School music tours to Flanders

Overall Review

Lucy has been fantastic from the very start of planning the tour. She has been quick to respond to emails and has been incredibly helpful with any queries. She is also very friendly on the phone which is lovely! Isabel has also been briliant. She has been very quick to respond and very organised, sorting a great deal of different things out for us! Also very friendly and helpful on the phone. The organisation of Club Europe staff was brilliant. Isabel and Lucy were great at updating me on where we were up to and were also good at chasing me when I had forgotten a deadline! They were easily contactable either by phone or email and everyone was friendly and helpful from the start. Brilliant tour, extremely helpful staff and fantastic performance venues.

Concerts Review

[On a concert in a cathedral] The highlights were the huge audience and the wonderful acoustics. The whole concert as a highlight to be honest. [On playing at the Last Post] The whole thing was incredible. What an honour and a fantastic experience to play here.

Rep Review

Justine was brilliant. Incredibly well organised and friendly. She jumped in whenever we needed help and was very popular with both staff and students. She watched all the performances and worked really well with Helen the coach driver. She made a huge difference and helped to make the tour such a positive experience.

Transport Review

Helen was a great addition to the trip. She was professional but mixed in with the group which was really nice. She socialised with us at mealtimes and in the evenings and has a great sense of humour. She even managed to see a few of the sights which was lovely. She was a lot of fun and we would definitely request her again!! Lovely coach, very clean and comfortable

Overall Review

Hannah was super – always quick to respond to queries. Isabel was super – again, really felt looked after. I was impressed with the fact that you listened to us and were always quick at responding. Superb experience for all involved (staff and pupils), well looked after from the planning stage to the actually tour itself. We were able to give out pupils unique performing experiences that will be stored away in their memories. Thank you for helping us deliver another amazing experience for our pupils.

Concerts Review

[On performing in a residential care centre]  Lovely area to perform – with being a residential home it is warm! Highlight for most of the girls was being able to give pleasure to people who reminded them of their grandparents. As last time, we were made to feel so welcome and that the girls had really made a difference to the resident’s day. [On performing in a bandstand]  It was a success, performing in such a wonderful bandstand with people sitting near the bandstand and in the cafes as well.

Accommodation Review

Excellent- highly suitable for the pupils. The rooms were spacious, the play area super, a lovely meeting room, the food was excellent and the staff so friendly and helpful. Lovely big rooms for the pupils.

Rep Review

Joshua was very friendly and personable from the start. Could not fault anything, definitely the best Tour Manager we have had. With Joshua we felt as if we were in safe hands, and that everything would go smoothly. We'd rate him 5+ out of 5!

Transport Review

Super – felt in safe hands. Very courteous, looked after us well.

Overall Review

Lucy was really good – kept us fully updated and easy to contact and Isabel was fantastic. Easy to contact and talk to. Very accommodating. Everything was very straight forward and clearly laid out. The tour was very memorable and all had a fantastic time – a pity it was over so quickly.

Concerts Review

[On playing at the Last Post] The highlight was being part of such an important event in front of an international audience. Very moving experience. [On playing in a bandstand]  A fantastic bandstand – with excellent acoustics. Just a very enjoyable and fun event.  It was great to arrive and have everything ready for us to perform.

Visits Review

All greatly enjoyed. Quite happy, everything worked out well and all had a fantastic time.

Accommodation Review

Excellent accommodation. 

Rep Review

Martine was fantastic. She ensured everything was in place. Made sure we had everything that was required. Worked well with our hosts. Organised retrieving my music when I left it on the bus!

Transport Review

Excellent and obviously very experienced, no problems with the coach and it was very comfortable.

Overall Review

Very close to an ideal tour for us.

Concerts Review

[On playing in a  music festival] It was a success, the highlight was the audience demanding an encore and getting up to dance when we played it. [On playing in a bandstand] It was very good, lots of people up dancing and doing the conga.

Accommodation Review

Great location, very close to beach – ideal.

Rep Review

Definitely glad Abigail was there, very helpful, like having an extra member of staff.

Transport Review

Excellent.

Overall Review

Contact was also prompt and helpful. Alahree was proactive and provided good advice for a first timer. An immaculately organised tour and one which gave both students and teachers an enjoyable experience focusing on their music.

Accommodation Review

Excellent. Lovely location by the beach with suitable venues within a good distance. It surpassed my expectations. Food was good and provision for vegetarians and allegers was excellent.

Rep Review

Martine was fundamental in its success and made my life so much easier. She was very proactive in helping ensure everything was ready for our arrival but contacting each venue.

Transport Review

Friendly and positive. Peter was superb. He was professional accommodating and involved himself in the group, watching all concerts and helping to setup/strike.

Overall Review

Hannah was excellent. Very professional and helpful. She put up with my slow responses very graciously. Isabel was also excellent. Very helpful. Nothing seemed to phase her. She came up with lovely ideas for excursions. My pre-tour experience was excellent, very smooth and I don’t think there was anything I would improve.Club Europe is fabulously meticulous in their planning, friendly to work with and provide first class tours! Thank you!

Concerts Review

[On a concert in a band stand] It was a great location. A beautiful band stand.

Accommodation Review

It was spot on. Perfect! It was amazing having lots of outside space. The rooms were great – nice and spacious. It was near enough to all the destinations. It was so much better than what I expected. It was brilliant being away from the town. It meant we could contain our students much more easily. The staff were wonderful! They dealt with the ever changing number of vegetarians in the group. The food was absolutely delicious. I couldn’t fault it. There was even wine for the adults every evening meal.

Rep Review

Justine was very friendly and introduced herself to all staff right at the beginning. She was great. She joined us for a few drinks in the evening and was very helpful in terms of getting us to the right places on time. She just made sure things ran smoothly for us.

Transport Review

He was very helpful and became part of the staff team. I Couldn't fault him.

Overall Review

“We have had an amazing time. Caroline [their tour manager] is THE best. It was a great tour! We would DEFINITELY want Caroline to be with us [for our next tour] and she said she would love to, so please can we make that request now. She is our groupie!!”

Overall Review

I was impressed by Club Europe accommodating my requests and ideas for different excursions from our last tour. The excursions were a huge success and it was fantastic that Isabel sought out the places for us to go despite them not being on the official list, but just because my kids had requested them. The children declared it their ‘best tour yet’ and they made memories that will last a lifetime! It was a really special few days that bonded us as a department.

