Arts, Culture and Literature Trip - Travel Blog in Europe

During the July holidays, 34 St Paul's Collegiate School students and staff embarked on an unforgettable Arts, Culture, and Literature trip to Europe.

The first destination was London with a special surprise: a warm welcome over the intercom at the airport, arranged by Ms Fox, whose family has connections with the Head of Airport Operations. After settling into the hotel, the group enjoyed a picturesque pizza restaurant in Kensington and a leisurely walk past Kensington Palace under a stunning pink sunset.

Day 1

After a hearty breakfast, the group mastered the local Tube system to reach the Saatchi Gallery where they explored a large-scale botany exhibition and a collection of edgy photographic works. The students engaged deeply with the contemporary artwork, sparking thought-provoking discussions. They enjoyed a guided tour of the Shakespeare Globe Theatre followed by lunch at Borough Markets. The afternoon was spent at the Tate Modern, exploring its permanent collection. The students navigated the challenges of London’s public transport. After freshening up at the hotel before dinner, the evening ended with a magical experience of the Westend musical, Wicked.

"London is a land where the Porsche 911 is our Toyota Hilux, English breakfasts are actually English, and trains will take you further than Pukekohe to Auckland." – Sam Stokes

Day 2

The group embarked on a two-hour coach journey to Stratford, Shakespeare’s birthplace. They visited his family home and explored the historic streets before continuing to Windsor Castle. For many students, Windsor Castle stood out as a highlight. The day ended with a river cruise along the Thames, helping everyone get their bearings of London.

"Its immense stone structure inlaid with countless arched windows and meticulously groomed grounds was straight out of a medieval movie or a Minecraft fantasy" – Sam Stokes.

Day 3

The last day in London began at the Victoria and Albert Museum, followed by a visit to the British Museum. Both destinations offered an incredible array of historical artifacts to view, and students explored these sites in small groups, uncovering fascinating objects from various eras. The evening unfolded with an engaging walking tour of the Westminster area, where students admired iconic landmarks like Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, and the Houses of Parliament. Adding a unique twist, a local Drag Queen guided the tour, blending historical insights with unforgettable touches of comedy, music, and dancing.

Day 4

It was an early start to catch the Eurostar to Paris, where, on arrival, the group enjoyed a scenic cruise along the Seine River, offering a comprehensive introduction to Paris's key landmarks and city's layout. The day concluded with a delightful three-course dinner at a nearby restaurant, setting the stage for an exciting few days ahead.

Day 5

The group enjoyed a breathtaking visit to The Palace of Versailles. "Layers of gold detailing coerced the whole building and inside, entire rooms from the roof to floor coated in beautiful historic paintings" – Emily Davies.

Following their visit to Versailles, the group travelled to Claude Monet Foundation in Giverny to explore Monet's home and his iconic and inspirational private gardens providing an appreciation for the impressionist artist's work.

Day 6

The group navigate famous sites within the heart of Paris including a visit to the Louvre, where students viewed incredibly famous historical paintings such as the Mona Lisa by Leonardo Da Vinci. They also visited the Centre Pompidou, which is a gallery dedicated to Modern and Contemporary art – here, students saw work from an array of famous names, from Pablo Picasso and Salvador Dali to French multi-media artist Orlan.

To end the mind-blowing day of viewing art produced hundreds of years ago through to art produced in the last few years, the group took time for reflection at the Sacré-Cœur Basilica in Montmartre, lighting candles and taking in the serene atmosphere and unique architecture.

Day 7

The final day in Paris included a visit to the commercial gallery chain, The Perrotin in the Marais District, where students learned more about the business side of the art world. This was followed by lunch at Madame Brasserie on Level 1 of the Eiffel Tower, offering spectacular views and a memorable dining experience. Climbing to Level 2 of the Eiffel Tower and visiting the Arc de Triomphe provided even more breathtaking views of Paris. This was followed by a traditional French cabaret show at 'La Nouvelle Eve Paris', a show featuring traditional CanCan dancing, talented circus-styled performances and live singing, which the students enjoyed immensely.

Day 8

The journey to Venice involved a flight to Milan and a coach ride to Venice where the group stayed at the beautiful and very authentically-Venice, Hotel Belle Arti. An evening walk to St Mark's Square, followed by dinner and tiramisu, and a football game, rounded off the day.

Days 9 and 10

A visit to Murano Island offered a firsthand look at its famous glass-making heritage, showcasing the island's rich artistic traditions. Additionally, attending the Venice Biennale provided an opportunity to explore a diverse range of international art installations. These cutting-edge works challenged traditional boundaries of artmaking and offered fresh perspectives on the world, making the Biennale an inspiring highlight of the trip.

The group also visited the "Liminal" exhibition by Pierre Huyghe at Punta della Dogana; this exhibition was mind-boggling, providing students with a unique and immersive experience blending human and non-human elements together to explore speculative fiction, offering a unique perspective on the possible and impossible.

The day ended with a heartfelt surprise for the staff, as the students performed the St Paul’s Haka as a way to thank the staff for the incredible journey, experience and memories that had been made. This was an emotional and proud moment witnessed by many locals and tourists.

Reflecting on their incredible journey, the group spent their last evening together on the hotel's soccer court, sharing memories and experiences.

Daniel Zhou describes the trip as "Two weeks, three cities, and 40 travelers - it's a sure formula for lifelong memories."

It has been lovely to have all of the staff and students return with incredible stories of their Europe trip. (Staff attending: Mr Cameron, Mrs Miller, Mrs Wallis, Ms Patterson, Mr Heaton).

For current Year 10 and 11 students thinking they have missed out, never fear, the Arts, Culture, and Literature trip will take place again in 2026 when the next Venice Biennale will take place. Sign-ups will be in Term 1, 2025.