Paris in the springtime!

21/05/2010

A trip to the top of the Eiffel Tower was one of the highlights

Planning and booking a trip to a top European destination is all part of a day's work for students studying for their National Award in Travel and Tourism at the Crawley campus, but this month, their assignment called for them to not only arrange the short break to Paris, but also to go on it!

As part of their European Travel Market assignment, the group of nineteen students arranged all aspects of the trip, including the transport, accommodation and theme park tickets for their arrival. Arriving in Paris by Eurostar, after a 6am start, the group checked straight into their hotel, which was just outside the Disneyland Paris resort, then headed onto the Metro to take in the sights and sounds of the city. Highlights included a visit to the Arc de Triomphe, and a walk down the famous Champs Elysees to the Eiffel Tower where, despite the biting wind and long queues, students got a bird's eye view of the city from the top!

Day two was equally action-packed, as the group spent the day enjoying the newest attractions at Universal Studios and the rides at Disneyland Paris, before travelling home on the Eurostar, and returning to Crawley just after midnight, totally exhausted.

Course Co-ordinator, Phaedra Pelosi, who also enjoyed the Parisian experience, along with the group, was impressed with the way the students planned the trip, saying "I was extremely impressed by the professional way in which the students planned their trip and conducted themselves during the two days. This trip allowed them to complete their last course assignment, and will also put them in good stead for their progression to the National Diploma next year and their Residential Unit". The students themselves thoroughly enjoyed the project, which marks the end of their course, with one commenting that it was "A great two days, and fantastic value for money", and another saying that it had been "a great trip to end a great course!"