MSG Tours

Dubai 7’s 2021

Fri, 02 Oct 2026 19:53:01 GMT

Dubai 7’s 2021 – First Tour Back!

We caught up with Mr and Mrs Newby on their experience at the 7's:

“After two years of putting various travel plans on hold it felt so good to be back overseas. We knew we were in safe hands with MSG Tours who kept us up to date throughout the who the process with any Covid related changes. Dubai 7’s 2021 had a fantastic festival like atmosphere with so much to see and do, all of which was seamlessly organised. It was great to enjoy the rugby (and the winter sun!) with a cracking bunch of people.”

We flew our supporters out to the UAE for the Dubai 7’s 2021, after 20 months without travel. And what a trip it was! Soaking up the winter sunshine, rubbing shoulders with some of rugby’s greatest names with a beer in hand and watching the live action with fellow fans. What could be better?

We caught up with Mr and Mrs Newby on their experience at the 7's:

‘ The Emirates Dubai 7’s is about so much more than just what takes place on Pitch One. It’s about the young and the old; it’s about all three of our sports, be it on pitch, oval or court. It’s about community and sharing experiences about people from all over the world.’ – Tournament Director Tom Burwell

We’re going back to Dubai for Dubai 7’s 2022, we hope to see you there!

Dubai 7’s 2022

Fri, 02 Oct 2026 19:49:45 GMT

Dubai 7’s 2022 – Trading in the Cold of the UK for the Beautiful Sunshine of Dubai!

Our MSG Family returned to the UAE this year for the annual Dubai 7’s tournament. Meeting back up with old friends, making new memories, and enjoying everything that Dubai had to offer. Name a better way to end the year!

We caught up with tour operator Laura:

“Another successful trip to Dubai with MSG Tours. With this being my second trip to the Sevens as the Tour Leader, I knew we were all in for a treat, and we were not left disappointed. As always, the Sevens were planned to perfection with plenty of entertainment and activities for everyone. It was also great to catch up with some old faces and meet new ones for a fantastic weekend with lots of rugby. Hopefully, we'll see you all at the RWC next year !” – Laura (Tour Leader)

Results:

GB's men’s team started with the highlight of their tournament as they sprung a surprise victory over the current holders and eventual winners, South Africa. The women’s team, on the other hand, saw their highlight come against Brazil after a 38-7 demolition by the Brits. Both tournaments ended with the previous winners holding on to the trophies with South Africa defeating Ireland 21-5 in the men's final , whilst the women’s competition, ended with Australia, beating the All Blacks 26-19 in their final.

Hearing from our Supporters about their Experience of the 7’s:

“As a last-minute holiday booker to Dubai, I didn’t know what to expect or encounter on my visit. From Airport to Hotel door, I was always in safe hands with our tour guide Laura accompanied by a great bunch of fellow travelers.

In a nutshell, it is perhaps one of the greatest cities I have ever visited & to cap it off with the Dubai 7s weekend with a great bunch of friends was superb.

Sun, Sea & Rugby… MSG truly delivered the unexpected…

So good in fact. Dubai 2023 is already in my diary.” – Jonathan Smith (Returning MSG tourist).

Another successful tour! We look forward to seeing everyone in Dubai again in 2023.

Ben at the Ghent and Hilversum Rugby Festivals

Thu, 30 Apr 2026 09:24:54 GMT

Ben at the Ghent and Hilversum Rugby Festivals

My latest European adventure with MSG Tours was both the most challenging and the most rewarding trip I’ve taken so far.

Visiting the Ghent and Hilversum rugby tournaments back-to-back for the first time made the experience even more special – these are events that will stay firmly marked in the calendar for years to come.

This wasn’t a simple tournament visit. The journey began in Dover and took me across three countries, multiple forms of public transport, and most importantly, plenty of time spent with our fantastic touring teams.

I kicked off my tour with Newbridge Vikings RFC in Dover ahead of their tour to Lille. I joined them for the ferry crossing to Calais. After arriving in France, we completed the journey to Lille and checked into the hotel. I spent my evening exploring the city. I created a walking route on Google Maps to make sure I didn’t miss anything – a method I’d use in every city I visit. It turned out to be the perfect way to take everything in and get a real feel for each place.

The following day started early. After saying goodbye to the group at breakfast, I squeezed in a few more sights before heading to Lille Flandres station for my train to Ghent. I boarded a direct train and arrived at Gent-Dampoort around midday. I met Blackwood RFC U16 later that day. Surprisingly, their coach pulled up at the same time as I arrived, thanks to an earlier ferry crossing. After helping them check in, I set off on another self-guided walking tour, visiting highlights such as Gravensteen Castle, Saint Michael’s Bridge, and the canals, before finishing the day at a lovely restaurant by the water.

Saturday marked the first of the two main events: the Ghent Rugby Festival. I accompanied Blackwood RFC, joining 15 other teams across two age groups. Among them was Glynneath RFC U18, another MSG Tours group staying in nearby Antwerp. The tournament was a great opportunity to connect with clubs, meet the organisers, and see some fantastic rugby. Each team played at least four matches, ensuring a full and enjoyable day for everyone involved. That evening, I made my way to Gent Sint-Pieters station and caught a train to Amsterdam, ready for the second major event.

The next morning, I met Senghenydd RFC U16 at their hotel before travelling to Hilversum. As soon as I arrived, it was clear why this is considered Europe’s premier youth rugby tournament. With 69 teams across seven age groups and over 2,500 attendees, the scale and organisation were incredibly impressive. I spent the day speaking with clubs about their touring experiences, capturing content, and watching Senghenydd secure an impressive third-place finish in their age group. It is a must-do tour for any youth rugby side.

My final day gave me the chance to explore Amsterdam at my own pace. I visited landmarks such as the NEMO Science Museum and the Rijksmuseum and even managed a trip to the Johan Cruyff ArenA – where I couldn’t resist picking up a discounted Ajax home shirt. Eventually, I headed to Amsterdam Centraal for my Eurostar back to Derby via London. Despite a two-hour delay that saw me return to Derby at 2 am, the trip was absolutely worth it.

Looking back, the tour was a huge success and a valuable experience for my continued professional development. With two teams already booked for next year’s tournaments and plans to grow that number significantly, I’m already looking forward to returning in 2027.

Contact me via WhatsApp at 07300233421 to explore a tour to Ghent or Hilversum for your club.

Campbell in NYC

Tue, 16 Dec 2025 08:12:58 GMT

Campbell in NYC

I recently had the opportunity to take in New York City on a company inspection visit to gain a first-hand appreciation of its cultural richness.

Understanding our hosting cities allows us to build deep connections with travel partners and experience the geography across our itineraries. It’s safe to say it did not disappoint.

The time on the plane was smooth, and after watching Home Alone 2 to prepare myself, it absolutely flew by. Then, before I knew it, I was in the heart of the Big Apple, with skyscrapers soaring and city lights gleaming. I checked into the Hostel International NYC and grabbed some much-needed sleep, ready for an action-packed following day of sightseeing.

I began the day by hopping on the Subway for my first destination, the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, take its beautiful architecture. Then, its impressive collections of modern and contemporary art take things to a whole other level.

The subsequent scenic walk heading towards Midtown was one to write home about. I went through Central Park, seeing well-known cultural spots such as Strawberry Fields and filming locations like the Bethesda Terrace and Gapstow Bridge amongst the greenery. I emerged back into the city on 5th Avenue. This bustling street had plenty of places for photos and shopping, with the Rockefeller Centre, St Patrick’s Cathedral and big brand stores posted throughout.

The wander concluded at Grand Central, which boasted incredible murals from floor to ceiling. I finished the day with a trip up to the Empire State observation deck, for one of the greatest sunsets I have ever witnessed and a visit to Macy’s, the largest department store in the west!

On my way to learn more about Manhattan’s modern history at the 9/11 Memorial & Museum, I found extraordinary murals and street art stretching up skyscrapers. Within the museum, I discovered more about one of New York’s darkest days, and how the people came together to overcome it as a community.

Continuing my explorations, I headed North towards the Chelsea Market. This foodie paradise, located in a building of Romanesque Revival architecture, was the perfect spot for lunch. The building connects to the High Line, a park on the city’s old rail tracks – a unique location for a stroll that showcases the nature and urban design of NYC.

Reaching the end of the High Line brought me a stone’s throw away from the Circle Line Pier, ready for a sightseeing cruise on the rivers surrounding the city. This was a true highlight of the visit, from seeing a whole new perspective of New York, to an up-close view of the Statue of Liberty!

As the day and my trip ended, what better way to end than to take in the glitz and glamour of Times Square and Broadway? Dinner that evening was enjoyed at Ellen’s Stardust Diner, a venue that combined the classic American diner with the showmanship of Broadway. One second my server was topping up my drink, the next they were on-stage singing numbers from the Lion King!

Looking back on my venture to the city that never sleeps, I am still blown away by how much it has to offer. The range of experiences is unmatched, whether that is for art and educational tours or the upcoming World Cup 2026.

Experiencing New York City as part of a touring group has given me invaluable insight into how the city works, from navigating its neighbourhoods and transport systems to understanding how to maximise time and access key attractions. This first-hand experience allows me to confidently support clients, anticipate their needs, and tailor itineraries that are both enriching and seamless.

I am a firm believer that New York City is one of the world’s greatest locations for learning outside of the classroom. I cannot wait to continue to advance my professional development and get out there once again; with the plethora of enrichment opportunities available, no two trips are ever the same.

Welcome to team MSG, Ella and Ann!

Thu, 09 Oct 2025 12:02:01 GMT

Welcome to team MSG, Ella and Ann!

Ella - Tour Operator/The Adventurer

This trip was the biggest adventure I’ve ever taken—both professionally and personally. It was a journey of firsts: my first long-haul flight, my first solo flight on the return leg, and most importantly, my first time flying with one of our touring groups.

Why Travel?

I love travelling and exploring new cultures. By appreciating the little things such as enjoying the sunset, I want to give others the opportunity to view the world from different perspectives.

Dream destination

My dream destination is the O Trek in Patagonia for its variety adventure, natural beauty, and the opportunity to disconnect from the everyday. The idea of spending several days in stunning landscapes such as glaciers, mountains, and remote trails is something I find both grounding and inspiring. It’s a chance to challenge myself while experiencing one of the most iconic trekking routes in the world.

Career highlights

A highlight for me was working as a Unit Coordinator at a summer camp in the U.S. This involved me running camp and making sure the kids had an amazing time. I loved it because it combined leadership with living outdoors every day, whilst being fun and fast paced!

Ann - Tour Operator/The Goat lady

Career highlights

A key highlight of my career was leading a group of over 50 elite swimmers on an overseas training camp to Dubai. I successfully managed the fundraising efforts to support both the swimmers and their families in attending the trip. While in Dubai, the athletes also had the opportunity to compete in the Dubai Open.

Why Travel?

I was inspired to work in travel after having the incredible opportunity to explore the world as a former international swimmer. Through numerous trips, I not only experienced new countries and cultures but also became very familiar with the bottoms of many different swimming pools! These experiences sparked my passion for travel, and I’m now excited to bring that enthusiasm to MSG, —just like the ones I was fortunate enough to enjoy

Best visited

December 2024, I was fortunate enough to take a career break and travel to New Zealand with my best friend, whose dad lives out there. We began our journey in Sydney to break up the long flight, before heading to Christchurch, which became our base. After spending Christmas there, we packed up the car and set off on an incredible 8-week road trip across both the South and North Islands.

We mostly camped along the way, occasionally treating ourselves to an Airbnb when we’d had enough of airbeds! I was lucky to explore a range of amazing places, including Kaikoura, kayaking around Abel Tasman National Park, celebrating New Year’s in Queenstown, cruising through Milford Sound, and hiking up Roy’s Peak.

Dream destination

My dream destination is Alaska. I’ve always loved being surrounded by nature and exploring new hikes, and Alaska’s dramatic landscapes really appeal to me. The opportunity to witness wildlife roaming freely in their natural habitat is something I’d truly enjoy. I’d also love the chance to finally see the Northern Lights—especially after a couple of unsuccessful attempts in both Iceland and Lapland!

Ben in Canada

Wed, 09 Jul 2025 14:35:23 GMT

Ben in Canada

That distinction brought a new level of responsibility, especially when it came to shepherding 79 enthusiastic Nantymoel RFC boys through Gatwick Airport. But with Tour Operator Ben Cooley by my side, we took it all in stride.

Getting onto the flight went smoothly, especially with the bonus of the lads breaking into song at the airport: a video that hit half a million views inside a week! After landing in Toronto, we guided the group to their coaches and on to their accommodation in the heart of Downtown. At that point, I had to break away to Union Station to catch a 90-minute coach to Niagara Falls for my next duties.

NIAGARA FALLS - TORONTO

In Niagara, I met MSG’s very own Canadian, Julia, and stayed one night at the Great Wolf Lodge. An early morning wake-up call allowed me just enough time for a whirlwind tour of the Falls – an unforgettable, once-in-a-lifetime sight that more than made up for the short visit. Afterward, Julia and I joined two school groups, assisting with their inbound airport check-ins, before returning to Toronto to reconnect with Ben and Nantymoel RFC.

The next four nights were spent soaking in everything Toronto had to offer. I explored the city, took in a Toronto Blue Jays game alongside both Nantymoel RFC and the newly arrived Ystradgynlais RFC. The highlight, though, was Nantymoel's first fixture against Crusaders Rugby Club. The match was a nail-biter, with the Welsh side edging out a 31–26 win. The post-match celebrations in the clubhouse – full of singing and players being arm in arm – truly embodied the spirit of rugby touring. Thankfully, my singing initiations didn't go viral.

OTTAWA & MONTREAL

On awakening, I boarded a coach for the journey to Ottawa, rejoining Julia in her hometown. My accommodation for the night was certainly unique – the Saintlo Jail Hostel. At least I got a cell to myself. Julia gave me a fascinating city tour before exploring some of the local hotels and sights that house our touring school groups each year.

I wrapped up the tour with a final night in Montreal, where I established a great taste of the city. A personal highlight was jet boating through the Lachine Rapids – a must for anyone visiting the area.

The next day, upon arriving at Gatwick, I reunited with Ben and the Nantymoel squad at baggage claim, helped them onto their transfers home and headed north to MSG offices, officially bringing this incredible tour to a close.

WHAT I LEARNT

I learned so much on this trip. First off – Canada is huge! I had no idea the journey to Ottawa would take over five hours.

But more than anything, I realised how special what we do really is. Seeing the faces, hearing the singing, and feeling the pure joy from the Nantymoel lads during that game is something I'll never forget.

I also grew a lot as a person. Being able to use my CPD budget to build travel confidence was a massive plus, and I'm so grateful to MSG Tours for giving me the chance.

Club Together: Ammanford RFC

Tue, 20 May 2025 08:11:09 GMT

We continued our Let’s Get Touring: ‘Club Together’ fundraising evenings, this time at Ammanford RFC.

Our Head of Events, Ross Harries adopts the hosting duties and brings together club members, tourists and special guests from the world of rugby to help raise money for the team’s tour.

The main event featured former Wales lock, Lou Reed, who joined Ross on stage to share stories from his playing days with the national team, the Scarlets, Cardiff Blues, and Sale Sharks.

Returning for their second MSG tour after taking Texas by storm in 2023, 68 players and supporters from the senior team will be embarking on an 11-day tour to South Africa in May 2026, starting in Cape Town and including Stellenbosch, and an overnight safari.

Get in touch to help plan your next touring adventure and fundraising evening.

South Africa Inspection Visit – Cape Town

Fri, 11 Apr 2025 10:53:18 GMT

Our bucket-list IV trip didn’t get off to the easiest of starts with a fire outbreak at a power station near Heathrow putting the whole trip into jeopardy. A cancelled flight, 3 hours on hold to Virgin Atlantic and plenty of itinerary re-arrangements later, we were finally on the road, 24 hours later than originally planned. A day in the life for us tourism folk!’

Straight off the plane, we picked up our rental car and took the short drive to the iconic Newlands cricket ground (where the Western Province and Durban Dolphins women’s sides were warming up for a top of the table clash in the Pro20 series). With the stunning backdrop of Table Mountain, a stadium tour or live cricket fixture at this incredible venue is an absolute must-do for any sports tour heading to South Africa.

The rest of the morning focused on inspecting some of the great hotels that we use for our groups staying in Cape Town. Josh and I stayed at Never @ Home in Green Point. A stone’s throw away from the DHL Stadium and a short walk away from V&A Waterfront and the City Bowl, the accommodation is in a fantastic location. A perfect stay for large groups on more of a budget, with spacious dormitory and private rooms, a lovely breakfast and even a small swimming pool for recovery or relaxation. If you are looking for a good hotel in Cape Town, then my pick of the inspection would be StayEasy in the City Bowl.

Some of our previous groups have been lucky enough to experience Gold Restaurant in Cape Town, which Josh and I were able to sample thanks to our hosts’ invitation. A sumptuous 14 course African taster menu, with participation African drumming in between courses: what’s not to like! This would be my final night recommendation for Cape Town to sign your tour off in style’

Day 2 started with a 5am wakeup call for our guided hike to the summit of Lion’s Head. We completed the 5.5km incline to around 700m above sea level, in about 50 minutes, which according to our guide was a ‘good time’. The climb is certainly not for the faint-hearted with some tricky terrain and occasional rock scrambles but the views from the top are well worth the hard work. Incredible 360 views of the City Bowl, Sea Point, Camps Bay and back around to Table Mountain!

Later that morning, we headed to Aquila Game Reserve, 2 hours outside of Cape Town, for an incredible game drive experience. An overnight stay here, is an absolute must-do for any group tour heading to Cape Town. Our groups are allocated into the well-appointed hotel-like rooms in the main building, some of which overlook the stunning pool with swim up bar which is accessible throughout the day.

We were lucky enough to see 4 of the big 5, missing out on the leopards who are almost nocturnal. If staying overnight, groups also do a game drive the following morning where you are more likely to see all the big 5. Finally, the buffet food at Aquila is also incredible!

Our final day in and around Cape Town was spent in Stellenbosch, with the first stop taking us to the Stellenbosch Academy of Sport (SAS). A fantastic sporting facility for our groups to base themselves for a couple of nights and make use of the pristine pitches, indoor training centre and recovery pool.

There are also plenty of top sports clubs and schools in the area for a fixtures. The town-centre is a 10-minute walk away, boasting many restaurants and cafés with outdoor terrace seating. If staying in the centre, then The Stellenbosch Hotel with its old Victorian charm is the place to be. As Stellenbosch is part of South Africa’s wine capital, a vineyard visit with a wine tasting is a must do for our adult groups and I would recommend Vredemheim estate or Spier Wine Farm based on our experience.

The day left us with just enough time to make it back to Camps Bay to see sunset from a beach-side restaurant. Again, a must do on any tour to Cape Town and for us, a perfect way to end a magnificent 72 hours in this thrilling and vibrant capital city.

Club Together: Aberdare RFC

Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:44:44 GMT

We held our inaugural Let’s Get Touring: ‘Club Together’ fundraising evening last night at Aberdare RFC.

Hosted by Ross Harries, Head of Events at MSG Tours, our midweek events bring tourists and club members together to chat all things travel, high jinks and rugby touring.

76 players and supporters from ‘The Snakes’ will be embarking on a 12-day tour to Canada in May 2026, commencing in Montreal and taking in Ottawa, Toronto and Niagara Falls.

In 2025/6 we’re moving dozens of teams around the globe that clearly demonstrates an appetite for spreading the rugby gospel to far flung places.

‘Club Together’ nights are part-funded by MSG, allowing clubs to sell tickets and reduce travel costs. Wales and British and Irish Lion Man of the Series in 2017, Jon ‘Fox’ Davies joined Ross on stage to recall touring tales from his numerous trips around the planet, including a timely recollection of his Wales debut in Canada ��

Get in touch to help plan your next touring adventure and fundraising evening.

MSG's Portuguese Adventure

Mon, 10 Feb 2025 09:51:02 GMT

Ben and Sam from our business development team recently traded the office for the winter sun of Lisbon and Porto. The inspection trip offered an opportunity to meet our industry partners in person and experience the depth of both cities.

Experiencing our touring centres in person helps our team develop robust and well-matched itineraries relevant to each age category; a skill easily recognised by our clients who return each season in search of exciting touring programmes.

The trip started by gathering intelligence for our Portuguese tournament packages at the Universidade De Lisboa. Boasting six football and two rugby pitches, the facilities are perfect to host many teams across weekend events.

A visit to Sporting Lisbon's stadium club shop followed tour of the Estadio do Benfica, two enriching locations for any touring group. Next on the itinerary was Benfica's training facility in Seixal. As expected, it is of the highest quality with multiple grass and artificial pitches. This facility is a MUST for any team wanting to experience professional training sessions.

When it comes to rugby tours, Lisbon is an understated destination. Both the Grupo Deportivo Direito and Belem Rugby Park have amazing facilities with gyms, artificial and natural turf, padel courts and on-site restaurants. The generous year-round climate and progressive rugby levels mark Portugal as stand out among other coastal European resorts.

Porto was the perfect cherry on top of the Portuguese cake. Despite a very quick visit to Estádio do Dragão and the FC Porto Museum, the facilities are state of the art and are the perfect destinations for a sporting group. Alongside visiting historical landmarks across the city which pay homage to the deep-rooted history of the city and the formation of the nation.

"The takeaway from this inspection trip to Lisbon is that the facilities from the football & rugby pitches to the accommodation have all been of top quality. Any team, club or school coming here will be very impressed."

"To stay beach front, have a pro coaching session at one of Europe's top teams and play against local teams; what more would you want from a football tour?"

– Sam

"This inspection visit gave us a great insight into all our Portuguese tours, especially our tournament packages. They are organised in conjunction with our friends at Move Sports and played at top notch facilities."

– Ben

"It was great having Sam and Ben visiting our country! They are two sport enthusiasts who have a great passion for sports. Hopefully seeing firsthand the great potential our country has to offer in sport tours will translate in a fruitful relationship."

– Pedro, Move Sports

2024 MSG Staff Travel Wrapped

Thu, 19 Dec 2024 14:01:11 GMT

As we approach the end of 2024, here's a spotlight on the MSG team's personal travel highlights

Here are some highlights from the team:

Mark - The Barista

"My 2024 travel highlight was with my son to watch a rocket launch from Kennedy Space Center in Orlando. This once in a lifetime opportunity is an incredible example of STEM learning taken outside the classroom."

Jen - The Performer

"The best place I visited this year was Costa Rica. It was incredible to try new, adventurous things and spot over 80 different species of animal."

Rob - The Podcaster

"My favourite destination from this year would be Perpignan, visited as part of an MSG Tours team inspection visit. I especially enjoyed the old town there and visiting the football facilities."

Josh - The Coach

"My travel highlight of the year would be playing on the 2p machines with my son and spending time on the beach with family in North Devon"

Lucy - The Detective

"An important travel moment for me this year was visiting New York. I went with three generations of my family for my birthday which made it all the more special."

Ben - The Film Critic

"My favourite destination this year was Iceland, visited as an MSG inspection visit. A personal highlight was seeing the Lava Show as I loved geography in school and it was incredible to further this knowledge on tour."

Jess - The Bookworm

"My favourite travel memory this year was taking my sister to Paris for her 18th Birthday. My highlights were seeing the Eiffel Tower, Moulin Rouge and enjoying the cuisine."

Lauren - The Explorer

"My best visited country this year was Vietnam, which was part of a trip to celebrate the completion of my degree. A highlight from this was kayaking through caves and around the limestone islands of Ha Long Bay."

Muskan - The Perfectionist

"My trip to Saudi Arabia was such a special and transformative experience. Visiting historical architecture and religious sites brought me closer to my faith and being there with my family made it even more meaningful, and it's something I'll always cherish."

Summer - The Farmer

"My highlight of the year was going to the Amalfi Coast on a boat trip and exploring the town. Another highlight was having dinner looking over the cliff on the Sorrento Coast while watching the sunset."

Laura - The Mother

"The best trip of my year was visiting Kos, Greece. It was special to me as I visited with my family and we really enjoyed exploring the island and emmersing ourselves in the culture."

Sam - The Miller

"As a football fan, my travelling highlight this year was visiting Berlin for the Euro Final. It was possibly the only chance I have to watch the England Men's football team play in a major sporting final with my dad."

Elliemae - The Cheerleader

"My favourite place I visited this year was the Peak District. We hiked for hours and I really enjoyed the feeling of accomplishment and seeing the views "

Julia - The Florist

"The most important place I visited this year was Italy. I went to learn about my family history and visit where my Nonna was born and raised."

Apprenticeships at MSG Tours

Thu, 19 Dec 2024 13:49:49 GMT

As a small business, we believe it is important to give young people the best start possible. A key way to achieve this is through apprenticeships. Primarily, we partner with EMA Training for Marketing and Finance courses. Ben, our current Sales and Marketing Coordinator, completed his Level 3 Content Creator last year and Jess has just recently started her Level 4 Marketing Executive Apprenticeship with EMA. Here are their apprenticeship stories.

Jess

“I have been an apprentice with EMA now for over a year based in their Derby Hub, starting my Level 3 Digital Marketing Apprenticeship in June 2023. During my time with EMA, I completed exams for each module and attended portfolio sessions to help me achieve my best possible grade. Overall, I achieved a Distinction in my Level 3 and I’m so grateful for the help and support I received throughout my course.

I’ve been on the Level 4 Marketing Executive Apprenticeship for a few months and already love the new learning. The in-person sessions allow for a high level of teaching and the opportunity to socialise with other apprentices on the same course, where we all learn from one another.

I think Marketing Apprenticeships with EMA are a brilliant alternative to College/University, it allows you to get your qualification whilst working full-time. Gaining confidence and experience from work and the theory and knowledge behind marketing when attending college.”

“Apprenticeships are a great way to start your career, or boost your current knowledge, within a chosen industry. Not only this but you develop much more than the knowledge and skills of a subject, you get practical on the job experience, grow your professional network and earn while you learn! Seeing Jess progress from level 3 and now doing her level 4 Marketing Executive apprenticeship is testament to her hard work and commitment but also the opportunities that apprenticeships offer with on-going progression.”

– Stuart Reddish, Digital Trainer Mentor, EMA Training

Ben

“When I finished my A-Levels at school, I was unsure what to do going forward, when someone recommended EMA to me. I didn’t want to go to university, so an apprenticeship was definitely the way for me. I started my Level 3 Junior Content Creator apprenticeship in September 2022 and eventually completed it in April 2024. Since finishing my course, I have stayed on at MSG Tours and have become a Sales and Marketing Coordinator.

The Content Creator course that I did was perfect for me as I started with very little knowledge of the industry. Thanks to the teaching of Stu Reddish and the EMA tutors, I was able to learn everything I needed to and then apply it to my role in everyday life.”

Elsewhere in MSG

We have expanded our roster of apprentices with Summer and Muskan starting Level 3 Assistant Accountant Apprenticeships with EMA, working to achieve an Advanced Diploma in Accounting.

In other departments, we recently hired our first Business Administration apprentice as Elliemae commenced her level 3 course with DBC Apprenticeships.

We are excited about the future with EMA and DBC and look forward to continuing these partnerships for many years to come.

The door is always open for new talent.

Join MSG Tours and turn your passion for travel into an exciting career.

Send us your CV to be part of a team that inspires unforgettable adventures!

The 100 Pitches of Catalonia

Fri, 29 Nov 2024 11:40:36 GMT

With an eye towards 2025, we are looking to increase the number of footballing tours. The first stop on this mission was to Lloret de Mar and Barcelona where members of the team experienced the trips that enrich and develop groups’ skills.

Group Travel Coordinator Sam shared his insights after his first inspection visit with MSG:

"From the moment we gathered at the airport, there was a buzz amongst us as we looked towards our first Inspection Visit. Our arrival at Hotel Samba in Lloret de Mar set the tone with an evening buffet and balcony views of the town, even if we were greeted by the Spanish rain.

Lloret de Mar proved to be an excellent destination thanks to its convenience. Everything is within a 20-minute walk with a bowling alley, bars, the beach, and an abundance of sporting facilities on your doorstep.

20 minutes from Lloret, you'll find Soccerland, a sporting facility comprising of 9 pristine pitches, tucked away behind a vineyard. The pitches are amazing and perfect for any football fanatic, they made me eager to dust off my boots and have a kick around!

Around the Catalonia region, they have three top-flight Spanish teams: Girona FC, RCD Espanyol, and of course FC Barcelona. First for us was Girona FC. The community-based club was very generous in showing us all corners of the stadium including the pitch side along with talking us through the intriguing history of the Champions League club. This experience was insightful, and we'd love to start offering it to our touring sides.

Next was RCD Espanyol's training ground. From first team and youth training pitches to the second & Women's team stadium, multiple weight gyms, and a memorial to the late great Dani Jarque, a high-performance coaching session combined with a stadium tour will have you feeling like a professional player. The women's second team were training when we arrived, my coaching head instantly took over as I watched on in awe. The others had to drag me away or I would've stayed there all night.

La Masia, the training ground of FC Barcelona was on another level! The top-class facility is a must for any sporting tour. Having crossed paths with members of the women's first team entering for their final training session before taking on Real Madrid the day after, we saw the men's first team area, the pitches – where visiting groups can even have training sessions and the Johan Cruff stadium where the second team and women play.

Since returning, my opinion has been cemented that it is the perfect location for social activities and footballing prowess. Barcelona has it all, from cultural sightseeing to the aforementioned sites of RCD Espanyol & Barcelona.

Football tours to this part of Spain are a must! Loret De Mar and Girona, or Barcelona you won't be disappointed."

MSG's Jen and Jess on the road!

Sun, 20 Oct 2024 08:43:15 GMT

MSG's Jen and Jess Hit the Road

Jen is our Operations Team Leader, responsible for creating incredible tours (especially in the USA) and supporting our ever-growing team of tour operators.

Jess is MSG's Marketing Executive Apprentice, bringing your incredible tours to life through written and social media content, graphic design and email communications.

Jess

Recently, I had my first on-the-road experience with MSG. Jen and I travelled to South Wales and Bristol to visit our soon-to-be touring schools. With tours ranging from art and economics in New York to basketball in Orlando, these schools were gearing up to learn outside the classroom, improve their sports skills and have once in a lifetime experiences.

Starting at MSG HQ in Derby at 06:00, we travelled to Tredegar Comprehensive School to begin planning their forthcoming return tour to New York City. This was a perfect opportunity to grow our client relationship and to develop their art tour from earlier this year.

After wishing Tredegar well, we headed over the Prince of Wales Bridge, taking photos along the way of the picture-perfect day.

The next school meeting took place at Bristol Metropolitan Academy who were warming up their basketball skills for Orlando, Florida – following their successful trip with MSG in 2023. A tour of this nature helps students gain confidence, create stronger friendships, and extend strong bonds with teaching staff.

We met the teachers and ran through any final questions they had following the recent hurricanes in Florida.

They expressed to us the importance of the trip and what the travel opportunity meant for the students. Jen and I assured the teachers of our on-tour support and the back-up plans covering their detailed tour program.

The final stop on our trip was Clifton College, preparing for their inaugural MSG tour to New York City in October. The visit allowed us to get a better understanding of the aims of the trip and how the day-by-day content will benefit the students heading into exam periods.

The long journey was worth it as it helped both Jen and I enhance our school relationships and gain intelligence in creating the most suited learning outside the classroom experiences.

What the client visit gave me:

Allowed me to understand the logistics and planning that goes into an MSG tour, from both the teachers' side and our operating staff.
.It showed me how much teachers care for their students, want them to have the best experiences and will use their personal time in doing so when going out on tour.
This was my first visit to Wales, and I thoroughly enjoyed all the jokes from the team about me remembering to bring my passport …

Jess and Lauren – MSG New Starters

Tue, 30 Jul 2024 13:16:38 GMT

MSG Welcome Jess and Lauren

Jess - Marketing Coordinator

Education and Interests

I grew up in a small area in Derbyshire, attended all the local schools and worked part time in hospitality alongside my GCSE's. I started my 3D art and design course at college, studying a mixture of photography, fine art, graphic design and Architecture. This course inspired me to go to the University of Lincoln to start a Degree in Interior Architecture. After a year of study, I decided that university wasn't for me. I enjoyed interior design and architecture as a hobby but no longer as a career. However, I still enjoyed graphic design and started to research what other career I would enjoy.

Marketing Apprenticeships

I started my research and discovered the world of marketing. I then came across EMA Training and applied to some of their open vacancies. After interviewing for my Level 3, I was added to the talent pool which ultimately led to finding an employer and starting the course, which I recently completed achieving a distinction.

I am progressing my knowledge and career by starting my Level 4 Marketing Executive course at MSG Tours.

Travel

I have always loved to travel. My most recent family trip was to sunny Florida for a week where we visited all the parks and attractions that I have been dreaming of trying. Then we headed to Playa De Carmen in Mexico, for my favourite destination of the holiday, for another week of amazing sunshine, jet skiing, beaches and the seeing the local wildlife.

I also visited Amsterdam for a brief city break in December, visiting the Heineken Experience, Fabrique des Lumières and a canal boat cruise.

My dream destinations are Australia to see the Sydney Opera house and enjoy the beaches and the lovely weather. As well as Thailand to travel around the islands such as Phuket and Ko Samui and would love to be able to visit them both one day!

Lauren

Early Years

I have always loved to travel; I first found my love for travel when going on a variety of family holidays during my childhood.

In secondary school I volunteered for a month in Tanzania with the aim of improving the quality of schools and wildlife conservation work. This led us to travel around and visit the likes of the town of Moshi, city of Tanga, the capital Dodoma, Siha, one of the seven administrative districts of Kilimanjaro and the town of Mwanza. Before embarking on a safari, we camped out in the bush with elephants. I finished the trip by completing the PADI scuba diving qualification after relaxing on the white sandy beaches.

This trip ignited my interest in travelling!

Sports and Education

Sports have always been a big part of my life: football, cricket, netball, swimming and martial arts. I also went onto be a swimming teacher for 5 years.

I chose to do a BSc in Sport and Exercise Science, at the University of Derby (which I finished this May.) This course bought me face to face with the world of sports tourism, it combined two large parts of my life, and I decided it was the industry that I want to work in.

Travel

To celebrate finishing uni', I spent a month touring Vietnam and Cambodia, starting in Hanoi and ending in Siem Reap. Vietnam is a country that's been at the top of my bucket list for a while and is possibly my new favourite place. There are too many highlights of this trip to single out one: both the Vietnamese and Cambodian cooking classes, kayaking through Ha Long Bay, cycling Ninh Binh's mountains and visiting Angkor Wat were all amazing. I returned home to attend a very rainy (but entertaining) British Grand Prix at Silverstone.

I am looking forward to my journey at MSG Tours and the ongoing travel opportunities the role presents!

MSG's Jen Ellis takes Berlin by Storm!

Wed, 20 Mar 2024 14:42:17 GMT

MSG's Jen Ellis Takes Berlin by Storm

MSG's own Tour Operator, Jen Ellis recently travelled to Berlin with Kazakhstan school, Haileybury Almaty for their WWII themed history trip. This was her account of the tour:

There are many things you can say about Berlin… disappointing isn't one of them. A city that's full of history, stories, free speech, and beauty, it captures a country that has been through an incredible journey and has come out telling its tale.

I accompanied Haileybury Almaty – an independent school from Kazakhstan – on their History Study Tour. With a curriculum focus on WWII and the Cold War, there was a wealth of experience and learning to be had around Berlin.

