Campbell in NYC I recently had the opportunity to take in New York City on a company inspection visit to gain a first-hand appreciation of its cultural richness.   Understanding our hosting cities allows us to build deep connections with travel partners and experience the geography across our itineraries. It’s safe to say it did not disappoint.  The time on the plane was smooth, and after watching Home Alone 2 to prepare myself, it absolutely flew by. Then, before I knew it, I was in the heart of the Big Apple, with skyscrapers soaring and city lights gleaming. I checked into the Hostel International NYC and grabbed some much-needed sleep, ready for an action-packed following day of sightseeing.  I began the day by hopping on the Subway for my first destination, the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, take its beautiful architecture. Then, its impressive collections of modern and contemporary art take things to a whole other level.  The subsequent scenic walk heading towards Midtown was one to write home about. I went through Central Park, seeing well-known cultural spots such as Strawberry Fields and filming locations like the Bethesda Terrace and Gapstow Bridge amongst the greenery. I emerged back into the city on 5th Avenue. This bustling street had plenty of places for photos and shopping, with the Rockefeller Centre, St Patrick’s Cathedral and big brand stores posted throughout.  The subsequent scenic walk heading towards Midtown was one to write home about. I went through Central Park, seeing well-known cultural spots such as Strawberry Fields and filming locations like the Bethesda Terrace and Gapstow Bridge amongst the greenery. I emerged back into the city on 5th Avenue. This bustling street had plenty of places for photos and shopping, with the Rockefeller Centre, St Patrick’s Cathedral and big brand stores posted throughout.  The wander concluded at Grand Central, which boasted incredible murals from floor to ceiling. I finished the day with a trip up to the Empire State observation deck, for one of the greatest sunsets I have ever witnessed and a visit to Macy’s, the largest department store in the west!  On my way to learn more about Manhattan’s modern history at the 9/11 Memorial & Museum, I found extraordinary murals and street art stretching up skyscrapers. Within the museum, I discovered more about one of New York’s darkest days, and how the people came together to overcome it as a community.   Continuing my explorations, I headed North towards the Chelsea Market. This foodie paradise, located in a building of Romanesque Revival architecture, was the perfect spot for lunch. The building connects to the High Line, a park on the city’s old rail tracks – a unique location for a stroll that showcases the nature and urban design of NYC.  Reaching the end of the High Line brought me a stone’s throw away from the Circle Line Pier, ready for a sightseeing cruise on the rivers surrounding the city. This was a true highlight of the visit, from seeing a whole new perspective of New York, to an up-close view of the Statue of Liberty!   As the day and my trip ended, what better way to end than to take in the glitz and glamour of Times Square and Broadway? Dinner that evening was enjoyed at Ellen’s Stardust Diner, a venue that combined the classic American diner with the showmanship of Broadway. One second my server was topping up my drink, the next they were on-stage singing numbers from the Lion King!  Looking back on my venture to the city that never sleeps, I am still blown away by how much it has to offer. The range of experiences is unmatched, whether that is for art and educational tours or the upcoming World Cup 2026.   Experiencing New York City as part of a touring group has given me invaluable insight into how the city works, from navigating its neighbourhoods and transport systems to understanding how to maximise time and access key attractions. This first-hand experience allows me to confidently support clients, anticipate their needs, and tailor itineraries that are both enriching and seamless.   I am a firm believer that New York City is one of the world’s greatest locations for learning outside of the classroom. I cannot wait to continue to advance my professional development and get out there once again; with the plethora of enrichment opportunities available, no two trips are ever the same. 

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! 

February 2020 | Half Term Trips It was a busy but successful week for MSG Tours over the February school holiday as we sent eight schools on half term trips right across the globe. The United States was the furthest destination west of the UK while Japan was the furthest east. Five schools were spread […]

We caught up with The Hall School’s Head of Theology, Philosophy and Religion (R.) as she settles back into term in 2020 and looks ahead to their incredible Israel tour in May of this year. The tour itself was a labour of love between R. and MSG Tours as they worked tirelessly together to create […]

When I was asked to start developing our Study tours products, I immediately thought back to the trips I went on when at school. Some of the clearer memories are where I felt an emotion. Seeing Ginger, the mummy preserved complete with his ginger hair at the British Museum in London, brought to life the […]

In October I was fortunate to accompany Channing School on their Netball tour to Sri Lanka, I was particularly looking forward to this tour as it was my first girls sports tour, and having played Netball previously, I was excited to get stuck in. After a long day of travelling, we arrived at the beautiful […]

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MSG Tours Announce Head of School Travel in the latest expansion Our education team at MSG Tours significantly strengthened today with the arrival of Patrick Foster as Head of School Travel. Having spent the last seven years teaching at Caldicott and the Dragon School, Patrick’s knowledge and experience of educational travel brings significant expertise to our ranks.  A […]

What is Vamoos? Get the most out of your school or club tour with a personalised APP.  Vamoos Travel App stores all the information about your tour in one place. Simply download Vamoos FREE to your smartphone or tablet from the AppStore of PlayStore, enter your username and password and away you go! With Vamoos […]

Take your students on a school study trip and learn something new, someplace you never imagined with MSG From city breaks to worldwide travel, there are many ways for students to learn outside the classroom. At MSG, we share the same vision as passionate teachers who want to give their students the best experiences. That’s […]