Concerts Review

[On playing in a jazz club]  We loved it. Jazz wise it was amazing and it was an electric atmosphere. Lots of whooping and cheering and standing ovations. Our best concert of the whole tour for sure. Lovely people and very welcoming. They were so lovely setting out a space for the kids to sit and supplied them with bottles of water.. Great audience, the place was packed and we were pulling in people off the street with our playing. I would absolutely love to go back with my smaller jazz quartet and do a full set. [On a church concert]  The audience were of an age that knew every track we played, particularly the band and so they were all singing and clapping along and loving our sound. Again, a constant trickle of people were coming in off the street as they could hear us playing. There were young kids dancing to us so it was really lovely. It’s a perfect venue for both classical and jazz/pop and they clearly loved all styles of music. They gave a lovely speech at the end and presented us with a gift and asked us to come back soon.  

Visits Review

The excursions were all a huge success and were a massive part of the success of the tour. The kids absolutely loved them. The biggest successes were: the mini-golf, which frankly they would’ve stayed all day at if we left them;  ten pin bowling, which they adored;  the instrument museum; and the cycling through Bruges was a massive success. 

Accommodation Review

Leuven was absolutely stunning and a great place to stay; real buzz to it and I would love to go back to explore it more. The food was excellent.  The communal bar area was excellent and the kids loved the garden area too. A clean, bright and modern hostel.

Rep Review

Josh was basically adopted by my pupils and staff and frankly they wanted to kidnap him and bring him back to school with us. They absolutely loved him because he was so down to earth with them, friendly and good humoured, spoke to them on such a great level, listened to them, learnt their names within an hour and took the time to get to know all of them so well. He also listened to their concerts and was clapping along and clearly loved their playing. There was nothing Josh wouldn’t do for us. He literally made my life stress free and was one step ahead of me the whole time. He was just so passionate about his job it made us all love him instantly.  He became part of the family literally within a matter of hours.

Transport Review

Absolutely lovely, got on really well with the children, great sense of humour and were great to the kids. They really got to know the kids well and were just fantastic in helping us get all the instruments on and off the coach and went to great lengths to ecce places beforehand to see how close they could get us to our concert venues.

Overall Review

Alahree was extremely organised and quick to reply. The initial set up felt quick and organised.Club Europe were efficient and very helpful.

Accommodation Review

Great hostel, clean, nice surroundings, good food and pleasant staff. A good location for all our excursions. The rehearsal room was excellent.

Overall Review

The deadlines and communications were helpful, clear and prompt. This was the best first tour experience we could have had. The kids got so much out of this adventure and the staff loved every moment. It was such a lovely experience for all. Thank-you so much. This is a tour the kids will always have fond memories of.

Accommodation Review

Location was perfect!

Rep Review

She exceeded all of our expectations. She was so pro-active and enthusiastic we couldn’t have asked for anything more. We really were impressed by Alice. She helped with every aspect of the tour. Her contribution was essential to the success of the tour.

Transport Review

A great service at all times.

Overall Review

Over the years Club Europe have helped us increase our popularity in the Ghent Music Festival, so that this year we had the opening night's slot with over 7000 in the audience. This is due in large part to the hard work of their team and trust in us as a Music Department. Oh, and our fabulous musicians. Quite simply, Club Europe are an important part of our department. Isabel's itinerary was faultless, Abi was brill, Holmeswood fab, Hostel fab; quite possibly the smoothest tour we have ever had. I will continue to always love Club Europe as long as we have the amazing Ghent concert!!!

Overall Review

I was impressed with Club Europe acommodating the needs of pupils, as well as the small budget and funds that we had. Also, their knowledge of the area that we were travelling in. Hannah was always on hand to give advice and help. It was useful to have someone who knew our plans and itinerary so well. Isabel was really helpful also, willing to discuss matters over the phone which is often quicker and easier. She was able to really support me in the build up to our first tour. We had so much fun!

Accommodation Review

Hostel was good, rooms were perfect for what we needed and we were able to use a room on the first evening for our free time. Location was perfect – close to the beach and other sights.. No journeys were too far whilst we were there.

Rep Review

The students really liked Justine and she got on very well with the staff and coach drivers. Her knowledge of the area and our itinerary meant that the tour went very smoothly and was very successful!

Overall Review

I was pleased with Club Europe’s management and very happy with the itinerary. The communication with Lucy and Isabel was good.

Concerts Review

We performed in a cathedral. There was a big audience and they seemed to engage with us. The Last Post  was  also a very special venue and a moving ceremony; the whole service was  great.

Accommodation Review

Our hostel was in a very convenient, good location. Great to be near the beach, where we went several times. The hostel was great for the children to relax in and the practise room was very useful.

Rep Review

Our tour manager Matthew was very supportive and sorted out any problems we had. He was very enthusiastic and professional.. It was great to have him.

Overall Review

Contact from Hannah was frequent, patient and helpful. She helped us turn around the trip at short notice and ensured everything stayed on track. Isabel was fantastic at offering options and gave clear feedback both in email and on the phone. She gave me clear timeframes for tasks and helped me achieve them. She put together a wonderful programme for us and helped keep costs manageable. Last minute additions were managed with no fuss. Everyone I had contact with was excellent. The staff are well briefed and thoroughly trained.

Accommodation Review

This worked well, particularly for our age group and group size. We were able to occupy two whole floors, limiting our impact on other members of the public, and teacher rooms were ideally located. The added bonus of being by the beach was great.

Rep Review

Matt was great. He was fun with the kids and took all the burden of organising off my hands. He helped carry music, gave insightful comments about the history and seemed to be incredibly familiar with wherever we ended up. It was great to have Matt with us the whole time, I don’t think I had realised he’d be on site after we got back to the hostel. Although we didn’t have an emergency, it made us all rest easier knowing he was there. He helped take all the stress out of proceedings so the staff could relax and as a result the kids had an even more enjoyable time.

Transport Review

We were comfortable and felt safe at all times. Pete was good company for the staff in the evenings and he entertained the children on trips. He helped move instruments at venues and was a real help generally.