We started with a walking tour which covered a multitude of historical importance: Prussian inspired architecture, memorials for lives lost, a simple line of bricks across the city representing the divide of the Berlin Wall. The group were not divided in the opinion of how incredible the guide was at sharing these stories. Standing in the square where the forgotten library is marked and looking at the windows of the university building where Einstein once stood and watched the Nazi party burn his life's work, it puts into perspective how important stepping outside and walking in the footsteps of history is.

In the city, there are so many wonderful opportunities to learn outside the classroom and bring out the inner historian in everyone. Not only this but hitting the heights of the Berlin TV Tower and watching the sun set at dusk across Berlin from the Reichstag Dome will last in the memories of these intrepid explorers.

My time with the group was short but we were able to squeeze in some bratwurst, pomme frites and even watch Hertha Berlin smash their rivals 5-2 at the Olympiastadion Berlin: what an atmosphere and bucket list moment!

The group will continue their historical journey by following the journey of the millions of Jews that were ostracised and exiled to concentration camps away from Berlin. On an overnight coach the group will reach Krakow, Poland to explore a beautiful city risen from the ashes of a harrowing history.

The students will take in a study tour of the Auschwitz – Birkenau Concentration Camp and see the results of those major decisions made in Berlin by the leaders of the Nazi Party. Leading to the real outcome of the tour – students being able to relate and humanise the statistics thrown at them in a classroom to better themselves. They'll walk where those who are emblazoned across their textbooks once lived and breathed and empathise with those that lost their lives, experiencing the voices of today and see the influences from which it came.

Join Ben and Jen in Iceland!

Wed, 20 Mar 2024 12:57:20 GMT

The Land of Fire and Ice: a Geographer's Dream

Travelling the rugged landscape, you get the feeling of being on a different planet. With terrain that wouldn't look out of place in a space movie, you know that below the surface this country is alive and ever-changing.

Iceland offers so much to budding explorers who want to expand on their classroom learning when in the field. It holds great examples of:

Tectonic landscapes

Volcanic activity

Climate change

The effects of earthquakes

One of the pivotal stops for a study tour for Iceland must be the Southern Coast. Here you'll see great basalt rock formations jutting out onto the black sand beaches created from volcanic eruptions through the ages. See the majestic glaciers with their layers of history and the impact of climate change slowly making them disappear. Take a look at the waterfalls that plunge over the edges of volcanic mountains.

Additionally, The Golden Circle is not to missed! Explore the National Park of Thingvellir. Where you can see the impact of the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates pulling away from each other and creating great cliff edges. The scenery is breathtaking! Check the phenomenon that is Geysir and the natural hot waters that explode from the earth. One of many areas in Iceland where steam will emerge from the landscape as it heats up below the surface and races to find a way out.

The Golden Circle also holds a mammoth waterfall with rapids and drops that is a great example of the power of nature. Here you can delve into how Iceland uses its natural energy sources with a tour of the Geothermal Exhibition and Powerplant. Providing a fascinating insight into the storing of carbon and how the plant functions.

There are so many interactive, insightful, and educational locations on this island, that you will be spoilt for choice. Just one of the highlights was visiting Vik and the Lava Show. A great example of how lava erupts is how it interacts with the environment around it and feels the heat from this demonstration. One to remember for sure!

From Geothermal Powerplants to black sand beaches to a live demonstration of how lava works, Iceland does cover it all. And with so many different choices you can select the correct elements to ensure your students receive the best opportunity to learn outside the classroom.

Iceland is so different from other places I've travelled too previously. It's barren but beautiful, it's peaceful yet alive. As a living, breathing model for studies for GCSE and A-level geography, I would highly recommend you check it out!

Take a look at our Iceland Study Tours Here!

Julia Ingold joins MSG Tours

Wed, 06 Mar 2024 08:53:20 GMT

MSG's Jen and Jess Hit the Road

As I start my new role at MSG Tours, I'm excited for my first dive into the world of sports travel. Despite it being a new start for me, I know that I can look upon the skills I have built throughout my life to get a good start in the industry.

Early Years

Born and raised in Ottawa, Canada, I have loved to travel from a young age whether that was on family trips abroad or summer camps across Canada. Despite not knowing it at the time, this was the foundation that would set me up for the career I am pursuing now. In high school I completed an exchange program with my family in Nantes, France allowing me to put my French language skills to the test and solidifying my love for travel.

When it came to picking my university, I chose a school that had a strong study abroad program meaning I could complete 6 months at the University of Tilburg in Netherlands during my 3rd year. I finally graduated with a Bachelors in Social Development Studies and Business.

Travelling the World

After my time at university, I started living, working and travelling abroad where I predominately worked in hospitality and customer service in the hotel industry. My first stop was Asia, spending a year teaching English on the small South Korean Island of Geoje before travelling to Vietnam to embark on a 3-month, north to south cycle from Hanoi to Hi Chi Minh City. I briefly returned home to work in a busy city centre hotel in Ottawa before heading back across the globe to backpack around south-east Asia for 4 months.

My travels then took me to the land down under where I worked for 6 months in a hotel in Melbourne, Australia before a further 2 years travelling and working in New Zealand from Holiday parks to orchid farms.

Settling Down in Derby

I have now happily touched down in Derby where I've spent the last 2 years building many transferable skills in the recruitment industry as an account manager. However, I decided that it wasn't the industry for me, and I'm now very excited to pursue a role in a field that has always been at the forefront of my life – travel!

I'm excited to join a small but strong team, working on interesting projects and developing my career with MSG Tours.

Meet our New Operations Manager, Josh Short

Sat, 06 Jan 2024 09:40:06 GMT

Josh Short Joins MSG Tours

As a BSc Sports Coaching graduate from the University of Brighton working in Sports Travel wasn't an avenue I really knew about, let alone explored as a career path. However, I find myself in the industry for a third time with a fresh and exciting business, MSG Tours.

My Sporting Start

As a youngster, I played several sports competitively (rugby, tennis, football, basketball & cricket), but basketball was the one that led the way for me. From the age of 14, I was given my first exposure into coaching as I led the year 7 basketball team, which continued until I left for college.

Whilst at University, I got my first taste of 'sports travel' without realising it at the time. I worked initially as a group leader before progressing into roles with more responsibility over 4 summers for organisations offering foreign language summer camps in the UK, for overseas students. Organising the activity provision for the summer camp was a great opportunity to deliver varied and interesting activity and excursion programmes for the students visiting the settings.

Following my final summer placement, I became the head coach of the men's university basketball team. The two years of coaching gave me great experience and opened the door for my first full time role as a community coach in London.

Starting in Sports Travel

Despite basketball being a huge passion of mine, I came to realise that my career aspirations were not going to be reached. However, I was able to use my experience in coaching to aid my start at Edwin Doran Sports Tours where I started as a Sports Tour Operator. Here I operated tours to varying destinations such as Barbados, Sri Lanka, UAE, Holland, USA, Canada and more. The job also allowed me the opportunity to visit the likes of Sri Lanka, Holland (as a Tour Rep), Canada and the Czech Republic.

After 2 years, I chose to pause my role at Edwin Doran, as I took a year away to embark on a Working Holiday to Australia in the summer of 2019, which included a 5-week trip to New Zealand. Unfortunately, because of the pandemic we returned to the UK after an incredible 9 months. Due to limited working opportunities, we had to restart our careers out of my Mum's house which found me working in IT Sales for 2 years. I learned a lot during this time but ultimately, I was itching to return to sports travel and was able to do so as a Senior Tour Operator and Team Lead back with Edwin Doran in the summer of 2022. During my return, I expanded my experience and have now been involved in the travel operations of tours in over 30 countries across 12 different sports.

Returning to the Industry

Working in sports travel is where I have spent the longest time post university and has given a lot to my career and my development as an individual. When speaking to different organisations during my recent break my partner told me that working in sports travel is "where I'm meant to be". I have loved my time in the industry to date and I'm thrilled to return, this time with an exciting new company MSG Tours as their new Operations Manager.

From speaking with MSG Tours' Founder and Director, Mark Gardner, I am excited to be joining an organisation that has a fantastic reputation in the industry and has been involved in great projects, such as the recent Rugby World Cup 2023. My new career home in MSG Tours will allow me to again further my experience in the industry and give me the opportunity to be involved in more life changing tours for supporters, clubs, students, and the military!

Coleg Sir Gar tour booking announcement

Wed, 20 Dec 2023 10:00:34 GMT

We are delighted to announce Coleg Sir Gar have booked their 2024 rugby tour to South Africa.

Home to the Llanelli Rugby Academy, the college puts an emphasis on the academic success alongside the building of players.

Lanelli Rugby Academy:

The Llanelli Rugby Academy's main aim is to ensure that young players receive all the support they require to become players and people of quality. This is achieved by offering the best facilities, resources and support available to them.

The rugby academy recognises the importance of ensuring young rugby players have a secondary career, which they can take up, at the end of their professional playing careers. This is crucial to the aims of the academy as they provide everything a young player requires to reach his playing potential and will also provide courses, including coaching development, and services to ensure social, academic and/or vocational development.

We are honoured to enrich the squad by being able to provide this touring experience. This tour will take the 34 students around the Western Cape region to learn the rich culture of the area set in front of the picturesque Waterfront. They will then move north east to the winelands of Stellenbosch, a university town that has produced many of the great South African players. They will finish up with a once-in-a-lifetime safari at Aquila Game Reserve, home to the Big 5.

The tour aims to give the students an insight into life in South Africa, engulf them in the local culture and build bonds with both their teammates and opposition alike.

(Quote to follow.)

Read their itinerary here:

Day 1:

Climb from the base of Lion's Head mountain to the summit to experience views across Cape Town and beyond.

Day 2:

Training session
Cable car up to the top of Table Mountain where they'll enjoy a leisurely walk, 1086m above sea level.

Day 3:

Match v local club with post game hospitality

Day 4:

Tour of Robben Island. They'll experience the first hand history of the Island led by former prisoners as tour guides. Robben Island was used as a prison between the 1600s – 1996 and famously imprisoned Nelson Mandela.

Day 5:

Match v local club with post game hospitality
Dinner at Gold Restaurant – an authentic African experience. Comprised of a 14-dish taster menu, traditional Mali puppets and entertainment throughout.

Day 6:

Visit Spier Cheetah Outreach Programme, to learn of their ongoing efforts to protect the free ranging, South African Cheetah. Students will be able to get up close and personal with many animals including Jackals and bat-eared foxes.
Tour of Stellenbosch University to see both their campus and sports facilities. Home to the Maties Sport, high performance and active lifestyle centres.

Day 7:

Exploration of Stellenbosch. Surrounded by vineyards and mountains, the picturesque town is lined with cafes, boutiques and art galleries. Wander through the Dylan Lewis Sculpture Garden or the University Botanical Garden.
Match v local club with post game hospitality.

Day 8:

Transfer to Aquila Game Reserve for safari. Home to the Big 5, this socially responsible wildlife experience will teach the students of their conservation efforts while allowing them to experience the luxury of African hospitality.
Afternoon game drive
End of Tour Dinner to reflect on the wonders of the South African culture.

Day 9:

Morning game drive
Home time!

Dragon School to Barbados

Sat, 25 Nov 2023 13:46:26 GMT

MSGs Mike Hendey on his trip to Barbados:

As I arrived at Manchester airport, the nerves began to kick in. 2 years since an international trip had gathered at check-in, handed over their passports and taken to the skies on tour.Fate was on our side as all 38 students and staff from The Dragon School received negative test results, navigated security, and boarded the 8-hour flight to Barbados.

Arriving into the heat of the early evening sun, we made our way to the Europa All Seasons Resort on Barbados' iconic west-coast. It's a perfect base for touring groups. In a quiet back street, yet still only 10 minutes' walk to the beach, the students stayed in 4-person mini apartments, with great food on-site and a pool for that all important down time.Fate was on our side as all 38 students and staff from The Dragon School received negative test results, navigated security, and boarded the 8-hour flight to Barbados.

Cricket, hockey and netball in one tour!

After a visit to Kensington Oval on the first day, the sport got underway. The girls competed against select sides from local schools for their hockey fixtures. It was amazing to watch them combine sides, build bonds over the week and be trained by the Bajan coaches.The cricketers had to lather on the sunscreen as some of their games meandered into the early evening but it was well worth it with a few victories coming down to the final ball.

I have to give a special mention to the staff from The Dragon School. Barbados tends to run on its own schedule at the best of times and it requires a certain amount of flexibility. John Holden and his team (Issy, Robyn, Willow, Harry and Neil) rolled with the punches and ensured that the girls and boys of The Dragon School came away with memories that will last a lifetime.The cricketers had to lather on the sunscreen as some of their games meandered into the early evening but it was well worth it with a few victories coming down to the final ball.

From pro-netball training, an impromptu net session with Franklyn Stevenson, bumping into the Barbados national cricket team for autographs, swimming with turtles, sunsets on the beach and a dance off with Spiderman (really!), it was well worth the twists and turns that Barbados can sometimes throw up.

It was a special tour for all of us, made even better by the dedication many of the parents showed to come along and support their sons and daughters. On a personal note, it was privilege to see all our hard work, stress and dedication come to fruition.

REME football to New Orleans and Miami

Sat, 06 May 2023 11:09:19 GMT

Freshly kitted up in L4 Teamwear gear, Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineer (REME) FA men's and women's teams gathered outside Heathrow ready to depart on their 12-day tour covering both Miami, Florida and New Orleans, Louisiana.

The tour kicked off with REME Men vs New Orleans's Blues Brothers and REME Women took on their Women's Soccer XI. Both teams secured wins, with the men winning 4-2 and the women 6-1.

The men's team played match 2 against the New Orleans All Stars giving them a "footballing masterclass" beating them 9-2, then it was on to Miami!

Once in Miami both groups had a private tour of DRV PNK Stadium – the home of David Beckham's Inter Miami.

2 days later they were back again this time amid the action as Inter Miami took on New York Red Bulls. REME watched on from the field-level area 'The Paddock' as Miami took the victory from New York, resulting in plenty of celebration. "The visit to inter Miami was fantastic, the tour and the VIP treatment at the game was amazing." – Yvette Kemp.

Then it was back to business for both teams as they took on Miami Utd FC at Milander Park. The women's game unfortunately ended in a 3-0 loss, whilst the men completed their touring series with a 3-1 win.

We'd like to thank the Army Sports Lottery, Forces Mutual, The REME Charity and the Army Sports Control Board for their help with the funding and administration of this tour as well as thank you to our partner kit company L4 Teamwear.

Military and School Groups to RWC 2023

Sat, 06 May 2023 08:30:37 GMT

When Supporters and Tours Combine!

We are less than one year away from the return of one of the most prestigious tournaments in the sporting world, Rugby World Cup 2023 . We have a record number of our MSG family heading to France to witness history.

Military and school groups will be embarking on their own tours, coinciding with RWC 2023, so will watch the sport they love at the highest possible quality. The two teams ( Royal Logistics Corps Rugby (RLC Rugby ), representing the British Army, and Guilsborough School ) will play their fixtures alongside the tournament unfolding.

RLC Rugby are fielding both a men's and women's team. They will be in France for 14 days, visiting Lyon, Toulouse, Montpellier, and Marseille. They will look to defeat three sets of local opposition, alongside attending two live Rugby World Cup 2023 games.

During the tour, they will have plenty of time to take in the local culture through some sightseeing, exploring the beautiful French cities, and learning about the rich history of Lyon. What more could you want?

Guilsborough School will be in France for four days. The group will spend most of their time in Lille, competing in one fixture. Afterward, they will visit the Stade Pierre-Mauroy to watch their beloved England side take on Chile in what is sure to be a heated affair.

Before heading home, the students will have plenty of time to learn outside the classroom and experience the rich history of the area as they will depart for Ypres, a small town in western Belgium, and the site of the fascinating WWI memorial. They will even lay a wreath to pay respects to fallen soldiers from past battles.

Both tours will be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and we cannot wait to see them out there!

#LetsGetTouring

School sports tours to Malaysia and Singapore

Fri, 06 Jan 2023 12:11:15 GMT

With a thriving school sports scene across all curriculum disciplines, award-winning gastronomy, friendly locals, bustling cities and beautiful beaches, it's little wonder Malaysia is cropping up in conversation so often with our teachers.

Sat just 12 hours' direct flying time from London, students can enjoy the modern comforts of the A380 Malaysia Airlines aircraft and on board entertainment offered on this overnight flight from Heathrow.

One of Kuala Lumpur's key attractions – Malaysia's capital – is its geographical contrasts. Skyscrapers and towers overlook wooden huts surrounded by a panoramic of natural rainforest, all of which offer an exciting array of excursions for your touring group.

Spend the morning exploring the Perdana Botanical Gardens and Forest Research Institute of Malaysia (FRIM) where exotic fauna makes way for colossal trees and walkways guided by local experts. After a sumptuous locally cooked lunch, explore Batu Caves, Chinatown and witness this incredible city from the 41st floor of the world's tallest twin towers – Petronas – as dusk meets night.

Continue your playing experiences in the southern city of Melaka, located 3 hours' bus drive from 'KL'. Take in the modern art at The Orangutan House, sample local delicacies cooked freshly on Jonker Street and revel in the culture of the numerous temples around Bukit St Paul.

Your trip continues to deliver excitement and intrigue, this time with the 4h journey via bus to Singapore. This ultra-modern, English-speaking city entertains endlessly outside of your planned touring fixtures. Must-do's include Singapore Night Safari, journey to Sentosa Island cable car and the stunning Gardens by the Bay. No visit is complete without observing the city from the aerial walkway over Marina Bay Sands Hotel.

My travels and research trips around both Singapore and Malaysia are wholly responsible for the enthusiasm we have for these countries and their suitability for UK school groups. The best bit? The affordability of such a trip in our traditionally higher priced summer months. A travel budget of £1500 per person can go a long way over 11 days to these remarkable areas featuring flights, transfers, 4* hotels, sports fixtures and daily breakfast / dinner sandwiching a number of memorable excursions.

It's a little bit different to most summer touring destinations but that's what we're all about. Taking you outside the touring box and constantly delivering the unexpected .

Ireland v Wales Booking Announcements

Fri, 06 Jan 2023 11:46:51 GMT

In honour of the Ireland v Wales showdown tomorrow in Dublin, we're spotlighting local clubs set to travel with us.

After a brilliant win in the All-Ireland Junior Cup, Clogher Valley RFC in Northern Ireland, are travelling to British Columbia in 2023 to compete in Vancouver and Victoria. Putting the disappointment of a cancelled Lions tour to South Africa behind them, Clogher will head west to explore the best of this stunning region. The visit will include time in the ski resort of Whistler for summer white water rafting.

80 members of Beddau RFC are touring Cape Town, South Africa. They'll watch The Stormers, a professional rugby union team, in the Currie Cup. Later they will test their own skills against a local outfit.

"We wanted to visit a destination with a good blend of rugby, outdoor activities and vibrant nightlife. Cape Town is easy to get to from the UK, plus no jetlag, so we can hit the ground running! It has excellent value for money against the South African Rand in terms of quality of accommodation, food and drink, and a low cost of excursions," commented David Leyshon, Beddau RFC on their reasons for choosing South Africa.

Alongside the rugby highlights, they'll visit Table Mountain, Stellenbosch, and have a tour of the Cape Peninsula to fully experience the beauty of South Africa's Western Cape.

Coleg Gwent Departure to South Africa

Fri, 06 Jan 2023 10:35:35 GMT

Ahead of our travelling Welsh rugby fans following the Series against the Springboks, touring students from Coleg Gwent depart today as our official advanced party.

We are delighted they've been able to embark on this journey after their original tour – due to coincide with the Lions in 2021 – was cancelled due to the Pandemic.

With lots of hard work, planning, late access to funding and sponsorship donations, the tour has become a reality, including prestigious tickets to South Africa v Wales in the first Test at Loftus Versfeld stadium.

As a Coleg Gwent alumni, managing director Mark Gardner has personally organised this tour, knowing the value of it to the boys, having toured with the group to South Africa as a player in 1996.

"Despite two and half decades passing, our group from the '96 trip remain a tight unit with friendships made for life. When the opportunity arose to get the Coleg back in the skies, no stone has been left unturned in making this happen at the most affordable price for the students and staff." – Mark Gardner

MSG's Jen Ellis makes Tour Manager debut in Italy

Fri, 06 Jan 2023 10:24:21 GMT

My Time on Tour - Jen Ellis

Waiting in arrivals for William Allitt School to arrive into Naples Airport filled me with the anticipation for the things to come on this History & Geography tour.

A jam-packed itinerary, which had started to become part my very being. The emails that went to and from various people to get this trip up and running. It all started to feel very real. Sitting behind the computer where you feel in control and organised can not necessarily prepare you for the big wide world.

I was so excited that my first tour away with a group was to somewhere I had visited previously and loved. It wasn't difficult to get to students excited when I visited them for a preparation parents evening of things they could expect. I was nervous about wanting the trip to run smoothly and yes, there may have been bumps in the road, but we can't blame the Romans for the tools that were available to them at the time!

The reason study trips are so important is watching the pieces of the jigsaw fit together. We can read, research and write about history & geography and other subjects in school. However, seeing the ground where the people of Pompeii walked, having the dust from Mount Vesuvius cover your shoes and see the light being bought back to the perished bodies of Herculaneum cannot be measured in the classroom. The adventure, the sights, sounds, laughs with friends, Ice cream and sharing stories are the elements that cannot be planned behind the desk in the office. These are the things that grow and personalise the trip with the memories that last forever. Walking the students down the street from their hotel to watch traditional Italian music being played really is delivering the unexpected.

Not only do we now have a shared experience with people who were strangers when waving the 'Let's Get Touring' card at. But leaving the group outside Naples Archaeological Museum to the chorus of goodbyes and thank you and seeing the delight, yet slightly tired faces was worth all the hard work.

And as Pliny the Elder said on his Pompeii rescue mission – 'Fortune Favours the brave'.

Ski trip bookings are in!

Fri, 06 Jan 2023 09:50:25 GMT

Nothing quite comes close to the February half-term build up. Why? Because it's ski time! We're thrilled to say ski is back with a bang in 2023 and we're excited to be hosting 4 awesome groups as they head off in search of snow, sun and adventure.

Putney High School are embarking on their second ski tour with MSG, returning to Marilleva 1400. They'll make use of the ski-in-ski-out accommodation and the connectivity of this hidden gem as they hop on the cable car up to the larger resort of Madonna. Just across the valley, Eaton Square Mayfair will be spending their week in the picturesque Hotel Bezze and skiing the gentle slopes of Passo Tonale. It's great to have them back with us after their travel plans were disrupted during the pandemic.

As if we'd not already packed enough in to a busy February already, as Eaton Square and Putney are departing the UK, across in Asia, Haileybury Almaty will be departing Kazakhstan and flying to Tbilisi in Georgia. We're accustomed to Delivering the Unexpected but even for us, this is a unique opportunity. Haileybury will spend the night in Tbilisi with their guide before heading over the Gudauri for 5 unforgettable days of skiing.

There'll be no time to rest on our laurels though as we then send long term friends of MSG Tours, The Chase School, off to Madonna di Campiglio. Staying at the iconic Hotel Catturani, they'll be taking over 70 students in search of blue sky and the perfect powder in a resort that's become known as the Pearl of the Dolomites.

Winter is coming and at MSG, we're ready! If you want to start planning your ski tour for 2024, now is the perfect time, so why not get in touch?

#LetsGetTouring

MSG's Ben Anglade Makes Tour Inspection Debut in the Basque Country!

Mon, 19 Dec 2022 16:49:14 GMT

Ben Anglade, our newest tour operator, made his debut on our final trip of the year, flanked by fellow operator Jen Ellis, as Mill Hill School departed for the Basque region.

The duo arrived in Bordeaux late on 11th December to see as much of the local culture as possible. They collected a car and departed for Anglet, then on to San Sebastian where the pair met with our Head of European Operations Stuart Lock, who lives out in the Basque Country.

The following day started with a transfer to Bilbao for a visit to the Guggenheim Museum and a tour of San Mamés, the home of Spanish football side Athletic Bilbao. They also visited the markets in Bilbao, where they could take in some of the local culture and get a taste of what Bilbao has to offer.

The final full day saw the pair transfer to Bidart, Biarritz, and Bayonne in search of the best excursions for future touring groups. This resulted in a visit to the aquarium in Biarritz, the "beautiful" square in Bidart, and much more. Their trip was bookended with a return to Bordeaux, as they took in the atmosphere as France took on Morocco in the FIFA World Cup semi-final match.

I caught up with Ben after the tour:

" After just a month at MSG Tours, I was given the opportunity to head over to the Basque country and familiarise myself with one of our most popular tour destinations. Over the course of my 3-day visit, I had the chance to experience some of the finest food, architecture, landscapes, and cultural experiences that the region has to offer, from the Guggenheim in Bilbao to the Chocolate Museum in Bayonne. Most importantly, I feel confident in my ability to operate bespoke tours in the area, with recommendations for touring groups based on personal experience. "

RLC Rugby to France

Tue, 22 Nov 2022 08:15:02 GMT

RLC Rugby was among the exceptional touring groups that embarked on their own rugby tour whilst in France for Rugby World Cup 2023. They were able to not only witness thrilling games but also play their own fixtures. 60 individuals embarked on a 14-day journey, traversing six locations, forging new connections, and creating cherished memories.

Their journey began with a flight to Lyon. Two full days in the enchanting 'City of Light' provided ample time for exploration of iconic landmarks before proceeding to the OL Stadium. There, they were treated to a spectacular display of New Zealand's prowess as they triumphed over Uruguay with a score of 73-0.

The next destination was Toulouse, offering both a playing fixture and another World Cup game. Whether it was mingling with the Flying Fijians before their match with Portugal or playing their first game against the French Fire Service team, they were treated to the unexpected throughout.

What followed was two fixtures in two different cities. They travelled to Nimes and Toulon where they explored each city and went head-to-head with Marguerittes Rugby Club and the Royal Navy Rugby Union respectively. Each fixture concluded with a social hosted by the opposing teams, allowing players the chance to get to know their opposition.

The tour reached its pinnacle with a weekend in Marseille. Despite not being initially planned, RLC Rugby received an invitation to MSG's L'Apero event, featuring guest speaker, the legendary British rugby figure Jamie Roberts. They became the stars of the event as they displayed the traditional Siva Tau (Samoan War Dance) to our supporters. They were also in attendance for both quarter-final games in Marseille (Wales v Argentina and England v Fiji) before returning to the UK.

We sincerely hope that the members of RLC Rugby enjoyed an exceptional time and have created lifelong memories from this tour!

St David's Rugby tour to Gibraltar

Thu, 06 Jan 2022 10:58:28 GMT

Flying into Gibraltar, just south of Spain, St David's College settled in for their 5-day rugby tour.

After much deliberation, tour leader Mr Lycett settled on Gibraltar: "We like to tour places slightly off the beaten track with previous trips encompassing Georgia and the Basque region in Spain. (This) trip to Gibraltar we hope is the start of many trips to this hidden gem."

As well as absorbing Gibraltarian culture, it was important that the team had a distinct rugby experience. In their first fixture, St David's lined up against a Gibraltar Select XV. After an impressive game, it was great for the team to get the tour off to a winning start. According to Mr Lycett, "The boys put on a real display of what they are capable of."

But it wasn't all intense games and training, the next day they climbed The Rock, which Lycett described as "the mother of the Beast (skip leg day) walk." The evening was spent exploring more of what Gibraltar had to offer.

On a high from their first win, the group travelled across the border to neighbouring Spain for their second match, against Marbella Rugby Club. After a day of high-quality rugby and gracious hosts, they headed back to Gibraltar, ready for another day.

Whilst spending their last day soaking up even more Gibraltarian history at the Kings Bastion, an ex-military fortress, Mr Lycett reflected on the meaning of this tour:

"Getting back to the core of what makes school sport pretty darn special. Experiences, people, enjoyment, testing yourself in new environments."

Travel is officially back! What a week it has been.

Army Medical Services Tour 2022

Thu, 06 Jan 2022 10:48:40 GMT

Army Medical Services Football Tour to the Deep South

A very warm welcome to the Army Medical Services who travel with MSG on their two-state military football tour to Nashville and Atlanta in September. This trip was set to depart in 2020 and postponed due to covid restrictions. Now travel is back, and they're set to travel in September 2022.

Last week, I caught up with the Tour Leader, Sgt. Jordan Page from the Queen Alexander Royal Army Nursing Corps on his career and the work he's put in to get this tour off the ground.

"I'm a bit different because of my Cap Badge, my trade within the army. The football team is the AMS, made up of 4 corps: the Royal Army Medical Corp – your combat medical technicians, doctors, paramedics who all fall under that cap badge. Then you've the Royal Army Dental Corp which does what it says on the tin. The Veterinary Corp (comprises of) vets, dog handlers and the likes. Then my cap badge is the Queen Alexander's Royal Army Nurses Corp. So, I'm obviously a qualified nurse but within my Corp we've got nurses and healthcare assistants."

Jordan, like many of the team, has been essential in the Covid-19 response. He's recently spent a few months in Scotland working in the high dependency units to cover staff shortages, and in vaccination centres around the country. Due to the nature of the Army, particularly in the AMS, they often get deployed overseas or around the country, which can make planning a tour and organising the troops difficult. However, this makes the tour and all the time spent as a team even more valuable.

Army Sport

"The Army puts a lot of emphasis on sport and rightly so," said Jordan. "It brings out your natural leadership, communication skills and (is) a good way for people to decompress if they've been busy". Due to this focus on sport within the military, they've been successful in getting funding from The Army Sports Lottery, The Berlin Infantry Memorial Fund, AMS Sports Union, and several private sponsorships to make this trip a success. None of this would be possible without sign off from the Army Sport Control Board.

"I must have gone through a process of speaking to about 20 different companies getting a list of around 50 quotes. And, actually, your company, I hadn't heard of until last minute when one of lads I know said I went on a tour with (MSG), might be worth contacting them."

Two years of communication later due to Covid and army restrictions, here we are. We are delighted that his hard work has paid off and this important trip is finally happening.

The team will be playing three touring fixtures and receiving pro-coaching in both Atlanta and Nashville. The tour will be crucial for building the team's morale and preparing them for the season ahead.

REME BOOKING ANNOUNCEMENT!

Wed, 01 Dec 2021 16:46:51 GMT

2022 Military Booking Announcement

We are delighted to announce the Army's Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (REME) have secured three overseas tours to the USA with MSG.

REME Rugby Union are returning for their second tour (Washington and Richmond, Virginia) after previously visiting Australia and Malaysia.

"After the two-year delay of our 1st team's four-yearly rugby tour we are very much looking forward to facing our American cousins on the rugby pitch. We have a great military relationship with America and to face the U.S Marines in the first match is a great privilege. The REME toured Washington in 1985 and we hope to share our experiences with our Veterans who will no doubt relive great times."

The male and female basketball groups are visiting Nashville, Memphis and New Orleans whilst the male and female football teams head to New Orleans and Miami.

"The REME Basketball Team is one of the most successful Corps teams within Army sport and has enjoyed tremendous success over the years. In order to continue this impressive record, the REME Basketball Committee plan to deploy the team on a sports tour to Nashville, Memphis and New Orleans.

The tour will strengthen existing, and forge new, relationships with the US Military. It'll showcase the REME as a brand of the British Army within a sporting arena. It's also a fantastic opportunity to conduct high intensity basketball to enhance the REME Basketball team capability for the foreseeable future."

"America's development of both men's and women's football makes this an exciting touring prospect for our male and female teams. This tour comes as a welcome change from the suppressed travel news in recent weeks. REME FA look forward to the touring opportunities the future brings alongside our travel partners at MSG." Major S Lamont, REME

We'd like to thank the Army Sports Lottery and the Army Sports Control Board for their help with the funding and administration of these tours.

Such visits give the opportunity to compete against opposition of a different culture and in many cases train and/or compete in challenging conditions. They can also be used to reward achievement and as a means of developing team spirit.

– The Army Sports Control Board

We wish them the best of luck with their tour. We can't wait to see them in the USA next summer!

Bath City FC to the Midlands

Thu, 25 Nov 2021 13:30:57 GMT

Bath City FC's u16s visited us in the Midlands this Easter for a football tour to remember.

With their original plans to Holland having to change, the MSG team rose to the challenge and pulled together an amazing long weekend in the UK. Leaving early from their ground in Bath, the group made their way north to St George's Park. Here the players were put through their paces by Game Changer Performance, working on strength and recovery. The parents meanwhile were hard at work in the on-site Hilton hotel, making sure that everything at the bar was in order.

The following day, the group rose early and made their way to Alton Towers for a full day at the theme park before returning back for a curry evening in Derby. On Sunday, they made the journey to semi-pro outfit Quorn FC's ground for a training session with Ammy Ninje, current Lead Phase Development coach at Notts County and the Technical Director to the Tanzanian FA. Once put through their paces, they played out a thrilling 6-3 loss to Ellistown in the Easter sun. After a bit of food, they headed back to the Jury's Inn for the night.

On Monday they bid farewell to Derby. We couldn't let them have a boring drive back to Bath though so we worked in a few stops on the way. First up was a 3 hour paintballing session with Deltaforce, with players and parents pitted against each other! Once they'd dusted themselves down, it was back on the road to Bristol, where they watched Bristol City Vs Sheffield United as they played out a 1-1 draw.

REME Rugby to Washington

Thu, 25 Nov 2021 13:02:35 GMT

We spoke to Tour Leader and Captain Steve Blanks before they departed for Washington, who stated "after the two-year delay of our 1st team's four-yearly rugby tour we are very much looking forward to facing our American cousins on the rugby pitch. We have a great military relationship with America and to face a team comprised of serving and ex-US Marines in the first match is a great privilege. The REME toured Washington in 1985 and we hope to share our experiences with our Veterans' who will no doubt relive great times."

Since returning from Washington, we sat down again with Captain Blanks to discuss his PXR (post-exercise review) of the tour:

"The tour kicked off with a train in session next to the iconic Abraham Lincoln Memorial, before the next day's opening fixture against MUTS XV (Military, Unified, Touring Selects). We beat them 38–17 and played at Stan's Farm, which was something of legend on the Virginia rugby scene.

"The following day, I set up a visit to Arlington cemetery and we completed a wreath-laying ceremony at the monument of the senior British soldier Field Marshal Dill and then a public ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier with their honour guard.

"The second fixture came a few days later against Washington Irish, which we won in convincing fashion 41–5. It was a hard-fought match and a great physical contest. The hosts were amazing afterwards. Excellent yet again.

"We then had a free day in the schedule and travelled to Philadelphia for the day. I managed to get us two free tram coaches and a visit to the Union League Club, all funded by the American military. What a great day!

"The final fixtures were set across a big match day. We tried to play two matches with a small squad against University of Mary Washington and James River Rugby, winning one and narrowly losing the other against a fit college team.

"After a few days of rest, rehab, and some more excursions, we arrived back home on August 31. It was an amazing trip and everyone on it said it's the best they've ever been on, and we are already planning the next one.

"We have lots of people to thank who all contributed to making this tour a five-star experience; MBDA, CGIUK, REME Charity, REME Museum, KJW Drylining Ltd., Solar Medical & Chemical Ltd. and Balan Sports International.

"We would also like to thank L4 Teamwear for providing the amazing kits that we wore throughout the tour, plus the Army Sports Lottery and Army Sports Control Board for their help with the funding and administration of these tours. The last mention, of course, goes to MSG for setting up the tour and being on hand throughout to make our logistics as seamless as possible"

MSG welcomes two new apprentices to the team!

