From the picturesque cliffs of Cinque Terre to the stunning coasts of Portugal, Leysin American School students returned recently from unforgettable Spring Cultural Trips! Spanning six countries and numerous cultural adventures, students enjoyed a fun blend of history, cuisine, and adventure!
Cultural trips occur in spring and fall each year, and allow students to explore countries, create new friendships, and learn about different cultures. At LAS, we encourage all our students to become innovative, compassionate, and responsible citizens of the world; through cultural trips, they learn experientially and gain a wealth of knowledge that supplements their studies and personal development.
Students in Grades 7 to 11 traveled across Italy, Portugal, Malta, and Croatia, furthering their global awareness while bonding with their friends and staff in some of Europe’s most iconic destinations. Here are some highlights from this year’s remarkable journeys:
Grades 7–8: Cinque Terre, Italy
Students in Grade 7-8 embraced coastal life in the stunning Cinque Terre region, exploring the colourful cliffside towns of Riomaggiore, Manarola, Vernazza, Monterosso, and Levanto. Travelling by boat between towns, they saw breathtaking views, enjoyed group dinners, cooled off with beach and kayak activities, and even learned how to make pesto the Ligurian way!
Grade 9: Verona & Venice, Italy
Grade 9 students were treated to a fantastic blend of history and cuisine. Their trip included a day at Gardaland theme park and aquarium, a medieval-themed dinner and show, and immersive day trips to Verona and Venice. Between seeing Juliet’s balcony and exploring Venetian canals on gondolas, students also rolled up their sleeves for Italian cooking courses, creating memories and flavors to last a lifetime!
Grade 10: Puglia & Sicily, Italy
This year, Grade 10 students had two fantastic Italian options.
In Puglia, students explored the towns of Ostuni and Alberobello, visited a working buffalo cheese farm, and joined a pasta-making class. From a boat tour of Santa Maria di Leuca’s sea caves to a community beach clean-up, the trip was an amazing mix of sustainability, food culture, and coastal exploration.
In Sicily, another group explored the historic hilltop town of Taormina, explored a crater on Mt. Etna by 4×4 bus, and snorkeled along the Mediterranean coast. With a day at Etnaland theme park and time to relax on the beach, students balanced sightseeing with fun in the sun!
Grade 11: Madeira, Dubrovnik, Malta & Peniche
Grade 11 had a wide selection of trips to choose from, each including cultural experiences and outdoor adventure.
In Madeira, Portugal, students discovered the island’s beauty, from Funchal’s historic centre and Monte Palace Gardens to dolphin-spotting by catamaran and a full-day 4×4 tour that was both fun and scary at the same time!
In Dubrovnik, Croatia, students immersed themselves in the old town, walked the city walls, and viewed panoramic vistas from the Mt. Srd cable car. A day boat trip to the Elafiti Islands with an al fresco lunch and a water sports day was enjoyed by all students!
In Malta, the group took in Valletta’s rich history, including St. John’s Co-Cathedral and the Lascaris War Rooms. They explored the island’s stunning coastline by private boat, stopping at the Blue Lagoon and sea caves, with plenty of time to explore and dine together.
Finally, the group in Peniche, Portugal, enjoyed urban and coastal experiences. A lively Tuk Tuk tour of Lisbon ended with a traditional Fado dinner show. In Peniche, they immersed themselves in the surf camp life by helping with a beach clean-up initiative and relaxing along the white sand beaches.
Cultural trips are a big part of the Leysin American School experience, allowing students to see different cultures firsthand, have fun, and make memories with their friends! Whether exploring ancient ruins, learning to cook regional cuisines, or exploring colorful cities and tranquil coastlines, students returned from cultural trips with new knowledge, developed friendships, and lots of fun stories!
