Madeira with your class
Madeira is one of Europe's most underrated school trip destinations, a volcanic island rising dramatically from the Atlantic, with ecosystems, landscapes, and experiences that cannot be replicated on the mainland. Students spend their days hiking between mountain peaks above the clouds, following centuries-old irrigation channels through UNESCO-protected laurel forests, watching dolphins from an eco-friendly catamaran, and exploring a capital city whose botanical gardens, markets, and clifftop viewpoints tell the story of a remarkable island culture.
Trip highlights
A full-day mountain adventure combining the Pico do Arieiro summit hike with a village stop in Santana and a second ascent to Pico Ruivo, Madeira's highest peak
A whale and dolphin watching excursion aboard an eco-friendly catamaran, combining marine wildlife observation with Atlantic conservation and biodiversity content
A full-day west coast tour taking in Cabo Girão, the natural lava pools of Porto Moniz, and the black volcanic coastline at Seixal
Curriculum links
Practical information
- Local currency is Euro (€); spending money recommended for lunches on excursion days and personal purchases
- Spring strongly recommended, April to June for stable weather and hiking conditions
- On the Move is the officially accredited school trips provider for the European Schools in Belgium; every trip has a dedicated project manager with 24/7 emergency support.
A day by day
✏️ This is an example timetable — we can adapt the destination, programme, duration and budget to suit your group.
Students come home with…
- a transformed understanding of volcanic geography, genuine high-altitude hiking experience, and the particular satisfaction of having stood on top of an Atlantic island in the clouds.
In pictures
Discovery Classes - your questions
Popular themes include space and aerospace, zoology, natural sciences, industrial heritage and urban regeneration, and technology. We tailor each itinerary to your subject and year group.
Yes. We arrange guided, expert-led visits and hands-on workshops at science centres, museums and research sites wherever possible.
Münster (Zoo School, planetarium) is designed for P5 (ages 10–11). Our other discovery destinations suit secondary years with content adapted to the group's level.
Return travel, accommodation, all entries and workshops, supervision, insurance and your On the Move coordinator.