Fri, 05 Nov 2021 15:37:56 GMT

MSG Tours Ltd announce two new apprentices

Natalia, ‘The Detective’, joins us as our Accounting Assistant to aid our financial and administration duties. Lucy, ‘The Northerner’, arrives as our Marketing Assistant to aid the growth of our social media and online presence.

Both starters will be crucial in the continued expansion and development of MSG, as we welcome the lifting of travel restrictions. Both are enthusiastic to be working with us, especially to work on exciting new projects such the upcoming Italy v England Six Nations tours .

We’d like to thank Mitre Group and EMA Training for providing this opportunity. This is all made possible by the government’s Apprenticeship Scheme who’ve allocated businesses funding in an aim to “connect people with ambition to businesses with vision”.

Introducing Natalia

Natalia, an impressive young talent who’s fluent in Polish, commented:

“After spending my first month watching how the business works and getting to grips with the finances, I’m excited for my future with MSG and the opportunities presented by the role. MSG is enticing for me as it’s an opportunity to learn about other countries, which is unusual in my field. I love travelling and can’t wait to help you have the perfect trip!”

Introducing Lucy

Lucy, who moved to Derbyshire from North Yorkshire for this role, commented:

“To be offered experience and training with a company as established and invigorating as MSG is incredible, as it encapsulates all my loves: cricket, sports and travelling.”

CEO Mark Gardner commented:

“Despite the ruthless nature of the Pandemic, we’re determined to build the business back to pre-Covid strengths. Offering a career in travel – supported by external learning and accreditation providers – is a formula we are excited to develop through an academy-style structure.”

NFL Miami Long Weekender

Tue, 31 Aug 2021 14:15:01 GMT

NFL Miami Long Weekender

5-11 January 2022 Miami Dolphins v New England Patriots

6 DAYS | 5-11 January 2022

Looking to tick off the NFL bucket list? If a London getaway doesn’t quite possess that authentic feel, join MSG in Miami this January for the Dolphins v Pats at the hosts’ Hard Rock Stadium.

With direct flights from Heathrow with Virgin Atlantic, soak up Miami’s South Beach from your exclusive residence at The Generator Miami for 4 x nights including daily breakfast and airport transportation.

Game day includes exclusive access to our rooftop brunch alongside our visiting fans flying south from Massachusetts. Shuttle across town for your ticket-inclusive experience for this regular season closer where Superbowl places are firmly on these teams’ agendas.

Fans can also experience the Florida Keys as part of MSG in Miami . With plenty of time to hit South Beach and its eccentric local nightlife, this long weekend in the sunshine offers the perfect getaway to escape a chilly UK winter.

Generator Hotel, Miami Beach

Found on Collins Avenue in the heart of South Beach, Generator Miami is designed to let you party in the city where the heat is on, all night, on the beach till the break of dawn. Just 15 minutes from the airport and 100 feet away from the beach, Generator Miami embraces an original aesthetic, combining classic American glamour with a taste of Cuban spice –making it the perfect backdrop for an experience-led stay.

Inclusions

Heathrow to Miami with Virgin Atlantic/British Airways (direct flights)
23kg hold luggage
Resort airport transfers
4 x nights’ quad-share accommodation at The Generator
(based on quad share accommodation)
Daily breakfasts
Match tickets for Miami Dolphins v New England Patriots (Upper Tier)
Pre-game brunch
Match transportation
MSG in Miami event staff

Exclusions

Travel insurance
US ESTA visa
Any relevant PCR testing associated with international travel

Travel information

FCDP Traffic Light status: AMBER
Link to FCDO’s official USA travel advice

6-Day Tour (5-11 January 2022)
£1,193pp

£199.00pp deposit (on booking)
£399.00pp (01 November 2021)
Final balance (01 December)

BOOKINGS NOW OPEN: CLICK HERE

Dubai 7's – First Tour Back!

Tue, 06 Jul 2021 12:33:37 GMT

After 20 months without travel, we flew our supporters out to the UAE for the Dubai 7's. And what a trip it was! Soaking up the winter sunshine, rubbing shoulders with some of rugby's greatest names with a beer in hand and watching the live action with fellow fans. What could be better?

"After two years of putting various travel plans on hold it felt so good to be back overseas. We knew we were in safe hands with MSG Tours who kept us up to date throughout the who the process with any Covid related changes. Dubai 7's had a fantastic festival like atmosphere with so much to see and do, all of which was seamlessly organised. It was great to enjoy the rugby (and the winter sun!) with a cracking bunch of people."

It was a successful weekend for team GB who debuted this year after the amalgamation of home nations. GB's women placed 10th whilst the men finished 5th on debut, beating Kenya and just edging Ireland in a thriller. Congratulations to South Africa Men's team who beat Australia in the final and Australia Women who beat Fiji to secure their 5th Dubai 7's win in 10 years.

Results

"After another tough year I couldn't wait for some winter sun in one of my favourite places in the world. Naturally, there were some reservations considering recent news surrounding Covid however this did not stop the group and I having a weekend to remember! Dubai Sevens had been on my bucket list for a few years and it certainly did not disappoint! The extra year planning made for a flawless event with everything a sun loving rugby fan could want." – MSG Tour Operator

'The Emirates Dubai 7's is about so much more than just what takes place on Pitch One. It's about the young and the old; it's about all three of our sports, be it on pitch, oval or court. It's about community and sharing experiences about people from all over the world.' – Tournament Director Tom Burwell

We're going back to Dubai for Dubai 7's 2022, we hope to see you there!

#10kaday for One Million Rand

Wed, 19 May 2021 09:22:54 GMT

One Million Rand #10kaday

By Sam Brooks

Since the turn of the year, the dream of hundreds of MSG Tours patrons partaking in the tour of a lifetime to South Africa in the summer of 2021, has unfortunately faded. As a member of the team that has worked on the Lions 2021 project, I have personally seen the immense quantity and quality of work that the dedicated staff and partners have invested into realising what would have been MSG’s greatest hour.

My inspiration for embarking on my challenge is the commitment that we made to five South African charities. The prohibition of travelling fans on this year’s Lions tour will have huge ramifications for those who need the tour to go ahead the most – the South Africans. To try and combat this, MSG aim to raise One Million Rand for charities to receive essential funding to continue the amazing work that they do in helping the South African people. Without the footfall of British and Irish fans at this year’s tour, South Africans will not be boosted by the critical economic lifeline that is tourists spending money abroad (£330 million according to a recent Guardian report). We still want to do OUR bit.

My belief is that completing a challenge as ridiculous as running 10 kilometres every day for 173 days, from the 1st February 2021 until the 1st Lions Test Match against the Springboks on the 24th July 2021, will encourage people to support my cause and edge us closer to that One Million Rand mark.

I won’t lie, I’ve been through a fair amount in the past 107 days! From snow to sunshine, falls to near failure, pain to personal bests; the past three and a half months have been mentally and physically testing.

To finish with a flourish, MSG’s founder and managing director, Mark Gardner will run a marathon with me (42.2 kilometres) to tick off the final four days of my challenge. Whilst this may potentially finish me off for good, I believe it to be an appropriate conclusion to the ordeal. I hope by then that we can raise some significant funds for the fantastic five charities supported by the One Million Rand project.

It is only fitting that I complete my challenge with the man behind the charitable project’s mission. Also, I can’t say no to the marathon idea: he is my boss after all!

You can support Sam in his personal mission by making a donation here to the One Million Rand Go Fund Me page. No matter how big or small, each pledge helps us meet our Company’s commitment to making a difference in South Africa: a country that will continually struggle through the pandemic and beyond.

Lions Fans' Petition Update – Mark Gardner

Thu, 14 Jan 2021 10:22:58 GMT

Keep the Lions Tour in South Africa – Postpone to 2022 and DO NOT switch to UK and Ireland

In just over two days, more than 2,700 rugby fans have signed this petition to postpone the Lions Tour to 2022 and keep it in South Africa.

Two of those to have signed are former Lions stars, Graham Price and Tim Stimpson . Other past rugby players adding their name to the list are ex-Springboks, Tonderai Chavanga, Corne Krige and ex-England prop and media star, David Flatman.

The supporter who is personally fronting the campaign is our MD and five-time Lions tourist, Mark Gardner .

Asked by South African newspaper, The Weekend Argus why he launched the campaign, Mark explained: "I decided to start this Petition to give an official fans' viewpoint on what the tour means to them. The rugby games are a circular process of making friendships, experiencing a new culture, exploring new lands and investing in the local economy. It's part of Lions DNA and folklore and should not be tampered with."

SIGN TO KEEP THE LIONS TOUR IN SA

Thanks to HUGE backing from supporters, The Sun , Daily Mail , Irish Examiner , The Scotsman , News24 and an array of other media outlets have all reported the story. Popular social media accounts, including RugbyPass, have also promoted the campaign alongside numerous media outlets across South Africa.

Help protect the magic of the Lions and South Africa tourism. Our ONE MILLION RAND charities need this. The game of rugby needs this. But, most of all, the fans need this.

Mark Gardner
Lions Fan

Show your support by signing the petition via the link below

SIGN TO POSTPONE TO 2022

Keep the Lions Tour in South Africa – Postpone to 2022 and DO NOT switch to UK and Ireland

Mon, 11 Jan 2021 11:54:22 GMT

Save South African Tourism #SAnotUK

Covid-19 will almost certainly prevent the 2021 British & Irish Lions tour from taking place in the host country of South Africa.

I am petitioning for the home nations of England (RFU), Scotland (SRU), Ireland (IRFU) Wales (WRU) who collectively make up the British & Irish Lions Board, and South Africa (SA Rugby) to do the right thing by agreeing to switch the Lions tour to 2022, placing this before the needs of their own country's proposed summer tours.

As The Sunday Times ' esteemed journalist, Stephen Jones described in his article on 10th January 2021, 'The Lions bring a marvellous boost for rugby and the economy — a conservative estimate for 2021 indicates that 3.1 billion Rand (about £150 million) will be injected into the faltering economy by about 30,000 fans.'

Ex-Springbok, Tonderai Chavhanga supports this notion. "As a country, we've been excitedly preparing for this event for 12 years. Our fantastic fans should not be denied the opportunity to watch this Series, nor should our tourism infrastructure suffer any further financial losses that Covid has already delivered."

SIGN TO KEEP THE LIONS TOUR IN SA

What makes the Lions special, what makes the Lions unique is the power it has to tempt 30,000+ passionate rugby fans from across the British and Irish Isles to embark on a sporting pilgrimage to the opposite side of the globe. The recipients and beneficiaries are thousands of South African supporters, businesses and organisations that have dedicated their resources to hosting our travelling army of fans.

Mark Gardner
Lions Fan

Show your support by signing the petition via the link below

SIGN TO POSTPONE TO 2022

Kevin Smith joins the board MSG Tours Ltd

Mon, 11 Jan 2021 11:48:25 GMT

Kevin Smith joins the board at MSG Tours Ltd

Kevin ‘The Guru’ Smith joins MSG in a Non-Executive Director role to oversee events, partnerships and sustainability programmes. With an extensive travel CV, Kevin boasts senior travel industry leadership experience (Mike Burton Group/England Rugby Travel, Lions Rugby Travel and Team GB Live) where he was a member of the Executive Team plus an established portfolio of professional sports franchises including Southampton FC, Birmingham City FC, Bristol City FC, Hampshire Cricket and Oxford United FC.

Introducing “The Guru”

CEO, Mark Gardner commented:

“Whilst many travel operators have reduced scale and operations during Covid-19, our growth in all four operational sectors has supported the acquisition and promotion of key talent for our organisation’s three international offices.

Kevin, who lead the sales and marketing function of 2017 Lions travel programme to New Zealand, added:

“I’d been a very interested observer of MSG Tours’ impressive growth over the past 5 years and once I met Mark and the Board, the decision to join them was a simple one. From a culture and values perspective, we are very much aligned and their recent appointment as an Official Travel Agent for Rugby World Cup 2023 confirms their status as one of the biggest sports travel companies in the UK. I’m delighted to join the Board and excited to get started”

Register your interest for our Supporters’ Tours now

From Supporter in Japan to Team MSG

Thu, 07 Jan 2021 12:03:49 GMT

From Supporter in Japan to Staff in South Africa

It is almost a year to the day that Matt ‘The Energy’ Davies joined the team. He takes you on his unique journey as a supporter on tour with us in Japan to a member of staff with MSG.

A year ago, I received a phone call from Mark about the possibility of joining the MSG team in the company’s brand-new Welsh office to work on the upcoming Supporters’ Projects. Travel and sport are two of my biggest passions so there wasn’t much thinking to do and I accepted the role. Here I am a year later, fully immersed in all things Lions and Rugby World Cup , feeling #TravelPositive about what the future holds. But my journey with MSG started a few months before the phone call from Mark.

Matt’s MSG journey

My sights had been set on following Wales at Rugby World Cup in Japan 2019 for years – a country I wouldn’t think to visit if it wasn’t for the oval ball. Sat at my desk at work, things weren’t going in the right direction for me and I knew I needed a change. A quick check for tickets. Fiji and Uruguay. That’ll do. How about flights? Return to Tokyo, via Moscow for less than £500. Works for me. Struggling for accommodation around Wales pool matches, I put out a desperate Tweet to see if I could find somewhere to stay. That’s when MSG Tours came to save the day – cape and all! I’d always been against ever using tour operators, just so I could DIY my trip and save a few quid. But here I was being rescued by one. I booked on alongside my mate, Dan. And using MSG’s own slogan, we #DeliveredTheUnexpected for them with Dan breaking his leg a few weeks before we were meant to travel. With Dan’s trip hanging in the balance (I was going without him, sorry pal!), MSG immediately quashed any worries we had and just told us to get Dan out there. So yesterday I went to check if there were tickets left for RWC in Japan…

Supporter in Japan

And thankfully, he came. Because it was quite frankly the best experience of my life! I always knew I was going to have an unforgettable time in the Land of the Rising Sun but I didn’t expect it to tower above the other experiences I had in travel.

What really took it up a few notches was travelling with MSG. Being surprised at the pre-match event in Beppu where a choir of Japanese schoolchildren belted out a thunderous rendition of ‘Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau’ really set the tone for the tour (I wasn’t crying – there was dust in the air).

Regular karaoke nights and a few Asahi beers meant we built up a close-knit camaraderie with our fellow tourists. Everyone was willing to help me push Dan in his wheelchair on our excursions or help me carry his luggage when transferring. And, despite there being some big age gaps, we made friends for life over our mutual love of Wales and rugby.

“Everything I expected an organised tour to be, it was not”

The MSG Tour Staff were a big part of the group, joining in and averting any possibility of an ‘ us and them ’ divide. It really felt as they wanted to get to know every single supporter on that trip. Even on free days, they were finding us places to eat, things to do and coming along with us, too. They were one of us!

To finish the tour, ahead of the quarter-final vs France, MSG held a light-hearted tour award ceremony with the humorous Tom Shanklin leading proceedings while everyone was given a drink or two. Another unexpected highlight with everyone belly-laughing like we had done the whole trip and my mate, Dan winning the Supporter of the Tour (I’m still not over it!).

Everything I expected an organised tour would be, it was not. I didn’t want to be herded like cattle onto buses, I didn’t want to be told what to do. I wanted experiences and emotion. Put it this way, I knew who I was going to the next Rugby World Cup with in 2023. A part of Team MSG

Fast forward 14 months and here I am creating content for you all about the incredible Supporters’ Tours we will deliver for you all over the next few years. Having been there and done it as an MSG Supporter, I can’t wait to help use my knowledge as a rugby fan to deliver unique experiences for you. And, of course, to share a drink with the many familiar faces from Japan.

I’m still as keen to go to France with MSG as I was at the end of 2019, but this time I’ll be going as a part of Team MSG.

Find out more about our Supporters’ Tours to South Africa 2021

South Africa 2021: The Big 5 reasons to travel with MSG Tours

Thu, 07 Jan 2021 11:36:00 GMT

The Big 5 reasons to travel with MSG Tours

Booking an overseas trip without an operator can be risky business – even more so with what has been going on in the world recently. You can get a whole lot more with MSG: remove the risk and enjoy a financially secure, worry-free experience which will stay with you forever.

Lion, leopard, buffalo, rhino and elephant. South Africa’s very own Big 5. But we’ve got Big 5 reasons of our own to travel with MSG Tours to South Africa

Protection and flexibility

MSG Tours is an ATOL protected company and a member of ABTA. In these ‘unprecedented times’, it is vital your travel and your money is secure. If you go it alone and DIY your tour, you have almost zero flexibility and could lose money whilst also placing the administration with yourself. Even after booking, if you want to alter or change something, we can offer that. A refund would be offered if the tour dates cannot move following advice from the FCO on non-essential travel to South Africa during the contracted travel period.

Read our COVID-19 statement here

Affordability

Our most economical and inclusive tour at just £3966.43pp is The Giraffe . It is built around the last traditional warm-up match vs the Bulls in Pretoria and the opening Test vs the Springboks in Johannesburg (with a few days’ stay in Cape Town in between).

Our Three-Test tours start at £5,386.63pp which are some of the most affordable out there! ( Based on analysis of official packages for the 2017 Lions tour to New Zealand versus non-ticket inclusive tours, our tours are expected to be 35-40% less than Official Sub-Agents). Lions Rugby Travel come in at £6,795pp for their cheapest available fully escorted tour , meaning you’ll be paying over £1,400 extra for the guarantee of tickets with no excursions*.

With great value for money, our tours are jam-packed with amazing excursions and memorable experiences.

We have payment plans, too! Instead of having to part with every penny in one go, you can spread out the cost of our tour from now until May 2021 with flexible payment options including debit and credit cards to build up those all important air-miles.

*This information is correct as of 19/08/2020

Travel stress-free and safely

There will be a Tour Manager to every group of 20 people who you will be very much a part of your tour group. They will lead you on your journey around this beautiful country every step of the way and will always be on hand to help you, whether that’s finding you the best spot to eat or giving you a hand carrying a round of drinks.

Your safety is MSG’s number one priority, before COVID was around and even more so now. It would be remiss of us not to consider the health and hygiene in these ‘unprecedented times.’ Adopting the WTTC’s ‘Safe Travels’ protocols, they will all be trained in the latest COVID safety measures to keep you all safe.

Oh, and they are actually pretty cool, too! Joining in with the fun, they’ll be more than happy to share a drink with you. Many of our clients have formed tight bonds with our managers on our tours and have become friends for life!

Our Supporters love MSG

90% of our tourists from New Zealand 2017 have already booked on for South Africa 2021. These are now granted the title of our ‘Loyal Lions’ and will shout loudly and proudly about all things MSG. Many of their friends and family who they have recommended us to have also booked on for the tour. These join the other Supporters who have been on any of our other tours as our exclusive ‘Follow the Herd’ group.

We’ve had amazing feedback from all of our tourists justified with a Net Promoter Score of 80, which is extremely impressive for travel (For context, AirBnB scored 44 and TUI scored 45)

The MSG Way

Every day is game day on tour with MSG. The rugby is important – we know that! But it makes up just 3 days of the tour. We want our Supporters to be waking up every day with the same buzz they get before the big match. It’s only the best places and best excursions for our tourists!

That is why we’ve put in a large amount of detailed work into ensuring this tour is the biggest and best yet. Leaving no stone unturned, we have embarked on THREE INTENSE INSPECTION VISITS to South Africa, planning every minute detail. This will take us to not just one, but TWO COUNTRIES as we visit neighbouring Eswatini , too.

One of our tour goals is to raise ONE MILLION RAND for South African charities, leaving a legacy by giving back to the communities which welcome us. We’d love for you to join us on our journey around the Rainbow Nation which will leave, not only you, but the people of South Africa, with memories of a lifetime.

For a Supporters’ Tour to South Africa that’s more than just the rugby, do it ‘the MSG

Enquire about South Africa 2021 NOW!

Rugby World Cup 2023: The Draw

Mon, 14 Dec 2020 16:07:47 GMT

The pools for Rugby World Cup 2023 have been drawn and there are already some mouth-watering clashes to look forward to.

It may be 3 years till we’re in France, but the excitement, anticipation and predictions can begin now we know which nations will be going head-to-head in the pool phases. Register your interest in France 2023 with MSG

The Pools for RWC 2023

New Zealand would have wanted to avoid being pitted against the host nation – France – who have caused them some trouble at previous tournaments. But, alongside the Italians, that’s exactly who they’ve got in Pool A!

Ireland and Scotland meet each other once again while they also have the small matter of overcoming the current World Champions – the Springboks.

Pool C has a sense of déjà vu about it with Wales drawn against the same opponents from their pools in both 2015 and 2019 – Australia and Fiji. (And don’t mention what happened when they last met the Flying Fijians at a Rugby World Cup in France.)

The final group sees England face stern tests against Japan, who thrive on the big Rugby World Cup occasion and an Argentina team who’ve just beaten the All Blacks for the very first time.

Watch your nation at RWC 2023

With just under 3 years to go until France 2023, the remaining spots in the pools will be made up of teams who qualify from their specific international competitions.

But whatever happens, we already have some fascinating match-ups to look forward to in the 10th edition of Rugby World Cup.

And YOU can be there to witness the greatest rugby spectacle with MSG Tours .

Register your interest today and you can be the first to know about our ticket-inclusive Official Rugby World Cup Travel packages.

Be first to know about our Supporters’ Tours to RWC 2023

MSG Tours announces new Finance Director

Thu, 03 Dec 2020 10:30:38 GMT

MSG Tours Ltd announces new directorship with Company expansion during Covid-19.

Exponential growth and forward bookings in school educational travel , sporting tours and international sports events / hospitality provide the platform for extending the MSG Tours Ltd leadership team through 2021 and beyond.

Following MSG’s recent appointment as an Official Travel Agent (OTA) for Rugby World Cup France 2023 , Finance Manager, Lucy Hey steps up to the Board to oversee the Company’s projects and acquisitions following four years of strategic growth management, including a recent return from maternity leave.

The invitation and acceptance by Lucy Hey to step up to the Board capacity follows a robust recruitment campaign during the pandemic. Three appointments have been made within the Company’s events and marketing teams that defy the industry trend of head count losses in and around the travel sector.

Introducing MSG’s new Finance Director

MSG’s new Finance Director, Lucy Hey said:

“Being part of an up-and-coming business that challenges the industry with everything it does has been such an honour.

“I’m delighted that I’ve supported the company through its start-up years (including the pandemic of 2020) so to join the Board as Finance Director of what is now an established business makes me very proud.”

CEO, Mark Gardner commented on the exciting news:

“Whilst many travel operators have reduced scale and operations during Covid-19, our growth in all operational sectors has supported the acquisition and promotion of key talent for our organisation’s three international offices.

“Both a precocious talent and hugely popular figure in our organisation, Lucy’s trajectory announces one of the Midlands’ success stories in female leadership at just 22 years of age.”

Lucy will commence her new directorship with MSG at the beginning of the New Year, in January 2021.

Inspection Visit to South Africa: Vaughan Voyage's Guest Diary

Fri, 27 Nov 2020 13:04:38 GMT

Inspection Visit to South Africa

Vaughan Voyage’s Guest Diary

Our West Walian partners at Vaughan Voyage will be bringing a strong, passionate and vocal contingent with them as they join us in South Africa next summer. In Scarlets heartland, rugby flows in the blood while Welsh song is embedded deep in the soul.

That’s why their very own, Daniel, accompanied us to the Rainbow Nation back in February to ensure everything was perfect for his loyal and partisan supporters.

In our very first guest diary, Daniel gives us a little insight into the trip and what to expect in South Africa 2021. From Jo’burg to the Bush

We all have our own preconceptions of South Africa. I was no different! Excitement, trepidation and anticipation kept me occupied on the 12-hour flight. We arrived at OR Tambo International Airport, Johannesburg , bright eyed and bushy tailed ready to be delighted and amazed!

Welcoming you to International Arrivals at the airport is an imposing bronze statue of anti-apartheid activist, and ANC’s first president, Oliver Tambo. The statue depicts Tambo’s arrival at the airport after 30 years in exile – a stark reminder of the country’s tumultuous history.

With no time to waste, and a huge tick-list to get through, we ventured off to the symbolic Nelson Mandela Square in Sandton, Johannesburg, for a quick walking and working lunch. To those of you joining a Vaughan Voyage excursion for the very first time, I’m a notorious fast-walker and would encourage every one of you to invest in a sturdy pair of comfortable walking shoes!

The hustle and bustle of Nelson Mandela Square was the perfect introduction, colourful, energetic and a huge melting pot of sights and sounds. Exactly what you’d expect from a bustling city! After some hotel visits in and around the square we enjoyed an early evening drive to the magnificent Pilanesburg National Park ready to set up camp for the evening.

When I say ‘camp’ what I actually mean is to lay my head in four-star luxury! Kwa Maritane Bush Lodge is a thing of beauty, the perfect place for us to unwind after a busy old day. The Lodge boasts meticulously groomed poolside gardens and offered an early insight into the beauty that was still to come!

Pilanesberg and Sun City

It turned out that chilling by the pool hadn’t been included on the itinerary for the inspection visit so it was a 5.30am start for us on day two! Now if you’re getting up at 5.30am you want to make sure that it’s for a good reason. Safari! A drive through the National Park provided us with views of zebras, rhinos and lions, amongst others. We’ve all seen the nature programmes and marvelled at seeing these creatures in the wild but there’s nothing quite like actually seeing them in the wild!

Safari was followed by more hotel visits in the area before visiting Sun City for lunch. The Vegas of Africa didn’t disappoint with its hustle, bustle and endless casinos. One thing I will say about South Africa, and this was evident after only a day and a half in the country, there is definitely something for everyone!

We hit the road in the afternoon, popping in the four-star Centurion Hotel and famous namesake international cricket ground opposite, to break up our journey to Eswatini. We crossed the border in the early evening, continuing our journey to Lobamba and the Lugogo Sun Hotel for the night where we watched the Wales v France Six Nations match in the “Sportsman’s Bar”.

Vaughan Voyage crossing borders

Following a hearty breakfast, we were given a tour of the magnificent Royal Swazi Golf Course and facilities and despite it being a rather damp and dull morning the views and surroundings didn’t disappoint!

An hour coach transfer towards Manzini followed, to a river to begin our white-water rafting adventure. I avoided any arguments with the water until the very last section of the run. Completely submerged. What a rush! This may not be on everyone’s bucket list but if there’s even a tiny bit of you that’s keen be sure to take up the chance. We certainly earned a delicious meal and that’s what we had, with a few pints of local beer, at the superb House of Fire – the premier festival venue in Eswatini .

To cap off a thoroughly enjoyable day, the locals insisted on finding and playing the Scarlets v Southern Kings game in the bar for yours truly. A lovely gesture, but a little embarrassing as my beloved Scarlets thumped their South African counterparts! We crossed the border and headed to Durban the next day, bumping into a few crocs and hippos along the way. Catch up with Episode 2 of the MSG Lekker Lounge, starring international prop rivals, Tendai ‘The Beast’ Mtawarira and Adam Jones.

Find out more about our Supporters’ Tours to South Africa 2021

MSG Tours Appointed Official Travel Agent for Rugby World Cup France 2023

Tue, 10 Nov 2020 11:00:30 GMT

MSG Tours Appointed Official Travel Agent for Rugby World Cup France 2023

MSG Tours Ltd proudly announce an exciting partnership with Rugby World Cup France 2023 as Official Travel Agents for the forthcoming edition on European soil.

Groupe Couleur, exclusive global rights holder for Rugby World Cup France 2023 Official Travel Programme, launched the process for the appointment of Official Travel Agents (OTAs) in January 2020, selecting MSG from an established range of operators.

2023 will see Rugby World Cup celebrate the 10th edition since its inception in 1987, and the 200th anniversary since the ‘invention’ of the sport by William Webb Ellis.

Ticket-inclusive travel packages will go on sale in March 2021, and supporters across the world can start organising their Rugby World Cup 2023 trips over two years before the tournament takes place.

Celebrating MSG’s 5th birthday with Official Travel Agent status

Today’s announcement coincides with MSG’s fifth birthday celebrations, marking an exciting period of sustainable growth that elevates the brand to the international sporting market space.

“Obtaining official status from World Rugby for the planet’s third biggest sporting occasion is a huge honour for our ambitious business. RWC2023’s acceptance of our thorough and innovative bid underlines our determination to provide affordable and dynamic packages for rugby fans across the world,” commented MSG’s founder and Managing Director, Mark Gardner .

“Our bid includes the appointment of fellow UK tour operator, Living with the Lions Sports Travel Ltd as Official Sub Agent. Together, our range of country-specific tours will cover the very best of France, featuring the south-western Basque region that serves as home to our European headquarters.”

Patrick Arnold, director at Living With the Lions said: “ Living With The Lions is really pleased to be appointed with MSG for RWC in 2023. It’s a fantastic tournament to be involved in and there is no doubt that the rugby world is going to be looking forward to this tournament with great excitement.”

Follow your team through the Group stages and beyond. Sign up for updates on travel packages, breaking news and information relevant to your country’s playing schedule. Register your interest in France 2023 with MSG

Be first to know about our Supporters’ Tours to RWC 2023

Inspection Visit to South Africa: Joe's Garden Route Diary

Wed, 28 Oct 2020 16:32:06 GMT

Inspection Visit to South Africa

Joe’s Garden Route Diary

When picturing South Africa, it’s hard not to imagine the deep blue ocean meeting the miles and miles of golden sands. And that’s exactly what you get along the Garden Route.

It’s 200 kilometres of beautiful coastline with a sprinkling of wine and wildlife. Between Tests, you can unwind by taking in some glorious scenery wherever you are stopping on the Garden Route. But, just to be sure it meets the needs of our loyal Supporters ahead of our tour to South Africa 2021 , our very own Joe checked it out for you first.

From Cape Town to The Garden Route

Waving goodbye to Cape Town was a tough ask for the Inspection Team. It wasn’t just Laura that left a piece of her heart in the Mother City . But fear not fellow travellers! Your heartache is short lived with what lies ahead along the Garden Route.

After a brief, one-take pause for filming on the toes of Chapman’s Peak, onward we went to check out the site of our post 2nd Test Sunday Social – Cape Point Vineyards in Noordhoek. The setting alone ensures that you will be blown away. Nestled on the slopes of the aforementioned mountain range, the estate prospers from the cocktail of cool sea breezes and ancient soils.

I made sure the wine was good enough to invigorate the tastebuds of our Supporters by sampling some of the world class Sauvignon Blanc on offer. Oh, and I made sure the location was up to scratch, too. Vistas of the Atlantic Ocean a mere 1.2km away made that wine taste a whole lot sweeter.

Join MSG in South Africa next summer

En Route

One of the most common questions that we field is “How long is the drive from Cape Town to the Garden Route?” The answer really depends on two further questions! How often you can resist stopping to admire the view and take photos? How soon can you peel yourself away from the coast?

Trust me, it’s tough to resist stopping at all the Instagrammable spots along the way when we’re up against the clock inspecting every place, hotel and venue on the checklist.

The official Garden Route begins at its most western point in Mossel Bay (uncoincidentally where many of our MSG family will be staying at our premium hotel, The Point ). Leaving the coastline for the N2 at Gordon’s Bay and you’ll arrive in a shade over 4 ½ hours. With the stunning scenery on offer, that flies by all too soon. If anything, it is not long enough. Once checked in, the Cape St. Blaize Lighthouse and the wide Santos Beach must be checked out!

Knysna and Simola Country Club

Centrally located along the Garden Route is the quaint town of Knysna. Famous for its oysters and seahorses, it sits on the edge of a vast estuary that flows from the mountains, through the lagoon and out to the Indian Ocean via two gigantic limestone heads.

We arrived as night was falling so I had to wait a little bit longer to see the town’s famous lagoon in all its glory. Through the Knysna Forest was our home for the evening: Simola Country Club and Spa . In a word; wow!

The room keys were distributed and we went to our respective suites to freshen up prior to our last supper. You know that giddy feeling you get at the door of any hotel room? Intrigued as to what awaits you on the other side. This place takes the biscuit and then some. A personal palace of indulgence and relaxation that combines open plan living with a private patio.

It really is 5 star all the way here and the perfect place for our final night in South Africa. I’ll never forget drawing the curtains in the morning to reveal the sunrise over the Knysna heads, lagoon and the golf course at my feet. I will return with my clubs to tackle the signature Jack Nicklaus course someday soon!

Come with us to experience the Garden Route next year

The Garden Route was a breath-taking journey from start to finish. I’m not sure you can really call it a location transfer when the whole journey is as much of an included excursion. You will not be disappointed stopping off and waking up at these salubrious South African spots.

Recently, we went live in the MSG Tours Lekker Lounge, talking all things South Africa with some very special guests. Check out and catch up with our first live episode below.

Find out more about our Supporters’ Tours to South Africa 2021

Ross Harries – MSG's Head of Events and Media

Fri, 23 Oct 2020 15:59:35 GMT

Introducing our Head of Events and Media

MSG are excited to announce Ross Harries as the company’s new Head of Events and Media.

The MSG line up is boosted with a premier makeover through the addition of Ross – a renowned and well-recognised rugby journalist, broadcaster and media front man.

Famed for his abiding stint as headline presenter for BBC Wales’ Scrum V show, Ross joins MSG with immediate effect as MSG’s Head of Events and Media. Combining roles with coverage of the Pro 14’s Premier Sports footage, the appointment brings a cutting-edge approach to our communications across club, schools and live sports fan platforms, keeping people travelling safely and positively as we navigate through C-19.

One of Ross’ biggest projects will be on our Supporters’ Tour to South Africa. He will choreograph and host our live events during the Lions series alongside esteemed guests including The Beast , Lions and Wales coach Gareth Jenkins, former Wales captain Rupert Moon and Lions and England star, Tim Stimpson .

Ross is the host of our brand new podcast – The MSG Lekker Lounge – which aims to engage our supporters and get them excited ahead of South Africa 2021. Alongside Ross, we will launch our rugby club podcast, The 22 where we’ll give rugby clubs the platform to share their stories from on the pitch or in the clubhouse.

Ross Harries’ CV

Lead Anchor at Premier Sport
Scrum V Presenter
BBC Six Nations and Autumn International Presenter and Pitch Side Reporter
BT Sport Pitch Side Reporter
Writer of Adam Jones autobiography – ‘Bomb’
Writer of ‘Behind the Dragon’ which is shortlisted for The Telegraph’s Rugby Book of the Year 2020

“If I wasn’t working for this company, I’d surely be signing up for one of their tours”

Ross Harries, MSG’s new Head of Events and Media said: “These days, it’s vital to have things to look forward to, and what better tonic for these troubled times than the prospect of an epic Lions tour. I am enormously excited to be joining MSG, a company that combines two of my most enduring passions – rugby and travel.

“I can’t wait to get stuck into this role, and to enjoy what will surely be an incredible trip to one of the greatest rugby nations on earth. If I wasn’t working for this company, I’d surely be signing up for one of their tours!”

“His creativity and quirky humour are in line with ours”

Stuart Lock , Head of European Operations said: “What a tremendous coup for us, our schools, our clubs and all our supporters! Ross embodies our efficacious spirit in so many ways. He is widely respected for his consummate professionalism, his altruistic nature, and the quality of his written and verbal work. It is evident to those who have read his work just how much he loves the oval game and the positive traditions surrounding it.

