Mid way through the journey, the students stopped off at Norwegian House to learn about the connections between the Serbian and Norwegian peoples in World War Two. Once we arrived in Zlatibor, we checked into Hotel Mona and the students settled into their rooms. Before long, we were enjoying the beautiful swimming pool and jacuzzis. The day ended with a lovely meal and free time for the students.

For our first full day in Zlatibor, we made the journey to the beautiful Stopica caves. After a short hike, everyone was amazed at how wonderful they were and thoroughly enjoyed the visit. Next, we visited Sirogojno village – the only open air museum in Serbia –which was ironic as it was raining! Once we’d dried off, the students did one of their favourite activities, buying souvenirs, once again despite the rain! Upon returning to the hotel, we went for another swim before dinner and then a walk around the lake. We ‘accidentally’ bought chocolate donuts for everyone as we walked around the lake and heard/saw some very noisy frogs!

Our third day was extremely action packed. First, we visited the Dino Park where we enjoyed looking at the full scale models of a variety of dinosaurs and also got the chance to buy more souvenirs. After this, we enjoyed ice creams which were a treat from Miss Keserovic. In the afternoon, we drove by coach to visit Drvengrad and explore the traditional buildings there as well as watching a film. Our next stop was the nearby Sargan railway where we all thoroughly enjoyed riding the special train which was quite an adventure! However, the long day was not quite over as it was disco time… To celebrate our last night, everyone got dressed up and had a dance to the specially prepared karaoke. Everyone was especially impressed by Mrs Howie and Mrs Copeland who led the dancing and encouraged even more people to dance than usual. It was the perfect end to our last evening.  Exhausted after our long fun filled day, everyone fell quickly to sleep.

The final day had arguably the best excursion, the Adventure Park! Students (and staff) were extremely excited to try the different zip line activities. After they were all equipped and given training, everyone was off! The students tried increasingly hard challenges and had an absolutely amazing time. Many faced their fears and were the better for it. Without a doubt, the teachers were extremely proud of the student’s mature attitude, excellent behaviour and courage in trying something new and challenging. Once we had finally finished there and managed to get everyone down from the trees, we enjoyed our final lunch and then had the long journey back to Belgrade leaving some amazing memories behind.

This was a beneficial trip for the students’ education, social skills development and their general independence. Indeed, it was one of the most exciting and interesting trips in recent years and was thoroughly enjoyed by all. Despite being caught a few times, we were also very lucky with the weather. The student’s behaviour was excellent throughout and even their rooms were amazingly tidy. They should be really proud of themselves. Well done to all!

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After a short ride, the group arrived to Svilajnac, a town in central Serbia where everyone enjoyed the guided tour of Dinosville, the permanent exhibition in the Natural History Center of Serbia. The breathtaking sight of the Jurassic scenery, the lifelike figures of dinosaurs and a gigantic replica of an erupting volcano amazed everyone and called for numerous photographs to be taken. Some of the students were able to learn about the Earth’s crust and volcanoes, while for others this created an opportunity to revise their science knowledge. After Dinosville, the students toured the Natural History Centre where they were able to see how the living things evolved since the beginning of life on Earth, the evolution of human beings and communities as well as huge dinosaur skeleton replicas and an exhibition about the original human settlements on Danube in the east of Serbia. After the tour, the student had lunch in the Dinosville restaurant, and enjoyed the dinosaur shaped desert.

After a pleasant ride on the couch the group arrived to Vrnjacka Banja and checked in at the Hotel Zepter. Everyone was extremely pleased with the accommodation and the immediate proximity of the town’s pedestrian area for which it is well known.

On the first day in Vrnjacka Banja, the students visited the Belimarkovic castle, an endowment of a nineteen century Serbian general and the second oldest building in Vrnjacka banja, where they could see the nineteen century furniture and learn about the way of life at that time.  After the visit, the students enjoyed some free time, the dinner which pleased everyone and a play time on a nearby playground.

The second day in Vrnjacka Banja was reserved for sightseeing, a wonderful train ride through town, shopping and swimming in the hotel’s swimming pool. The students could hear the story about the ‘Bridge of Love’ and why the tradition is to put padlocks on the bridge. Also, the group visited three thermal sources of mineral water this town is famous for and were able try some of it. Everyone seemed to enjoy the visit to the Japanese Garden in the center of Banja, a place of serenity and peace. The students loved the big wooden Japanese gazebo and the waterfall immediately next to it. In the afternoon, the students did their shopping and played with the most popular shopping item ‘the squishy’ and had ice-cream. Soon after, everyone enjoyed a fun swim in the wonderful swimming pool at the hotel.

On the third day, the group set off to the Goc Mountain where they had an adventurous hike, a visit to Lake Goc and a traditional lunch. Later that day, the group had a sports day and a fun run as a part of the Global Running Day. The vast greenery and an abundance of fresh air as well as the beautiful sights of the Mountain cheered everyone. The story of the Goc Lake monster, and the beautiful lake captured the students’ attention and startled their imagination. The sightseeing was followed by a lunch in a restaurant on the Mountain. The students enjoyed a traditional Serbian lunch and desert which gave them energy for the sports day competition, the fun run at the Vrnjacka Banja stadium and a swimming session at the hotel. After this, the most popular event was held- the disco party! The students showed off some incredible dance moves and enjoyed the casual atmosphere.

On the last day in Vrnjacka Banja, the group had another shopping session and immediately after lunch everyone set off to Kragujevac, our final stop before returning home to Belgrade. In Kragujevac, a large town in Central Serbia, the group visited a Memorial Park Sumarice, where they learned about the tragic consequences of the Second World War in Serbia, and had a panoramic tour of the monuments to the victims from that time. After seeing this historical site, the students visited the aquarium at the Faculty of Science in Kragujevac where they were able to see different kinds of fishes, amphibians and reptiles. After this visit, everyone boarded the bus once again and began their trip back to Belgrade.

All the students were very happy with the trip and they provided some quality pieces of writing about the school trip the following day in the Friday’s Assembly at school.

This was a beneficial trip for the students’ education, social skills development and their general independence.

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