Overall Review

Exciting, rewarding and memorable – something for everyone. We had an excellent experience. Abi was amazing, and the coach company were excellent. We would definitely use Club Europe again. Alaharee was very positive, always very helpful and responded promptly and Isabel was always polite and helpful, with excellent communication.

Concerts Review

[On playing at the Last Post} Yes, it was successful. We sang two pieces, so it is hard to pick a highlight, but it was good to have the chance to lay a wreath. It was a very special occasion – everyone was very moved, and we got some great pictures!

Accommodation Review

Excellent accommodation. We felt very safe.  We were very happy indeed to be located all on one floor. This made everything feel all the safer and more secure.

Rep Review

Abi was utterly brilliant! We got on famously well. Her manner with the pupils was outstanding – you could tell that she is a very experienced teacher. She made everything so much easier than I had expected. She was indispensable!

Transport Review

The coach was comfortable, and we always felt safe. The drivers were proactive in keeping the coach clean.

Overall Review

Lucy was fantastic, very helpful. Another great tour that parents and pupils will remember.

Overall Review

Alahree and Isabel were both very competent and friendly. From start to finish everything went like clockwork.

Accommodation Review

Perfect location.

Rep Review

Jessica was excellent in all aspects.

Overall Review

Immensely enjoyable for both students and staff.

Rep Review

Katie was She was wonderful with the students. She went above and beyond in my opinion. She was a part of our group and socialised with our staff and made the whole experience much more enjoyable. We would love to have Katie on future tours!

Transport Review

Very friendly and we would thoroughly recommend {our driver] for school groups.

Overall Review

We really appreciate how seriously Club Europe take our concerts, arranging for us to perform in the very finest venues in the area. It was a really enjoyable tour – we had incredibly large audiences, and our performances were really well received (a standing ovation for each one) which is really thrilling for the students (and nice for the staff too!).

Concerts Review

[On a concert in a church] This is a beautiful, large church with plenty of performing space and lots of backstage space as well. The concert was a great success – highlights were the beautiful building, great acoustics and large audience. We were made to feel very welcome. Someone local introduced the items in Flemish, and had thoroughly researched our programme in advance.

Accommodation Review

It is an ideal hostel and a great base for our music tour.

Rep Review

Abi was friendly and approachable. It was great to have her with us – she was very experienced. confident and decisive.

Overall Review

Hannah was super, put together a super trip and was always quick to respond to queries. Isabel was really good, again helping to put together a really memorable trip. A fantastic tour full of many memories for staff and girls alike, a wonderful life experience for the pupils.

Concerts Review

[On a concert in a residential home] A lovey room to perform in, the residents joined in clapping along to some of the songs. We were made to feel very welcome and that the concert that the girls gave was really appreciated and would have made a difference to the residents.

Accommodation Review

Absolutely perfect. Really spacious rooms, food excellent, staff so friendly. It was close to all venues and had wonderful sand dunes for an evening excursion. A superb venue for children.

Transport Review

Fantastic – we felt in safe hands. Wonderful attitude, they were very friendly and cared about us as a group, attempting to add in an extra stop off at the ‘Yorkshire Trenches’ after one of our visits which they had ‘sussed’ out during the day to find that they had been filled in – this is in our opinion going beyond what we expected.

Overall Review

Club Europe always provide us with a first class experience, taking the stress out of organising a foreign music trip. Thanks for organising another trip for us. Everyone had a great time and very much appreciate Club Europe’s significant input.

Concerts Review

[On an outdoor concert] A wonderful setting in front of the iconic Cloth Hall in Ypres.

Visits Review

The excursions were excellent – the theme park was really good and enjoyed by students and staff. We were pleasantly surprised by the Musical Instruments Museum in Brussels. Very interesting and more interactive than we expected.

Accommodation Review

The location was ideal for our trips and Mechelen is a lovely city. This is an excellent youth hostel – the rooms were just what we expected, the food was very good and the staff made us feel most welcome.

Rep Review

Fantastically! Can’t praise Georgie enough. She made a significant contribution to the success of our tour.

Transport Review

Professional and friendly. Darren got on well with everybody.

Overall Review

The itineraries were sorted very early on, with the right balance between concerts and excursions. [Club Europe] is organised, and have an understanding of how to make a tour special for the students.

Concerts Review

[On a concert at the Last Post] It was a very moving and emotional experience for all of us, and will stay in the memory for a long time, even though it was only two short pieces. A fabulous opportunity for the boys and teachers involved. I know this event happens daily, but to do this on a Sunday, in the 100th year anniversary since the battle of Ypres, was very special indeed. [On a concert in a church] We had a standing ovation from the audience which was very nice. The concert had obviously been advertised fully, and the parish priest was very enthusiastic – he had mentioned the concert at mass, emailed it out to people and their were fliers around the place as well. There were about 100 people in attendance.

Rep Review

Damir did his utmost to ensure the tour was a success.

Overall Review

Alahree was excellent, very informative and prompt in replying. No question was left unanswered. Excellent contact with Isabel, very prompt replies and all questions were answered. Overall: an interesting tour with a range of things to see and do, the students really enjoyed it.

Accommodation Review

The destination and hostel were brilliant. Lots of facilities and activities for students. . It was not too far from the centre of Bruges which was great.

Transport Review

Very comfortable and air conditioned - a lovely coach.

Overall Review

Alahree and Isabel were fab as ever. I was impressed with your communication, quick replies to questions, reminders to me, your patience! You make a potentially very stressful task so much easier!!

Accommodation Review

Perfect. Been there before, still fab.

Transport Review

Great – friendly and very accommodating.

Overall Review

Alahree was very patient – especially with the late changes we made. Isabel was also very patient with our late demands and general confusion! The easiest trip I’ve done for ages due to accurate itinerary and outstanding tour manager Matt.

Concerts Review

[On a church concert] This venue was so accommodating with allowing us to use the school dining room for Pizza, giving us a reception and drinks after the concert and handing out souvenir pens to the students.

Accommodation Review

Excellent – friendly, clean and plenty of spaces both indoors & out to accommodate group activities and individual needs.

Rep Review

Matthew was excellent, enthusiastic and calm. Clear concise instructions to students. Relaxed but attentive and aware of what was going on. He was encouraging, involved and interested, instilled clear boundaries whilst fully participating.

Transport Review

Polite, friendly and professional.