“His vast experience in the various media forms adds so much to what we currently do, and it truly is an honour to welcome him to MSG Tours’ South Africa project. His creativity and quirky humour are in line with ours and our supporters (even the ones who don’t know they’re our supporters yet!).

“I look forward to him becoming the lead guitarist and lyricist in our band and hope he enjoys the ride as much as we undoubtedly will.”

Croeso and welcome to Team MSG, Ross!

Find out more about our Supporters’ Tours to South Africa 2021

Old Pauline FC's tour within a tour

Fri, 25 Sep 2020 15:39:21 GMT

Old Pauline FC will be the third rugby team combining their playing trip to South Africa with the Lions Tour in 2021.

A Northern Irish rugby club, a Welsh College and an English rugby club all go on a Lions Tour to South Africa with MSG. Sounds like the start of a joke, but this is absolutely true!

Joining Clogher Valley RFC and Coleg Gwent as our rugby teams in South Africa next summer is the Old Pauline Football Club. Founded in 1871, by former pupils of St Paul’s school, OPFC is one of the oldest rugby clubs in the world.

They, too, will have the unique experience of combining their playing trip to South Africa with the famous rugby pilgrimage that is the Lions.

If you thought this tour couldn’t get any bigger for the Old Pauline tourists, then think again. The club will be celebrating their 150th anniversary on their rugby tour to the Rainbow Nation.

So, with an English team joining our Welsh and Northern Irish squads, all that is missing to complete the four nations is a team from Scotland. Any takers?

Old Pauline FC’s tour to South Africa

While Warren Gatland’s men do have a challenge in South Africa, so too will Old Pauline FC. The London-based rugby club will get to soak up the atmosphere of a Lions Tour across the opening two Tests but between those, OPFC have two matches of their own.

36 tourists will descend upon the Rainbow Nation ahead of the first Test, spending two nights in Johannesburg soaking up the atmosphere the beginning of the series has to offer. Then, it’s down to the south coast to immerse themselves in the wonders of Cape Town. Cape Town Base Camp

The Englishmen will settle into their base for the week before discovering what the Mother City has to offer. Dipping their toes in the Atlantic Ocean at Camps Bay and earning the stunning reward of panoramic views across the city by trekking up Table Mountain will set them up nicely ahead of their fixtures.

Having toured the Cape Peninsula and visited the winelands at Cape Point, Old Pauline FC get to don their red, black and white kit for the first time against Masi RFC in Noordhoek. The team will let their bodies recover on a day with Lions’ Chairman, Jason Leonard’s charity, The Atlas Foundation .

You can’t go to South Africa without sampling some of their famous wines and rich cuisine! So, OPFC will spend a day sipping on some Sauvignon in the winelands of Stellenbosch before returning to Cape Town for a true African experience when they dine at GOLD Restaurant .

Two days after their first fixture, the Londoners are back on the rugby pitch as they lock horns with False Bay RFC. Post-match, their hosts will treat them to a traditional South African braai while sharing a beer ahead of the crucial second Test the next day.

The club’s thoughts

Old Pauline FC’s tour manager, Chris Jackson said: “ We are delighted to be able to partner with MSG Tours for our rugby tour to South Africa which coincides, not only with the 150th anniversary of the rugby club, but also the Lions Tour next year.

“Our experience with MSG thus far has been seamless and we are impressed by the level of attention to detail they have shown – long may it continue!

“Aside from the titanic rugby, (not only the Lions, but our games too!) we are most looking forward to kicking back with a cold one and enjoying ourselves. Tour is a life affirming moment – and this might just be our Everest.”

MSG Tours can’t wait to deliver the unexpected for Old Pauline FC when they join us in South Africa to celebrate their 150th anniversary You can check out our rugby tours or other sports tours for yourself. Or, find out more about our Supporters’ Tours or our big trip for the Lions in 2021 .

Find out more about our Supporters’ Tours to South Africa 2021

Inspection Visit to South Africa: Laura's Cape Town Diary

Wed, 16 Sep 2020 16:59:44 GMT

Inspection Visit to South Africa

Laura’s Cape Town Diary

Perched beneath Table Mountain and sat alongside the Atlantic Ocean is South Africa’s big draw. The city with an image which would be worthy of any postcard. With its coast and landscape mixed in with African culture and cuisine, Cape Town is a must visit for all who treasure travel. It was high on Laura’s bucket list, who was eager to visit the Mother City for the very first time. She tells us why Cape Town stole her heart on MSG’s inspection visit back in February.

When I was told I was one of the lucky three that got to go on our Lions 2021 tour to South Africa Inspection Trip, one place immediately sprung to mind – Cape Town (and not because that’s where they were filming Love Island at the time.)

When I think of South Africa, I think of two things; going on safari and Table Mountain. So, with the Safari ticked off the bucket list, seeing Table Mountain in all its glory overlooking Cape Town was the next ‘must do’ for me.

24 hours in Cape Town

The trip was non-stop; making sure we left no stone unturned to ensure this was going the best Tour yet for our valued Supporters. So, a 6am flight from Durban and three hours sleep the previous evening meant we were all pretty blurry eyed landing in Cape Town. But, I wasn’t going to miss a single thing over the next 24 hours!

Driving through the rush hour hustle and bustle of Cape Town, I soon perked up and made sure I was taking in as much of my surroundings as possible. It didn’t take long before the legendary Table Mountain came into view. And from that point on, it hardly ever left our sight. It was everywhere you looked and every time you saw it, it was as impressive as the first time you laid eyes upon it. It was such an imposing feature the whole time we drove along the highway and on to the coastal roads. I was in total awe. MSG Base Camp

Cape Town itself reminded me of so many different places that I had already visited including Sydney, Auckland and even an element of the Mumbles. We spent the morning strolling around the city before making our way to our featured hotel – The President .

I have to say, The President Hotel is an absolute gem and makes the ideal spot for our MSG Base Camp. Nestled beneath Lion’s Head and with views out across the Atlantic Ocean, it has the perfect balance of stunning sights wherever you look. Looking out across Saunders’ Rock beach, we were even able to spot a few whales from the hotel!

The V&A Waterfront

At sunset, we made our way to the famous V&A Waterfront, which was the highlight of my day. Our Supporters will definitely be spending plenty of time socialising here. That’s for sure! As soon as we left our vehicle, we were met by local street performers, singing and dancing in front of crowds of visitors. I wish I could have stayed there all night to soak up the African atmosphere, but we had inspecting to do!

Flooded with bars and restaurants and overlooked by Table Mountain, you certainly won’t be short of places to eat or drink during your stay in CT. More vibrant street performers greeted us as we walked around the harbour, giving us that traditional South African feel. It was a place I really did not want to leave. GOLD Restaurant

When the team eventually dragged me from the Waterfront, we made our way to GOLD Restaurant for dinner. Mark had previously mentioned that this was a ‘must do’ in Cape Town. That is why it is included in all of our Supporters Packages for next year.

Mark didn’t want to give too much away to spoil what was in store for us so I’m going to do the same and keep my lips sealed. What I will say is that it did not disappoint! It was like stepping out of modern Cape Town and into the traditions and culture of South Africa, perfectly executing great food and amazing entertainment (bit of a cliché, but I’ll say the company was half decent too.)

I’ve finally ticked Cape Town off the bucket list on our fleeting visit and it’s fair to say it lived up to expectations and more. Now I can’t wait to return and dig further beneath the skin of this picturesque and cultural gem alongside our amazing Supporters next summer!

Find out more about our Supporters’ Tours to South Africa 2021

MSG partners with The Beast Foundation: Tendai Mtawarira

Fri, 28 Aug 2020 16:00:36 GMT

MSG partners with The Beast Foundation: Tendai Mtawarira

MSG Tours are excited to announce our partnership with the Rugby World Cup winning Springbok prop – Tendai Mtawarira – and The Beast Foundation.

With 117 caps for South Africa, a Test series victory over the Lions and more recently, a Rugby World Cup, ‘The Beast’ will be a BIG addition to our Supporters’ Tour to South Africa 2021 (literally and metaphorically!)

Whisper it quietly but Tendai knows what it takes to beat the Lions. He had a big influence at scrum time when the Springboks defeated the Lions the last time the teams met in 2009 (just ask Phil Vickery.) Alongside our very own Lion Man , Tim Stimpson (who was a part of the Lions squad that defeated the ‘Boks in 1997,) Tendai provides the perfect counterbalance.

The MSG Supporters will get an exclusive insight from both former Test series winning players who know what it’s like to win a Lions Test Series.

The Beast Foundation

Not only does the introduction of Tendai help us with our goal to #delivertheunexpected, The Beast’s notable charitable efforts off the field certainly align with our promise to travel to South Africa as responsible tourists.

Our partnership with Tendai coincides with his official launch of The Beast Foundation with which he aims to “assist young South Africans in forging their future by helping them access sports training, skills development and education opportunities.”

The Beast Foundation will be the latest inclusion to our One Million Rand project with which we aim to raise around £46,000 to support local charities such as Tendai’s. Our pledge to these charities will ensure that the MSG legacy left in South Africa will aid the revival of the local economy so that the future will be brighter for the next generation of Beasts!

Mark Gardner , Managing Director said: “When you thought our Supporters Tour to South Africa couldn’t get any more exciting, MSG partner with a Lions series-winning, World Cup-winning, 117 cap-achieving Springbok legend in ‘The Beast.

We are very pleased to be able to announce that Tendai Mtawarira will be joining MSG in South Africa . Partnering with someone of his stature has created much excitement within the MSG team. His influence as a progressive advocate for South Africa and Springbok Rugby makes him the ideal man for us. The opportunities that he intends to provide for the sporting youth of South Africa through his foundation, perfectly match our ideology of our One Million Rand project.”

Tendai Mtawarira of The Beast Foundation said: “I am definitely very excited to partner up with MSG on the tour next year. I really appreciate the donation MSG pledge to make through the One Million Rand project as this will make a difference to the lives of so many young children. I can’t thank MSG enough and it will be awesome to even try and increase the amount during the tour to support The Beast Foundation. I am really looking forward to teaming up with MSG Tours”

Welcome Tendai – we can’t wait to see you out there!

Find out more about our Supporters’ Tours to South Africa 2021

The Lions in Pink in Partnership with MSG

Fri, 28 Aug 2020 15:18:50 GMT

The Lions in Pink and MSG in Partnership

The Lions in Pink , with 135 years of service between them, are made up of six former members of the British Army who served together in the Royal Engineers and we are excited about our partnership with our friends!

The team prides itself on organisation and planning, along with a huge amount of overseas experience in South Africa, New Zealand, Australia, USA, Canada, Europe and beyond.

Our partnership with the Lions in Pink signifies the creation of bespoke Supporters packages that will accompany the gregarious gang of pink-suited, passionate Lions fans as they make waves in the Southern Hemisphere.

The decision to work and travel alongside the Lions in Pink was a no-brainer. We hold much respect for any member of the Armed Forces (active or retired) and so, we want help where we can and ensure that whoever decides to travel with the Lions in Pink will do so at a great price.

We can personally vouch for the fantastic memories that touring with the Lions in Pink will create as they came with us to New Zealand in 2017 and will now lead their own tours in South Africa 2021.

Royal British Legion

On top of this, MSG would like to emphasise the inclusion of the Royal British Legion as the sole British-based benefactor of our One Million Rand charitable project. The Royal British Legion provide lifelong help and support to service personnel, serving and ex-serving, and their families. Whatever the reason, they help; providing guidance and advice, assisting with recovery, rehabilitation, and the transition into normal civilian life.

The six former members of the Royal Engineers who founded the Lions in Pink highlight the value in supporting our ex-servicemen and women. Including ‘The Legion’ as our only British charity allows us to thank people like the Lions In Pink and help others who have served our country.

BROWSE THE LION IN PINK DEALS

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3 new additions to team MSG

Mon, 03 Aug 2020 15:14:53 GMT

3 new additions to Team MSG

MSG Tours are proud to announce that we have added three new members to the team during the global pandemic.

With doubts and concerns over job safety within the travel and tourism sector, we’re thrilled to share our #TravelPositive news that we have recruited three new colleagues – with two starting in growth positions.

Like every other travel company, we have had to deal with cancellations of many of our tours due to the travel restrictions being put in place by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) during the pandemic.

But, with seats on the plane to South Africa for our big Supporters’ project next year filling up faster than expected, we have been able to expand the team to help ensure our tours are delivered to the highest standards.

The new MSG three

Emily Sanders joined our team in Wales early in lockdown and immediately put her 15+ years’ experience of sports travel into action on our South Africa 2021 project.

Joining us from Strachan Travel and having previously worked for Gullivers and Travel Places, Emily has taken to the role like a duck to water, even though we haven’t physically met her in the flesh yet! Who’d have thought six months ago that recruitment would now be done by the previously unknown medium of Zoom!?

Returning to MSG, following the completion of his degree is Sam Brooks . Sam spent a year as our intern in the Basque Country and now re-joins us in our recently vacated Graduate Management Trainee position.

Having utilised his bilingualism in Spain and France, Sam will pick up different skills across all three of our offices over the next year. He might even pick up a bit of Cymraeg in our Welsh office.

Expanding our new office in South Wales further, Caryn Edwards begins in our newly created role of ‘Aviation Specialist’ and will manage all things air travel and transportation across the business. The growth of the Company makes this both an exciting and client-led decision.

With 5 years of experience working for Flight Centre, Caryn will use her knowledge to source the air travel best suited our customers’ needs. Any upgrades, connections or deviations you need, Caryn can handle it.

Mark Gardner , Managing Director of MSG Tours said: “In what has been a difficult period for the travel industry as a whole, we are excited to share some positive news. With question marks over job roles in this sector, it is great that we are able to recruit three new employees and create two new roles that will only enhance our service delivery.

“It has been strange integrating Emily, Sam and Caryn into the team during a global pandemic, but the use of Microsoft Teams and Zoom has made the transition much easier than expected. We can’t wait to finally meet everyone in their physical form rather than through a laptop screen when it is finally safe to do so.”

Emily spoke of her first few months in her role which was spent meeting the team digitally: “It’s a little daunting joining a new team, even more so when you have everyone’s faces are looking at you on a Zoom call as you’re introduced. But it has been much easier than anticipated and I’ve still got to know everyone really well over our Teams calls and individual chats.

“Everyone has been so good with taking a million questions from me and now I feel like I’ve really found my feet, even before actually stepping into the office. It shows we don’t all need to be in one office to feel like a team, which is great knowing we are split between 3 offices in 3 different countries”

World Environment Day | South Africa 2021

Fri, 05 Jun 2020 10:24:49 GMT

Respecting the planet in South Africa 2021

On World Environment Day

On the United Nations’ World Environment Day, we wanted to share with you how we’ll be doing our bit on our Supporters’ Tour to South Africa 2021 .

As tour operators, we can still do our bit to help the environment. So in South Africa, as well as our One Million Rand charity mission, we have taken steps to reduce waste and emissions where we can. What steps have we taken?

World Environment Day gives us a great opportunity to let you know how we are doing our bit.

With our average tour length spanning 18 days, it’s frightening to think of the carbon footprint created throughout our Supporters’ schedules.

There are many things out of our control, such as airline emissions, but we CAN make a difference whilst helping the South African economy. Here’s how:

NO SINGLE-USE PLASTIC! Touring is thirsty work and rehydrating with the clear stuff is paramount. All our Lions clients will be provided with recyclable cardboard water boxes when in transit and given sturdy, embossed water bottles to see you through to the finish. Water only, please!
Coffee lover? Fear not, the South Africans are true to their word when it comes to the roasting of beans. Takeaway cups will be prohibited on our vehicles; take, instead, your MSG coffee mug for top ups and feel even better about that next sip.
50% of tour clothing is ethically sourced in South Africa , creating jobs and supporting the textiles industry in the areas we’ll be visiting.
The excellent GauTrain between O.R Tambo Airport in Johannesburg is swift, safe and operating on schedule every 15 minutes. No exhaust fumes and lengthy traffic jams on buses when transiting to Sandton, Centurion or Pretoria. Travel in style whilst doing your bit for Mother Nature.
Our events use locally sourced produce that hasn’t, wherever possible, faced lengthy imports via transportation. The exception here is our GOLD Restaurant themed evening in Cape Town that includes foods sourced across Africa, all of which are farmed ethically.

Mark Gardner, Managing Director said: “Tour operators rely on flights and travel for business which contributes to our overall carbon footprint. But this doesn’t mean we should ignore everything else. We can still do our bit. As a business, we want to reduce our waste and emissions where we can and this will be no different in South Africa in 2021. While being green on our Supporters’ Tours, we can also help give back to the economies in South Africa and Eswatini when sourcing locally”

Check out our Supporters’ packages for South Africa 2021.

Inspection Visit to South Africa: Niamh's Safari Diary

Wed, 03 Jun 2020 13:46:07 GMT

Inspection Visit to South Africa: Niamh’s Safari Diary

Coming together as four nations and singing our songs over a nice cold pint is special and a rarity in the modern era of professional sport. That is the beauty of this famous rugby tour. But, as tourists, we like to experience the uniqueness of the countries we visit, too. A must-do in South Africa (as well as sampling the local beers and wines) is a safari.

Making sure everything was tip-top on our inspection visit to South Africa back in February 2020, it was a must to get a safari in and go on the lookout for the Big 5.

For our very own Niamh Houlihan , it was a lifelong dream to go on safari, recalling her experiences from that day.

Check out our supporters’ packages for South Africa 2021.

Niamh’s Safari Diary

“It’s safari time”

It was a shock to the system when my alarm went off at 4:30am. But, realising it was the day that I might complete my lifelong dream of seeing an elephant in the wild, I was up like a shot and shouted to Laura that “it’s safari time!”

Down in the reception of the game lodge, we were greeted with copious amounts of caffeine although for the first time in my life, it wasn’t needed. The excitement launched me onto the safari trucks awaiting us outside and the MSG crew were ready for the 5am start.

The sun was just starting to rise above the horizon as we entered the Pilanesberg National Park and it wasn’t long after we got going that we spotted our first animal. A rhino! The ranger told us all these facts about this black rhino (not that I could tell the difference, but I learned that there is also a white rhino species, too.)

“I was in complete awe of our surroundings”

It wasn’t long until we could see wildlife everywhere we looked. There were zebras, impalas and warthogs; I was in complete awe of our surroundings. Never have I been so eagle-eyed and spritely at such an early time in the morning!

Deep into the park, we noticed some other safari trucks up ahead. Tip: This usually means that they have spotted some animals. My adrenaline was racing in the anticipation of what it might be! It was not one, but two lions! With cameras pointing at them from every direction, they didn’t have a care in the world as they continued licking their paws. It was a magical sight! They barely batted an eyelid.

More zebras and impalas gathering again but still no sign of an elephant. A quick 15 minutes off the truck for refreshments and a time to gather my breath (I’d been holding it almost the whole time).

Our ranger was tactical. Knowing the other trucks had moved on, he took us back to the spot where we had seen the lions to see if he could get us a glimpse of any more action. Success! A third lion had joined them amongst the long grass. One leaned back and stretched open his mouth. Hoping for a roar, we got a yawn. We must have been boring them but it was so amazing to see lions in their natural habitat!

My magical moment

As breakfast was approaching, we started to head back in the direction of the game lodge and my hopes of seeing an elephant were slowly fading away. The ranger slowly brought the truck to a halt and told us to lock in the north east direction and there they were. Two elephants roaming freely before my eyes. A majestic sight and one I will truly never forget!

The icing was put on the cake for me at our farewell dinner. The MSG team knew how much that moment meant to me and presented me with an elephant ornament to remember my dream coming true. An amazing way to finish my internship at MSG.

I was so glad to get my magical moment from an inspection trip which was non-stop. Squeezing in 32 hotels in 20 different destinations across two countries to ensure we can provide magical moments for our clients come July next year.

Thank you, Niamh

“As Niamh leaves the company for pastures new, we’d like to thank her for all her hard work in the two periods she spent with MSG Tours, making sure our South Africa 2021 Tour is the best it can possibly be.

We’re so glad the Inspection Trip provided her with her dream of seeing elephants in the wild and hope she’ll join us as a Tour Manager next year!”

Becoming a Lion: Inspection Visit to South Africa

Mon, 23 Mar 2020 15:47:53 GMT

Becoming a Lion

MSG Tours Ltd’s Inspection Visit to South Africa inspires and educates the Events Team ahead of the 2021 Lions tour vs the Springboks.

The Inspection Visit to South Africa

Firsts, bucket list items and life-long dreams were all ticked off during MSG’s action-packed, comprehensive Inspection Visit to South Africa that explored no less than 32 hotels, 20 towns & cities amongst truly unique landscapes. Big 5 sightings on safari, South Africa’s answer to the Orient Express and views that take your breath away were all experienced in an action packed 8 days. A few glasses of Stellenbosch’s reds and whites were consumed along the way for pure educational purposes ��

Our objective: to pressure Test itineraries, transportation, hotel partners and excursions to ensure nothing but the very best for all our customers. For the purpose of #DeliveringTheUnexpected in 2021, you will have to wait on some little (and big) gems that were discovered.

What did the team think about the inspection visit to South Africa?

Mark

Managing Director, Mark Gardner led the tour and explained his rationale for the trip. “Our feedback from RWC2019 Japan suggested that all key staff should be part of the Lions tour development process, allowing them to communicate and advise succinctly with our loyal rugby fraternity.

“In whistle stop fashion we explored this enchanting land – including Eswatini – to fully educate the team on all areas of our Lions travel packages.”

Joseph

Joseph Ledger enjoyed his travel experience immensely. “The highlight for me was undoubtedly the Mother City, Cape Town. This was the one I had had my eye on and I wasn’t disappointed, not one bit. This is one of those places where no time here is long enough, and no words can adequately describe it for you, it is simply a must see.

“Music, food, arts, nature and sport collide in a kaleidoscope of colours and cultures, all with arguably the best backdrop on the planet. A sea of red jerseys down at the V&A Waterfront will undoubtedly be the cherry on top.”

Laura

The journey was equally as beneficial to Laura Dennehy . “As someone who has a lot of face time/ phone time with our customers it was essential for me to see and experience all of the locations and elements of the tour first hand. This enables me to have confident, honest conversations with our clients about what we’re offering on the tour, as well as have my input when it comes to delivering what our clients want in a Lions tour.

“As for South Africa and Eswatini itself, both countries totally exceeded my expectations with their varied terrains. From the luscious mountains of Eswatini to the golden beaches of Western Cape, the bustling cities of Johannesburg and Cape Town to the quaint yet exciting game reserves. This tour may even top New Zealand in 2017!”

Niamh

Our Graduate Management Trainee, Niamh Houlihan , thoroughly enjoyed the experience. “For me, the inspection visit to South Africa really opened my eyes to the travel industry.

“Not only did I appreciate the beauty of it from a personal aspect but also with regards to the planning of the tour; it has facilitated the planning process a lot by having seen and experienced things first hand to create an amazing itinerary.”

February 2020 | Half Term Trips

Wed, 18 Mar 2020 16:15:10 GMT

February 2020 | Half Term Trips

It was a busy but successful week for MSG Tours over the February school holiday as we sent eight schools on half term trips right across the globe.

The United States was the furthest destination west of the UK while Japan was the furthest east. Five schools were spread across four countries in mainland Europe while the only school in the southern hemisphere visited South Africa.

This was a combined total of 214 students and 25 staff members or coaches who put their trust in MSG Tours to #DeliverTheUnexpected for their half term trips.

Staying #TravelPositive in what is a tough time, we want to share the amazing feedback we’ve received from our most recent trips. We’ve reflected on what we hope were unforgettable trips for every single one of these young people who went on them.

The half-term trips

Our tours were spread right across the world with seven tours leaving British shores while the other school embarking on their adventure were from Dubai.

You can find out what the schools got up to on their half term trips below.

Tonyrefail Community School crossed the pond for a weekend in New York City on their media trip.
The Lakes School went in the opposite direction to Japan where they worked their way up to Tokyo from Kagoshima on a cultural exchange.
Heading south, we had Dragon School who had a jam-packed cricket tour in South Africa with 7 matches in 11 days.
Repton School , from Dubai, swapped the Emirati sun for some snow on their ski trip to Georgia
Another school who put on the skis were Putney High School who headed to the slopes of the Italian Dolomites.
Merchant Taylor’s School learned about their historic connection with FC Barcelona on their football tour in the Catalonian capital.
One of two teams that visited our European base in the Basque Country; Rhondda Schools Rugby took on some tough opposition in the south of France.
On the Spanish side of the border, Colfe’s School were in beautiful San Sebastian for their football tour.

You can find out about what each school got up to on their half term trips in more detail by clicking on the relevant links.

For school or sports trips that are planning trips and seeking advice on organising future tours, please see Government advice

Repton School – Swapping the sand for the slopes

Fri, 14 Feb 2020 10:31:04 GMT

A school will be swapping the sun and 30-degree heat for sub-zero temperatures in the snow this weekend.

What sun? What heat? – we’ve just had Storm Ciara with Storm Dennis on its way to the UK, too. Well, MSG Tours don’t just co-ordinate tours for British clubs and schools, but we offer our services internationally, too.

They aren’t the first from overseas and we sure hope they’re not the last, but Repton School from Dubai are going on a ski trip with MSG Tours. Returning customers who are getting addicted to the slopes; this will be their second time skiing with us.

Putting the stresses of school and homework to the back of their minds, they will be leaving the Emirati heat for the Georgian slopes of Gudauri . Swapping the hustle and bustle of the city with a tranquil and scenic escape to the mountains.

Georgia doesn’t usually spring to mind when thinking of places to go skiing. But, with it being a short flight to Tbilisi from the UAE, it’s the perfect location for the Dubai-based school.

Fellow Dubai school, Kent College also swapped the sand for the snow when they visited Gudauri themselves last year.

Repton School’s ski trip with MSG

And, it’s not just sports and study tours we do, either.

Skiing is addictive. A break in the snow has become a staple on the calendar for many people and there’s good reason for that. Many British schools organise annual skiing trips and that western tradition has made its way to the Middle East.

25 students will spend a week in the snow, learning to ski across five days with professional instructors. Once they get to grips with their skis, they’ll find there’s nothing quite like the feeling of gliding over fresh snow with your friends. Hopefully, memories will be made that will last a lifetime when they stand on top of the slopes taking in the beauty of the winter landscape.

The Repton School children will get to experience and enjoy an environment which is the complete opposite their daily lives.

Everyone you meet on your trip will be singing from the same hymn sheet. They are all there to do one thing – ski. Escaping reality with like-minded people on a snowy mountain can invigorate you. Mentally as well as physically.

You don’t have to be a doctor to know that exercise is good for you. And, with all the enjoyment disguising it, you forget you’re exercising while you’re on your skis.

It won’t all be ski ski ski – there’ll be a chance for the students to spend time together in the warmth when enjoy a bowling night and relax in the games room.

Greg Roberts, Head of Year 11 at Repton School said: “We are all looking forward to our trip to Gudauri! The skiing in this resort is superb; the students learn so much over the course of the week and they all have such great fun. We used MSG last year and we had an excellent trip. We were so impressed with Darya, the local connection. She was so incredibly helpful, and the trip ran really smoothly as a result.”

Clogher Valley RFC's tour within a tour

Tue, 11 Feb 2020 15:53:27 GMT

Playing in rugby tours in different countries are already unforgettable experiences. But, marrying that up with the apex of all tours – the Lions – makes it truly once in a lifetime.

We can reveal the second team to be traveling to South Africa with us will be Clogher Valley RFC. The Northern Irish club join Welsh outfit, Coleg Gwent , in arranging their playing trip alongside the Lions Tour.

And, continuing to deliver the unexpected, MSG Tours will be sending them to not one, but two countries on their unique tour.

Clogher Valley RFC’s tour to South Africa and Eswatini

Next summer, a certain Lions team will do battle against the Springboks while the Valley have a couple of matches of their own. Not only will they play a rugby match in South Africa, but in Eswatini, too.

43 club members will spend five nights in Cape Town during the week of the 2nd Test of the series. Then, they’ll fly to Johannesburg to spend three nights in the Kingdom of Eswatini.

A match in Cape Town against Hout Bay RFC and another in Eswatini sandwich the all-important 2nd Test between the Lions and the Springboks. Warren Gatland’s men could be playing to clinch the series or to take it to the final game. And, the Clogher Valley boys will be in town to soak up the atmosphere amongst the Sea of Red.

Apart from rugby, the Northern Irish rugby club will take in the beautiful sights of the Cape Peninsula and will take in views of Cape Town from the summit of Table Mountain. In Eswatini, Clogher Valley will spend time on safari and get the chance to go white water rafting or caving.

And, continuing to deliver the unexpected, MSG Tours will be sending them to not one, but two countries on their unique tour.

Doing their bit

Our official charity partner for the Lions Tour in 2021 is SKRUM , based in Eswatini. Adopting our motto of delivering the unexpected, Clogher Valley RFC will take time out of their trip to participate in a community rugby session.

Using the core values of rugby, SKRUM engages children and educates them about HIV and AIDS. On their Lions tour, the Irish Rugby Club will join them to do their bit for the Eswatini community.

Eswatini has the highest rate of HIV/AIDS in the world with over a quarter of the population carrying the infection. SKRUM’s aim is to reduce these figures and MSG Tours will be joining them when we take our supporters on the Lions Tour.

Clogher Valley’s Tour Manager, David Sharkey said: “We are embarking on our third club tour to South Africa – this time with the added excitement of a Lions Tour as well. With 43 tourists, the club is buzzing, and we are still getting weekly enquiries about the trip

We are especially looking forward to getting playing experience in the hotbed of South African rugby, taking in the 2nd Lions Test in Cape Town and helping the SKRUM charity before ending the tour with a relaxing few days in our resort in Eswatini.

“Working with MSG tours has been hassle–free – they negotiated us through all the pitfalls and presented us with a tailor-made tour that suited our needs and within our budget.”

You can check out our rugby tours or other sports tours for yourself. Or, find out more about our Supporters’ Tours or our big trip for the Lions in 2021 .

MSG link up with Rhondda Schools Rugby

Wed, 05 Feb 2020 10:00:51 GMT

MSG Tours can proudly announce an exciting partnership with Neil Boobyer and Rhondda Schools Rugby. Our new relationship sees us co-ordinate the team’s rugby tour and collaborate with Neil for the Lions tour in 2021.

Visiting our European base next weekend, the Rhondda schoolboys will be staying a short stroll from the beach in Biarritz. 33 boys will do battle with some tough French opposition against Avirion Bayonnais on the Friday and St Vincent de Tyrosse on the Saturday

Working as an ambassador for MSG, former Wales international, Neil will be bringing over 80 people with him to South Africa.

Rhondda Schools’ Tour

The Rhondda Schools U15’s team will be visiting an area that lives and breathes rugby – the Basque country. They can share their passion for the oval ball with fellow enthusiasts from Bayonne and Biarritz while also trying their hand at the Basque sport of Pelota.

It won’t all be play as the Rhondda Schoolboys can relax and watch a Top 14 rugby match, too. Pau welcome Clermont Auvergne to the Pyrenees mountains and they will get to experience the unique atmosphere at this match.

Not only will they get the opportunity to do spend time on French soil, Rhondda Schools will venture across the border to experience the Spanish side of the Basque in beautiful San Sebastian.

Former Welsh international centre, Neil Boobyer, has been coaching Rhondda Schools for the best part of 15 years and is looking forward to taking his team to the South of France.

Neil said: “ It’s fantastic for the boys from 6 different schools in Rhondda to come together to play rugby. Some of these boys have never been abroad before so what an opportunity for them to experience the Basque country. We’ve been touring for five or six years and these boys go on to be friends for life. We’re looking forward to getting out there to test ourselves against French Rugby teams. Can’t wait for the trip!

The Basque Country is an MSG Tours’ forte and you could have your football or rugby tour there with us, too. You could even combine both sports, like Dulwich Prep School.

The Lions 2021

Over 80 people will be following Neil with MSG Tours to the Rainbow Nation for the highly anticipated Lions tour next year. Having toured South Africa as a coach with Rhondda Schools, it will be Neil’s first time on a Lions tour as a supporter.

Neil said: “I’ve never been on a Lions Tour before so I’m really, really excited. To be an ambassador for MSG is fantastic for myself. Hopefully, we’ll get about 80 – 100 people coming with me. I’ve been over twice before with the Rhondda boys; it’s a fantastic country and now I’m just looking forward to the experience of a Lions trip”

Utilising the partnership and his status in Welsh rugby, Neil will act as an ambassador for MSG Tours bringing his large group to South Africa with us.

Alongside his coaching of the Rhondda schoolboys, Neil runs a successful events company with a strong rugby following. Previous NBRS Events have included guests such as Shane Williams and the famous ‘Pontypool Front Row.’ There is an afternoon with a certain Kevin Keegan planned, too.

Find out more about our Lions 2021 packages and you could join Neil on the trip of a lifetime to South Africa.

Introducing Team MSG Wales

Thu, 30 Jan 2020 09:10:13 GMT

MSG Tours have expanded into South Wales and have opened their third office – introducing Team MSG Wales.

The start of 2020 saw the new office open on Tredomen Business Park in Ystrad Mynach where we have now been operating for the past month. Due to recent success and to deal with the growing customer demand coming from South Wales, it made perfect sense to open our third office here.

Team MSG Wales will work alongside our HQ in Derby and our European base in Biarritz to help us continue to deliver the unexpected. Opening office number three in Ystrad Mynach puts us in the ideal location to access some of our most loyal customers in Wales.

Meet Team MSG Wales

Joining the experienced Laura in South Wales are Jay and Matt, with Huw working behind the scenes, too.

Having toured with us on the Lions tour to New Zealand in 2017, Laura moved up to Derby to work on the Operations side of things. But, a home girl at heart, she longed for the Welsh Valleys where she returned to work from home. Due to our growth, she now runs the newly opened Wales Office.

Jay is a local lad who lives and breathes sport and travel. His expertise comes in Sport Marketing and PR having studied at Leeds University. On a Saturday, you’ll usually see Jay kitted out in the black and red of his beloved Nelson RFC.

A familiar face to some of our tourists in Japan 2019; Matt knows exactly what it’s like to be a supporter on one of our trips. Having previously worked for the Ospreys, we tapped into his skills while he toured with us at the Rugby World Cup. Now, he’s a fully fledged member of the MSG team in Wales.

Working outside of the office in Wales is Huw. An important part of the team; Huw is passionate about touring and the benefits it brings to local clubs and amateur sport. He liaises with football, rugby and cricket clubs across Wales to provide them with the unforgettable experiences they seek on their tour.

An interesting fact about Team MSG Wales is that they can all speak Welsh! Laura, Jay and Huw are all fluent in Cymraeg having attended Welsh schools while Matt can speak a little bit of the language having studied at A-Level. Maybe Matt can pick up more Welsh working with his new team.

Expanding to Wales

Our expansion into the Welsh supporters, clubs and schools’ market meant it was only logical to create a third base in an area which is important to our company. Not only from a business sense, but on a personal level, too.

MSG have returned to our natural roots with several of our staff hailing from Wales – including our Managing Director, Mark Gardner.

A large portion of our Loyal Lions, Follow the Herd and Supporters Club groups are also based in Wales so there was even more reason to ‘come home’ to South Wales.

After successful tours to New Zealand with the British & Irish Lions as well as the Rugby World Cup in Japan, we’re hoping to make our next tours even bigger and better. With that, we needed a bigger and better team, too.

