Ysgol Dinas Bran group enjoys a trip to Catalonia

* The Dinas Bran group who travelled to Catalonia.

A group of 32 pupils from Years 10, 11 and 12, accompanied by Mrs Jones, Mrs De Court, Mr Evans and Mr Prescott, recently set out on a 28 hour bus journey bound for Catalonia in north eastern Spain.

After an early evening ferry to Calais, followed by an overnight journey through France, the tired group arrived at the 4* Hotel Top Calella Palace, one hour ahead of schedule, the following day. 

Following check in and familiarisation with the hotel, pupils then had three hours free time to explore the resort of Calella.  

Staff were able to find a traditional tapas bar to enjoy some of the local delicacies whilst pupils managed to locate the local Burger King to sample dishes of a more North American nature. 

Friday’s excursion took the group to the Port Aventura Theme Park in Salou, home of both Europe’s highest roller coaster (Shambhala) and also the fastest (Furius Baco).  

Whilst the daredevils amongst the group knew precisely where to head, the less adventurous were nonetheless also well catered for and a fantastic day was had by all. 

Saturday’s itinerary to Barcelona was jam packed and there was much to get through during the long day.  

It included three hours free time around the famous La Rambla area to shop, eat and take in the world famous street performers, a whistle stop walk around the Sagrada Familia Cathedral, a visit to the Camp Nou, home of FC Barcelona, and an evening visit to the Magic Fountains in Plaça Espanya, where several pupils in the group managed to get slightly wetter than they had perhaps anticipated.

Whilst staff thought that the frenetic nature of the day may have taken its toll on pupils’ energy levels, such assumptions were soon quashed when the evening disco at the hotel began, with an extremely large Dinas Brân contingent dancing along to tunes both old and new. 

On Sunday morning, after another early start, the group was soon on the road once more back to Spain’s second city.  

Following a quick visit to the Olympic Stadium en route, the morning was spent in Poble Espanyol, a huge estate with areas representing the different regions of Spain. 

Shopping was the principle focus of the morning before the group headed into the city for further free time in Barcelona.  

Late afternoon the group made their final stop of the tour in Parc Guell - an Andoni Gaudi inspired park in the hills overlooking the city. 

Following dinner the group was taken to the local pub to play pool and also to indulge in

a spot of karaoke.  

Following a later start on Monday, pupils were given three hours free time to do some last minute shopping and to visit the beach ahead of the long journey home which began at three in the afternoon.

After an overnight coach ride through France and an earlier than expected ferry crossing, the Dinas Brân group arrived safely back at the Pavilion car park at 4.30 Tuesday evening.