Overall Review

Alahree was excellent, patient and understanding of our groups needs and expectations and Isabel was excellent, extremely helpful. Overall: Fantastic experience from start to finish.

Visits Review

The accommodation was better than expected. It felt comfortable, clean and safe. All staff were helpful and keen to make our stay enjoyable. Fantastic location.

Rep Review

Abi soon became part of our band working hard to make the trip a success. She got on very well with our students and played with the band in two concerts. She made contact with all our concert hosts, made sure that concert advertising was obvious and made sure that we had everything needed for the concert. Fantastic! Would recommend Abi to any group travelling to this area.

Overall Review

Alahree was excellent as always! Always has the answer/solutions. Isabel Guilet was also excellent again – totally understands the needs of our school corresponds professionally at all times. I was most impressed with Club Europe’s ability to secure good concert venues and suitable excursion ideas. Overall it was the usual blend of expertise, professionalism and friendliness.

Concerts Review

[About a concert at the Last Post] A real privilege to be part of this service.

Accommodation Review

Outstanding. It exceeded our expectations– very clean/tidy/friendly/helpful. Amazing location in the heart of the city, but still quiet. Perfect accommodation for schools and flexible with eating arrangements and rehearsal room.

Rep Review

Gwen was perfect at all times – a real natural at leading and liaising in the right balance. She can never do enough to help. Superb – Gwen was a hit with all our pupils and was a massive factor in the success of the tour.

Overall Review

"Isabel has been an enormous help in setting things up for the tour. From our initial phone conversation through to the end, I was always confident that things were being arranged as we’d discussed. Ghent is an excellent destination – none of our staff had been before, but what a lovely city! Overall: A first rate musical experience and a fun and interesting tour for both staff and students."

Concerts Review

"[on a concert at the Last Post] The highlight was being able to take a meaningful part in this ceremony. Very moving. It was the highlight of the trip in many ways."

Accommodation Review

"A really good hostel. The staff were always helpful and clear. Always someone on hand to see us promptly too. The boys were well fed with good sized portions, and the dietary needs were met really well."

Rep Review

"Matt quickly became a member of the team. He was pretty vital – it would have been more stressful without him."

Transport Review

"Very friendly and helpful."

Overall Review

“Relaxed and inspiring.”

Concerts Review

“[On a concert at the Last Post] This concert was the highlight of the tour. The kids loved the ceremony and it was an important experience for them. Super!”

Accommodation Review

“Destination good! I would recommend it to others. This was above my expectations considering it was just a youth hostel – very nice. Staff were very helpful – approachable and efficient.”

Rep Review

“Damir was a natural with the students not too much not to little. An emotionally intelligent individual. He just took over all the organisational stuff so we could concentrate on the musical side of things. Ideal.”

Overall Review

“Hannah was excellent. She was very understanding of any issues that arose throughout the process. Isabel was fantastic, she continually took into account all of our concerns for the tour and made the tour as suited to us as possible. Overall, we have had a wonderful experience with club Europe this year and I would recommend them to anyone. We had the most amazing week in Belgium and made some fantastic memories.”

Accommodation Review

“Excellent destination. We were very impressed due to its large rooms, and how we were able to have a whole corridor to ourselves. The location was fantastic and allowed us to explore Bruges till late. The staff were very helpful throughout our stay and were very understanding of our practice needs.”

Transport Review

“Our driver was very friendly and made the whole group very relaxed when driving.”

Overall Review

“Fantastic contact from Hannah, friendly and efficient. Isabel was superb, with detailed emails, patience with the long delays between my replies when school was very busy, and she sorted out little changes to the itinerary and extra assistance for some members of the group. We have had the best tour ever. It was a perfectly tailored programme of concerts, free time and excursions, with expert advice and detailed collaborative planning.”

Concerts Review

“[On a concert in a cathedral] So friendly, close to the centre of the city so we could attract an audience, good facilities for changing, getting water and using the toilets, and an awe-inspiring experience for those students singing in a cathedral for the first time. [On a concert in a church] Outstanding. This was the best space by far. Just the right amount of reverb. The minister was very welcoming and spoke before and after the performance, and the congregation treated it like an event that they had been waiting for, with a team of people on refreshments and lots of people hanging around with us afterwards. [On a concert in a second cathedral] Great. The highlight was probably that the canal boat guide from three days before came to hear us! It was really full, and a lot of people wandered in and stayed for some or all of the rest of the concert. People spoke to us afterwards and were very complimentary.”

Visits Review

“To me, this felt like the perfect balance of free time and planned excursions.”

Accommodation Review

“Fantastic hostel and location. We basically had nearly a whole floor to ourselves and there was always a rehearsal space for us to use. Being in a city rather than the suburbs meant we could choose when to take groups into town for half an hour in the evening, and there were some nice canal routes for running in the mornings.”

Transport Review

“Very friendly and so helpful. The drivers were always on the end of the phone to pick people up or look for something they had left. They seemed happy to be a bit flexible with arrangements.”

Overall Review

“Our tour to Belgium was a triumph: unforgettable concerts in excellent venues and a perfect blend of excursions, both educational and fun, to suit everyone.”

Concerts Review

“[On a church concert] A fantastic experience, largely due to the effusive thanks and praise from those in attendance.”

Accommodation Review

“I think this was the best accommodation I’ve ever taken a school group to. The best thing was that we had our own annex with no other guests to disturb. We were self-contained, which felt secure.”

Overall Review

“I was impressed with the efficient way in which questions were dealt with and how accommodating the company was to any requests that I made. Club Europe were a knowledgeable, friendly, helpful and accommodating tour company with which to organise our tour.”

Concerts Review

“[On a concert in a bandstand] We enjoyed this venue and felt that its position in the town square gave a good audience in the cafés and restaurants. There was also easy access for the coach. [On a concert in a church] We were welcomed formally in both Flemish and English at the beginning of the concert and thanked and complimented, again in both languages, at the end - our favourite venue of the tour – a stunning church, very good acoustics and a good sized, appreciative audience. [On another bandstand concert] A good outside concert venue in historic and beautiful surroundings. “

Accommodation Review

“It was of a very good standard in comparison with other accommodation we have stayed in, near the town and the beach.”

Transport Review

“The drivers were friendly and got to know both staff and pupils and were also very helpful and accommodating.”