Mark Gardner, Managing Director said: “MSG’s first ever clients hail from the Welsh Valleys and thus it’s fitting to open our latest office in close proximity to our loyal rugby supporters.

Cutting the ribbon on the Tredomen office was a proud moment for the directors, giving us the chance to recruit from a rich talent pool of well-travelled staff with matching values.” Find out a little bit more about the Lions Tour with MSG or take a look at our tour to New Zealand for Wales summer tests.

Why is mental health important in the workplace?

Wed, 29 Jan 2020 15:12:44 GMT

We all know how to maintain optimum physical health, but when it comes to mental health would you be able to recognise the signs that you or a colleague’s mental health is deteriorating before crisis point? Did you know in the UK 1 in 4 will be affected by a mental health problem in their lifetime? MSG Tours have partnered with Derby County Community Trust to lead the way on educating staff about mental health within the workplace.

Niamh Houlihan from MSG said: “We have built our reputation on a passion to deliver the unexpected. We set ourselves an exceedingly high bar in customer service and overall experience. Consequently, customers on clubs, schools and organised ski trips rightly expect our team to be on their game at all times. Making certain that all runs smoothly and everyone has a fantastic time is a joy, but there is also pressure.”

Lauren Asquith, the Trust’s Mental Health Lead held a workshop at MSG’s offices at Marble Hall, Derby which helped break down the walls when talking about mental health and educated the team about creating a plan of action that staff can follow so they feel supported in the workplace.

Lauren said: “The team from MSG work in a high-pressured and demanding environment with lots of deadlines and lots of complex logistical challenges. They have recognised that DCCT can support their staff in managing mental health, spotting stress symptoms in themselves and colleagues and how to support them.”

The workshop was followed by a 45 min yoga session, which helped the team switch off and reset for the new year. A final feel-good factor is that the donation for the session will go back into the community on one of the many of the Trust’s charity projects. It was a fantastic way to start the year and MSG Tours are looking forward to continuing to support Derby County Community Trust in the future.

A special thank you to Lauren for the mental health session, Steph for the Yoga and to Will for working with us to plan the day.

MSG Tours Ltd are working to break the stigma of mental health, so should you!

#DeliveringTheUnexpected

Coleg Gwent's tour within a tour

Fri, 24 Jan 2020 11:25:29 GMT

A school rugby tour is an opportunity to make memories of a lifetime with your best friends while playing the sport you love and experiencing a different culture. A Lions Tour is the pinnacle of all rugby tours where fans of four nations come together once every four years. Now, can you imagine being able to combine the both? Well, that’s exactly what Coleg Gwent will be doing when they venture to South Africa for their rugby tour – all while the Lions have their own little tour there!

Coleg Gwent tour alongside the Lions

With a helping hand from the MSG team, the current Welsh Schools and College champions get to experience the culture of the Rainbow Nation and take on the finest teams the country has to offer. And, they get the unique opportunity to follow Warren Gatland’s men during the opening warm-up games ahead of the 3-test series against the reigning World Champions, the Springboks.

For just over two weeks, 24 students from Coleg Gwent tour South Africa spending time in Cape Town, Port Elizabeth and Durban. They will test themselves in four matches against local opposition while also having the opportunity to support the Lions. While the students are in South Africa, the Lions play matches against the DHL Stormers, a South African Invitational and the Cell C Sharks.

Rugby aside, Coleg Gwent will experience all South Africa has to offer by climbing Table Mountain, exploring the Cape Peninsula and, of course, going on a safari.

MSG Tours specialise in sports tours for rugby clubs and schools to create unique experiences. But we continue to deliver the unexpected by co-ordinating Coleg Gwent’s sports tour of South Africa alongside the highly anticipated Lions tour.

Steven Llewelyn, the Tour Manager said: “This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to travel South Africa; combining playing rugby with your mates and watching the Lions on tour. Not many people have the chance to do something like this. This will never happen again for these boys -they will create memories and have experiences that they will remember for the rest of their lives.”

When building this adventurous tour for Coleg Gwent, there was a little bit of sentiment with our very own Managing Director, Mark Gardner, having been a student there himself.

Mark said: ”As a Coleg Gwent alumni, I had the pleasure of touring South Africa in 1996 when studying at this excellent institution, led by the current Hong Kong Rugby Chief Executive, David (Dai) Rees and the inimitable Colin Saunders. It’s a huge honour to be taking my alma mater back to South Africa, after their hugely successful playing tour to Australia in 2017.”

You can check out our rugby tours or other sports tours for yourself. Or, find out more about our Supporters’ Tours or our big trip for the Lions in 2021 .

Tour Announcement: The Hall School book a study trip to Israel

Tue, 21 Jan 2020 17:49:23 GMT

We caught up with The Hall School’s Head of Theology, Philosophy and Religion (R.) as she settles back into term in 2020 and looks ahead to their incredible Israel tour in May of this year.

The tour itself was a labour of love between R. and MSG Tours as they worked tirelessly together to create a really unique student experience.

R.’s enthusiasm is unmistakable as she looks at why a tour to Israel was so high on her agenda.

And with the political agenda making its way more and more into the mainstream, Israel as a case study may be more relevant than ever.

“I genuinely believe, given the context of what’s happening at the moment with religion and politics, it’s all the more reason to allow the younger generations the opportunity to overcome stereotypes, learn for themselves and increase their level of understanding of what is happening, and why it’s happening, in the world around them.”

MSG Tours has always prided itself on disrupting the market and looking to provide the kind of trips that no one else can. When R. approached our very own Mike Hendey about the possibility, the pair put a plan in motion to develop the trip and make it a reality. The itinerary is completely bespoke and centred around the school’s educational needs and priorities.

“MSG Tours were instrumental in the entire process,” continued R. “They helped to liaise with local suppliers and helped me to get out there for a ‘recce’’ myself to meet tour guides and to ensure that we covered everything to look for all possible outcomes, including the wellbeing of the pupils and their safety.”

So with the plans now set and the trip moving ever closer, we were keen to hear what R. was looking forward to most…

“I’m looking forward to the students learning more about the ethnic minority groups that exist in Israel. I think for quite a lot of them they may, or may not, know anything beyond the main, monotheistic groups there like Christians, Muslims, Jews. So instead to learn about the ethnic minority groups would be an incredible experience for them. Our trip’s theme is around a sense of belonging and how so many different people can belong to one amazing place”

You can see more information on our Israel Study product by clicking here and we’ll be sure to follow up with R. and The Hall School later in the year…

RECRUITMENT: Assistant Finance Manager role available at MSG

Mon, 30 Dec 2019 09:45:41 GMT

Ambitious, energetic and thriving #travel brand expands business with finance role commencing in Q1 2020.

Location: Derby, DE24 8BF
Contract: Full time (up to 40 hours per week, Mon to Fri)
Salary: Negotiable – subject to experience.
Start: Q1 2020 or subject to the candidate.
Perks: Free breakfast, lunch & fresh fruit every working day. Flexible working hours

ASSISTANT FINANCE MANAGER

We're seeking an assistant finance manager to help deliver our portfolio of ski, sport, supporters and study travel packages to our Company's exceptionally high standards. Reporting to and working alongside the Managing Director and current Finance Manager (due to go on three-month maternity leave June-Aug), the candidate will support the daily operations of our fast-paced business. The successful applicant will be numbers-focused, organised, demonstrates a high attention to detail and has an appreciation of the travel industry.

The role entails monitoring the business from a financial and commercial perspective, incorporating bookkeeping, producing legal documentation and auditing. There is also an opportunity to cover some of the Finance Manager's responsibilities whilst on Maternity Leave.

In exceptional circumstances, we may consider a part-time role .

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Managing the purchase ledger
Processing supplier payments (in various currencies)
Processing foreign exchange activity and working to conversion targets
Knowledge of VAT regulations
Monthly Balance Sheet reconciliations
Managing grant funding from application to delivery
Applying for insurance renewals annually
Working alongside directors to manage strategic planning
Supporting Finance Administrator
Assisting Finance Manager on management duties
Liaising with and assisting Operations Manager
Training existing staff on financial systems

ESSENTIAL QUALITIES:

High attention to detail
Commercial acumen
AAT qualified
FX experience
Knowledge of accounting software (Xero)
Excellent communication skills
Willing to learn and develop
Experience of accounting in prior roles

This is an exciting opportunity to expand your knowledge in finance and the tour operating industry.

APPLICATIONS CLOSE 24th January 2020.

Send your CV or LinkedIn profile to recruitment@msgtours.com

NB: Attracting talent to our business remains at the forefront of MSG. This role may not be for you, but don't let that stop you from showcasing your potential. We'll find the right hours for the best people. Don't let a 40h p/w role put you off if your life balance requires a role with less commitment.

The Story Behind Our New Football Range

Fri, 22 Nov 2019 16:00:38 GMT

As we launch our new brochure, Mike looks back on the reasons behind the locations and what the new season has in store.

People like expertise; I think that’s a given. What I set out to do with our football product was to focus on specific locations, based on our contacts and strengths in those areas, to deliver itineraries that went beyond the usual.

Outside of MSG I work alongside a lot of excellent coaches, both within academies and school-based agencies and all our product is designed with them in mind.

One thing we felt immediately is that simply associating your tour with a big club such as Barcelona or Inter Milan, is no guarantee of a good trip. Often what this serves to do is increase the cost whilst feeling more like a commodity than a valued guest. It’s my belief, backed up by experienced colleagues in the game, that touring groups are seeking that personal touch and enthusiasm from the clubs they train with and play against.

So when Joseph and I started mapping out the where, why and how of our football tours, we had this sentiment at the front of our minds. The first thing was to strip back our offerings to show the quality of our destinations as opposed to focusing on the quantity.

The Basque was a no-brainer. We operate extensively in the area and it’s the base for our European office. The footballing history and the incredible achievements of the academy systems of Bilbao and Sociedad in particular, meant that it was the perfect start point. We affectionately dubbed it the ‘Tiki-taka Tour’ as a homage to the passing style developed by the Spanish. It also reflects the feel of this area, with everything in short reach, meaning your tour builds and builds into something more than the sum of its parts. Perhaps I’m overreaching my metaphors here!

I spent a lot of time in Italy across the year, particularly at Chievo where I was blown away by the family feel of the club and its acceptance that, in an era of multi-million pound transfers, they must operate within their limits and focus on youth. The coaches here have incredible tactical knowledge and it’s a side of the game I found fascinating to learn about as it’s very different to the current aims of our own FA. Given our goals of partnering with clubs that mutually benefit from hosting our groups, Chievo and Brescia alike were the perfect fit. Verona, where we’ve chosen as our main base, is quite literally football mad and the surrounding scenery, particularly Lake Garda, is stunning.

Greece was a location that wasn’t immediately on our radar. We had looked around for a location that would offer sun, great training and value for money but that’s a tough combination to come by. Enter Sportcamp. The training base and accommodation in Loutraki is made for touring groups. With all your facility needs met on-site, along with great value, full-board options, it means you can take advantage of the Mediterranean sun without breaking the bank. We were also aware of the passion for football in the city and the opportunities this presented for pro-training and live sport.

Further afield we developed great links in New York and feel that the itinerary here is of the highest quality. It’s such an exciting time in the MLS but we opted for New York given the great air fares from the UK and the sheer variety of excursions. A favourite of mine was Socceroof and the chance to train at the top of a skyscraper.

Argentina was the ultimate on our bucket list. One of the most iconic footballing countries in the world and a chance to train alongside the nations two biggest rivals in Boca Juniors and River Plate. We’re confident that, as the costliest of our football offerings, it represents the wow factor that we set out for.

With such a streamlined set of destinations, we’re confident that booking a football tour with us means booking a tour that will deliver the unexpected. We’re here to offer you the expertise and guidance to go beyond the standard football tour and deliver a truly unique and tailored experience. You’ll benefit from the hard work and research that shines through in our brochure, which is downloadable here. You’re only a phone call away from your next tour, so get in touch!

To download the full brochure, just click here

Why China has us all excited

Fri, 22 Nov 2019 15:12:38 GMT

With the launch of our new tours to Shanghai, Beijing, Xi’an, Chengdu and Yangshuo, we got the thoughts of our very own China ‘nut’, Mike Hendey.

MSG Tours are thrilled to be branching out with some of the most unique and varied study and cultural itineraries to China to be found anywhere. Compiled with a passion to push students outside their comfort zone, delve into community projects and tick off those must-see locations, we’re confident that you won’t find anything that comes close. Mike explains why…

I didn’t take much persuading to sit down and explain in a little more detail why we’re launching such an extensive programme of tours to China. Having lived in the country for 3 and a half years, I have unfortunately become ‘that guy’ who forever wants to share unsolicited stories on adventures no one else cares about; until now!

Through the wonders of the travel industry, the stars have aligned, and I’ve finally been granted a reason to shout, rave and wax lyrical about this incredible country.

When I say China, I’m often met with a confused look and the question, “but why China?” I used to feel a little defensive about this but as time has worn on, I actually think it’s one of the major charms of the place. It’s not what people are expecting, and it almost never disappoints for the lucky ones who were intrepid enough to give it a go.

Having worked in the school travel business for a long while now, I can wholeheartedly endorse China as the perfect place to take your young minds .

To give some context to my own experience, I began my adventures in Chengdu in the lush green of the southwest. I was a teacher at Yandaojie middle school and looked after grades 1 and 2, with ages ranging from 11 to 13. The class size, rather intimidatingly, was rarely below 50 students and we spoke very little of the others’ language, which led to some interesting situations.

I later moved south to Guangxi province, where I settled as a tour guide in the incredibly beautiful town of Yangshuo. Here I chaperoned wide eyed gap year students and younger, educational groups. It opened my eyes to the highs and lows of touring groups in China; from the trials and tribulations of ordering food to the elation of being understood in broken mandarin.

After a stint back in the UK, I return to Yangshuo and worked with International School students, guiding programmes in, among others, Inner Mongolia, Hangzhou, Sanya and Beijing. We focused on social development through pushing students outside of their comfort zone and encouraging an exposure to different cultures and ideas . It was an incredible time for me and really opened my eyes up to how much students in the UK stood to gain from following in these footsteps.

So when I began with MSG, I decided I wanted to be part of a team that developed China tours that went beyond the guide books and standard attractions . That’s why I’m thrilled to bring these itineraries to market. Including Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu, Xi’an and Yangshuo, with plans to expand further, we offer China trips that benefit from genuine, first-hand experience.

Explore the hustle and bustle of truly giant cities such as Beijing and Shanghai, studying the human impact of these sprawling metropolises and the investment needed to sustain them. Learn history first-hand as you volunteer in an old people’s home and learn from those who lived through the cultural revolution. Hike through hidden tea plantations in Hangzhou or sleep under the stars in the countryside of Yangshuo as you look at China’s rural development. The list of historical, cultural and geographical studies on offer in China is endless.

If I were considering the brave (but infinitely wise) decision to take my school group to China, I’d want to know I’m talking to an expert who has lived and breathed the culture, climate and cuisine. So let MSG Tours help you find your perfect combination of sights and adventure for your next study tour to China.

The Italian Job

Tue, 10 Sep 2019 16:09:05 GMT

I’m not one for nerves usually but I must admit that, as I waited at the airport in Bergamo for my flight home, I was feeling a little apprehensive. Over the past two weeks I had covered just under 1500km from city, to mountains to beach and back again. I was lucky enough to watch some top-class training, matches and meet some wonderful people during that time. But it’s impossible not to worry slightly, it’s a sign of how much we care.

Let’s rewind and see what had brought me to the departure lounge on the outskirts of Milan. I began in Verona. I had planned to meet our good friends from Dulwich College at their base in the impressive Payanini Centre as I arrived. However, they had had such a great time post-match with their hosts at Petrarca Padova, that they weren’t home until well past midnight. So, bright and early, I met them for breakfast at the Verona Rugby Academy. It’s impossible not to be impressed when you arrive at the complex. An imposing stand takes centre stage, acting as a barrier between the immaculate first team pitch and the equally well-groomed training pitches to the rear. Atop the concrete stand is a beautiful bar and restaurant that offers panoramic views of the facility and a terrace for those hazy summer nights. In short, you could not wish for a better environment to prepare for a season. Dulwich’s James Hanks certainly agreed “Fantastic to be at Verona Rugby Academy; wonderful facilities, lovely weather and great to get prepared for the season ahead.”

After checking out and bidding a reluctant farewell to their training facilities, Dulwich made their way to Caneva Water Park; not a bad way to finish a trip. With smiles all round, I bid Dulwich adieu and made my way to the airport in Verona to meet Nick de Luca and his Uppingham School cohort. We immediately headed up into the mountains to the North of Verona and checked in to the Hotel Bucaneve. It’s a brilliant location for a couple of days of training. The hotel serves as a base for large ski groups in the winter months so is spacious, with large dining areas, a terrace and the ski storage area serves as a great space for all your sports gear. Last night in the mountains, thanks to Hotel Bucaneve for being wonderful hosts! On to Verona Academy and our first fixture. #Rugby

I spent a lovely couple of days learning from the coaching expertise of Nick de Luca and Fred Wenham and getting to know the players. On their third morning, I departed for Verona once more as they were donning their hiking boots for a trek up into the mountains. Back at Verona airport I was joined by my colleague Joe and we waited excitedly to meet Woodford RFC, the sole club side on our Italian summer adventure. It’s so nice to put faces to names and a part of the job that will never lose its appeal. Smiles all round as group organisers Patricia, Geoff and Richard introduced themselves and we loaded parents and players alike on to the coach bound for the coast and Lignano.

The Bella Italia Village was to be their home for the next week. It’s a superb facility for sport tours, with so many options, all on their huge campus, the beach and town just around the corner and within easy reach of Venice, it offers great value for money mixed with quality. Woodford certainly wasted no time in getting acquainted with the local tipples but were somehow still in great form the following day as temperatures soared over 30 degrees. Joe and I joined them on their trip to Venice and spent the day wandering along the canals of this fascinating city before saying our goodbyes and heading up to the Dolomites with our final summer arrival, Strathallan School. The Dolomites provided an incredible backdrop to their training and it was again a real privilege to watch such talented coaches and players at work. To maintain such high standards across 50 players takes some work. The discipline and intensity shown by all of them was an eye opener.

So as I looked back on my time in Italy, the nerves faded slightly. The best part of this job is the connections made and experiences created. From the state-of-the-art facilities at the Verona Rugby Academy to the evenings spent chatting with the Woodford entourage, far too much cheese with Uppingham to thunderstorms in the mountains with Strathallan, I think we all helped create a sporting summer to remember.

Here’s to next year! Mike Hendey | The Editor
mike@msgtours.com

Feeling inspired? Click here to enquire about a rugby tour to Italy today.

Announcement: MSG SKRUM's down with African rugby charity

Wed, 28 Aug 2019 14:24:05 GMT

MSG Partners with SKRUM Charity

Saturday 17th August 2019 featured MSG’s fourth annual ‘Sporting Saturday’ event at Cardiff’s Radisson Blu Hotel. Featuring speakers and guests from the global game of rugby, the occasion – sponsored by British Airways – welcomed the African rugby charity, SKRUM, as MSG’s official charity partner on the 2021 British and Irish Lions Tour to South Africa.

Based in Eswatini (formerly Swaziland), SKRUM uses the game of rugby to engage children, at the same time educating participants about HIV/AIDS, inspiring better leadership in communities, raising awareness of gender violence and promoting the benefits of school and education through rugby’s core values:
RESPECT | DISCIPLINE | PASSION | SOLIDARITY | INTEGRITY

The event in Cardiff featured 260 guests who all contributed to raising £1,000 to assist the charity’s work in Eswatini through a raffle and obligatory pre-match ‘Head and Tails’ game. Jane Alexander Carr, Communications and Events Officer, joined us on the day to explain how the charity operates inside this landlocked country located four hours east of Johannesburg.

Further information on our Lions Tour can be found here.

Visit SKRUM online to view their ongoing and excellent work in Eswatini

The MSG Hub

Wed, 14 Aug 2019 08:58:40 GMT

The MSG Hub is here

Back in 2017 we introduced a travel app called Vamoos into our touring packages. This app was a fantastic step up for MSG Tours and a unique way to enhance our customers tour experience.

We were inundated with positive feedback from our tours that have previously used the app. As an innovative educational travel brand, we are always striving to be one step ahead…it left us thinking about what we could improve? How could we make an app that could give our customers even more information? Wouldn’t it be nice to give our customers recommendations and activity ideas for their free days at the touch of a button? Could we make the maps more interactive?

So, this January, we got our thinking caps on and started to design our very own bespoke app. Fast forward 8 months and we are ready to launch the MSG Hub!

So what does it include?

The MSG Hub includes some fantastic features to enhance your tour experience:

Detailed day by day itinerary
City guides
Maps with directions
Instant Messenger
Weather updates
My profile
Currency converter
Points of interest
Guestlist
Flight tracker

How does it work?

Our aim is to make your personalised tour package easily accessible, and with the MSG Hub, we can do exactly that. The MSG Hub will be available for everyone on tour and those staying behind. To log into your app please use the log in details you are given at tour confirmation.

Each app is bespoke to the individual tour, and we hope this will help create an unforgettable trip. Want to see more? Take a look at our video walkthrough of how to use the app.

RECRUITMENT: Operations and Marketing opportunities at MSG

Wed, 10 Jul 2019 13:57:29 GMT

Ambitious, energetic and thriving #travel brand expands with recruitment of new OPERATIONS and MARKETING roles.

Location: Derby, DE24 8BF
Contract: Full time or part-time (up to 40 hours per week, Mon to Fri)
Salary: Negotiable – subject to experience.
Start: August/September 2019 or subject to the candidate.
Perks: Free breakfast, lunch & fresh fruit every working day. Flexible working hours

CREATIVE PRODUCT MARKETING

An opportunity awaits for an innovative, exciting individual recognised for dynamism and creativity to take our thriving educational and sports travel brand to the digital marketplace. With a talent and passion for all mainstream social media accounts, the candidate will merge our aspirational travel destinations and events with the fast-moving world of digital media, focusing equally on both our existing client bases and sport, ski and school study marketplaces. He/she should be capable of basic image / graphic design (and enhancement through popular applications to link on relevant channels), WordPress, e-marketing and copywriting across print and digital.

Reporting to and working alongside the managing director, this full time role combines an attractive salary with an uncapped commission and bonus potential with a high degree of autonomy on offer for bringing business development ideas to fruition. Personal characteristics required of each candidate include a vibrant personality, passion for the sports, ski, education and travel industries with a thirst for exploring the globe to promote our core travel destinations.

TOUR OPERATIONS

We’re seeking a commercially astute, hands-on, experienced tour operator to creatively deliver our worldwide portfolio of ski, sport, supporters and study travel packages to exceptionally high standards. He/she will have a confident grasp of reservation and booking systems and a thirst for exploring operational innovations and efficiencies. Confidence in verbal and face to face client communications is a given, whilst a passion for developing new business projects through feasibility studies will stand an applicant out.

He/she will also possess competence in all areas of operations’ financial requirements, negotiation, a desire and ambition to travel, a demonstrated drive to #delivertheunexpected and seamlessly form part of a dynamic travel team.

ESSENTIAL QUALITIES:

High attention to detail
Commercial acumen
Vibrant personality
Excellent communication skills
Willing to learn and develop

An ideal candidate may also have some of the following:

Experience in the tourism industry
Language skills (French/Spanish/Italian)

APPLICATIONS CLOSE 15th August 2019.

Send your CV or LinkedIn profile to recruitment@msgtours.com

NB: Attracting talent to our business remains at the forefront of MSG. This role may not be for you, but don’t let that stop you from showcasing your potential. We’ll find the right hours for the best people. Don’t let a 40h p/w role put you off if your life balance requires a role with less commitment.

Meet the MSG team …

Action Man goes to Madagascar: My time in 'Tana

Fri, 05 Jul 2019 15:28:14 GMT

Action Man goes to Madagascar: My time in ‘Tana

When my boss Mark Gardner, AKA ‘The Barista ’, asked about my availability to go on a familiarisation trip to Madagascar, I tried but struggled to contain my excitement. For this trip, I would need to pack a scrum hat alongside a Boonie hat for the Rainforest, as the objective was to develop our rugby tours to Madagascar and examine facilities, infrastructures, lodgings and all things rugby with a fine-tooth comb.

Wanderlust

Madagascar has been my wanderlust destination for a while, with the lure of fantastic flora and fauna both on and just off this far-flung island. The fourth biggest in the world, is referred to by many as ‘Treasure Island’. With an abundance of secluded coves and an absence of European powers for centuries, Madagascar was a safe haven for pirates to take shelter when they weren’t looting booty. With my satchel packed, I set off in search of treasure. To coin a phrase from the much-loved pirate; Captain Jack Sparrow: ‘Not all treasure is silver and gold, mate.

City of the 1000

For most of my trip, I was to be stationed in the bustling capital city of Antananarivo; known as ‘Tana’ to the locals and anyone looking to be efficient with syllables. The literal translation of ‘City of the 1000’ is owed to King Andrianjaka, who garrisoned his newly built Palace, or ‘Rova’, with 1000 soldiers in early 1600s. The city is split into three metaphorical towns: The upper town is the most affluent, the middle is where Ministers go about their daily lives and where the business district resides, and the lower town consists of local markets and the lower-income neighbourhoods.

Prior to arriving in the capital, there was a new experience for me at Ivato International arrivals, when one by one, everyone’s temple was scanned with a handheld barcode reader before exiting the runway. Apparently, the rationale is to check for high temperatures/fevers, but after watching various Sci-Fi films in transit, my thoughts sparked to a futuristic check-in procedure. Once through the regular customs and immigration process, I was warmly welcomed by Aina, who was to be my host/guide throughout my stay. No doubt a cool dude, with a smile as great as his English (fortunate, as my French vocabulary is limited to food dishes), Aina chaperoned me to the waiting taxi. With a late arrival time and a full day to follow, I saved my food ordering abilities for another time and beelined to the hotel.

ITM 2019

The following day we hopped over to Ivato International Conference Centre for ITM 2019, where anyone who is anyone in Malagasy Tourism was there. The impressive and largest conference centre in the country boasts an amphitheatre, several conference rooms, lounges and for this occasion; a marquee village too. The day was invaluable, meeting and greeting as many relevant people as I could during a round robin routine and perusing through the makeshift village. A late lunch was well earnt, consisting of a BBQ – Malagasy style!

The definition of romance

The evening itinerary commenced with a bang; a sunset meal at Lokanga Boutique Hotel courtesy of the fabulous Fabiola inviting us to dine at her spectacular venue. Situated within a slingshot of the Queen’s Palace, the hotel sits high above Tana and boasts spectacular views of the heart-shaped Lake Anosy, National Stadium and the rest of the old city centre below. The story goes that this manmade lake was a romantic gift from a French admirer to Queen Ranavalona I, a gesture that sets the bar as a sign of affection and that men everywhere hope their significant others don’t hear about and thus elevate their expectations. From my vantage point high above 3 million people, I watched the sun bleach the sky pinky orange whilst slowly being swallowed by the distant hillside. The memory is a treasure I will carry with me onwards.

Post dusk and dinner, with happy tummies, we ventured into the night. In transit, Aina confirmed my suspicions that the animated adventure film that shares the country’s name, was responsible for an uplift in tourism since 2005. Sadly, he explained that it has also resulted in numerous disappointed youngsters at the lack of Lions, Hippos, Zebras and Giraffes around. However, if you are old enough there is one type of Giraffe on show here. It is the affectionate name the locals have given to the long-necked, table top beer dispenser units that can be seen in bars across the capital. A fun and social way to share a frosty one with friends new and old, thoroughly recommended!

Stadium tours

The remaining two days in Tana consisted of jam-packed schedules to investigate hotels, stadiums and excursions that are sure to wow MSG rugby tour goers and #DeliverTheUnexpected. First stop was the 35,000 capacity National Stadium, Mahamasina, literally translated as ‘makes things sacred’. King Radama 1st, wishing to set out a parade ground for his troops, filled in the rice fields that covered the area. He laid down a sacred stone or ‘vato masina’ and that spot became the site where all future Kings and Queens have been crowned. The restoration of Malagasy sovereignty and the return to independence in 1960 were also announced from this spot. These days it is the home stadium of Malagasy National Teams and COSFA (Military Rugby Team), who always play in front of a large and energetic following.

The Malacam Stadium was next up. Although the smaller sibling of the two stadiums, it packs quite a punch. I visited on a Thursday, which became apparent very quickly, is a market day at the stadium’s perimeter. I felt like I was trying to keep up with Aladdin in Agrabah’s Marketplace weaving through the labyrinth of stalls after my host. After sliding through the maze exit, and into the Malacam grounds, I was warmly welcomed by the Grounds Manager Guilbert and the imposing, 140kg, 3rd generation Maki National Team player; Rakotoson. Apparently, he is swift-footed with it, but he didn’t fancy a race to prove it. After touring the facilities, it was heartwarming to hear (albeit through via my host) that Rako has high hopes for his son to make it 4/4 generations representing their country. It was a lovely thought to round off my time in Tana with, and a stark reminder that the rationale for doing this is to grow and promote the beautiful game of Rugby. See you soon Tana…

Feeling Inspired? Let’s Talk!

Do something different and take your team to Madagascar. Contact us today to find out more.

Invicta Cricket Coaching Academy's tour to Barbados and St Lucia

Fri, 10 May 2019 12:23:36 GMT

Invicta Cricket Coaching Academy’s tour to Barbados and St Lucia

It’s a daunting prospect, sitting there in your hotel room (‘room’; a grandiose term for a neon lit box in Gatwick’s departure terminal) getting ready to meet 61 strangers to fly across the world together. Every possible scenario makes its way through your head. You’re checking in and they’ve no record of your booking, the group leader immediately hates you, the students hate you, the group leader hates that the students like you, the students like that the group leader hates you… I never said it was logical. Thankfully we checked in fine and no one seemed to take an immediate dislike to anyone, so my nerves were calmed. Invicta Cricket Academy are run by a talented and forward-thinking group of likeminded people. One criticism would be the number of Mikes employed by the company. With 3 of the 4 coaches, plus myself, I had never encountered such a dense population of Mikes. The direct, 8-hour flight to St Lucia flew by (pun intended) and we were soon touching down in the Caribbean. Outside the airport we were greeted by our man on the ground, Roland, resplendent in Manchester United shirt and ready with buses to ferry the group and luggage to Rodney Bay.

The beauty of Rodney Bay

The rain was well and truly pouring as we arrived at the Bay Gardens Inn, but it did nothing to dampen the excitement as we quickly checked in and freshened up. The beauty of the Rodney Bay area is that you have a host of restaurants and shops all within walking distance. We descended en-masse to a local establishment where the owner looked like he’d gone 10 rounds with Tyson by the time service for 61 finished. The following morning was an early start as we headed out to the rainforest. I’ve long maintained that no one looks good in a climbing helmet and harness but at the Tranopy Experience they made extra sure by completing the ensemble with a paper hair net. I’d like to say that I was the exception to this rule, but I was just one of a plethora of Mikes struggling to bring some grace to the outfit. Exploring the forest

The Tranopy experience consisted of taking a cable car up through the dense forest before making our way back down via a series of ziplines. That’s the simple explanation but doesn’t do justice to the knowledge of the local guides. They knew every Latin name for every tree and shrub (I know this because I pointed at just about all of them and said, ‘what’s that?’) and brought incredible energy to the day as we weaved through the trees. The next day we took the short transfer across to the Darren Sammy Cricket Ground for a day of training. As a starting venue it set the bar about as high as it’s possible to set it. With England having visited just a month prior, it really brought home the significance of the experience for the Invicta cricketers.

Match Day!

Match day had arrived, and we found ourselves back at the Darren Sammy Ground. The bar was raised yet further (probably by one of the 6’2” members of the local u-13 squad) as they were tested against some very strong local opposition. After a hearty local lunch of mac and cheese, jerk chicken and rice, it was back on the bus to Rodney Bay. It’s a lot simpler writing this than physically making it happen as the Caribbean interpretation of the word “soon” is very different from the British. “Soon” lost all meaning to me during my time on the islands as it could signify anything from “the bus is already waiting, get outside!”, to ‘give it an hour.” However, that was the magic of St Lucia. It might not happen on time but when it does happen, everyone has a smile and makes you feel so welcome you forget about anything else. So, after five days in St Lucia it was time to hop on the short flight to Barbados. On arrival you immediately get the feeling that the island is a little more established, with a modern airport and a no fewer than three local reps to greet us and guide us to our transport. A nice touch was a large luggage truck which made the process of loading the extensive amounts of cricket gear a lot easier. The first full day began with the teams training and myself and an Invicta coach (let’s call him Mike) taking the local reggae bus (aptly named given the booming reggae and dreadlocked driver) to Bridgetown in search of new cricket balls for this evening’s night match. Thankfully we were successful, and the night match was one to remember as Invicta pushed the Northern Cricket Academy all the way under the floodlights, the game being lost on the final ball.

Cruising the coastline

The cricket came thick and fast over the next few days with a couple of tough 40 over matches. So, by the end of the week everyone was excited for a private catamaran cruise of the coast. The kids snorkelled whilst the parents also occasionally surfaced for air at the open bar. Along the coast we gawked at the incredible mansions of Roman Abramovich, Rhianna and the Guinness family to name but a few and thoroughly enjoyed the sunshine and relaxation.

The Caribbean is an incredible place for a cricket tour. The mix of top-level venues like the Darren Sammy and the Kensington Oval, combined with the opportunity to play at less well-known venues means a great blend of challenges and opposition. The paradise coasts, joyous locals and range of excursions also means you’re never stuck for activities in your down time.

At breakfast the sunburn levels had risen significantly as several over confident members of the under 16 squad turned out to have been cutting corners when they insisted “of course I put it on” the previous day. Thankfully the heavens had opened as we made our way to the Kensington Oval which soothed a few of yesterday’s victims.

At the Oval, Invicta were able to hand over the fruits of their fundraising to local charity Sport For Life. In return the charity treated us to a talk on their work, a tour of the stadium and a brilliant Q&A with West Indies legend, Franklyn Stephenson. Then it was over to Oistins Fish Fry for a seafood barbeque before jumping aboard our direct flight home.

Feeling Inspired? Contact us today.

Read more about our cricket tours to St Lucia and Barbados.

MSG Tours announces YMCA as charity partner

Thu, 09 May 2019 09:32:55 GMT

We are delighted to announce our partnership with YMCA Derbyshire over the coming months to give more young people the chance to learn outside the classroom.

What does YMCA Derbyshire do?

The YMCA Derbyshire is an independent Christian charity committed to helping people at times of need, regardless of their gender, race, ability or faith. The work the YMCA's does work varies from providing temporary accommodation to the homeless, right through to training individuals with the skills they need to get a job.

It is important to recognise the education system is not one-size-fits-all. Many young people fall through the net due to many different reasons. The YMCA Derbyshire works to help keep young people in education with their 'Key College'. This college gives young people ages 16-19 (and up to 24 in some cases) a second change at education and also prepares students for working life.

At the Key College, students have a wide choice of courses to choose from travel and tourism right through to catering. YMCA believe every young person should have the opportunity to fulfil their potential and so do we!

You can read about some of the Key College's students here.

What will our donations go towards?

In September, YMCA Derbyshire are hoping to take their Key College students for a trip to the seaside. A trip like this would mean so much to the young people, many of whom have never seen the sea or walked on a beach. Something so simple can have such a positive, lasting effect so keep reading to find out how to get involved.

How can I get involved?

