We have supported countless educational visits in the last 21 years and after 13 years of running specialist educational student visits feel that the service we provide ranks among the best in this field and our client schools and colleges tell us so. Detailed below are some of the factors that support this claim including our price promise ensuring you get the best value on the market.
Price Promise |
| We are so confident that our prices represent the best value on the market that in the very unlikely event you should receive a more competitive quotation from another fully licensed British tour operator for the same arrangements, we will be happy to improve on it! Obviously in a world of fluctuating costs this offer only applies prior to making your booking. |
Our Travel Service
Being part of a well-established organisation the Living Planet is just one of several programmes from specialist tour operator Discover the World. Our portfolio includes Iceland, Greenland, Lapland, New Zealand, the Arctic and Antarctica. Committed to responsible tourism, for over 21 years we have been operating high-quality holidays, offering a selection of imaginative itineraries to ensure travellers get the most out of each destination. From tailor-made independent holidays to escorted tours, adventurous expeditions to leisurely fly-drive touring, we feel that there is something to suit every budget and taste.
Expert Knowledge & Experience
The Living Planet programme has evolved a team with extensive experience in group travel and field studies combined with a detailed knowledge of our destinations. Supported by an even larger team of travel professionals, which includes Icelandic staff, we also have an office in Reykjavik. The diverse backgrounds, dedication and enthusiasm of our office team are a tremendous asset and our on-going training programme ensures that your visit is in good hands.
A Unique Approach
With Living Planet we have deliberately set out to provide itineraries representative of major environments and environmental issues, designed to provide students with invaluable case studies as well as the experience of a lifetime. We aim to enable students to appreciate scale and attitudes and to gain understanding of obscure concepts.
Our study visits meets the following criteria:
Exciting -
and suitable for both residential fieldwork and expeditions.
Diverse -
offering a range of topics and issues not easily available in the UK.
Relevant -
to current GCSE, AS and A-Level syllabae.
Affordable -
appreciating the financial constraints on educational groups.
A Range of Travel Options
Subject Specific - while we specialise in opportunities for Geographers, our courses are also suitable for students of Biology, Ecology, General Science and Travel & Tourism. Some are ideal for those studying art or photography.
General Interest - all of our itineraries are suitable and adaptable for general interest 'awe and wonder' groups.
Tailor-made itineraries - we are able to tailor make itineraries to suit your group requirements exactly.
Expeditions - over the years we have serviced countless expeditions.
Supporting Material
Every destination, unless specified otherwise, is supported by a set of general guidance notes, codes of practice and conduct, risk assessments etc.
Book Direct
We do not accept bookings through travel agents. We feel that where educational visits are concerned our individual attention is called for.
Flexible Programmes & Costs
The make up of every group is different in terms of its staff to student ratio, length of stay and syllabus requirements. We therefore cost each group separately in an effort to keep your costs as low as possible without jeopardising the integrity of the programme. This also allows us to tailor-make our generic itineraries to suit individual needs. For this reason any prices quoted in this brochure are a guideline only.
Party Leader Concessions
For our study courses we will offer 1 free place for a minimum of 10 to 19 students and an additional free place for every 10th student above that: i.e. 20, 30 or 40 students. For expeditions and tailor-made visits the free place scheme is by arrangement.
Book with Confidence & Security
We are a fully bonded tour operator ensuring that all money paid to us is protected no matter what.
The air holidays and flights in this brochure are ATOL Protected by the Civil Aviation Authority. Our ATOL number is 2896. Non-flight inclusive holidays are protected by AITO Trust Ltd set up by the Association of Independent Tour Operators. We are also members of the Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA).
Looking after you while Abroad
Once you arrive at your destination our local staff, representatives and guides make sure that everything runs smoothly. Your travel documentation will also have 24hr emergency contact details.
Ensuring your Safety
We are very mindful of both Quality and Safety and to this end we have produced a Code of Practice and a Code of Conduct both of which are made available to groups booking with us. We also provide our own detailed risk assessments.
The School Travel Forum
Discover the World is a Full Member of the School Travel Forum. The School Travel Forum is a group of leading school tour operators who promote good practice and safety in school travel.
All Full Members of the STF adhere to a rigorous Code of Practice and Safety Management Standards which meet the requirements of DfES guidelines and are externally verified each year by suitably qualified independent Health and Safety professionals.
During the course of developing the STF Code of Practice, and in addition to liaising with the DfES, advice has been sought from all leading educational Unions and Associations. The STF initiative is welcomed by the Outdoor Education Advisors Panel (OEAP) and the DfES. It has the support of the SHA, NAHT, ATL, NUT, PAT and the NASUWT advises members wishing to organise school trips to use companies that have this type of scheme.
Need to know more?
Enquiries and bookings may easily be made by post, telephone, fax, or email. If calling in person please make an appointment to ensure that the right staff member is available to answer your queries.
Come & Meet Us in Person
We will attend the following exhibitions:
GEOGRAPHICAL ASSOCIATION Annual Conference (12 - 14 April 2007)
THE ROYAL GEOGRAPHICAL SOCIETY with IBG in-service day for teachers (01 February 2007)
EARTH SCIENCE TEACHERS ASSOCIATION Annual Conference (15 - 17 September 2006)
Our Client Base
Over the years we have serviced countless educational establishments. Currently 65% of our field visits are repeat bookings, of which 50% have travelled with us more than twice. It is interesting to note that 25% of the top 200 schools* at both A-Level and GCSE have made use of our field study experiences. (*Times School League Tables 2004). Among our regular clients are:
Keele University, Exeter University, Alleyn's School, Ampleforth College, Austin Friars School, Bacup & Rawtenstall Grammar School, Barton Peveril College, Berkhamsted Collegiate School, Bishop Stortford College, Castle Rushen High School, Colfe's School, Dane Court Grammar School, Dauntsey's School, Easthampstead Park School, Endon High School, George Abbot School, Haileybury School, Ilkley Grammar School, King Edward VI College, King Solomon High School, The Lady Eleanor Holles School, The Latymer School, Linton Village College, Magdalen College School, Millfield School, Peter Symonds College, Putney High School, Queen Elizabeth's High School, Queens College, Queenswood School, The Red Maids School, The Royal Masonic School, Sheffield High School, St. Edwards School, St. Paul's Boys' School, St. Paul's Girls' School, Surbiton High School, The Holt School, Tormead School, Uppingham School, Watford Grammar School, Wimbledon High School, Worcester Sixth Form College.