Overall Review

“Alahree is always available to talk through tour plans and any other issues. Always very professional and approachable. Isabel was very helpful and knowledgeable about the activities and performances. It was exciting, fun, well organised and memorable. The students have gained new experiences both culturally and musically. Thank you for an amazing tour.”

Concerts Review

“[On a concert at the Last Post] Perfect space for a choir of 45 and a brass group. We loved it. Very emotional and will stay with us forever. No improvements and would recommend any choir to do it if they are given the opportunity.”

Accommodation Review

“Outstanding accommodation especially as girls and boys were separate. The town was large and the beach area was very suitable for a large group of students. Excellent food and suitable for vegetarians.”

Rep Review

“Aurelian was excellent. Very friendly and helpful. Socialised well with staff, students and bus drivers. He was very helpful when approaching venues and he took photos for us.”

Transport Review

“Very friendly and helpful.”

Overall Review

“Alahree was brilliant, dealt with any problems very quickly. I could not be happier with Isobel - the itinerary was perfect and I was most impressed that she was able to sort out a castle performance for us. Overall fantastic.”

Accommodation Review

“Perfect for our tour.”

Transport Review

“Could not be happier - the drivers were fantastic.”

Overall Review

“A fabulous experience for students and staff alike- GhentFest in particular was brilliant! Everything went extremely smoothly and we all had a fantastic time. There really was very little that could have been improved! Thank you very much for your help with organising it.”

Accommodation Review

“Fantastic – a really brilliant hostel which was brilliantly geared up to groups like ours. The food was lovely, and the hostess was really very friendly and helpful. We were particularly impressed that they had baked a birthday cake for one of our students!”

Rep Review

“Abi helped everything to run really smoothly – she offered advice at all times as to how to organise different activities, which was much appreciated (especially as this was our first school music tour). She was friendly and personable at all times.”

Transport Review

“Excellent – Albert was very friendly and helpful throughout the trip.”

Overall Review

“A life-changing experience for staff and students alike which inspired a new, shared understanding and appreciation of WWI through music, drama and dance. “

Concerts Review

“A life-changing experience for staff and students alike which inspired a new, shared understanding and appreciation of WWI through music, drama and dance. “

Accommodation Review

“Absolutely perfect for our group.”

Rep Review

“Raffaella was brilliant – I couldn’t have asked her to do anymore. She made it be the success that it was. All the planning was there, and she helped it be delivered to a high standard.”

Transport Review

“Faultless. He and his courier Jane were part of our group. They came to all the performances and were really complementary about the achievements of the students. Mike had excellent local knowledge about parking and pick up points so that we could move our equipment effectively.”

Overall Review

“Thank you all for a wonderful tour. The pupils are already asking when the next one is.”

Accommodation Review

“Brilliant, in the middle of the town so very convenient.”

Rep Review

“Chloe was very helpful and polite, outgoing. She worked well with all staff members and was very hands on with helping with setting up equipment, speaking French when needed for advice and directions. The pupils loved her.”

Transport Review

“The coach drivers very friendly, good banter and were very accommodating, parking as close as they could to all venues.”

Overall Review

“Probably our best tour with Club Europe. I have been five times with you now, different school but similar type group. This was due to good concerts at good venues with an absolutely superb tour manager.”

Concerts Review

“[On a church concert] The organisers were very friendly and appreciative. They really loved listening to the girls sing and were impressed by the standard of their performance/repertoire. A lovely venue in the centre so attracted lots of tourists.”

Rep Review

“Raffaella was just superb. I cannot rate her highly enough in all areas. Perfect for our group, but I am sure intelligent enough to adapt to most groups. Never have I had a tour guide so pleasant, efficient and knowledgeable. She was so good that I was able to relax and enjoy the tour knowing that she was completely in control of every aspect of the tour. What an amazing lady. All our staff were so impressed. “

Overall Review

“Hannah was super. She was clear in the information that she delivered to me and dealt with any of my questions and requests quickly and with great patience. Overall, jam packed and very enjoyable.”

Concerts Review

“[On a church concert] The church and its parishioners were very welcoming. We even went back on our first morning to record a piece. It had beautiful acoustics.”

Accommodation Review

“The location was better than expected as Blankenberge was largely pedestrianised and safe for the students to explore in small groups. The location impressed me.”

Overall Review

“Really great, professional and met our requirements and criteria brilliantly for the tour. Extremely knowledgeable, patient and accommodating. This was my first tour and I felt very comfortable with Club Europe leading the way and guiding me towards a successful tour package. Highly enjoyable and would love to work with them again.”

Accommodation Review

“Great location and area. Really great hotel and very accommodating to our party.”

Rep Review

“[Abi] was brilliant, fantastic tour manager, managed people very well and was always calm and collected.”

Overall Review

“Hannah was great, so polite even when chasing and Isabel had endless patience in the face of lots of questions that she had already answered.”

Concerts Review

“[On a concert in a community art centre] Very successful. Captive audience. [On a concert at the Last Post] Amazing and moving experience for the young people to be able to perform here.”

Accommodation Review

“Fabulous place. Very clean. Rehearsal room excellent.”

Overall Review

“Alahree and Sabine were very helpful, always prompt with email responses. Very accommodating of my requests. I was most impressed with the ease of it all, especially because everything is done on-line. A great time had by all, thank you.”

Concerts Review

“[On a concert at the Last Post/Menin Gate] This was a special concert, thank you Club Europe for enabling us to perform. [On a concert in a retirement home] I love playing in retirement homes, we feel very much appreciated and it feels good to provide music and we love seeing the audience enjoying themselves.”

Visits Review

“At the first war memorial we visited one of our students found the head stone of his great, great uncle, wonderful.”

Accommodation Review

“A fantastic find, thank you. The staff were very helpful and kind. The rooms where spacious and clean. The rehearsal space was brilliant and the recreational space is a real bonus. The area felt safe and our group had the accommodation to ourselves. This hostel would be ideal all year round. Excellent food.”

Transport Review

“The drivers were fantastic and they where very complimentary of my musicians and told them so.”

Overall Review

“Hannah was very efficient, always there whether to answer your query on the phone or in an email, knowledgable about the process and there to reassure. Isabel was excellent. She has the insight knowledge of the area and was quick to reply to all queries. Overall, it was totally cool!”