For every tour booked, MSG Tours make a donation on your behalf towards the YMCA's seaside trip. So join us on our mission to get more children outside the classroom – fill in our contact form and let's get talking about your next school trip!

"The Action Man" survives his first week at MSG Tours!

Wed, 08 May 2019 16:28:31 GMT

Well, I'm pleased to say that I'm still here! I officially made it through my first week at MSG Tours, and I couldn't be happier.

Arriving at the site of MSG Tours' office is an inspiration itself; a £4 million investment to the iconic former Rolls-Royce building, with the infamous British brand in 5-foot letters as the building's header. And the inspiration doesn't stop there… once inside the wooden arched front doors you are greeted with an incredible Rolls-Royce Battle of Britain memorial stain glass window; depicting a young World War II pilot atop a typical 3 blade propeller, with a blazing golden eagle (literally) and sun framing his bust. I felt a powerful sense of heritage whilst sitting in the foyer waiting for my new boss to descend the impressive spilt staircase. On a personal note giving a nod to the pilot that was my Great Uncle Kevin.

The timing for Week 1 couldn't have been better as it coincided with the quarterly Project 90 extended team meeting. This meant I was able to meet and greet all the MSG Tours' family in one swift blow, get to know the team's culture and soak up how the business operates… I did the best sponge impression I could.

After updates on various work streams we undertook a creative session led by Paul Hill aka 'The Creator'. The objective: to determine how we can push the envelope on our tours and engage our consumers in the best ways possible. It was a fantastic session that elicited innovative thinking and provided tangible outputs to move forward with as a team. I'm excited to get cracking!

The key takeaway I absorbed from Week 1 was that MSG Tours are everything that had attracted me to the company and more. The canvas is snow white, clean as a whistle and you're encouraged to use your 'License to Create' to craft tours that are guaranteed to #Delivertheunexpected.

A spring has definitely been in my step since starting life at MSG Tours and I am thrilled to be part of the family. As a Spanish speaking, sport loving Scuba Diver that loves all things travel, it's exciting to see that I will be able to utilise many of my passions, dovetailed with all my previous commercial experience. My future at MSG Tours is looking bright and the job is much more like doing my hobbies for 8 hours a day. As the famous Marc Anthony quote goes, "If you do what you love, you'll never work a day in your life". Find out more about me here!

Why Alabama should be on every Historian's bucket list.

Mon, 06 May 2019 23:21:15 GMT

When I was asked to start developing our Study tours products, I immediately thought back to the trips I went on when at school. Some of the clearer memories are where I felt an emotion. Seeing Ginger, the mummy preserved complete with his ginger hair at the British Museum in London, brought to life the mummification process we were learning, and I felt right there, that they were real people.

The most prominent memory, however, was walking through a trench in Belgium, complete with underground tunnels (and torrential rain!), and I remember feeling such empathy for how the soldiers must have felt. Scared, cold, wet, hungry, on tenterhooks waiting for the next attack. This feeling and seeing these trenches along with the thousands of war graves, I truly believe helped me through my History GCSE.

Therefore, I felt it was important to make sure our trips evoke those same feelings with students we take across the world. I wanted to find destinations that were new, exciting and educational, and Alabama ticks all the boxes. The Civil Rights Movement is an ever-growing topic within UK schools, but so is the American Civil War. The more I researched Alabama, the more I found both topics can be studied side by side, and even more interestingly both events are intrinsically linked to one another.

"We are not makers of history. We are made by history – Martin Luther King."

Fast forward 11 months, and I am at London Heathrow, about to take 4 historians on the trip of a lifetime. Thanks to Sweet Home Alabama, British Airways and American Airlines and No1 Lounges, we were given the opportunity to explore they key cities of the Civil Rights Movement, and really discover how students will benefit from visiting here. Our first morning in the city of Birmingham began with a tour with In Birmingham's Barry McNealy. He took us to sites such as the Birmingham Jail, where Martin Luther King Jr wrote the famous 'Letter from the Birmingham Jail', and drove us through 'Dynamite Hill', named as such because the Klu Klux Klan bombed the street over 40 times. Formerly the city's 'colour line', this now leafy and seemingly peaceful street, was once a hive of activism. With whites living on one side, and blacks on the other, anyone who dared crossed the street were met with violence and hate.

Barry tells us "In any Civil Rights dispute, it is always the women who got the ball rolling and made change" . This was the supported by the story of Mary Means Monk, who bought an empty housing project property on the white side of the road. The KKK took real offence to this and bombed the house 3 times- but her family still lives there today.

We also visited Kelly Ingram Park. Situated opposite the 16th Street Baptist Church, where we were later invited an inspirational Palm Sunday Gospel Service, Barry told us the story of the Church's bombing in 1963. Here four young girls lost their lives when the KKK planted 15 sticks of dynamite on the east side of the church. In the park, these four girls have been memorialised in a poignant statue named the Four Spirits. What is also interesting in this Park, is a small tree, planted in memory of Holocaust victim Anne Frank. This is to demonstrate that the Civil Rights Movement wasn't about black vs white, it was about not being accepted for being different, and this same battle is being fought over, and over again. The Holocaust, Apartheid, Suffragettes, Tiananmen Square Protests, Berlin Wall, are all the same story, and this story continues to this day. I had never thought about it that way before. What if everyone was accepted for who they were in the world? What if people were kinder to each other?

"People seeing right from wrong despite their colour will always do good"

Martha Bouyer, a former educator and our afternoon guide in Birmingham, took us on a quick-fire tour of the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute which demonstrated what segregation looked like. I asked her if the involvement of white supporters of the movement affected its success. She advised "Absolutely, people seeing right from wrong despite their colour will always do good".

If this was a lesson taught in all schools, could the world become a better place? Would we learn from our mistakes?

This sounds like a lot of questions to be asking, but a trip to Alabama encourages the inquisitive. On our penultimate day in the State Capitol of Montgomery; the city in which Jefferson Davis signed the telegram starting the Civil War, and where Rosa Parks refused to move from her seat; we visited the new Legacy Museum: From Enslavement to Mass Incarceration. Situated in a warehouse which housed enslaved African Americans, this fully immersive and interactive exhibition left me asking so many questions. It documents the history of African Americans from being enslaved in the 1600's, through the civil war and slavery being banned in the Confederate States, lynching, legalised racial segregation and a massive focus on current racial disparities in the legal system. It is so powerful that we were told it hasn't had the best response from some locals. However, the stories told here need to be heard. As you leave the exhibition, plastered all over the walls are questions. Why wasn't there justice, why is this person still in maximum security prison, why are there still racist laws in Alabama's constitution?

These are all questions that will resonate with me forever, and I don't think I'll really know the answers. However, the trip wasn't about persecution and learning about the inexcusable treatment of black people. It was about hope, perseverance and overcoming all odds.

Hearing the foot soldiers stories…

In Selma, our guide Dianne Lewis was a former foot soldier and was in the queue to cross the Edmund Pettus Bridge on the infamous 'Bloody Sunday'. As we crossed the bridge with her, she told us her story, how she had been arrested 3 times and "I have not sat at the back of anything since". Just a young girl at the time, she has made it her mission to tell her story and empower everyone to see what they achieved. It isn't about the lynching, the segregation, the name calling or the beatings, it is about the fact they overcame all of it, and are proud to say, 'I had a part in that'.

Another proud foot soldier was Jake Williams, who has his own tour bus to take tourists around the city. He was 13 when he marched up to the Capitol building in 1965 (this march prompted the Voting Rights Act to be passed, guaranteeing all African American's the right to vote). His knowledge of his city and the history was untenable, and his positivity radiated the whole time we were in his presence. He took us to Martin Luther King Jr's former home, where he and his family lived while he was pastor and the Dexter Street Baptist Church. What was becoming clear to me was the importance of churches through the entire movement. These were not only places of worship, but meeting places of those wanting to fight back. It was in these churches that boycotts were planned, marches organised, and hope given in powerful speeches by Martin Luther King Jr, Fred Shuttlesworth, Ralph Abernathy and many more pastors who were also activists. The Dexter Baptist Church is now a memorial to Martin and all other black activists and Wanda, the tour manager at the church, moved us all to tears with a powerful speech about hope and how it is now our job to ensure the story is told to as many people as possible. The Peace & Justice Memorial in Montgomery was the most powerful and emotional visit of them all. A sobering memorial to lives lost due to lynching in the late 1800's-1940's, 4000 names hang on 800 blocks from the ceiling, each block representing a county in South America. Some have one name, some have 40, and even more shockingly, it is estimated 10,000 names are missing as they were not deemed important to record.

"There is no future without education" – Rosa Parks.

I feel students and adults alike should go to Alabama. Not only to learn about its rich history, but to experience southern hospitality. This is no myth, every single person we met genuinely wanted us there. There is so much to see and do, the food is out of this world, and there are no issues with keeping children busy of an evening! Escape rooms, Top Golf, baseball games (apparently a Montgomery Biscuit's game is a must!) and live music are just a few things that can be done to rest and clear the mind ready for the next day.

I have come home now with a fire in my belly, it is my mission to get as many schools as we can to meet these people, see these vibrant cities and learn. I can guarantee they will feel emotions they will never forget. The places I have mentioned here are probably 30% of all the things we saw and the remaining 70% were just as memorable, I could write forever about them. I personally feel this trip has changed my whole mindset and made me a better person.

The most important message I want to spread is to be kind to others. Learn about these events, not just the Civil Rights movement, but the Holocaust, Apartheid and all the other events in History where people were persecuted for being a different race, gender or religion. We are a HUMAN race, and we are making the same mistakes decade after decade. Let your students, the next generation be the ones to make change. This isn't about history; this is about education. And EDUCATION IS POWER.

Grace Mumford | The Planner

Learn more about Grace here.

Start planning your own school history trip to Alabama – read more about our itineraries here.

A special thank you to Sweet Home Alabama and British Airways for helping make this trip possible.

Short Haul Rugby Club Ideas

Thu, 04 Apr 2019 16:04:45 GMT

Short Haul Rugby Tours

You don't have to travel far to find competitive fixtures and unforgettable tour experiences. We have developed our rugby portfolio alongside former England and Irish Lions pro, Tim Stimpson. If you are thinking about planning a rugby tour to Europe, you can view our destinations here .

Nelson Youth book a short haul rugby tour

Nelson Youth have recently booked their rugby tour to Lloret de Mar. They will be travelling in May 2019, Lloret de Mar is a great base for a rugby tour as it gives the opportunity to explore neighbouring cities such as Barcelona and Perpignan.

Need some inspiration?

Often cited as the heartland of rugby, the standard of play is extremely high here — boasting France's Aviron Bayonnais and Biarritz Olympique as chief rivals in the region — and serves as the ideal base for touring teams looking to test their resolve on both sides of the Spanish and French border. Teams can also prepare for the rigours of the season with a productive stay at one of our Basque Country pre-season rugby camps. With an exciting array of cities to visit (Batumi, Gudauri, Kutaisi, Tbilisi) and an excursion list that offers respite from the rigours of match day preparation, you'll be nothing but impressed at Georgia's rugby quality and competitiveness of packages for your next rugby tour. The rugby clubs across the country offer teams a warm welcome. Anyone who has taken their team on a rugby tour to Holland has countless tales of lengthy post-match hospitality! With regional flights from across the UK, along with the ready availability of coach travel, Holland as a rugby tour destination really is an affordable and simplistic option for your forthcoming trip. Italy's introduction to the annual Six Nations tournament marked the country firmly on to the rugby tour map. Clubs at youth level lie in wait across all categories to pit their passion and determination against your touring squad. Touring Italy is worth it just for the post-match festivities alone.

What did they think? Some previous tours case studies

Super Saturday and new supporters tours

Fri, 15 Mar 2019 17:01:13 GMT

New Supporters Tours

Super Saturday is upon us, with Wales facing the Irish for their first Grand Slam title since 2012. While the English pray for a loss to the home team in Cardiff, as a proud Wales supporter I'm predicting a 21-16 win to our boys at the weekend. What are your thoughts? Tweet us your match predictions @msgtours.

It's been a busy entry to Spring at MSG HQ as we expand our MSG Supporters portfolio to exciting new geographical landscapes. Hong Kong 7s (including a side trip to Beijing, China), Dubai 7s (with optional Abu Dhabi Grand Prix extension) and the Ryder Cup in Wisconsin, USA during September 2020 are hitting our channels and YOU'RE INVITED!

We'll be offering a short and sharp trip to Ireland for the 2020 Six Nations encounter between the hosts and Wales. Keep an eye on our Facebook feed for announcements as and when dates are officially announced.

You can register your interest in our supporters tours below:

The Explorer travels to Sri Lanka with Channing School

Tue, 05 Feb 2019 22:05:44 GMT

In October I was fortunate to accompany Channing School on their Netball tour to Sri Lanka, I was particularly looking forward to this tour as it was my first girls sports tour, and having played Netball previously, I was excited to get stuck in.

After a long day of travelling, we arrived at the beautiful Cinnamon Citadel Hotel in Kandy in time for a delicious meal and some relaxation time ahead of the first fixtures of the tour the following day. Day two saw the group visit Kandy Temple of Tooth, one of the most popular temples in Sri Lanka before heading to Kandy netball court for their first fixture against Swarnamali Balika Vidyalaya where Channing came away with a win each for the under 17s and under 15s teams.

Following a brief stop in Kandy, the group headed to Hikkaduwa beach resort for the next 5 nights. En route, the girls got to see some elephants at Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage which was a truly memorable experience. The next five days saw the girls have some relaxation time at Citrus Hotel which was situated right on the beach along with two further netball fixtures.

Following an easy win for both teams at Swarnamali Balika Vidyalaya, Channing were challenged slightly more at Galle Netball Court against Sangamitta Vidyalaya and then Sacred Heart Convent, seeing the U17s win by just one point against Sangamitta Vidyalaya. Playing at Galle was definitely a unique experience for the girls as this was their first time playing on a grass court, a great way to see how netball is played in different countries.

During their stay in Hikkaduwa, Channing girls got the opportunity to give back to the less fortunate by spending the day at the Foundation of Goodness Charity. FOG is a non-profit organisation whose aim is to empower the less privileged rural communities in Sri Lanka, including those affected by the Tsunami that hit Sri Lanka in 2004, claiming the lives of over 30,000 people. The girls spent the day playing games with children who have been affected by the 2004 Tsunami before kindly donating netball equipment to the charity.

With its beautiful scenery, exciting excursions and a great standard of netball, Sri Lanka is definitely a great choice when it comes to netball tours.

Let's plan your next netball tour

China Climbing Blog

Tue, 05 Feb 2019 15:05:38 GMT

Calling all Climbers: We're going to China!

We're launching a brand-new China Climbing tour for November 2019 and we want you to be a part of it.

Climbing is set to make its debut at the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo and is an ever-growing pastime in the UK and across the world. Over 100,000 people are classed are 'regular climbers' and in 2018, over 1 million people visited indoor climbing gyms across the United Kingdom. Don't just take our word for it, this brilliant UK Climbing article has lots of information on the rise of UK climbing.

Our motto at MSG is Delivering the Unexpected and that's exactly what we plan to do here. We've compiled an amazing itinerary using our in-house travel expertise and unrivalled local knowledge. It will offer a chance to get totally off the beaten track, attend the Yangshuo Climbing Festival and, most importantly, to do it all alongside an amazing bunch of fellow climbers and adventurers!

What's it all about?

So you're a little curious but you've got no idea what you're getting yourself into. Here's the day-by-day itinerary:

Day 1 – Morning: Arrive into Hong Kong, collect your bags and head to your hotel in central Hong Kong. Afternoon/Evening: After settling in and freshening up, head over to one of Hong Kong's amazing beaches to enjoy a group BBQ. Free evening to unwind.
Day 2 – Morning: Using your open top bus tickets, get your bearings in the city. A full day can be spent exploring the different neighbourhoods and learning the colonial past of Hong Kong. Afternoon/Evening: As evening approaches, make your way to the Victoria Peak tram to head up to the Sky Terrace where you can get the best night time views of the skyline. Head back to the hotel to check out and leave for Shenzhen by bus. Cross the border to mainland China and check in to your Shenzhen hotel.
Day 3 – Morning: Early train directly to Yangshuo. Transfer from Yangshuo station to the town centre to check in to your hotel. Afternoon/Evening: Freshen up before heading over to West Street for the first day of the climbing festival where you'll meet up with other climbers. Dinner included at a local restaurant.
Day 4 – Full day of climbing events at the Yangshuo climbing festival. Dinner or lunch included (group to decide which).
Day 5 – Full day of climbing events at the Yangshuo climbing festival. Dinner or lunch included (group to decide which).
Day 6 – Morning: Follow your local guide out to Xing Ping (famous for the scene depicted on the 20 yuan note). Take the morning to explore the town before a surprisingly awesome curry (included in price). Afternoon/Evening: Hike along the Li River, taking in various bouldering spots before arriving at the town of Pubutang. Here you can hike to hidden waterfalls before an evening BBQ at a converted farmhouse (included in price).
Day 7 – Morning: Visit a local cooking school to learn how to make delicacies such as beer fish and Jiao Zi (Chinese dumplings). Afternoon/Evening: Take busses out to the heart of the Yangshuo countryside to visit a local village, get involved in the local community and have a home coked meal. Head back in to town for a farewell party at the Rusty Bolt climbers' bar.
Day 8 – Morning: Check out and head to the train station for an early train to Guangzhou. Afternoon/Evening: Take the metro over to Canton Tower, the second tallest tower in the world. Take in the amazing views before heading to the roof for a heart stopping ride on the roof-top rollercoaster! In the evening experience local markets and the best Cantonese food the city can offer!
Day 9 – Check out your hotel and transfer to the airport for your return flight to the UK. Flight dependent, arrive back in the UK.

Tour Inclusions:

1 x night's accommodation Hong Kong
1 x night's accommodation Shenzhen
5 x night's accommodation Yangshuo
1 x night's accommodation Guangzhou
Open Top Bus ticket in Hong Kong (inc. access to Victoria Peak)
Expert guide for the duration to assist with day to day arrangements, translation and to offer cultural insight
Access to Yangshuo Climbing Festival
3 x meals during the festival
Group meal (curry!) in Xing Ping
Pubutang Farm House BBQ
Xing Ping 20 Yuan note view point
Li River Hiking and Bouldering
Local village visit and family meal
Canton Tower + Observation Deck + Sky Drop
All transfers between locations (excluding local bus and metro fares)
International Flights from London to Hong Kong, returning from Guangzhou to London
1x 20kg hold luggage + 1x 10kg carry on

And why should climbers head to China?

If the that itinerary wasn't enough, let's take a look at why you might embark on an adventure to China.

It's a destination that evokes intrigue but often a sense of trepidation. What if the food is as mental as I've heard? What if I get myself stranded with no translator or can't even book a taxi?

Our very own Mike Hendey is a self-confessed China nut. Having lived in the country for over 2 years, traveling from Inner Mongolia to the Southern Islands and everything in between, he's perfectly positioned to answer; Why China?

"I think the reason to go to China lies in that very question. There's so much mystery and intrigue and, as a result, misconception. I couldn't work out at first why I kept going back, but it dawned on me that it's because there's so much to discover.

Over the past year I was lucky enough to work in the Outdoor Industry alongside some amazingly knowledgeable climbers and adventurers. Yangshuo is one of the top destinations in the world for climbing with routes to suit all abilities. In town there are multiple bars with bouldering walls and places like the Rusty Bolt that are amazing spots to meet fellow enthusiasts.

I'm lucky to work for a company who want to get behind this project to bring the UK climbing community closer together.

China has so much variety, from food, to landscape to culture and customs, that it will be a trip you'll never forget. And you can trust that our advice comes from hard earned, first-hand experience and passion."

We're offering all of the above for £1600 per person, subject to final numbers.

If, like us, you hate vague 'from' prices, let us explain a little further.

The more people that sign up, the more people there are to cover costs of transport, guides and other related costs. The price of £1600 is a guide price based on projected numbers and we'll do everything we can to ensure we offer the best possible value.

This is an amazing opportunity to push your climbing skills, make lifelong connections with other enthusiasts and represent the UK climbing scene overseas.

If this is something that would interest you, just fill out the form below!

No tickets? No problem. Don't let it stop your Japan Rugby World Cup adventure…

Thu, 17 Jan 2019 16:24:04 GMT

You did everything right, you knew the release time, you logged in poised to take your place at the front of the queue, a smug glow inside as you think of those less savvy than yourself. Then you double take as you find yourself peering over the shoulder of the thousands in front of you. You've been left empty handed and there's nothing you can do about it. That's Japan cancelled then.

Well, we don't agree.

We're here to help you find a way to turn the tables on those who elbowed their way through cyberspace to the front of the line. They might get the games they want, but there's so much more to a tournament than just the rugby.

Check out this amazing video demonstrating the nightlife and culture to be found in Shizuoka. There's atmosphere-a-plenty to be soaked up and we want to turn you into the proverbial sponge capable of doing so.

We've put together an itinerary that will throw you head first into a world of sushi, sake and Shinkansens (bullet trains to you and I), that will ferry you to top class rugby in world class venues.

There's a chance to take in South Africa V Italy in Shizuoka on the 4th October. South Africa V Canada on the 8th in Kobe, just a short Shinkansen (try saying that quickly) ride from Osaka, or Australia V Georgia on the 11th in Shizuoka. Suddenly it's not all doom and gloom, maybe Japan doesn't need to be cancelled after all!

We've done our research on the best fixtures still to offer tickets, the best routes, hotels, venues and more. So let us help you plan the trip of a lifetime to Japan, get you to some top class matches of international rugby and help put a smile back on your face by exploring this incredible country with the support of MSG Tours!

Please note: None of the trips or tours contain match tickets for the Rugby World Cup™. Our itineraries are designed to work around your match tickets. We are not affiliated to Rugby World Cup™ and have no association with the tournament.

Japan 2019…what's next

Thu, 17 Jan 2019 16:19:13 GMT

So your patience has paid off. Those hours banging your head against the wall as you crept from 99,891st in the queue all the way to confirming that payment have borne fruit. You've shattered 2 laptops and an ipad in response to scheduled maintenance on the website and your dog pulling out the charger but it's all worth it now.

Next though comes the realisation that you've no idea where to fly to, who to fly with or how to get from one place you can't pronounce to the next. You're a sakana (that's fish in Japanese, which is when you realise you don't speak Japanese) out of water and you don't know where to turn for help.

Well look no further. MSG Tours have the answers. We have packages ranging from the incredible Sashiki at 21 days, down to the Ichi-go Ichi-e at 14 days, that will expose you to the beauty of Japan whilst delivering you to all the best of the rugby action.

We understand though that your plans may not match up with these itineraries, and that's just fine. We're here to make this tournament everything it should be for you. We'll work with you in designing a route that takes in the matches you have tickets to whilst advising the best ways to get off the beaten track and sample Japan in the most authentic way possible.

Why not give us a call today on

03333 110335 or contact us via email at info@msgtours.com

We love Japan and various members of the team have visited this fascinating country over the years. Read more about our thoughts and experiences of Japan in our previous blog posts.

Introducing Mike Hendey | The Editor

Thu, 10 Jan 2019 11:38:25 GMT

Introducing Mike Hendey

Fresh from the wonders of the far-east, Mike explains what drew him to MSG Tours

It's always daunting, stepping into an office on your first day. It didn't help that I'd also been away from an office for the past 14 months. Where do you sit? When do you offer to make a brew? What is everyone thinking about the new guy? How do you turn on this stupid computer?

I'm a week in now, have switched on the computer several times (by myself) and today received a detailed tutorial on how to make coffee to MSG standards (no mean feat when your boss' alias is 'The Barista' ), so all is going well.

Firstly a little on my background. I've worked in travel for around 8 years now in one capacity or another. It's taken me to some weird and wonderful places and introduced me to some fantastic people. I began by working overseas as an English teacher in Chengdu, China. On my return I fortuitously stumbled into a job assembling round the world trips for excited back packers at STA Travel. Next followed a stint arranging event weekends (particularly hen and stag dos) before my love for China overcame me and I found myself back out east guiding for tour groups in Yangshuo.

Sadly I couldn't sustain the pace my party loving tour groups set so I decided to give my body a rest by returning to England and beginning work arranging educational tours for school groups. After two years of both operating and selling these trips, I decided I wanted to try educating them myself, I mean how hard can it be? Absolutely exhausting is the answer as it turns out.

So it was bags packed again as I began work once more in the far east as an Outdoor Educator. Primarily it involved teaching kids, through activities and team challenges, how to communicate and develop social confidence. Long days, lots of noisy students, hundreds of flights all over China but an incredible and eye-opening experience that took me to every corner of that amazing country.

So I've got a fairly broad background across a range of areas. Which is what has led me to this new adventure at MSG Tours. The company's ethos of Delivering the Unexpected is exactly what I have always tried to do. I love the idea of taking your average tour and finding ways to make it stand out from the crowd. There is so much of the same out there to choose from that I'm privileged to represent a company who want to do things a little differently.

I'm also that guy who claims 'I could have made it' when it comes to football having been involved with Nottingham Forest and Leicester City as a lad. Sadly it wasn't to be but I have maintained a love and passion for the game that I know will translate into our sports product .

So here's to 2019 and the beginning of an exciting chapter with MSG Tours !

Combine your next school rugby tour with the 2021 Lions

Tue, 11 Dec 2018 11:20:04 GMT

Combine your next school rugby tour with a famous sporting pilgrimage in South Africa

Combine your 2021 long-haul school rugby tour with the opportunity to witness one of the most iconic sporting events. Why not join our tours in South Africa and watch the cream of the crop from the northern hemisphere take on the best of the Rainbow Nation whilst testing your school's sporting pedigree and prowess in one of the most beautiful settings on the planet. South Africa offers a unique and unrivalled challenge both on and off the field and there seems no better way to prepare for yourself for the 2021 season whilst also having the chance to watch the very best the northern hemisphere have to offer against the SA's strongest provincial teams.

Internationally agreed as the toughest place to gain a victory, our rugby tours to South Africa guarantee redolent memories for life in a land that is second only to New Zealand for 100% rugby dedication. Twice winners of the Rugby World Cup in 1995 and 2007, local South African competition is a perfect challenge for your team to play against.

Seemingly built of granite, players here provide an unrivalled physical test. Add to that a reputation for fast and flowing rugby and you have got a schedule that is demanding to the word and guaranteed to test every sinew as you snake through this majestic country.

Is there a better land for R&R activities? From an overnight safari to diving with sharks, the adrenaline continues to pump as you explore the provinces, each competing with each other for innovation and sheer value for money. Everyone loves it here and you'll seldom want to return home from a school rugby tour to South Africa.

Not just that, but your pupils will have the chance to make their impact off the field with 'social impact', charity and philanthropic ventures away from the rugby. MSG Tours will facilitate the chance for students to make a very real difference through our partnerships with 'Waves for Change' in Muizenberg or by giving something to those less fortunate than ourselves in local townships through coaching and education initiatives.

This trip will have everything: the ultimate rugby test, the chance to see the northern hemisphere's best players embark on a sporting challenge like no other, cultural experiences that will live with you forever and the chance to change students' lives forever through your tour planning and leadership.

With schools already registered with MSG for 2021 tours, our forthcoming inspection trip (likely summer 2019) takes in the regions of Johannesburg, Pretoria, Sun City, Port Elizabeth, the Garden Route and Cape Town whilst giving teaching staff the opportunity to complete all required internal health and safety criteria. Email me ( stuart@msgtours.com ) for further information on the inspection trip, 2021 South Africa touring packages or any other school touring requirements.

Sporting Saturday 2018 Highlights

Tue, 04 Dec 2018 17:34:04 GMT

Whilst a picture paints a thousand words, there's no substitute for capturing a great event through video.

MSG's Sporting Saturday 2018, sponsored by British Airways and Catapult, returned to Cardiff's Radisson Blu to celebrate our 3rd birthday and the airline's new direct routes to Durban and Osaka. Here are some highlights of a superb day with our sporting family, captured by the innovative Oli Hutton from Cooking Up Media.

Over £1000.00 was raised for the Pacific Rugby Players charity, led by Aayden Clarke and featured his Welsh counterpart Andries Pretorius from the Welsh Rugby Players' Association. James Hook, Hale T-Pole and Tom Shanklin were both outstanding in hosting the event alongside the effervescent Paul Fielding.

Sporting Saturday 2018 showcased our Basque country school sports tours in Bilbao and Biarritz, rugby supporters' tours to Japan 2019 and the forthcoming Lions tour to South Africa in 2021, all of which are supported by British Airways flight routes.

#deliveringtheunexpected Join us on our journey.

Sporting Saturday 2018

Fri, 30 Nov 2018 16:39:10 GMT

Sporting Saturday 2018

What a day and what an autumn! We turned three, Wales went four from four and five top speakers joined us for Sporting Saturday at Cardiff's magnificent Radisson Blu, sponsored this year by British Airways.

Old friends mixed with new, renewing touring fables from lands as far apart as Argentina and Auckland. Some lucky so and so's have even squeezed in Bilbao to display three well earned stars on their MSG lapel. "Just wanted to say a huge thank you to Mark & his team. A fantastic day & night which was organised to perfection. Really looking forward to the future with exciting times ahead."

Highlights from the day

"How good was Tom Shanklin?", appeared the comment of the afternoon. Subscribers to his Flats and Shanks podcast will be familiar with his quick wit and dry humour, as our good friend Paul Fielding found out at the head of the show! Thanks as ever to Paul for his excellent compering of the day. James Hook proved yet again why he should make any event line up, not to mention his natural talents that belie his 33 years. With 81 caps to his name the Ospreys are getting great value for a man that still has the attributes to cut it at the very top. One of rugby's greatest guys, Andries Pretorius provided a fascinating insight into his role in helping players pre and post careers. Speaking five South African dialects, we may have unearthed a great kit man here for Lions 2021. Our Tongan friends stole the show with their giant paws and gentle voices. Represented by Aayden Clarke, CEO of Pacific Rugby Players, hard work is undertaken to support these athletes during their careers. Aayden was appreciative of the £1000 raised, commenting "Thank you again for having us and for the very kind donation towards our organisations activity. It is hugely appreciated and we really enjoyed being part of the day."

Going once …going twice…SOLD!

We were honoured to have such a talented artist in Leanne Gilroy as part of the occasion. The donation of a George North print provided a large part of the funds raised for Pacific Rugby Players. A special mention to Len Drane for his purchase of Leanne's iconic work of art!

What's next?

Next up for us is Italy where Wales are aiming to extend their unbeaten run (after hopefully defeating a sorry French in Paris the prior week). We have 6 places left on the five day tour to Bologna, Rome and Verona on an itinerary that provides great food and wine amongst vintage company. A warm Konnichiwa to our new Japan tourists who've joined our travelling samurai this past week. Our Omatase and Ichi Go Ichi E packages are capturing the imagination of the public, exploring Japan from east to west. With the Tier One nations competing so competitively this autumn the Rugby World Cup trophy could easily be heading to Europe in November 2019. Be there to experience your team's progression with MSG in Japan 2019 .

Follow us we are social!

We are uploading photos and videos from Sporting Saturday 2018 across our social media channels so make sure you are following us.

Talywain RFC Rugby Tour to USA

Sun, 25 Nov 2018 12:34:00 GMT

MSG Tours have the privilege of organising sports tours for many Welsh rugby clubs who are traditionally ambitious in their choice of destination, none more so than Talywain RFC who recently returned from their rugby tour to the USA. This area of America is a 'hidden gem' when it comes to club rugby tours and offers much more than just hard, competitive and enjoyable rugby.

Our rugby tours to America offer diversity in abundance and a unique chance to explore some of the USA's most famous cities, all brilliant in their own way, quite literally the ultimate touring experience. In between tailored fixtures against the likes of New Orleans RFC, Memphis United and Nashville RFC the players had the chance to explore four truly incredible cities. Whether it was seeing the sights, sampling the local beverages or engaging in traditional touring fun and culture the cities of Nashville, Memphis, New Orleans and Miami are the perfect places to do this and created a truly unforgettable and unique rugby experience for our good friends at Talywain RFC.

Rugby Tour Highlights

Here is a selection of activities that Talywain RFC did on their sports tour to the US:

Toured Louisiana's famed bayou on an up-close-and-personal swamp tourSampling the eclectic entertainment of New Orleans' Bourbon StreetTaking lunch in Jackson, MississippiBeale Street's notorious entertainment in MemphisGracelandThe Johnny Cash MuseumBeer bike tour of NashvilleTour of the Tennessee Titans' Nissan StadiumThe Country Music Hall of FameThe Jack Daniel's Distillery in Lynchburg, Tennessee

"Everything ran smoothly, hotels were well located and the tour was a great success. So much so that I am being pestered to arrange the next one."

Talywain RFC, Deep South Rugby Tour

Prep School Sports Tour Report

Fri, 09 Nov 2018 14:32:42 GMT

Our European office in Bayonne has welcome some of the country's leading Prep Schools to the Basque region over the past year for rugby, football and hockey tours.

Our activities have incorporated visits to the iconic San Mames stadium (home to Athletic Bilbao, and venue for the European Rugby Champions Cup Final between Racing Club Paris and Leinster). Caldicott School 's Director of Sport, Matt Hutchings was eager to stress the importance of activities away from competition that gave the children a sense of background to the area they were visiting.

Thomas' Clapham and Belmont School played matches against the juniors of Section Paloise (Pau) before watching their Top 14 team play at the intimidating Stade Hameau stadium. Nick Bird ( Belmont ) elaborated on this point by adding how fantastic it was ''watching the boys come together as one and coming of age whilst enjoying sport and culture''.

The visit to the Dune de Pilat in Arcachon with Thomas' Clapham proved an incredible backdrop and poignant setting of the sun that signalled the end to their tour in April, utilising our base in San Sebastian on their prep school sports tour.

The Playa de la Concha, San Sebastian's signature beach has seen sessions of beach football, rugby and hockey as well as some volleyball and sports that have been created by the minds of 12 and 13 year-olds. Free learning, they call it these days.

Ricky Nebbett from Thomas' felt that San Sebastian was an "excellent and safe location with a friendly host community".

Across the other side of town at the Playa de Zurriola is where groups have donned wetsuits and surfboards to try their hands at another Basque staple – surfing. As Nick Bird ( Belmont ) commented, "this is a once in a lifetime opportunity for some young tourists as there is not a huge surfing presence in the Barnet area!"

Caldicott's early September 2018 fixture against Aviron Bayonnais permitted them to test themselves for the second year running against the pride of the French Basque region. They certainly hit the ground running and left a very healthy impression on the young Bayonnais.

St. Paul's Juniors returned in 2018 for their second prep school sports tour visit in consecutive years and used the time to taper their training for the forthcoming season and also build a strong team ethos amongst themselves. Head of Rugby Simon Cattermole described it as a "top rate pre-season tour" and the boys loved exploring the winding streets of Bayonne and the beautiful coastline surrounding Biarritz and St. Jean de Luz.

In recent weeks we have had visits from the two Dulwich based powerhouses – Dulwich College and Dulwich Prep London – on football, rugby and hockey trips.

They both managed to squeeze in visits to the trampoline park during inclement weather, a pelota introductory session plus a live professional match. The U12 football team made the trip deeper into the Basque region to watch Alaves in their Copa del Rey match with Girona.

One particular Dulwich College comment proffered, which brought smiles to all involved in the preparation and delivery of the tours, encapsulated the reasons why we do what we do and our pursuit to continually exceed expectations: "Everything ran as expected and better – you can't improve upon that! There will always be curveballs and there should be room for change but it was managed and handled superbly and we cannot thank you enough for making the tour what it was!"

