Business & Economics Study Tour — Belgium

Arrive at Brussels Airport, where the coach driver meets the group for the transfer to the hotel. After check-in there is time to settle in and explore the local area before dinner at a local restaurant and the first night's stay.

Discovering Brussels: heritage, culture and chocolate

After breakfast, a two-hour guided walking tour of the historic centre takes in the Grand Place, the surrounding medieval streets, Manneken Pis and the Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert, with the guide introducing Belgium's history, multilingual identity and development as a European capital. A panoramic coach tour contrasts historic neighbourhoods with modern administrative and commercial districts. After lunch, Mini-Europe provides an introduction to Europe's geography, history, culture and technological achievements. The day ends with an interactive Belgian chocolate workshop covering chocolate-making traditions, the cocoa supply chain, branding and quality, with students making and sampling their own chocolates, followed by dinner at a local restaurant.

The European Union and its institutions

A full day on the EU and Brussels' role in European decision-making. The visit to the European Parliament shows how elected representatives debate legislation, approve budgets and take decisions affecting citizens and businesses across member states. The Parlamentarium uses multimedia displays to explain the EU's development and how decisions influence trade, employment and environmental policy. After lunch, the House of European History explores industrialisation, conflict, reconstruction, European integration and changing national identities. All three venues are within or close to the European Quarter and are reached on foot. Free time precedes dinner at a local restaurant.

Business and economics in practice

A private coach is available for up to eight hours to allow flexibility around confirmed appointments. The preferred morning programme is a company or business-institution visit, subject to availability, where students may meet professionals, learn about the organisation's structure and operations and discuss international trade, finance, marketing, entrepreneurship, sustainability and career pathways, ideally with a presentation and question session. After lunch, an economics-focused visit such as the Museum of the National Bank of Belgium covers the development of money, central banking, inflation, interest rates, financial stability and the single currency. Where possible, a workshop or presentation at a university or business school introduces degree-level study and a practical case study. Dinner is taken at a local restaurant.

Antwerp: commerce, culture and creativity

After breakfast, travel by coach to Antwerp for a full-day excursion. A guided walking tour covers the Grote Markt, the Cathedral of Our Lady, medieval streets and guild houses, explaining how Antwerp's position on the River Scheldt made it a centre for shipping, trade, fashion, art and the diamond industry. After lunch, the Royal Museum of Fine Arts Antwerp (KMSKA) presents seven centuries of European art, artistic movements and cultural identity. Return to Brussels for dinner at a local restaurant.

Bruges and Ghent: medieval cities and cultural heritage

Travel by private coach to Bruges for a guided walk through the historic centre, including the Markt, Burg Square, the canals, merchant houses and cobbled streets, examining how commerce, textiles and international connections built the city's wealth. Visit the Church of Our Lady to see Michelangelo's Madonna and Child, followed by a canal cruise. After lunch, continue to Ghent for a guided walking tour of its medieval architecture, waterways and historic commercial districts, then take part in the augmented-reality Ghent Altarpiece experience at St Bavo's Cathedral, exploring the history, symbolism and conservation of the Adoration of the Mystic Lamb before viewing the original. Dinner in Ghent or back in Brussels.

After breakfast, check out of the hotel and transfer by private coach to Brussels Airport. The driver confirms the pickup time to allow arrival in good time for the 1455 departure.