Accommodation Review

“Bruges was great, small enough to walk around yet had enough for the children to keep them occupied.”

Transport Review

“Excellent.”

Overall Review

“Lucy was very helpful from my first phone call, always happy to help and clearly very understanding when it came to our requirements. Isabel was very efficient, thorough and also patient and calm! A highly successful and well-organised tour. Great destination, great venues, and great excursions.”

Accommodation Review

“The destination was perfect, not too far from our venues, and good to be on the coast so that we could entertain the choristers with a trip to the beach. “

Overall Review

“Hannah and Isobel were brilliant. [Tour was] outstandingly well organised.”

Visits Review

“All fine and accurate. All superbly organized by Isobel.”

Accommodation Review

“The YH was great, just as good as last year and the staff were lovely.”

Rep Review

“Caroline was brilliant, experienced, got on with things, great fun. Lovely. One of the best I have had in 12 years.”

Overall Review

“I was very happy with the ease of contacting Hannah and Isobel and the speed of their responses to my queries. An amazing tour with three superb concert venues.”

Concerts Review

“[On their first church concert] It is a beautiful church where I have long been interested in performing. Thank you for arranging this. It would be well suited to choirs. [On their second church conert] It was an excellent afternoon and evening in Blankenberge with an extremely impressive meal at a restaurant between the rehearsal and performance.”

Accommodation Review

“The food was very nice. There was an extensive breakfast buffet and arrangements for preparing individual packed lunches were very good.”

Rep Review

“Damir contacted all the relevant people at the venues in advance of us arriving and helped to make the itinerary run smoothly. A great asset.”

Transport Review

“The drivers were excellent and could not have been more helpful.”

Overall Review

“Hannah was very helpful with lots of information, especially with different quotes at the time of booking and Isabel was very approachable and kept in touch regularly, accommodating some changes very graciously. As usual, the whole experience ran really smoothly, largely thanks to the terrific coach drivers.”

Concerts Review

“[On a cathedral concert] The accoustics were amazing, really resonant. A very appreciative audience with lots of CDs sold.”

Visits Review

“The bowling alley was absolutely brilliant, and the canal trip always goes down well.”

Accommodation Review

“Fantastic rooms, meals and playground. Having a rehearsal room was briliant.”

Transport Review

“The drivers were brilliant. They joined in with conversations and sat in on rehearsals or concerts, and even joined in the party on the last night.”

Overall Review

“Memorable and we can’t believe we packed so much into a few days.”

Concerts Review

“[On the second church concert] We were made extremely welcome. They were lovely. The vicar was extremely helpful. He’d obviously done a lot of work on getting the audience and preparing the space. The audience was really appreciative. [On the third church concert] The audience were fantastic. A lot of tourists watched the rehearsal and just stayed for the concert. We were on the front of the altar on the steps and the floor between the altar and the congregation, with all that beautiful interior behind us. Amazing pictures.”

Rep Review

“Abigail took a lot of the stress off my shoulders and her advice was always worth heeding. She was excellent.”

Transport Review

“The drivers were lovely and really helpful. They even joined in the fun and the socialising.”

Overall Review

“A most fulfilling and successful tour! Every single member of my team, whether student or staff member, had a fantastic week, and came back buzzing. We will be touring again, and we will be coming to Club Europe as a trusted partner. Thank you for a fantastic experience for our students, everyone of whom will remember this tour for a very long time.”

Concerts Review

“Our second concert gave our students the opportunity to perform to quite a large adult audience in a real continental café setting. The audience was very appreciative and our students learned a lot about a different performance technique for an adult-only performance. Our third performance was great because we performed our set with the choir from the local school.”

Accommodation Review

“This was perfect! It was suited to young people, with very clean rooms, areas for the younger children to play and ‘quiet’ areas for the older children. The hosts were extremely friendly and accessible. All the facilities at the site were clean and attractive.”

Rep Review

“[Dario] What an approachable, helpful, hard-working and fun-loving guy! Nothing was too much, no problem insurmountable. He became an invaluable member of the team. I cannot speak too highly of his honesty, professionalism and value.”

Transport Review

“[Rob and Carl] I cannot praise these two gentlemen enough. Their quiet appearance belied a truly excellent professional attitude to everything they had to do. We quickly became totally confident in their every decision concerning our transport arrangements. They also became truly part of the team by joining in at events and excursions.”

Overall Review

“The result of the overall tour was fantastic including the venues, accommodation and trips. A highly memorable tour once again bringing people from differing backgrounds together with their shared love of music performing in stunning surroundings and meeting delightful and friendly people.”

Concerts Review

“[On a concert in a cathedral] Amazing venue and made very special with a standing ovation at the end of the concert. [On a concert in a Town Hall] It was great to meet with Piet de Mulder again and, as always, he had made great arrangements for us and invited many of the town’s dignitaries to the concert and introduced the tour leaders.”

Accommodation Review

“Superb. Mia, Eric and the family once again could not have done more to make our stay at this hotel any better. Homemade food, willingness to keep the bar open long after hours, cleanliness were all excellent.”

Transport Review

“Drivers went out of the way to blend with the group, attending concerts whenever possible and we invited them to eat with us either at the hotel or if we went out and about as the whole party very much saw them as an integral part of the tour.”

Overall Review

“The tour gave our students an amazing musical and cultural experience.”

Accommodation Review

“It was very good. Aldi supermarket was very handy and the walk to Bruge was simple in terms of distance and safety.”

Rep Review

“Stephen was first in to the venues with myself. He translated and was an excellent bridge between the venue and myself. He went beyond by helping organise equipment, page turning and even joining in where we needed an extra tenor in the choir! Stephen was exceptional in this regard.”

Overall Review

“Very accommodating staff, patient approach trying to fulfil my every wish - very organised, efficient, approachable, yet extremely professional.”

Concerts Review

“[On a church venue] This is an amazing venue with great support from the local community. We felt welcome, appreciated and very lucky to have performed in such an amazing venue and acoustic - the highlight of our tour!”

Visits Review

“The Bobbejaanland theme park was fantastic. The musical instrument museum is definitely a must. It has a wonderful restaurant on the top floor with views of the whole city. The chocolate museum and boat trip were perfect and the rotation was ideal.”