We greatly value the loyalty shown by these schools and look forward to welcoming old friends as well as making some new ones into 2019 and beyond.

New School Study Trips from MSG Study

Tue, 18 Sep 2018 14:19:52 GMT

MSG Study

It is a brand-new school year and what better time to start planning a school trip then now? We are here to help with inspiring destinations and unique itineraries that can be tailored to your exact learning requirements.

We have launched new school study trips for the following subjects:

Art and Design
Business Studies and Economics
Enrichment
Food Tech
Geography
History
MFL
Performing Arts
Social Impact

Art and Design study trip to New York

From the amazing art galleries of the Guggenheim and Museum of Modern Art, to the incredibly scenic views from the Top of the Rock and Empire State Building; New York is the ideal destination for any Art student. This trip can also be combined with our performing arts trip to New York. The home of Broadway is the perfect destination for dance, music and drama students.

Art and Design study trip to Amsterdam

Visiting Amsterdam isn't just about viewing another artist's work. With breathtaking architecture, intricate canals, colourful markets and beautiful parks, Amsterdam provides artistic subjects around every corner. Take a stop and sketch tour, exploring some of the quirkier installations in the city as well as giving students the opportunity to create their own masterpieces with Amsterdam as the subject. A visit to the Foam Photography Museum offers student workshops to help grow their photography and interpretation skills.

Business Studies and Economics study trip to Japan

Our Economics Study Trips to Japan gives students the opportunity to experience one of the fastest-growing economies in the world today. Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka are just some of our operating bases in this fascinating country. In addition to hotels catered to western tourists, there's also a myriad of traditional accommodation options to choose from.

Business Studies and Economics study trip to San Francisco

A visit to the state of California and its extraordinary businesses and monuments will give students the insight of how an economy is born and developed. All our bespoke tours cater to the curriculum topics you are teaching. We incorporate a mixture of the 'must see' excursions, and the more unusual tours and sights. A business study trip to San Francisco could involve spending a few days in the industrial part of the city, visiting factories and the financial district. Then you could travel through the Silicon Valley down to San Jose, a big city with small-town charm. You may choose to even add on a flight to Seattle, where a visit to the Amazon HQ will provide a unique lesson in building a global business. The opportunities on the West Coast are endless!

Business Studies and Economics study trip to New York

'The Big Apple' is a global hub of international business alongside London and Tokyo, one of the three World 'Command Centres'. With a booming economy and huge dealings in commerce, New York covers all aspects of business including banking, finance, media, tourism, and transportation.

Enrichment study trip to France

The idea of this enrichment study trip to France is to academically enrich pupils not just in their language skills, but develop their global awareness acumen and immerse them in a different culture. Consequently, this is the ideal trip for any academic scholars who want to develop their skills to the next level post exams.

Food Technology study trip to France

Our Food Technology Study Trips to France offer the crème de la crème of options and destinations for exploring the culinary traditions and excellence of France. From patisseries to steak tartare, this country has a worldwide reputation for its expertise, hospitality and unrivalled gastronomic standards.

Food Technology study trip to Cyprus

Cyprus offers a multitude of culinary and cultural experiences, which are rarely replicated anywhere else in the world. It is a unique location for a mix of Mediterranean and Middle Eastern Cuisine. Its location also facilitates the production of unique foods such as figs, beans, chickpeas, olives etc and have been grown here since records began. Cypriot foods are all produced locally so the country is filled with lots of farms and factories producing cheese, sweets and wines.

Food Technology study trip to Spain

Our Food Technology Study Trips to Spain offer a wide range of culinary and gastronomic adventures including the world-famous tapas and is one of the very best destinations for exploring an alternative cuisine. Barcelona and San Sebastián are perfect Spanish cities for exploring a huge variety of foods, with cookery courses on offer that specialise in dishes from each respective region.

Geography study trip to Morocco

There are multiple places in Morocco relevant to geography. In the foothills of the High Atlas lies the rural landscape of Amizmiz. This location is perfect for groups to absorb their surroundings, take in a quaint town, and assess the urban pulls and pushes. By capturing the population size, pupils are able to evaluate how resources are managed and get an insight into the local culture. This is particularly the case when it comes to traditional agriculture. If you're looking for a spot absolutely relevant to the topic of Water Management, Barrage de Lalla Takerkoust lies just on the outskirts of Amizmis. Barrage de Lalla Takerkoust is the largest reservoir in the region that makes for an ideal day trip for those who want to get out of the city and admire stunning views.

Geography study trip to Iceland

With erupting geysers, geothermal pools, the Bridge over Two Continents, glaciers, waterfalls, as well as THAT volcano, Iceland is a geographer's paradise. Students can explore the Nordic landscape whilst witnessing geological activity with their very eyes. With this little island's economy ever growing, a study trip here covers both physical and human geography topics in the KS3 & KS4 curriculum.

Geography study trip to Northern Ireland and Ireland

Whether that's exploring the evolving cities of Dublin and Belfast, studying the eroding coastlines, or completing fieldwork in the mountains, any geography student would take so much from the Emerald Isle. A visit to the Giant's Causeway even explores volcanic study themes. Visit the 40,000 basalt columns created by a volcanic eruption more than 60 million years ago. Different regions play host to many different types of rocks, all dating back to different geological periods. Because of tectonics and glaciers, the sea level has risen and fallen, and the rocks formed because of this can be seen around the entire coastline.

Geography study trip to the Azores

The Azores are 9 islands of volcanic origin, based on the intersection of the North American tectonic plate, the Eurasian tectonic plate and the African tectonic plate. The islands still have 26 active volcanoes, with 8 of those being underwater. The Azores are the ideal islands for geography students to enhance their knowledge by viewing volcanoes and learning about them first hand from experts.

Geography activities trip to the Basque region (France and Spain)

Our geography activities trip combines thrilling outdoor adventures and a chance to learn about the geography of the surrounding areas; within this journey, students will focus on topics such as differing landscapes and natural habitats. Release your adrenaline whilst kayaking and at the same time having the opportunity to learn about the surrounding water landforms or admire the Basque scenery and abundance of wildlife on offer. There is a good reason as to why this area is commonly referred to by experts as taking a hike through the 'Amazon of Europe.'

History study trip to France

From the Rennaissance and Restoration periods to the Rise and Fall of Napoleon, France, and in particular Paris, arguably has one of the most eventful histories to date. Not to mention the significance of France during both World Wars. For this reason, it's a very popular destination that covers many KS3 and KS4 curriculum topics.

History study trip to the USA

The USA is full of historical monuments and places to learn about the history of the country. From destinations like The Abraham Lincoln Memorial Steps to Philadelphia's iconic Liberty Bell, to the Boston Trail, there are a number of places to educate students about American history.

History study trip to Alabama

From Martin Luther King memorial sites to the Rosa Parks Museum, Alabama is home to the majority of the civil right movement's history. However, it is not just civil rights here, there are so many amazing things about the state; the song by Lynard Skynard is named after the state, the first 911 call ever made was in Alabama and they were the first state to declare Christmas a legal holiday amongst other things.

History study trip to Poland

Poland was one of the worst affected areas of the Holocaust. The location of the harrowing Auschwitz Concentration Camp, and the home of Oskar Schindler, Krakow is the best place to see the real effects the Nazi regime had on the population. The city shows visitors explicitly the affect the atrocities had on the country and its people. However, it is also a place of hope. From great adversity came great strength and this city is a testament to that.

Modern Foreign Languages study trip to Germany

Starting with the country's cultural capital, Cologne offers unparalleled experiences for language students seeking to enhance their skills. Additionally, it's also worth noting that Cologne plays an integral part of the country's economy. As a result, providing cross-curricular opportunities for Business Studies students. Berlin is a buzzing cosmopolitan city that is also steeped in history of the World Wars. Finally, Heidelberg is known for its focus on learning, home to Germany's first ever university.

Modern Foreign Languages study trip to France

Arguably one of the most famous locations in the world, Paris is a beautiful city that offers so much to those looking for something a little busier. This city boasts an array of incredible sights that make learning fun, engaging and memorable. At any rate, there can be no better place to put those KS3 and KS4 curriculum skills to the test on a day-to-day basis. In fact, Paris is undoubtedly a tour favourite for modern languages study trips to France.

Modern Foreign Languages study trip to Spain

San Sebastian, located in the Basque Country, is the ideal place to learn about typical Spanish culture whilst learning the Spanish language first hand and putting your knowledge and confidence to the test in a real-life environment.

Social Impact study trip to Kenya

Kenya is a country of huge contrast and diversity, from its landscape to demographic, and more so its social and economic inequalities. 42% of the 44 million population live below the poverty line with agriculture and tourism being the main sources of income. Kenya and its people need and appreciate all the help they can get, so why not go and make a small change with a large impact. Experience what will undoubtedly be a life-changing and most rewarding experience that could completely alter your perspective forever. This trip provides students with the ultimate philanthropic venture and the chance to change someone's life for the better.

Performing Arts study trip to the USA

Our Performing Arts study trips to the USA are predominantly based in New York. 'The Big Apple' offers diverse culture, an abundance of landmarks, and a plethora of musicals and live drama performances. Most of all, New York is fantastic for any kind of performing arts. From music to theatre and dance, it's all packed into one great city.

Let us take the stress out of planning school trips.

Planning a school trip can be a daunting task but rest assured knowing the MSG Tours team is here to help! Group travel is what we do best and we are experts at planning amazing trips that travel far and wide. Below are some great reasons why you should book with MSG Tours.

✅ We are certified – We are members of the School Travel Forum, ABTA, hold a Learning Outside the Classroom Quality Badge and ATOL protected.

✅ 24hr support – We are available when you want to talk whether that is via phone, email or WhatsApp.

✅ Bespoke tours – Take your ideas for a school trip and make it a reality. We don't believe in off the shelf school trips so all our trips can be tailored to your needs.

✅ Technology Driven – Want to keep all your travel documents in one place? We have an app for that! Vamoos is our handy app that is included with your tour.

✅ #DeliveringTheUnexpected – We offer uniques tours to exciting destinations. We think outside the box when it comes to planning our school trips. Change up your trip.

Let's Talk.

To find out more, call us on 03333 110335 or email info@msgtours.com. Enquire here.

MSG Tours Ltd records market-leading NPS score

Wed, 01 Aug 2018 14:15:52 GMT

#deliveringtheunexpected

2018 Customer Service Success for MSG

We are delighted at our recently released, outstanding NPS® customer service reports obtained through client feedback questionnaires. Whilst many recognised businesses celebrate their gains on what appears on the bottom line, our focus has – and always will – be centered on advocacy and building a loyal and extended travel family.

Net Promoter Score®, or NPS®, measures customer experience and predicts business growth. This proven metric transformed the business world and now provides the core measurement for customer experience management programmes around the world.

What is a Net Promoter Score?

NPS gives us the perfect insight from various points along the customer journey, providing a comprehensive, actionable view of your customer experience performance.

�� Promoters (score 9-10/10) are loyal enthusiasts who will keep buying and refer others, fuelling growth.

�� Passives (score 7-8) are satisfied but unenthusiastic customers who are vulnerable to competitive offerings.

☹️ Detractors (score 0-6) are unhappy customers who can damage your brand and impede growth through negative word-of-mouth.

Subtracting the percentage of Detractors from the percentage of Promoters yields the Net Promoter Score , which can range from a low of -100 (if every customer is a Detractor) to a high of 100 (if every customer is a Promoter).

Why are we telling you this?

NPS is the key measure of our customers' overall perception of our brand and we have every reason to be very proud of what the people that matter think of our Company. NPS also offers a perfect insight from various points along the customer journey, releasing a comprehensive, actionable view of your customer experience performance.

Put simply our NPS score is outstanding across all elements of our brand. We wanted to put it into context for you because we are very proud of how you value our service. Competing with some of the biggest brands in the world isn't something we take lightly and aspire not only to maintain this but also strive to improve.

Figures based on npsbencmarks.com – 17.07.2017 These figures are based on all our customers who have completed surveys and travelled on tours with us in the last 12 months across 44 tours.

Comparing ourselves to the best… and following their lead…

Apple is one of the largest brands in the world and one of the biggest advocates of the Net Promoter Score®. The multinational technology giant introduced the NPS system back in 2007. They have systematically and religiously listened to customers and basing the management of its business in response to their needs.

Since introducing NPS, Apple has achieved one of the highest scores in any sector, reaching 89 in 2016. However, the retailer's high NPS did not happen by pure luck. It was achieved through careful listening to customer feedback, quickly closing the loop and engaging all Apple employees with NPS.

Here are four key ingredients fuelling Apple's world-class NPS.

1. Start with customer experience

The late Apple visionary Steve Jobs realized that the key to a sustainable business growth is focusing on the needs and wants of the customer and having them at the core of everything you do.

Apple employees use the same steps with every new product the brand releases. As a result, customers would leave the store delighted and tell their friends and colleagues about their wonderful experience at the store and thus become brand evangelists.

2. Listen to customers

As previously mentioned, Apple was one of the first proponents of the Net Promoter Score. The brand uses NPS to listen to customers and make decisions based on their feedback. The company emails surveys to customers right after they have made a purchase. Customers are asked to rate their satisfaction level and likelihood to recommend the brand.

Apple's centralized NPS team uses customer feedback to better understand the reasons that turn customers into promoters or detractors. Furthermore, Apple's team does a daily stand-up, where employees review the NPS feedback received and discuss how to adjust their work accordingly. In this way, the company makes sure its employees understand the importance of paying attention to customer feedback and delighting customers.

Here's an example of what one of Apple's NPS surveys looks like:

3. Quickly Close the Loop

Following an NPS survey, Apple store managers call detractors within 24 hours. Research has found that companies that close the loop quickly after receiving customer feedback, experience a 10% increase in retention. This is even more important when it comes to closing the loop with detractors. Apple has found that by following up with dissatisfied customers 24 hours after completing an NPS survey has resulted in great return on investment.

4. Engage all employees with NPS

Apple was also one of the first proponents of the idea that having employees as your brand promoters is equally important as well. Employees are one of the first points of contact customers have with your brand. Therefore, it is important that employees are true brand evangelists, capable of turning customers into promoters as well.

Conclusion

Today, Apple continues to pay attention to customer feedback and experience. Like Apple, we use NPS to continuously gauge customer satisfaction, and, as a result, are one of the major leaders in NPS in our niche industry.

Buying, opening and using an Apple product is a memorable experience for customers, which leaves them satisfied with the brand and happy to recommend to friends and family and we can only hope that the same can be said for this feeling on one of our bespoke tours.

This company, like our technological giant heroes, pays close attention to customer feedback received from NPS surveys and uses it daily to manage every tour (just like Apple for their three-hundred plus stores and billions of customers).

Quickly closing the loop with detractors has helped Apple and in turn, MSG generates a good return on investment (ROI) with increased bookings through repeat travellers. Finally, engaging all employees with an NPS program has led to increased trust among the team and high customer satisfaction.

These four steps have become key ingredients fuelling Apple's strong NPS and here at MSG Tours, why wouldn't we learn from and follow the very best in the business?

Japan expensive? We don't think so

Thu, 05 Jul 2018 13:55:19 GMT

Japan expensive? We don't think so

It's a big misconception that Japan is one of the more expensive countries to visit. You may be pleasantly surprised that it is no more expensive than visiting a western European country, the US, and Australia. In comparison to big cities such as London, Japan could even be considered cheap.

Is the food expensive?

When exploring a new country trying new delicacies and eating out all comes as part of the package. Japan has a large variety of delicious and cheap noodle restaurants even in big cities such as Tokyo. Of course, there are options for you to indulge in fancy restaurants but speak to the locals and they would tell you that the cheaper options are just as good!

Will I have to tip?

Unlike countries such as America, it is not a custom for you to tip anywhere in Japan, some Japanese even consider it rude. While you are in Japan you will receive some of the best service in the world, this is because the Japanese take great pride in their work rather than hoping for a tip. This will save you money whilst there.

Travelling around Japan

Travelling around Japan on their rail systems can be quite expensive if you don't know a trick or two. However, as a visitor to Japan, you are entitled to buy a JR Rail Pass which gives you unlimited access to getting around Japan. This includes getting to use the extremely fast and efficient bullet trains.

So, if you've always wanted to go to Japan don't let the rumours stop you, it is more affordable than you think.

Interested in going to Japan? Enquire today

MSG Tours are running Supporters Tours to Japan 2019. For more information click here

European Rugby Champions Cup Final with MSG Tours

Fri, 29 Jun 2018 16:16:01 GMT

With our European office headquartered in Bayonne, the Basque country is a destination we pride ourselves in knowing inside out. In May 2018, we took our supporters there to watch the European Rugby Champions Cup Final & Challenge Cup Finals. Over 230 supporters travelled with us over this exciting weekend of rugby action, representing clubs and teams across Spain, France, Portugal, Wales and England. Tour leaders Grace, Katie and Laura joined the supporters tour to show our clients the best of the Basque Country. I caught up with them to find out what they got up to.

Where is the Basque Country and which destinations did you visit?

Grace : The Basque Country is on the south-east coast of France along the Bay of Biscay and spans from Bayonne in France to the outside of Bilbao in Spain. On this trip, we visited Biarritz, San Sebastian, Bilbao and St Jean De Luz, all very rich in culture and history.

How many supporters joined you on this tour and what did their itinerary entail?

Grace : We had the bulk of UK supporters travel with us from London Gatwick. Upon landing in Bordeaux we drove south to San Sebastian with a stop in the seaside town of Biarritz for lunch. That evening, they had a free evening to explore the wonderfully eclectic city of San Sebastian and get their first taste of pintxos!

On Friday, we took them to a cider farm about 20 minutes from the hotel. Here they had free access to the 25,000-litre cider barrels alongside a delicious 4-course meal. That evening was the first of the games at San Mames stadium in Bilbao.

On Saturday, we took them to a rugby festival we were hosting for some UK and Portuguese Rugby teams, and the club put on lots of paella and beers! From here we headed to Bilbao for game number 2.

Sunday was home time, and we had a long journey back to Bordeaux, but on the way, we stopped in the course village of St Jean De Luz just over the Spanish border. This small fishing village was one of my favourite places we spent time in.

Which matches did you watch whilst on tour, was there a favourite?

Katie : Whilst away on the European Cup trip we watched both the European Rugby Challenge Cup Final and the European Rugby Champions Cup Final, both of which were hosted in the stunning San Mames Stadium, Bilbao. The Challenge Cup Final between Cardiff Blues and Gloucester Rugby was by far my favourite and exciting, however it did take a lot to beat the atmosphere that we experienced during the Leinster vs Racing 92 match on Saturday 12th May.

How did MSG Tours #delivertheunexpected?

Laura: From day one a lot of work went into ensuring that this was a one of a kind tour. Given that the European Rugby Champions Cup Final was in Bilbao, it was important for us to show everyone why we decided to move away from the norm and take our customers to San Sebastian. Given the feedback received from our clients, it was definitely a good decision.

A lot of the customers travelling on this tour have travelled with us previously, therefore, know (and love) the effort that we put into our tours. The variety of excursions went down very well, from the lunch stop on Biarritz to the Cider Farm in San Sebastian.

Although everyone thoroughly enjoyed the tour, I think the highlight was definitely the Rugby Tournament at Zarautz Rugby Club on Saturday. We did not include this day in the original itinerary and had informed everyone of the plan a couple of weeks before departure. This was a great opportunity for our different groups to mix while enjoying unlimited food and drink, that went down a treat! That's what we call Delivering the Unexpected.

What did you enjoy most about the trip?

Katie : It is hard to pinpoint just one part of the trip that was my favourite however the additional trip to Petritegi, a Cider farm based on the outskirts of San Sebastian, was a definite highlight of the trip. With incredible views across the landscape, delicious food and access to the cider barrels where we learnt the process of brewing cider, the experience at Petritegi was a standout.

In second place (as I can't just pick one highlight) it would have to be the day of rugby at Zarautz Rugby Club. An abundance of food (all cooked on site) and a large attendance of players and supporters meant the atmosphere was incredible, with everyone having a large smile on their faces. Even the rain couldn't put a dampener on this brilliant day.

How would you sum up your time in the Basque Country?

Laura : Busy! With such a detailed schedule and a lot of people to keep in check, we were kept on our toes the whole time. As a Welsh rugby fan, this was definitely my kind of tour, and I was lucky enough to have my parents join as customers of MSG Tours. The whole group proved superb company, and all got on really well which was great to see. A Cardiff Blues win didn't hurt either!

So, that sums up another fantastic supporters tour. Fancy following your rugby team to the land of the rising sun? We have several bespoke packages on sale now to Japan 2019.

Tour Japan 2019 has options for England , Wales , Scotland and Ireland supporters. So what are you waiting for? Our once in a lifetime trips have a history of selling out so please contact us today to avoid disappointment.

Exploring Malta

Fri, 01 Jun 2018 15:12:42 GMT

Katie, one of our operations specialists and netball connoisseur has recently come back from an inspection visit to Malta. I caught up with her to find out why she wanted to explore Malta further, and how it is becoming an up and coming destination for sports tours.

Have you been to Malta before what were your first impressions?

Prior to travelling to Malta, I had never visited the country before and I was pleasantly surprised. There are stunning coastlines and beautiful scenery wherever you travel on the island. Being an ex British colony most people on the island speak English and children are taught the language at school from a young age.

With interest in touring to Malta constantly on the increase, what drew you there as a destination to host more of our sports tours?

There are very few destinations within Europe that can offer netball to a good standard and that is one thing that drew me to the country. However, there are fantastic facilities not only for netball but also for hockey (boys), rugby, swimming and football too! There are a variety of destinations on the island where each sport can be played, some within walking distance of our chosen hotels, others that require a short bus journey but all journeys encompass beautiful views.

As a netball player and enthusiast myself, the facilities are just perfect, especially at the Kirkop Sports Complex where the courts are quite new and offer a great base to play netball. What is also great about Malta for netball are the various options for training. You are not just limited to one court to play and train, you can fit in different training venues with your trip, dependent on where you are that day.

All in all, I think for a low-cost netball tour in Europe, Malta is definitely the place to go. It is particularly great for first-time tourers!

What is there to see and do in Malta?

There is plenty to see and do in Malta, it just depends on what you are travelling for. My must-do excursion is a half day tour of Valetta, the Capital of Malta. Valletta is the southernmost capital of Europe and is stunning. A half-day tour encompasses a walking tour of the city, alongside a 5D Malta Experience. The 5D Malta Experience gives groups the opportunity to learn about the history of Malta in a fun and exciting way. It all takes place in a theatre whereby you see the history of Malta through 3D glasses and on moving seats.

Alongside a trip to Valletta, groups can also enjoy a boat cruise to the neighbouring island of Comino, a trip to the National Aquarium, see a variety of marine life at Marine World or if in the correct season, have a splash at the local waterpark.

What are your hotel recommendations?

Our chosen hotels in Malta are perfect for groups and we can offer a variety of hotel to suit different budgets. For school groups, I would highly recommend staying in the resort of Qawra, located in St Paul's Bay and a maximum 1-hour transfer from the airport (traffic dependant.) There is plenty to see and do in Qawra, with the National Aquarium being just a 10-minute walk from our chosen hotels, The Qawra Palance and the Sunflower Hotel.

For adult groups, we would suggest the resort of St Julian's. In the day this seaside town is bustling and is known for its beaches like Balluta Bay, Spinola Bay and Portomaso Bay. In the evenings this resort has the best of the island's nightlife and holds many bars and nightclubs. For accommodation, we would recommend the Alexandra Palace which has a fantastic location in the heart of the resort.

What was your favourite part of the Inspection visit?

It is hard to choose just one part of the trip but I would have to say the visit to Valletta. It is an absolutely stunning city which took my breath away. I would definitely go back there to visit on my own travels.

Can you sum up your visit in 3 words?

Culture, fun and beauty.

Feeling inspired? Enquire today.

So that seemed like a very successful inspection visit for our Katie – if you are feeling inspired and would like to find out more about sports tours to Malta please send us an enquiry here.

MSG Tours Ltd and GDPR

Fri, 25 May 2018 14:58:12 GMT

What is GDPR

GDPR stands for General Data Protection Regulation, an EU regulation (Regulation (EU) 2016/679) providing new rules on how companies handle your personal data.

The aim of GDPR is to build TRUST and TRANSPARENCY with you when it comes to how we process your personal data.

What have we done to make sure we are compliant?

All staff have undergone a training session on 22nd May 2018 to be informed about the new General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).

Our Privacy Policy has been updated so it clear to you what personal data MSG Tours stores, what we use this data for, and who we share this data with. You can view our Privacy Policy here .

We have clear tick boxes on all our forms on the website that give you the option to OPT- IN to our marketing emails. You can unsubscribe to our emails at any point by clicking the unsubscribe link that is found at the bottom of every email.

If you have any questions please email our Data Protection Officer Grace grace@msgtours.com

MSG Tours Announce Head of School Travel in latest expansion

Mon, 14 May 2018 16:13:29 GMT

MSG Tours Announce Head of School Travel in the latest expansion

Our education team at MSG Tours significantly strengthened today with the arrival of Patrick Foster as Head of School Travel.

Having spent the last seven years teaching at Caldicott and the Dragon School, Patrick's knowledge and experience of educational travel brings significant expertise to our ranks. A successful professional cricketing career with Northamptonshire CCC , coupled with operating as Head of Cricket of two of the UK's most recognised schools offers an unrivalled insight into the needs of the touring student.

"I am hoping that a combination of passion for sport and travel, my knowledge of organising and managing tours from a teacher's perspective and the experiences of being a player at all levels will allow me to deliver the perfect experiences around the globe," commented Patrick.

MSG Founder, Mark Gardner was similarly effusive. "Patrick's character, reputation and altruistic nature complement a very diverse yet deeply experienced CV that left us in no doubt how much value can be added to our educational brand. We are all very excited to welcome Patrick into the fold as not only our cricketing expert but an individual who can assist us in creating a rounded school travel experience for teachers, students and parents alike."

Contact our school travel expert

Email patrick@msgtours.com for school travel ideas across our ski, study and sporting platforms.

Click here to view our range of school cricket tours to a multitude of European and Worldwide destinations.

Why I love Japan

Mon, 14 May 2018 15:24:09 GMT

Why I love Japan

Undoubtedly, Japan is the most intriguing and stimulating place I have ever been to. Whether it being at the top of the 'Sky Tree', meditating in a Buddhist Temple, in a Bamboo Forest or eating 'black eggs' at the foot Mt. Fuji, Japan is both captivating and exhilarating. It is a country that whilst so diverse in culture and traditional values, it is still so advanced in technology. It offers more than you can possibly imagine and is immediately endearing.

Unforgettable Experiences

Until you have been there it is hard to describe what a phenomenal place it is. I can testify to the fact that it was a destination I was never interested in, but now wish I could return over and over again. Spending two weeks in a Japanese school in the heart of Tokyo's infamous Roppongi region was 14 days I will never forget. In just 24 hours we could experience an unimaginable journey taking us from the tranquillity of the old business district (Ginza) to the beauty of the Asakusa Temple, before ending up at the madness of the Shibuya Crossing, joined by with what felt like half the world.

The Weird and the Wonderful

Japanese people are amazing, both generous in spirit and in practice and are rightly passionate and proud of their extraordinary land. Yes, there is a language barrier but this should never deter anyone from going and is nothing to be fearful of. If you like food, then Japan is like nowhere else, the sushi is phenomenal and the tempura even better. You can eat the weird and the wonderful.

Japan is full of unique and unforgettable experiences. Witnessing a school sports day at a school with over a 1000 pupils epitomised this. I saw every child march into the playground with military precision and discipline. Prior to participating in the most extraordinary activities like racing their teachers to knock down what can only be described as a 'pinata' the size of a mammoth. It was a sight to behold and one that will live with me forever. I have more memories of Japan than any other place I have been on the planet. I would highly recommend it to anyone as a place that you simply HAVE to visit once in a lifetime.

A country steeped in history and tradition and yet so forward thinking and creative – what is there not to love?

Inspired by Japan? Enquire about an MSG Tours Ski Trip, Study Trip or Sports Tour today.

February Ski Trips

Fri, 04 May 2018 15:28:24 GMT

MSG Tours are experts when it comes to School Ski Trips, offering tours to some fantastic destinations which can be found here. Last month two of the MSG team joined St. Martin's on their school ski trip to Italy. I caught up with Laura 'The Explorer' and Liam 'The Perfectionist' to hear about their experiences on tour. Check out our feature about St. Martins ski trip in School Travel Organiser magazine here.

St Martin's School: February School Ski Trip to Andalo, Italy.

Liam's second School Ski Trip to Andalo

Liam: With this being my second, successive school ski trip to Andalo with St Martin's I had a good relationship with the group and a knowhow of what makes them tick. Things ran very smoothly will all children having a great time.

With a large number of the group being first-time skiers they were all very inquisitive on the first morning at ski fit, but all ran very promptly. First lessons ran well and set the tone for a week of rapid progression from all four lesson groups. The groups had lessons every morning and afternoon, apart from the Tuesday when they took part in tobogganing and night skiing.

In the evenings, we had some free time, a Movie Night, an evening at Night Ski (which as ever was the highlight), a romantic evening with a Valentine's theme (where students had to choose their partners for the night and sit boy, girl, boy, girl) followed by ice skating at the local Life Park. We ended the week at a traditional pizzeria.

The group enjoyed a lie in on the final morning, which was followed by a few hours in Andalo town to gather some souvenirs to take back home. They then departed at midday and arrived home at approx. 21:00.

St Johns School: February Ski Trip to Fai Della Pagnella, Italy

Laura's 1st Ski Experience

Laura: "My first ever ski trip to Italy was an amazing experience! For someone who has never even considered skiing, Fai Della Paganella was the ideal location for a first timer like me as it is a slightly smaller resort compared to neighbouring Andalo and Madonna, meaning that even during the half term the slopes were not too busy for nervous skiers such as myself. The variety of different level slopes meant that it suited all skiers and with the help of two dedicated instructors, we saw almost all of the students on the tour advance during the course of the week."

Ask us about your School Ski Trip today

If you are looking to book your next School Ski Trip our team of experts will be happy to help. You can kick-start the process by filling out an enquiry form here. MSG Ski can tailor your trip to your pupil's needs, offering bespoke itineraries to many exciting destinations.

For more information about the Ski Trips MSG Tours offer click the links below:

36 Hours in Bologna

Fri, 04 May 2018 15:05:34 GMT

Grace our Head of Product has recently come back from her jam-packed inspection visit to Bologna, the capital of the Emilia-Romagna region in northern Italy.

We are hosting our 2019 Supporters Tour for the Italy v Wales, Six Nations in Bologna, we currently have 20 places left on the tour. If you are interested in joining us on this supporters tour you can contact us here.

What have you got planned for our Italy v Wales, Six Nations tour?

Speaking from experience, Italy offers so much, I didn't want to limit this to just one City. So we are packing three cities into five days. There will be a mix of culture, food, drink and rugby, and you will travel by plane, train and automobile. This tour captures all there is to love about travel and Italy, as well as our love of rugby!

What is there to do in Bologna?

Bologna is a city of food, music, culture and history. A city guide can take you walking through the Porticoes (covered walkways, heavily adorned with paintings and mosaics) and show you the best sights of the city. The Piazza Maggiore hosts a spectacular church, and whilst the leaning tower of Pisa takes most of the fame, Bologna has it's own leaning towers. One is actually the tallest in Italy, whilst the other has the biggest degrees of lean. At the base of these towers are the medieval markets and nearby is the Osteria del Sole. This traditional Italian pub ONLY serves wine and beer and locals tend to take packed lunches in with them. Great for people watching and the wine is only 2 euros per glass!

Do you have a favourite part of the tour?

Visiting Fico Eataly World! It is literally a theme park for food, and I had a tour, showing me all of the produce local to Italy, learning the importance of the locality of the different products, and of course tasting what I could! They offer a variety of workshops and wine tastings, which we will ensure our supporters get a chance to try!

What is something that not many people know about Bologna?

Bologna is a traditional university city, with it's Anatomical Theatre being one of its most revered sights. Here is where studies of the anatomy developed, helping doctors train centuries ago. This, in turn, helps shape where medicine is today.

Any tips or essentials to bring on tour?

Good footwear. I did 40,000 steps in 36 hours, and didn't even see half of the city! At least it helped burn off some of the calories!

And finally, Bologna is where the recipe for Spaghetti Bolognese originates from. Did you get to try it out? If so what did you think?

How could I not! In Bologna, it is traditionally served 'alla tagliatelle' and term 'spag bol' isn't as well loved here as it is in the UK! It was the best bolognese I have ever tasted. I loved it that much, that I have booked the restaurant for the 6 nations tour so everyone can try it!

Limited Availability – Book now to avoid disappointment.

We are running low on spac. If you would like to join MSG Tours for this fantastic Supporters Tour you can enquire here . For more information about the Italy v Wales, Six Nations supporters tour click here.

What is Vamoos?

Wed, 02 May 2018 16:39:36 GMT

What is Vamoos?

Get the most out of your school or club tour with a personalised APP. Vamoos Travel App stores all the information about your tour in one place. Simply download Vamoos FREE to your smartphone or tablet from the AppStore of PlayStore, enter your username and password and away you go! With Vamoos you will have 24/7 access to your most up to date tour itinerary, flight information and even a weather report of the destination that you are travelling to.

How do I get Vamoos?

Your Vamoos account is created upon booking. To download Vamoos for Android click here. To download Vamoos for IOS click here. We send out personalised emails once you have booked inviting you to download Vamoos, watch our how to download video below.

Watch: How to download Vamoos (video)

Why should I download Vamoos?

Vamoos is a fantastic app to have, it stores all the current information about your tour in one place. Our tour operators often send notifications through Vamoos such as changes to your itinerary or some useful advice. Your Vamoos app will come loaded with:

Tour countdown screen
Weather report
Flight details
Itinerary
Useful information from your tour operator
Maps
Points of interest
Sharing photos
Messaging within your tour group

Watch: How to use Vamoos (video)

Summer Internship with MSG Tours

Tue, 17 Apr 2018 14:47:09 GMT

Summer Internship

Ambitious, energetic and thriving #travel brand seeks a visionary individual seeling a summer internship to complement its travel portfolio.

MSG Tours Ltd, a Derby-based business, offers unique, worldwide travel experiences for schools, clubs, and supporters of international sporting events.

We're growing (fast) and wish to continue our summer internship programme with the recruitment of an undergraduate during the 2018 summer period.

What we're after:

An innovative and exciting individual recognised for dynamism and creativity to help take our, thriving educational and sports travel brand to the online digital and social media marketplaces.

The detail:

With a talent and passion for all mainstream social media accounts, the candidate will merge our aspirational travel destinations and events with the fast-moving world of social media, focusing equally on both our existing client bases and desired sport, ski and school study marketplaces. He/she should be capable of basic image / graphic design and enhancement through popular applications to link on relevant channels.

Reporting to the director, this summer role combines an attractive salary with commission and bonus potential with a high degree of autonomy on offer for bringing business development ideas to fruition.

Personal characteristics include a vibrant personality, passion for the sports, ski and travel industry and a thirst for exploring the globe to promote our core travel destinations.

Location: Derby

Contract: 3 months. Up to 37.5 hours per week, Monday to Friday, although a flexible structure is negotiable for the right candidate.

Salary: £7.83p/h + breakfast and lunch included daily.

