I have taken two school trips to Greece, one with a travel firm (now defunct) and one self-organised.

The self-organised trip was fine for the students, but:

• it was no cheaper than a package deal
• quite a lot of negotiation had to happen with students over food
• it was a lot of hard work and stress

Disadvantages 1 and 3 are self-explanatory. The food question was because I severely underestimated the willingness of the young to try new food.

The first evening in Athens I had arranged with a restaurant in the Plaka to eat at a long table on the street. So far so good. But I made the mistake of ordering Greek food. Hardly any of it was eaten.

In the end I chose a cafe near our hotel, took the party there each evening, and gave the students money to choose their own supper.

I feel also that the students would have preferred package-tour hotels to the hotels - and in Delphi the excellent Youth Hostel - that I had arranged.

So, I would always use a travel firm in future.

David Parsons

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