Accommodation Review

“We were really happy with the accommodation. The facilities were amazing and it was such a treat to have sole occupancy of the building. We were given a fantastic space to hold our socials in and the playing fields were fantastic. Meals were lovely and staff were even given wine every night!”

Rep Review

“The club Europe rep Elena was absolutely lovely. She was really cheerful and easy to talk to. She was also very laid back if ever we wanted to change timings. It is beneficial to have a native speaker and someone who knows the area well.”

Overall Review

“As usual, our Club Europe tour was a resounding success, in no small part due to the professionalism and experience of the Club Europe team who planned our tour.”

Visits Review

“Atlantic Wall Museum was fantastic, and a perfect way to break up the journey from home to the Youth Hostel. The students loved the chocolaterie in Bruges too.”

Accommodation Review

“The youth hostel was fantastic, clean and modern, perfect for a group of young teenagers with a great outside space and lots to keep them occupied. The food was great - as much as we wanted - child-friendly and a big effort was made to meet various dietary needs.”

Overall Review

“Blankenberge is well placed for access around the area. A very busy and enjoyable tour holiday.”

Concerts Review

“We received a very warm welcome from the organisers at the Menin Gate. I was also welcomed by the Australian Ambassador, who took pictures of the band using my camera! Accoustics were excellent. This is not a concert venue in the traditional sense. However it is a wonderful place to play. The bandstand had an amazing acoustic, and the sound then bounced around the square, creating an almost cathedral-like sound effect.”

Accommodation Review

“Mia and her team were very helpful and friendly, and all of our party were happy with the hotel.”

Rep Review

“Abi is a very friendly, helpful young lady, willing to assist in any way. On this particular tour the early preparation work had made things run very smoothly.”

Overall Review

“We had a fantastic tour.”

Accommodation Review

“The hostel is fantastic and I would recommend it to any other groups who want their own space. It was so much better than staying in a hotel.”

Rep Review

“Elena was a great rep and was really accommodating of our needs.”

Overall Review

“Leuven is a lovely city with interesting buildings. It’s not too big so it was an ideal place to give the students some free time to explore around the central square. As expected, [our hostel] was a short walk from the city centre - ideal for an evening stroll. It was close to Brussels and to Walibi Theme Park. Also very useful was the supermarket a few metres away.”

Rep Review

“Roxanu asked our opinions, listened carefully and acted swiftly and efficiently in an unassuming way. She stayed with us throughout the day and was pleasant and interesting to chat to.”

Overall Review

“The best organised and most enjoyable tour I have gone on as tour leader. Belgium is ideal for a music tour - very simple, short journey from Calais: The low stress option. The location was very useful. Blankenberge is a small town - no traffic to get stuck in, no loud clubs and parties - but has plenty to do. Strolling down the beach, and playing in the sand was enough of a distraction for our students.”

Concerts Review

“[On their concert at the Menin Gate] It was a really moving occasion, wonderful to be a part of it. [On playing at St Rochus Church, Blankenberge] It was wonderful, a lovely welcome from the priest and audience.”

Visits Review

“Timings were the best I have ever seen - we were sometimes early but never were late. It was such a relief to know that we were never under time pressure, which can be a major problem. Everyone loved the chocolate factory in Bruges and bought lots of chocs - for presents of course. Oceade was the favourite of the group and they probably would have been happy spending even longer there.”

Rep Review

“Lisa was very amenable and helpful - easy to work with. She helped us promote the middle concert, liaised with all the people in charge, smoothed the admin so that I could concentrate on the music. It was good to have someone who I could rely on for help with the smooth running of the trip.”

Overall Review

“A wonderful first tour for us. The excursions were perfect for our age range and it was nice that in the middle of all the concerts and rehearsals that we still found time for sightseeing and social things like ten-pin bowling. Particularly our tour manager helped us to ensure that our trip was a success. Students have commented that this was an amazing tour! The tour manager helps staff feel more confident and relaxed and takes away pressures such as finding venues or speaking to locals.”

Overall Review

“This was an amazing trip. The students had a fantastic time and our itinerary was well planned. The tour manager, coach drivers and staff all helped to make it a trip that the students will never forget.”

Overall Review

“Once again, another superb tour with Club Europe. The pre-tour booking processes and attention to detail was fantastic. The sourced venues were nicely varied in style and numbers and the UK coach company and hotel in Belgium could not have done more to make this a most memorable trip. In the words of one of our 12 year olds on the tour: “The trip has rocked and so have the concerts!”

Accommodation Review

“I have been onto Trip Advisor to override the ridiculous people who have said that this hotel (the Sabot D’Or) is poor. Mia and her family were friendly and could do no more to help our stay exceed our expectations.”

Overall Review

“A fantastic experience overall. Everyone had an incredible time and it will go down as one of the highlights of our society’s achievements.”

Overall Review

As with Lucy, Sabine’s expertise was felt throughout the whole process. They worked as a team, were very quick to reply, were always helpful and we simply worked together to find any solutions to problems that arose. I was very grateful for the flexibility that was offered  It made for much smoother administration of the whole event. The flexibility [brought] the ability to tailor the tour to our exact needs and wants.

Concerts Review

[On a bandstand concert] The bandstand and surrounding buildings in the square made for a very nice venue acoustically.

Accommodation Review

The location in the middle of the city was excellent. The food was really good quality and there was more than enough for our whole party.

Rep Review

My initial contact with Josh instantly put me at ease and this continued as we got to know him as the tour went on. I have travelled with Club Europe in the past and the fact that you provide a tour manager that stays with us for the duration of the trip is one of the selling points for me. Josh got on fantastically with the students. It was wonderful that he gave his time to speak to them – the fact he was a multi-linguist, speaking 5/6 languages was wonderful and all our GCSE/A Level language students, I hope, took full advantage of that. He was just ever-present for any eventuality, including talking to local officials to have vehicles moved from our performance area to trying to politely move people in that area during our performance (to name just two)!

Overall Review

Efficient and happy to work with us, rather than prescribe a package tour that didn’t meet our needs.

Overall Review

Lucy knows us well, and I was absolutely happy to take her advice as to where we should go. When we failed to get 40 students, she made it possible for the tour to run with just 30, for which we are very grateful. We have also worked with Sabine for years – her cheerful efficiency is much appreciated. She took changes on board with speed and grace. Just so good to be back on tour again! It’ll be Easter again next year – I’m thinking Germany or Spain, but will be guided by your expertise.

