Learning About the Past and Present on Educational Trips to Warwick

Located in the central part of the United Kingdom, Warwickshire is a land-locked shire with an abundance of historical interest - making educational trips to the area well worthwhile. Not only is the town of Stratford Upon Avon the birthplace of, arguably, one of the greatest English language writers of all time, William Shakespeare, but just a few miles outside of Stratford lies another bit of history in the form of Warwick Castle. Educational trips to the area will situate you in the ideal locale to visit the historical buildings, but while in the area do not neglect the modern history that is available as well. If you are interested in the history of transport, then a visit to the nearby Coventry Transport Museum is an absolute must.

Warwick Castle

The large and imposing medieval structure of Warwick Castle sits on the River Avon and strikes a stunning image in the countryside just a short distance away from Stratford Upon Avon. Educational trips to the castle will take students into the grounds to discover its history. It was built in 1068 by William the Conqueror and belonged to the Earl of Warwick; it was taken by the Henry of Anjou in 1153 and later by Henry II. Originally built as a wooden motte-and-bailey castle, in the 12th century it was rebuilt in stone. During the Hundred Years War, part of the façade was re-fortified and is now one of the best examples of military architecture from that era. The castle itself is surrounded by a dry moat on the northern side and there is no real protection from the river side. With two entrances, however, the castle and grounds were made easier to guard and protect. Over the castle's 950-year history, it has been owned by 36 different people, and at various points the crown itself. The grounds were first mentioned in 1534 and 17th century landscaping added to the look of the grounds, which were designed by the aptly named Lancelot Brown. Currently the castle is owned by the Tussauds Group and provides a host of historically relevant attractions and tours through the inside and grounds.

Coventry Transport Museum

Conveniently located in Coventry, due to its once being the centre of the United Kingdom's car industry, the Coventry Transport Museum (CTM) is a museum dedicated solely to the history of transport and boasts the world's largest collection of road transport. With over 300 cycle makers, 120 motorcycle makers and 130 car, commercial vehicle and other transport makers, educational trips to the CTM are a must for those with an interest in transport. The way the exhibits are arranged will take students through the past and into the present realm of motor transport, with some very exciting and famous exhibits. The museum is home to many Jaguars, Triumphs, Humber, Standards, and a few tanks, buses and even tractors. One of the most popular and well-known exhibits are the Thrust2 and ThrustSSC, which are the British cars that broke the land speed records in 1983 and 1997, respectively.

Discover Vibrant Vietnam on an Educational Tour

As complex and layered a country as any other, Vietnam has plenty of unique features to offer students on an educational tour, from its striking geography to its multifaceted history to its great literary tradition, and much more besides - all within a distinctive culture that will be new to many students. From Ho Chi Minh City to Hanoi, and throughout the towns and countryside in between, there is much to intrigue and inspire - read on for a taste.

War Remnants Museum

Students of history who have spent any time learning about Vietnam will know something of its time under French rule, and its subsequent conflict with the USA, but in the Western world this country's history is often studied in a Western context; as an educational tour of Vietnam will show, this is hardly even the tip of the iceberg. The monuments and museums of the country's chief city all open windows on different eras and shine light on certain details of the past, and as such are all worth a visit. For those who have studied the Vietnam War, one museum that stands out is the War Remnants Museum, which lets visitors deepen their understanding of that conflict and its legacy in Vietnamese terms. It contains displays of artefacts and information on various elements of the war, including military equipment, photographs, and information on the use and effects of napalm and Agent Orange - a sobering but illuminating place, and one of Ho Chi Minh City's most popular attractions.

Temple of Literature

Although it happened before many visitors were born, the Vietnam War is recent history, and is preceded by centuries of civilisation and change. For a taste of a vastly different era, educational tour groups may want to visit the Temple of Literature in Hanoi, a Confucian temple constructed in 1070 and home to the Imperial Academy - the first national university to be founded in Vietnam. This close connection between religion and scholarship is an important feature of Confucianism, and these ideas ban be explored alongside the physical buildings, gardens and courtyards of the temple.

Halong Bay

For those planning a geography-based educational tour to Vietnam, Halong Bay is not to be missed from the itinerary. The name of this UNESCO World Heritage Site, literally speaking, means 'Descending Dragon Bay', a hint at the fact that it has fascinated and enchanted all who have seen it since time immemorial. The often-misted bay is populated with thousands of looming islands and rocks of varying size, which have been formed over 500 million years to result in shapes that are not to be found anywhere else in the world. Many of the individual islands have particular legends attached to them, while several of them are home to caves displaying remnants of ancient civilisations, as well as being rich in rare and diverse flora and fauna.