While we work individually with each school group planning travel to Vanuatu, there's only so much to cram into a week. Basically, any given day allows for three meals, a morning activity, an afternoon activity and an evening activity. Below are just some of the options that may be worth considering.

• Alliance Française (French study groups only) - this is a small set-up behind the French Embassy just off the main street of Port Vila. There's a kitchenette area to make breakfast, a couple of common rooms with DVD etc, a video library, a book library and 3 classrooms. French lessons can be tailored to suit all levels.
• Montmartre School (French Catholic boarding) welcomes students to join in classes, have lunch in the boarder's dining hall and join in sports activities like volleyball and soccer. There is also the opportunity for study and sport activities at the French School (Lyceé française de Port Vila). The French school has offered visiting students options of joining in regular lessons or activities like cooking or sport. Both schools operate with three terms, which means they are accessible to students visiting during Australian or New Zealand school holidays.
• Ekasup Cultural Village Tour offers a fascinating look at Melanesian culture in the traditional Ekasup Village about 10 minutes from Port Vila. Students will learn about traditional food preservation, hunting traps, fishing techniques, natural medicine, bush tucker, coconut tree climbing and parts of history that includes cannibalism and Christian teachings. They also have a Melanesian Feast and Custom Dance night.
• The Museum and Cultural Centre is situated opposite Parliament House and has an extensive display of artefacts, art and the history of Vanuatu - from the arrival of the Melanesian people dating back over 3000 years, to European discovery, cannibalism, 'blackbirding' and the Condominium (joint French/British rule until independence in 1980. Visit the website.
• Hideaway Island Adventure - Hideaway Island Marine Sanctuary is only 15 minutes from Port Vila and offers excellent snorkelling right off the beach - coral, a variety of fish species and the world's only underwater post office (you can snorkel down and post a waterproof postcard). There's also a nice little snack bar and they offer introductory scuba dives.
• Mele Cascade Waterfalls are also around 15 minutes from Vila and are accessible to most levels of fitness - it's a pretty gentle walk to the main falls and there are a number of plunge pools for a refreshing dip. You will also undoubtedly pass local people from Mele village, collecting coconuts, vegetables etc or just the pikininis enjoying a dip.
• Secret Garden This Botanic Gardens & Reptile Park is a quirky place with fruit bats, lizards, snakes, a Cannibal hut, Chief's area, kava, a WW2 collection and lots of fascinating custom legends and stories (we're sure it is the only botanical gardens in the world where you can learn about "The Devil With Fire in His Bottom", The Boy Who Ate His Brother" and "How the Hermit Crab Protects Its Testicles").
• Mele Village is a good example of an urban ni-Vanuatu village and the locals give visitors a friendly welcome. Because Mele owns the land that has attractions and resorts like Cascades, Hideaway, Secret Garden, Benjor Beach Resort and l'Hippocampus horse riding ranch, it is quite prosperous in ni-Vanuatu village terms, but it is certainly not Kangaroo Point or Toorak.
• Eratap Village School is an even better example of 'real' village life not far from the capital, Port Vila. Headmaster Donald, his staff and the children welcome visitors. Admission is by donation of stationery/rice for the school.
• Port Vila Markets The Port Vila Markets open 24 hours (close Saturday afternoon to Monday morning). Women sell produce (fruit, vegetables, pigs, crabs etc) as well as souvenirs like WW2 Coke bottles with the date inscribed, baskets, beads and coconut bras (in Bislama, 'basket blong titi'). There's also good shopping down the street, including inexpensive duty free perfume, handicrafts and 'copy' latest release DVDs and computer games.
• Bushwalks, River Kayaking and/or Mountain Biking can be arranged with Pascal Guillet. Pascal is a PE teacher who speaks fluent French, English and Bislama. His EcoTours have some 40 itineraries for all levels of fitness and various durations, some taking people to places that are not generally accessible to the public (e.g. private Lololima Cascade waterfall and swimming hole or kayaking up the Rentapao River).
• Restaurants. Vila has some excellent dining options and Vanuatu Study Tours include some of the best. These currently include l'Houstalet, Le Rendezvous, Les Alizés, El Gecko, Chill, Nambawan Café and the Waterfront Bar & Grill. Restaurants come and go and have changes in name, staff, cuisine so these options are finalised close to (or after) the departure date. For example, the Vanautu Tourism website lists around 60 dining options - more than 20 of these have either closed or had name changes. Here's a link to our take on dining options in and around Vila.
• Club Hippique Aquatic Park offers horse riding tours through rainforests and along beaches. For those wanting some French with their equestrian pursuits, l'Hippocampus Sea Horse Ranch offers guided horse rides (beginners and experienced) on trails around Mele including along the black sand beach. Eloise and Stephanie are both fluent English and French speakers and have a stable of 20 horses.
• Bislama lessons are fun. It is a colourful form of Pidgin English (Prince Charles, in Bislama, is 'Nambawan pikinini blong Missus Kwin') and having pleasantries like 'tank yu tumas' (thanks very much) and 'lukim yu' (see you) enhances communication with the ni-Vanuatu people.
• Wan Smol Bag Theatre - Wan Smol Bag in English is One Small Bag - this is all this fantastic group of performers needs when visiting schools to perform. The subject matter for plays/performances can be confronting (domestic violence, AIDS etc) but always highly entertaining - they also have a theatre and youth centre (Yut Senta) about five minutes from town.
• The Coongoola Cruise provides a great day out for snorkelling, dolphins, turtle sanctuary, BBQ beach picnic. The lovely old 'lady' cruises Havannah Harbour to Tranquillity Island (Moso) where the TV show Survivor was filmed. Students have the opportunity to sponsor, name and release a tagged 12 month old turtle.
• Nautilus offers professional introductory scuba diving from the heart of town - www.nautilus.com.vu
• Edge Vanuatu offers adrenalin and fun - abseiling down Mele Cascades waterfall or 'Rumble in the Jungle' paintball.
• Tanna Island. Those who opt for the side trip to Tanna Island for the Mt Yasur Volcano Safari, John Frum Cargo Cult and traditional village life will have the experience of their lives and come away with a lifetime of memories.

Email us for more information on how we can create a package to suit your needs or for details on an obligation-free Expression of Interest afternoon/evening.

For general information on Vanuatu visit Vanuatu A to Z.