Concerts Review

[On a church conert]  Our choir, concert band, jazz band performed  here and the accoustics were lovely. The highlight was a the very warm welcome and enthusiastic response we got from our audience. They gave us squash and biscuits afterwards, and were just lovely. Lovely place, happy to have us. We were a bit worried that we would be stymied by some holes in the band because we only had 30 students on tour, but we managed! Lots of space, very nice.

Visits Review

The boat trip in Bruges and the Canada-Poland museum were highlights. We were very lucky with the weather in Bruges. The lady at the Canada-Poland museum was so engaging, and the ‘hands-on’ box is highly recommended – the kids loved dressing up and handling lots of WW2 artefacts.

Accommodation Review

This hostel is PERFECT! 12/10. Such lovely friendly people who have got the whole thing completely sussed. From the food to the admin (we were given master keys to all students’ rooms) to the facilities (amazing outdoor space, plus a fantastic rehearsal space, and a meeting room which we used briefly, and parking for a coach and a Harley) – it was all amazing.The rehearsal room was big, there were loads of chairs, there were no restrictions on how long we could use it for… perfect. Such a novelty to be at our destination 2 hours out of Calais! The staff  were absolutely brilliant. Rooms were absolutely brilliant – we were so chuffed to have fridges and dining tables in the staff accommodation. Food was brilliant – plentiful and superbly well-chosen to meet the needs of a bunch of students. Veggies and those with allergies were carefully catered for. I would recommend this hostel to anyone.

Transport Review

The driver was super helpful and very relaxed. Having a grumpy driver can really put a damper on things, but Allan was brilliant, and even popped in to one of the concerts. The coach was spotless. Fantastic company, would recommend.

Overall Review

Excellent. Lucy was outstanding throughout; it was always easy to communicate. Sabine was very helpful, and she always tried her best to accommodate our requests. I was most impressed with: quick responses to enquiries, clear outline of the tour schedule, quality of the venues and activities planned and the overall schedule. It was very good indeed. Good knowledge of the local area, and beautiful venues for our performances. Our students had a superb time in Belgium and this was a real highlight for them. They were able to perform very well in front of new audiences.

Concerts Review

[On a church concert ] For larger ensembles it worked well. It was a stunning venue. It was a successful concert.

Visits Review

I thought it was a well-balanced programme. The bowling was a particular highlight for everyone.

Accommodation Review

Excellent location, easy to travel to all our destinations. Rooms were comfortable, staff were friendly. Rehearsal space very good.

Rep Review

Eleanor was always at hand for logistic matters, and she was wonderful company. We very much enjoyed having Eleanor on the tour, as well as being a crucial person to deal with any eventualities. She communicated extremely well with the students. She made some announcements after each concert, congratulating our students, which was very nice. It was very helpful to have Eleanor on tour with us, and she liaised very well with the accommodation and concert venues. 

Transport Review

Will was an excellent driver, perhaps one of the best ones I’ve ever encountered whilst on tour. Incredibly friendly, always professional and helpful.

Overall Review

Lucy was great to deal with – very responsive and helpful with my queries. Sabine worked really hard to create a great tour programme and was also quick to reply to emails/phonecalls. Great communication around travel details and times. The itinerary packs are very useful with all information in one place. A music tour that the students will remember and treasure.

Concerts Review

[On a concert in a bandstand] The bandstand created a great acoustic. Really lovely to perform in a traditional bandstand – very large, great access arrangements. Easy to follow instructions and this was a fabulous start to our concert tour. Yes – great venue, sizeable audience and the coach was able to easily access the square which was so helpful for setting up and packing away equipment at the end.

Visits Review

Bowling was a realty fun excursion and the boat trip in Ghent was really lovely and enjoyed by everyone.

Accommodation Review

Antwerp was a fabulous location and a great destination. The hostel was great – it fulfilled my expectations in terms of accommodation and facilities, but it exceeded my expectations in terms of food/dining experience and how well they catered for our groups’ dietary requirements. The staff were really helpful and took great care to ensure that our students with allergies had the right food. Super helpful staff. Friendly, approachable. Helped with queries and spoke good English which was very helpful for me! The best hostel food I have had. Outstanding in the care taken to provide the right food for vegetarians, allergens etc. It was also really good to have full board and students were able to make their own lunches with food provided which worked brilliantly.
 

Transport Review

Fantastic. The drivers' attitude was fabulous. The coach was perfect for our group size and was immaculate.

Overall Review

Lucy was a fantastic account manager. Communication was efficient and everthing was so well put together. It was wonderful to work with Sabine. She was so trusting and patient. An excellent tour. Students enjoyed performing in three well-attended concerts and made memories that will last a lifetime.

Concerts Review

[On an outdoor concert] Beautiful setting in Ypres. It was so wonderful to get started making music. It was excellent. [On a concert in a bandstand] The concert was a huge success. Being raised up was lovely. Evenyone could see and hear us.

Accommodation Review

Very suitable. Great space. Great communal spaces for socialising.Perfect for school groups. Great location.Close to Bruges centre.

Transport Review

Wonderful. A fab driver. He negotiated some narrow roads in Bruges. Gary is a true gentlemen. He became on of the team. He went above and beyond for the students and had a great rapport with them. He also came to all our concerts.

Overall Review

Hannah and Sabine were very knowledgeable and professional. I was most impressed with their prompt response to enquiries. I had the sense that both Hannah and Sabine really know what they're talking about and are keen to help make the best tour they can. Another excellent tour. Within hours of being back I had an email from a parent saying thier daughter had enjoyed it even more than last year

Concerts Review

[On a concert in a church]  An excellent concert, really good atmosphere and as with all four venues, we had a standing ovation and encore. Pupils really enjoyed it and rose to the occasion. [On another church concert] Standing ovation and encore. Members of the audience were so emotional, in tears at the end and expressing to me how much they enoyed the concert. Very heartwarming! [On their final church concert]  A very emotional end to the tour (especially for Year 13 leavers), and another fantastic reception - standing ovation and encore. A beautiful church tucked away. All the concerts were outstanding, hats off to Sabine; one in particular was one of the best attended of your concerts I have been involved in.

Accommodation Review

Atwerp is lovely, a great base for this sort of trip.