include Singapore Night Safari, journey to Sentosa Island cable car and the stunning Gardens by the Bay. No visit is complete without observing the city from the aerial walkway over Marina Bay Sands Hotel. My travels and research trips around both Singapore and Malaysia are wholly responsible for the enthusiasm we have for these countries and their suitability for UK school groups. The best bit? The affordability of such a trip in our traditionally higher priced summer months. A travel budget of £1500 per person can go a long way over 11 days to these remarkable areas featuring flights, transfers, 4* hotels, sports fixtures and daily breakfast / dinner sandwiching a number of memorable excursions. It’s a little bit different to most summer touring destinations but that’s what we’re all about. Taking you outside the touring box and constantly delivering the unexpected.
Ireland v Wales Booking Announcements
In honour of the Ireland v Wales showdown tomorrow in Dublin, we’re spotlighting local clubs set to travel with us. After a brilliant win in the All-Ireland Junior Cup, Clogher Valley RFC in Northern Ireland, are travelling to British Columbia in 2023 to compete in Vancouver and Victoria. Putting the disappointment of a cancelled Lions tour to South Africa behind them, Clogher will head west to explore the best of this stunning region. The visit will include time in the ski resort of Whistler for summer white water rafting. 80 members of Beddau RFC are touring Cape Town, South Africa. They’ll watch The Stormers, a professional rugby union team, in the Currie Cup. Later they will test their own skills against a local outfit. “We wanted to visit a destination with a good blend of rugby, outdoor activities and vibrant nightlife. Cape Town is easy to get to from the UK, plus no jetlag, so we can hit the ground running! It has excellent value for money against the South African Rand in terms of quality of accommodation, food and drink, and a low cost of excursions,” commented David Leyshon, Beddau RFC on their reasons for choosing South Africa. Alongside the rugby highlights, they’ll visit Table Mountain, Stellenbosch, and have a tour of the Cape Peninsula to fully experience the beauty of South Africa’s Western Cape.
Coleg Gwent Departure to South Africa
Ahead of our travelling Welsh rugby fans following the Series against the Springboks, touring students from Coleg Gwent depart today as our official advanced party. We are delighted they’ve been able to embark on this journey after their original tour – due to coincide with the Lions in 2021 – was cancelled due to the Pandemic. With lots of hard work, planning, late access to funding and sponsorship donations, the tour has become a reality, including prestigious tickets to South Africa v Wales in the first Test at Loftus Versfeld stadium. As a Coleg Gwent alumni, managing director Mark Gardner has personally organised this tour, knowing the value of it to the boys, having toured with the group to South Africa as a player in 1996. “Despite two and half decades passing, our group from the ’96 trip remain a tight unit with friendships made for life. When the opportunity arose to get the Coleg back in the skies, no stone has been left unturned in making this happen at the most affordable price for the students and staff.” – Mark Gardner Read what the college has written about their tour and what it means for the group: The Coleg Gwent Rugby Academy depart on their whistle stop 9-day tour of South Africa on Sunday. The 2-match itinerary includes 4 nights in Cape Town and 2 nights in Pretoria, affording opportunities to experience a range of cultural and heritage excursions including walking up Table Mountain, the Cape Peninsular tour to the southern tip of Africa, a safari game drive, a visit to Soweto and the Apartheid Museum.
MSG’s Jen Ellis makes Tour Manager debut in Italy
My Time on Tour - Jen Ellis Life on tour: planning tours for schools is one thing, but being away with groups brings its own challenges and rewards. MSG’s Jen Ellis tells us in her own words what life’s like leading a school overseas. Waiting in arrivals for William Allitt School to arrive into Naples Airport filled me with the anticipation for the things to come on this History & Geography tour. A jam-packed itinerary, which had started to become part my very being. The emails that went to and from various people to get this trip up and running. It all started to feel very real. Sitting behind the computer where you feel in control and organised can not necessarily prepare you for the big wide world. I was so excited that my first tour away with a group was to somewhere I had visited previously and loved. It wasn’t difficult to get to students excited when I visited them for a preparation parents evening of things they could expect. I was nervous about wanting the trip to run smoothly and yes, there may have been bumps in the road, but we can’t blame the Romans for the tools that were available to them at the time! The reason study trips are so important is watching the pieces of the jigsaw fit together. We can read, research and write about history & geography and other subjects in school. However, seeing the ground where the people of Pompeii walked, having the dust from Mount Vesuvius cover your shoes and see the light being bought back to the perished bodies of Herculaneum cannot be measured in the classroom. The adventure, the sights, sounds, laughs with friends, Ice cream and sharing stories are the elements that cannot be planned behind the desk in the office. These are the things that grow and personalise the trip with the memories that last forever. Walking the students down the street from their hotel to watch traditional Italian music being played really is delivering the unexpected. Not only do we now have a shared experience with people who were strangers when waving the ‘Let’s Get Touring’ card at. But leaving the group outside Naples Archaeological Museum to the chorus of goodbyes and thank you and seeing the delight, yet slightly tired faces was worth all the hard work. And as Pliny the Elder said on his Pompeii rescue mission – ‘Fortune Favours the brave’.
