Exploring Portuguese Culture: Ashbourne’s Eurotrip to Lisbon
Nineteen Year 12 and Year 13 students, joined by six staff members, set off for a six-day school trip to Lisbon during the February half-term break. The week was packed with experiences that celebrated Portuguese culture and history, while also offering plenty of moments to bond as a group. Like every annual Eurotrip organised by Ashbourne, this adventure brought together learning, laughter, and friendship, from walking tours and creative activities to evening board games at a hostel exclusively reserved for our students.
Create Your Own Tile
Lisbon is world-renowned for its decorative ceramic tiles, azulejos, and the trip began with a morning dedicated to designing our own. Guided by a local artist, students and staff sketched traditional patterns and carefully experimented with shades of azure and cerulean. Brushes hovered with a mix of caution and creativity as each tile slowly took shape.
A few days later, the finished glazed and fired tiles were delivered to the hostel. Spread across the dining table like a private exhibition, they were met with excitement as students searched for their initials. The tiles were soon claimed one by one, each destined to become a personal keepsake of Lisbon.
A Day in Sintra
A photography competition turned Sintra into a treasure hunt of beauty. Students captured everything from the moss-covered spirals of the Initiation Well to the Portuguese flag billowing against weathered fortress walls. Two even staged a playful Romeo-and-Juliet scene on a castle terrace. The mystical gardens and gothic architecture of the Quinta da Regaleira provided the perfect backdrop for creativity.
In the afternoon, some of the group hiked to the colourful Pena Palace for sweeping mountain and forest views, cameras clicking at every turn. Others opted for a more relaxed pace, soaking up the sunshine in Sintra’s town centre, enjoying seafood and pizza, and browsing for souvenirs ranging from art prints to handmade keepsakes.
Museums, But Only the Fun Ones
One morning was spent at the Oceanário de Lisboa, the world’s largest nature aquarium. Students were mesmerised as reef sharks, stingrays and seadragons drifted above them. A video competition produced hilarious results, with one student setting dramatic spy-movie music to footage of an otter swimming. As they explored the aquarium’s four global habitats, students learned more about the delicate balance of marine and terrestrial ecosystems.
The group also visited the Lisbon Earthquake Museum, where immersive exhibits recreated the devastation of the 1755 disaster. Walking through reconstructed streets of the lost city, students were transported back to a time of scientific, political and cultural transformation.
A Portuguese Feast
The final day of the trip was spent in a hands-on cooking class, where students and staff worked together to prepare an eight-course meal from scratch. From appetisers to dessert, everyone pitched in, with more experienced cooks guiding beginners. The highlight, unsurprisingly, was making Portugal’s most famous pastry, pastéis de nata. After sampling countless bakery versions earlier in the week, students were especially proud to master their own. The shared meal was the perfect finale: a celebration of teamwork, creativity and cultural discovery.
1. What is Ashbourne’s annual Eurotrip?
The Eurotrip is an annual overseas trip for Ashbourne students, combining cultural learning with group bonding. Each year, students explore a different European destination through activities, tours, and creative experiences.
2. Why did Ashbourne choose Lisbon for this school trip?
Lisbon was chosen for its rich culture, history, and vibrant atmosphere. From azulejo tile painting to Sintra’s palaces and immersive museums, the city offered students diverse opportunities to learn and connect.
3. What activities did students take part in during the Lisbon Eurotrip?
Students designed their own Portuguese tiles, explored Sintra’s castles and gardens, visited the Oceanário de Lisboa and Earthquake Museum, and enjoyed a hands-on cooking class making pastéis de nata. Each activity was designed to be both educational and fun.
4. How did the Eurotrip encourage creativity among students?
Creativity was fostered through tile-painting workshops, photography and video competitions, and collaborative cooking. These activities encouraged students to express themselves while engaging with Portuguese culture.