Start: End May 2018, subject to exams and personal commitments.

HOW TO APPLY
Send CV or LinkedIn profile to recruitment@msgtours.com

We'll be reviewing applications through to 5th May 2018

What are you waiting for?

NB: Attracting talent to our business remains at the forefront of MSG. This role may not be for you, but don't let that stop you showcasing your potential.

MSG wins industry award for innovation

Thu, 08 Feb 2018 10:58:04 GMT

We're delighted to announce MSG has been awarded the Shining Star Award

It was a stratospheric victory for MSG, taking home the Shining Star Award for innovative use of technology at last month's Vamoos Awards.

Held in London, the prestigious ceremony is a nationwide celebration of the innovative ways technologies are being used across the industry to service customers and deliver exceptional customer experiences. It was a spectacular night, attended by our very own Katie Peggs and fellow Tour Operator Laura Dennehy .

"First and foremost, we'd like to congratulate everybody who attended on the night," says Katie. "It's a tremendous honour to be recognised for our achievements, especially amongst our peers and inspirational figures in the tourism and travel industry.

"Everybody here at MSG routinely goes above and beyond because we want the schools, sports teams, and teachers we work with to have the most amazing experiences. Pushing new technologies and fine-tuning ways to enhance those experiences — delivering a reliable, quality service that does not compromise personalisation — is a massive part of that. Winning this award is evidence that we are achieving those goals."

Success and the future

2017 was a significant year for MSG Tours. Upon successfully establishing a new European base of operations in the Basque Country, we've grown our talented and dynamic team across all areas to become one of the country's leading specialists in educational, ski and sports travel.

Winning this award doesn't only cap-off a fantastic year, crowning our accomplishments as a successful business and travel brand, it's an inspirational kickstart to what looks set be an even more exciting 2018 for MSG and our customers.

School Netball Tours to Europe and beyond

Thu, 18 Jan 2018 10:31:32 GMT

Please Miss, can we go on a school netball tour?

It’s certainly a common request, according to our teacher network. School netball tours are a great way of capping off the end of a productive season. Whether as a reward for all the hard work invested by players and staff, or an opportunity to develop new skills and grow together as a team, it’s a fantastic way for your girls to enjoy the sport in some of the most exciting destinations all over the world.

So, if you feel the girls’ PE department is in need of something new and refreshing, let us guide you on a few snippets of advice on where’s hot and where’s not in the world of school netball tours.

The basics

First off, despite netball growing in participation numbers, there are only a select few countries to visit on a European tour. The shortlist reads Gibraltar, Malta, Cyprus, Switzerland, and Greece, of which they form two categories:

Option 1 ‘established and sunny’: Malta , Cyprus , and Gibraltar from £745 per person

Option 2 ‘developing and enthusiastic Greece and Switzerland from £630 per person

So, let’s start off with what’s important to you.

Standard of play

In a nutshell, countries in Option 1 provide competitive matches determined by age group on marked courts. Games are typically well matched although a strong touring team will often bring an advantage of around 10-15 points per match. If you want an on-court test in a sunny spot in Europe these are your bankers:

Greece

Greece, on a pound for pound basis, provides as much sunshine as you can expect and very enthusiastic opposition. What they do not possess in terms of netball longevity is countered by excellent hand-eye coordination, spatial awareness and tactical nous garnered from years of handball, volleyball, and basketball skill work. Read about Rydal Penrhos School’s 2016 netball tour to Greece .

Switzerland

Switzerland is catching headlines for all the right reasons and gearing themselves for what we hope will be an influx of tourists in 2019. Whilst performing well at an adult level we are hoping that the continued age-group development in the lower ages allows us to confidently present Zurich as a viable city-break option from October 2018 onwards.

When can we travel?

The short answer is that all of the above destinations are available between September and May (occasionally early June). We are not able to guarantee games during the summer months in Europe outside of the season.

Where can we travel on summer netball tours?

Mid-haul and long-haul regions open up between June and September. Here’s a quick snapshot via typical package prices:

Sri Lanka: 12 days from £1497 per person
Barbados: 10 days from £1303 per person
Dubai & Abu Dhabi: 10 days from £1232 per person
St Lucia: 8 days from £1196 per person
California: 12 days from £1498 per person
New York & Toronto: 10 days from £1475 per person
Malawi: 12 days from £1986 per person
Singapore & Malaysia: 12 days from £1775 per person
Argentina: 10 days from £1578 per person
Australia, New Zealand and Fiji: £2200 per person for an 18-day tour to all three countries

Can you help guide us?

Of course, that’s what we’re here for. Tell us exactly what’s important to you, your operating budget and strength of play and we will tailor a trip to your exact needs. Call us on 03333 111122 or email unexpected@msgtours.com to arrange a telephone consultation at a time suitable for you.

Alternatively, get in touch here and let’s start planning your next netball tour

Fun in the sun: Why pick Dubai for your next netball tour

Mon, 15 Jan 2018 12:53:13 GMT

Here are our top 3 reasons why Dubai is the perfect destination for your next netball tour

Think about the perfect netball tour and what comes to mind? Competitive fixtures? Check!

Sunshine and clear blue skies? Check, Check!

How about the opportunity for some ‘out of court’ fun and relaxation? There’s more to a sports tour besides the actual game, you know, and Dubai offers plenty of both. Situated in the exotic United Arab Emirates, Dubai ensures a fun a productive netball tour that incorporates matches and excursions in the neighbouring capital, Abu Dhabi.

From shopping trips in the city, to sightseeing and excursions in the desert, there’s plenty for everybody to enjoy in between some most exciting fixtures on the court. Here are our top 3 reasons why Dubai is the perfect destination for your next netball tour.

1. Girls’ got game

Maybe it’s the beautiful sunshine, who knows? But for years now, netball has remained a firm favourite sport for girls in schools in colleges across Dubai. Combine this with the growing ex-pat community and world-class facilities on offer, and it’s easy to see why the standard of play is so high here.

In fact, Dubai has become one of the most popular destinations for players around the world looking to develop their tactics on the court and grow together as a team. There’s plenty of opportunity for fun, challenging, and productive fixtures for players at every level, from expert to novice.

What’s more, Dubai is one of rare parts of the world that holds a deep and passionate admiration for this fantastic sport outside of the UK — only with much better weather, of course!

2. So much to see, so much to do

Excitement is never far away in Dubai. Even after the whistle has blown and the scores are final, there’s always room for more adventure, a chance to let your hair down, or another eye-opening experience to share with friends.

With the best consultative advice, experience, and resort knowledge, our team understands exactly what goes into crafting a truly memorable trip to Dubai for teams at every level. In April this year, MSG will be traveling with the girls and staff from Helsby High School. Here’s an overview of their tailored itinerary, and just a few highlights of the places they’ll be visiting:

Wild Wadi Water Park

First day: Overnight flight into Dubai.
Two: Check-in to Crowne Plaza Yas Island for 2 nights and visit the Abu Dhabi Grand Mosque.
Three: Morning at Yas Marina Mall, the afternoon is Game Day 1.
Four: Transfer to Dubai and Check-in Dubai World Trade Centre apartments, full Day at Wild Wadi Waterpark.

Wild Wadi Waterpark combines 30 rides and attractions to offer gravity-defying thrills and spills on a truly gargantuan scale. Widely considered to be one of the best in the world, no other waterpark comes close to this adventure playground come-to-life. Situated on the stunning Jumeirah Beach, we can’t imagine a better way to ease the bodies off the physical tour match encounters.

Dubai Mall

Five: Dubai Mall for shopping and ‘At The Top’ Burj Khalifa, afternoon Game Day.
Six: Morning Tour of Dubai, afternoon Game Day.

Indulge in 4 floors of wall to wall shops, kiosks, megastores, and so much more… Dubai Mall has over 1,200 stores and venues attracting over 54 million visitors each year. As well as the chance to shop ‘til you drop, there’s also an array of attractions including an indoor aquarium and multiplex cinema.

Evening Safari

Seven: Morning Visit to the spice soukhs, afternoon Game Day.
Eight: Free Day for final shopping.
Final day: Evening Desert safari with BBQ and then an overnight flight to the UK from Dubai Airport.

Big Red, known by the locals as Al Hamar , is one of the most popular places to go dune bashing in Dubai. Take a thrilling ride across the towering dunes and round off the adventure day at one of the desert camps with a delicious barbecue and live entertainment.

Get in touch with MSG and start planning your own netball tour here

3. Dubai Desert Netball Festival

Running over 4 days, the Desert Netball Festival attracts touring teams from around the world every year, and is hosted at the renowned Dubai Sports City.

Whether combined with your netball tour of Dubai, or as a single excursion, the tournament is a fun and competitive experience that’s open to U12’s, U14’s, U16’s and Senior teams. Event highlights include a phenomenal opening ceremony a chance to train and practice at the park’s world-class facilities, and, of course, an opportunity to celebrate the sport with players from across the globe.

The next festival takes place in October 2018 (25th – 28th) and falls perfectly in line with the half-term break. Which makes it an ideal trip for girls looking to test their mettle as they also get to enjoy some fun and relaxation in the sun.

For more details about our package deal for netball groups looking to experience the 2018 Dubai Desert Festival in full click here

Rugby Tours to Belgium

Sun, 07 Jan 2018 15:45:43 GMT

Located just a short two-and-a-half-hour drive from Calais, Belgium is the perfect country for touring teams from the UK. With competitive fixtures and a pool of teams eager to host touring sides, this popular destination is great for your first rugby tour.

Famous for its waffles and beer, this country also plays host to the Ghent Easter Rugby Festival where U15 teams and upwards from all over Europe head to the city for a large 3-day tournament. With entertainment every evening and an all-you-can-eat BBQ, Ghent Easter Festival gives your team the opportunity to test their skills against continental opposition.

Ghent Easter Rugby Festival

Falling over Easter weekend, the Ghent Easter Rugby Festival is a weekend of fun, food and fantastic rugby. Held in the historical city of Ghent, just one hour outside of Brussels, this exciting festival offers teams from U15s through to senior level, the chance to take on opposition from around the world.

Starting on Good Friday, teams are welcomed to the tournament with a Belgian Beer Evening and the chance to meet their potential rivals. The Saturday brings the first of the group matches followed by an all you can eat BBQ and a themed party, all of which is on site at the rugby club.

The last day of the tournament is finals day and sees the best of the tournament battle it out to become champions and the winner is then announced at the prize ceremony. Once everyone is fed and showered at their accommodation the organisers throw one final party in the centre of Ghent to celebrate the weekend.

The 2018 Ghent Easter Rugby Festival marks the 30th Anniversary and so promises to deliver something extra special.

See the festival announcement: Easter Rugby on Facebook

Where to stay in Belgium

De Draecke Hostel

Located in the perfect spot on a quiet street in Ghent, the De Draecke Hostel is just half a mile from the stunning city centre. Offering a high standard of accommodation and with facilities including Tv's, an onsite bar, private bathrooms, a great restaurant and free wi-fi through the property, this hostel is the perfect location for groups on a rugby tour to Belgium.

There is always something to do near the hostel, the Modern Art Museum and Gravensteen Castle are all within walking distance of the hostel's front door.

What to do in Belgium

Ghelamco Arena Tour
Gravensteen Castle
Modern Art Museum
Bruges City Tour
Chocolate Tour

When to visit

For adult touring teams, we would highly recommend the spring months of March and April (depending on when Easter falls) so that we can combine your rugby tour with the Ghent Easter Rugby Festival. The weather is also perfect for rugby at this time of year, not too hot and not too cold.

Outside of this, September through to May is the best time to visit Belgium on your organised rugby tour.

MSG Expansion offers new roles from January 2018

Thu, 14 Dec 2017 21:09:37 GMT

Talent required (we're growing).

Ambitious, energetic and thriving #travel brand seeks visionary individuals to join us on our journey

Our industry in a nutshell? We make people incredibly happy by working cohesively and diligently to provide amazing travel journeys around our wonderful planet. Our growth since inception in 2015 has created three new employment opportunities. Thanks for stopping by.

CREATIVE MARKETER

An innovative, exciting individual recognised for dynamism and creativity to take our thriving educational and sports travel brand to the digital marketplace. With a talent and passion for all mainstream social media accounts, the candidate will merge our aspirational travel destinations and events with the fast-moving world of social media, focusing equally on both our existing client bases and sport, ski and school study marketplaces. He/she should be capable of image / graphic design (and enhancement through popular applications to link on relevant channels), WordPress, e-marketing and copywriting across print and digital.

Reporting to and working alongside the managing director, this full-time role combines an attractive salary with an uncapped commission and bonus potential with a high degree of autonomy on offer for bringing business development ideas to fruition. Personal characteristics include a vibrant personality, passion for the sports, ski, education and travel industries with a thirst for exploring the globe to understand our core travel destinations.

OPERATIONS TEAM LEADER

We're seeking a commercially astute, hands-on, experienced commercial operator to creatively deliver our portfolio of ski, sport, supporters and study travel packages to exceptionally high standards. He/she will have a confident grasp of key social media platforms, reservation and booking engines and a thirst for exploring operational innovations and efficiencies. Confidence in verbal and face to face client communications is a given, whilst a passion for developing new business projects through feasibility studies will stand an applicant out.

He/she will also possess competence in all areas of operations' financial requirements, negotiation, train and develop colleagues, a desire and ambition to travel, a demonstrated drive to #delivertheunexpected and form part of a senior management team with future profit-share opportunities.

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT/SALES

If you enjoy the challenge of working to sales targets and class yourself as an 'outside-the-box thinker' then read on. Our business provides incredible life experiences to both children and adults using the medium of travel. If you're passionate about our industry and possess excellent verbal, written and negotiation skills we welcome your CV. This role has a high dependency on developing new business in a bustling marketplace, requiring innovative thinking, a competency of preparing financial quotations/itineraries and a desire to experience our operations in Europe and beyond. This role offers a competitive salary and uncapped commission structure on top of overseas travel opportunities.

Location : Derby
Contract : Permanent, full-time (37.5 hours per week, Mon to Fri)
Salary : Negotiable – subject to experience
Start : January 2018 or subject to candidate
Perks : Free breakfast, lunch and fresh fruit every working day

What can YOU bring to US?

APPLICATIONS CLOSE 27 JANUARY 2018. Send CV or LinkedIn profile to recruitment@msgtours.com

NB: Attracting talent to our business remains at the forefront of MSG. These roles may not be for you, but don't let that stop you showcasing your potential. We'll always find the right hours for the best people. Don't let 37.5h p/w put you off.

Rydal Penrhos School Rugby Tour to Japan

Thu, 14 Dec 2017 19:34:50 GMT

Rydal Penrhos School of Colwyn Bay, North Wales are enjoying a mid-season rugby tour to Japan, ‘The Land of the Rising Sun’.

Over 12 days 24 players are taking on Japan’s finest high schools in Tokyo, Kanagawa, Kyoto and Osaka, led by Director of Sport, Allen Boyd. “We’ve booked to Japan with MSG to take our students out of their comfort zones and expand their sporting and cultural horizons. We’re excited to travel around this fascinating country and play against the very best of Japanese schoolboy rugby.”

After an opening weekend in Tokyo featuring baseball, Tsukiji Fish Market, Shibuya and Ueno Park the tour headed south to Sagamihara in the Kanagawa Prefecture for two days’ billeting and an opening tour fixture.

The tough opening fixture saw the hosts progress to a 34-19 victory despite a valiant effort from Rydal’s matchday squad. With two matches remaining the boys will be leaning on the words and advice of MSG Ambassador and ex-British & Irish Lion, Tim Stimpson who visited the players for a pre-tour talk in November.

Hearing of the setback, Tim sent the following message:

With game two in Kyoto on the horizon, we’ll be updating this blog with updates from Rydal’s journey on their rugby tour to Japan.

Tony Jones' experiences with MSG Tours in the Basque Country

Tue, 28 Nov 2017 13:14:44 GMT

Our very own Tony Jones gives an exhilarating account of his experience working with MSG Tours in the Basque Country thus far.

I first touched down in the glorious Basque Country in late September 2013. It was my Erasmus year at University, and for the following 10 months, I would be teaching English at a Secondary School in a small town just outside San Sebastian called Hernani. Little did I know, at the time, I’ll be working with MSG Tours in the Basque Country.

I had done my research; the French Basque region boasted some iconic rugby names including New Zealand´s Joe Rokocoko and the newly signed Welsh Scrum-half Mike Phillips at Avignon Bayonnais, and talismen like Erik Lund and Imanol Harinordoquy representing rivals Biarritz Olympique just 8 km down the coast.

I would be playing with Hernani CRE, a local team, which had been promoted to the top flight in Spanish rugby, “Divisíon de honor A”. I had been in contact with Joxe Elosegi, the technical director of Hernani CRE, and on the same day as my arrival, I was on the playing field.

Having played two years of competitive rugby for Swansea University and Waunarlwydd RFC on a Wednesday and Saturday respectively, I was naively surprised by the quality of rugby which the Spanish Basques played. It was quick, dynamic, and fearless. What they didn’t have in height they made up for in big hits – something I was reminded of in my first training session!

Following a couple of weeks of “acclimatization”, I was named as inside centre for Hernani´s first home game against Gernika Taldea, a local Basque side from near Bilbao. So how did I come to work for MSG Tours in the Basque Country? Well, there’s a lot more to the story.

Derby days were spectacular

You are not a real club if you don’t have that one fan who everybody knows, rooting for their team, in their spot in the stand, sipping on their beverage of choice. Hernani was no different. Patxi’s image will be imprinted in my memory forever. His plump disposition, red face, beret, cigar in one hand, beer in the other, proudly sporting the Hernani ‘tricolores’ shirt is a beautiful sight to see. His short commute from the comfort of his seat at the club bar to find his spot in the stand where he would start up the local songs and chants during the match…. Oh, the memories!

And it was by no means a quiet and contained affair. Who knew such noise could be generated by 1500 “Hernaniarras” and a strong travelling contingent at the traditional “Landare Toki” ground.

Read more about how our Basque Country pre-season rugby camps can prepare your team for next season here

The buzz, the passion, the concentration, and the dedication

From the infamous “1,2,3 SQUEEZE!” in the changing rooms. to the tunnel of fans accompanying the players on the field of play, match days were special. After the match, we headed to a local cider house for a spectacular ‘Tercer Tiempo’ – literally ‘third half’. It was clear to me that the Basques ‘got’ rugby, both on and off the field.

With a menu of ‘All you can drink’ rustic Basque cider and kilos of Txuleton (Basque Steak), what is not to like? My first experience of arguably the most iconic part of the region’s culture was sensational. The triple of having won the derby, having debuted and having scored my first try made for an interesting initiation, which consisted of me quickly learning a Basque song and performing it to both teams, in my underwear.

This jovial post-game function was my first real taste of the Basque rugby culture in all its glory: both teams coming together and sharing some good banter, some great food and drink and some horrible singing, all in true rugby fashion.

Sport has a tremendous capacity of bringing people together

I don’t know if it was the fact that the town lived and breathed rugby or that I completely bought into the club and its principles, but I felt and continue to feel that Hernani has the best balance of sport and social I have experienced in any club I have played for back in the UK. The kindness and positive ethos the club has generated throughout its 52-year history is shown by the commitment of its teams. From 5 years old you can pick up a rugby ball which is a credit to the hard work that continues to go on at the club.

So here I am after four years in this delightful corner of the globe now bringing teams from schools and clubs around the world to sample its charms. I derive enormous pleasure personally in witnessing new friendships arise and initiating those who are unaware that the rugby does not simply stop at the border, but proudly sits alongside football, hockey, basketball, handball plus many more sports in the rich tapestry of activities that are readily accessible to our foreign visitors in the undisputably well equipped Basque Country.

Visit our rugby tours page to view touring options for your club or school.

MSG Tours Sporting Saturday – Wales vs Georgia

Wed, 22 Nov 2017 11:21:51 GMT

Our Sporting Saturday Recap

Traditions continued in Cardiff at our annual Sporting Saturday in support of Wales's Autumn International against Tier 2 nation, Georgia.

Our annual hospitality fixture welcomed 140 guests to the Radisson Blu Hotel in the heart of the Welsh capital. Representatives from our touring clubs, schools, universities and armed forces sides joined members of our Supporters Tours for lunch and pre-game event featuring speakers from the rugby world.

Hosted by BBC Wales's Phil Steele and Paul Fielding of Legends Hospitality, the two-hour function featured a well-received interview with Lasha Khurtsidze, Georgia Rugby Union's Head of Operations and Lexo Gugava, former player and Board member. Their insights proved both entertaining and amusing although their hopes of a maiden victory over the Dragons fell slightly short in the Principality Stadium.

Paul's interview of Phil's career demonstrated his versatility in both the education and sporting worlds. More accustomed to being on the other side of the mic', Phil soon returned to natural ways with his 'around the ground' interviews of the day's sponsors and supporters of MSG Tours.

Our thanks go out to ex-professionals and second-row sparring partners Andrew Coombs and Mike Powell for completing the lineup. Hearing their stories of competing against each other and their pro sport highlights rounded off a superb afternoon that finished with live music and plenty of chatter about forthcoming trips and tours.

The event doubled as a reunion for our 2017 British & Irish Lions supporters who spent the morning spotting themselves on our video highlights of the epic summer tour to New Zealand and Fiji. Our returning clients were treated to an advance screening of our forthcoming Wales supporters tours to Argentina, European Rugby Champions Cup Final to Bilbao , Rugby World Cup, 2019 in Japan and the 2021 Lions Tour to South Africa.

"Fantastic day well organised from the start to the finish just like your tours ��"

David Morgan, Acorn Travel

"Thanks for your hospitality today Mark and everyone at MSG, hope everyone enjoyed the Baa!"

Sian Heaven, BAA Brewery

Huge thanks goes out to our fantastic supporters of MSG and to the Radisson Blu for hosting our 2017 edition of our Sporting Saturday.

Where will your next school study trip take you?

Tue, 14 Nov 2017 09:09:27 GMT

Take your students on a school study trip and learn something new, someplace you never imagined with MSG

From city breaks to worldwide travel, there are many ways for students to learn outside the classroom. At MSG, we share the same vision as passionate teachers who want to give their students the best experiences. That’s why our focus is on delivering memorable, real-world study experiences that go far beyond the classroom. We make the world your classroom.

It all begins with a simple question: What do you want your students to experience?

It’s a question we’ve asked schools and colleges throughout the years, and we’re always overjoyed to receive a different response. Most importantly, it’s given us the freedom to continuously deliver the perfect study trip for our customers.

Above: Daya co-ordinating one of our school study trips in Paris, France

Live, love, learn

We love nothing more than discovering a new and exciting vision that teachers want to share with their students. First of all, it helps us get under the skin of what passionate teachers want their students to experience. Secondly, we love an adventure!

Most all, we want students to be inspired while learning. So, whether that means customising a current itinerary or building one from scratch, we deliver a bespoke experience. As a result, our students and teachers are assured a unique and enlightening school study trip.

Discover your next school study trip here

The world is your classroom

Finally, we want students to get the most out of the subjects they are most passionate about. Therefore, we craft experiences that are unique, whilst benefitting students in their studies. Where will your next study trip take you and your students? There are no limitations when you think outside the classroom…

Food Technology in Japan

What better place for students to master the art of cooking than one of the cuisine capitals of the world? Home to many of the greatest Michelin-starred chefs, Japan is the perfect location for exploring new recipes, while enjoying one of the most beautiful, most fascinating destinations on the planet. Now there’s food for thought…

History in Italy

Rome wasn’t built in a day, oh no, it has a long and fascinating history, much like the rest of Italy itself! It’s also the land of Renaissance art and iconic architecture, with a rich and vibrant culture that is all its own. We couldn’t imagine a more incredible learning experience for students and teachers looking to bring history to life.

Geography in Peru

Peru is the perfect destination for a school expedition. In fact, it’s an absolute ‘must’ for adventurous groups seeking stunning geography and wildlife.

We love planning tours with passionate teachers, so get in touch and let’s talk about your next big adventure

October Half-term recap: What we got up to in Spain and France

Fri, 10 Nov 2017 12:46:05 GMT

A look back at an action-packed October half-term with MSG's Stuart Lock

The MSG European Operations team were in full flow over the recent October half-term. Tony Jones, Ben Broster and I were all hands to the pump. Most importantly, we were honoured to be joined by Kyran Bungaroo. It was a glittering cameo from the England Rugby star, who came to speak to the boys from Queen's College, Taunton.

During his talk with the boys, Kyran went into fascinating detail about his pathways from Brighton College starlet to the dizzying heights of Biarritz Olympique. Needless to say, it was an insightful and inspirational story for all to hear. Thanks, Kyran!

Meanwhile, Warwick School's 3rd XV made the pilgrimage to Independiente's home turf in the Spanish city of Santander. The action on the pitch then took us down to Pamplona's bull-running country with Reigate Grammar U14s for their match against La Unica.

Learning Pelota in the Basque Country

Getting to grips with a new sport is something we're pretty good at, here at MSG. However, I think it's fair to say that Pelota looks a lot easier when it's being done by the pros. This Basque Country sport was skilfully demonstrated by our guide, Endika Barrenetxea, while we were down there in the beautiful town of Hernani.

Nevertheless, the boys and staff were valiant in their attempts to give it a go. Albeit with varying degrees of success. (We're not naming names, but I was brilliant!) Ah well, maybe the surfing saw greater degrees of proficiency. Then again, maybe not, but the effort and enthusiasm from everybody could not be faulted.

More rugby with a healthy dollop of football and hockey

The atmosphere at the Basque rugby derby on Saturday 15th October was one to remember for the Queen's College and Reigate Grammar lads. Who said that French teams don't travel well? Biarritz came out winners by 30-24! The fact the journey is only 7km between the two grounds probably has something to do with it in this instance.

The last few days of the break were spent with the joint U13 hockey and football group from Dulwich College. In between their own matches and training, Dulwich was lucky to witness the hockey matches at Club Atletico San Sebastián. This was capped off with a thrilling 2-2 draw in La Liga between SD Eibar and Levante.

High performance and preparation

If there's one thing integral to the performance of all sports teams, it's got to be 'preparation'. And what better facilities to ready yourselves for a match than the world-renowned training fields of Real Sociedad. Dulwich College footballers enjoyed a tour and game at the hallowed turfs while visiting this iconic part of northern Spain.

New friends on tour

The tour also took the group to St. Patrick's English school in San Sebastián, where an afternoon of multi-sports was enjoyed between the girls and boys. It also provided the group a unique opportunity to brush up on their Spanish.

Despite the whistle-stop nature of the trips, it was great fun to experience two countries in one go. Needless to say, we can't wait to welcome these guys back in the future!

With football, rugby, and hockey tours all available for both girls and boys, you may want to consider the Basque Country for your next school sports tour.

In the meantime, get in touch and speak to a member of our team for all school sports tour enquiries here

Derby Triathlon Club return to Challenge Paguera

Fri, 27 Oct 2017 11:54:37 GMT

Podiums, prosecco and fun in the sun at Challenge Paguera

Twas a hot one, but who is really complaining about the race day heat at this year’s Challenge Paguera (other than the poor supporting souls who had to walk the 30 metres to the hotel bar for fresh Pepsi).

The sea was flat and clear with the roads as smooth as ever. The run garnered generous applause from the town’s holidaymakers, amused and bemused at why 1300 people would choose to run in 25-degree heat as the sun reached its peak.

Yet Derby Triathlon Club returned with valour, the latecomers seemingly making the most noise and sensing the value in the hotel’s all-inclusive policy. The newcomers marvelled at the simplicity of registration, checking in the bike and wondering what to do with the spare time afforded when accommodated adjacent to the Start, Finish and Expo zones. That’s why we return year on year to a resort and race that are as warm as each other in their welcome. Local flights, cost-effective, great company and the perfect end of season affair that kicks you on through the chills of winter.

And chapeau to the organisers from the town of Calvia’s Ayuntamiento (Town Hall) who represented the Challenge brand superbly. A fluid race with plenty of heart and personal touches throughout the booking and delivery process.

Challenge Paguera: 18-21 October 2018

The eagle-eyed will have spotted that next year’s race has been pushed back a week, now coinciding with the majority of schools’ half term weeks.

The following prices apply based on bookings received before 22nd October 2017:

Full entry: £552.00 per person
Relay: £502.00 per person
Supporter: £363.00 per person

Inclusions:

ATOL protected return flights from East Midlands to Mallorca
10kg hand luggage
Transfers in Mallorca
3 x days’ carbon road bike rental
Race entry
3 x nights’ all-inclusive twin room hotel accommodation

What next?

To confirm your booking at these prices we require a non-refundable deposit of £150 (to secure race entry) by no later than 22nd October 2017. A further £150 is due by 30.11.2017. Payments should be made via bank transfer direct to MSG Tours Ltd.

Please note that prices will increase by £47 per-person after 22nd October 2017 once the event’s special offer period expires.

Fun in the 2018 sun, anyone? Click here to register your interest for next year’s event.

Take on the Dubai Desert Netball Festival in October 2018

Fri, 27 Oct 2017 08:24:21 GMT

Visit the Desert Netball Festival in October 2018 on your netball tour to Dubai

If you're looking for sun, sand and a fun, lively netball tournament held in some of the best-sporting facilities you will ever see, then look no further than the Desert Netball Festival for your 2018 netball tour to Dubai.

Running over 4 days in October 2018 (25th – 28th), the Dubai Desert Netball Festival is a must for any netball team. Hosted in world-class facilities at Dubai Sports City and with teams accommodated in stunning hotels, such as the Dubai World Trade Apartments (audited to School Travel Forum – STF – standards), it is no wonder that interest in this tournament is building.

Dubai Sports City

The Dubai Sports City Sports Park provides purpose-built facilities for a multitude of sports, with netball perhaps being the most noteworthy. Furthermore, with 4 multi-sports courts, Sports Bar and Outdoor cafe, it makes the perfect location for the Desert Netball Tournament.

For a full breakdown of what's included in our package deal to the Dubai Desert Festival in October 2018, head straight to the bottom of the page for details.

Who can take part?

The Desert Netball Festival is open to the following age groups:

U12
U14
U16
Senior – 16 + (please note, U18 teams will be included in this group and thus will play in the open age, senior category)

How to get there

Flights for your netball tour to Dubai are available regionally across the UK. Direct flights depart from:

Manchester
Birmingham
Glasgow
London Gatwick
Newcastle
London Heathrow

Where to stay in Dubai and Abu Dhabi

Dubai World Trade Center Apartments

Located just 20 minutes from Dubai Airport, 30 minutes from Dubai Sports City and just an hour away from Abu Dhabi, the Dubai World Trade Center Apartments are in the perfect location for a team visiting Dubai for the Desert Netball Festival. Facilities at the Apartments include free WiFi, an outdoor pool, tennis court, climbing wall and full gym and aerobics studio.

The Dubai World Trade Center Apartments have been audited to STF standards and received a rating of High Conformity.

What to do in Dubai and Abu Dhabi

Dubai and Abu Dhabi are home to a plethora of fun, educational and exciting places to see and visit. Here is just a handful not to be missed:

Wild Wadi Waterpark
Desert Safari
Dubai Mall
Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque (Abu Dhabi)
'At The Top' – Burj Khalifa tower

Package details

At MSG, we've selected the best available package deal for netball groups looking to experience the 2018 Dubai Desert Festival in full.

The package is open to U12's, U14's, U16's and Senior teams (alternative age groups will be entered into the category most relevant to their age group), and will include;

Direct flight from Manchester, Birmingham or London to Abu Dhabi on 23rd October 2018, returning on 28th October 2018
All airport taxes and carrier fees
23kg hold luggage and 7kg hand luggage per person
Return airport transfers from Abu Dhabi airport to accommodation
4 x nights' accommodation at Dubai World Trade Centre Apartments (extra nights available upon request)
Daily breakfast included
Tournament Entry (hosted in Dubai Sports City)
Tournament Transfers

Based on 20 paying students and 2 free staff places,
Price: £1,197.00 per student

If you would like any further information on the Desert Netball Tournament or a netball tour to Dubai please don't hesitate to call on 03333 111122 or get in touch online.

For more information about all our Netball tour packages please click here

Basque Country pre-season rugby camps — Prepare your team for 2018

Fri, 29 Sep 2017 16:35:18 GMT

Prepare your team for the rigours of the season with a productive stay at one of our Basque Country pre-season rugby camps.

Leave no stone unturned during a week of high-level training, coaching and conditioning with some of rugby’s biggest local names assisting with your weekly preparation. It’s a fantastic opportunity to hone those skills and get ahead of the opposition.

Our hands-on liaison service allows staff to focus on what matters: getting the prep’ right before the season commences. Our courteous drivers, DBS-approved staff, wonderful hoteliers and ex-pro rugby staff ensure your weekly programme is both innovative, dynamic and structured to offer the very best in team preparation and marginal gains.

Our camp locations for 2018 pre-season training in the Basque Country are Bayonne, Anglet, Biarritz.

Working with a real pro

Headed up by ex-Wales rugby player Ben Broster, he had this to say about working with MSG at our Basque Country pre-season rugby camps:

Needless to say, we’re also thrilled to have Ben on board, and in his involvement with our Basque Country pre-season rugby camps will be a real boon to teams in preparation for 2018.

An itinerary packed with activities

We’ve already mentioned a brief overview of what’s in store during a stay at one of our Basque Country pre-season rugby camps. But in the interest of keeping things tactical, we thought we’d give you a day-by-day breakdown covering just a sample of a week-long stay:

Day one: Fly to Biarritz, Bordeaux or Bilbao. Meet MSG TourManager and check in to your hotel. Light skills session, Team Briefing and Dinner.
Day two: Two-hour S&C at Best Training Center, breakfast, pool recovery and lunch. Team training session, Forwards’ session with Ben Broster, dinner and team briefing.
Day three: Visit local Basque farm for a cultural lunch and tour. Tour of Biarritz / Bayonne Stadium and team run, Match 1 and reception.
Day four: Trip to water park and lunch. Video analysis followed with dinner.
Day five: Beach excursion with lunch. Lecture: “Life as a Pro: Before and After Rugby” with Ben Broster, Match 2 and reception.
Day six: Day trip to San Sebastian, sightseeing, surfing, and Pintxos for End of Tour Dinner ( trust us, they’re a real treat).
Day seven: Free morning, then an afternoon flight back home!

Tonbridge School

Since establishing our new base of operations in The Basque Country, locations in this region have proven popular, with an impressive number of successful rugby tours during summer 2017 including Tonbridge School’s school rugby tour to Biarritz.

For more information about our Rugby Tour packages please click here

International Netball Star joins MSG Tours in Ambassador Role

Thu, 28 Sep 2017 10:30:08 GMT

Suzy Drane appointed as MSG Tours’ Netball Ambassador

International netball star, Suzy Drane is the newest addition to the MSG Tours Ambassador family. Holding 81 International Caps for Wales, Suzy has been representing her country since her International debut against Jamaica in June 2005 and is extremely passionate about growing the global participation levels of netball.

Suzy gained first-hand experience of MSG Tours in Greece as a tour leader with her alma mater, Rydal Penrhos on their own netball tour . Whilst the girls helped to develop the precocious talent of local players, Suzy assisted in holding training sessions and integrated herself with the oppositions’ coaching and officiating staff to help their growth into the game.

MSG continued the association with Suzy in July, sponsoring the Celtic Dragons captain her for the inaugural Super Clubs Tournament, held in Nelson, New Zealand. The team’s efforts saw them take fifth place ahead of all other international invitation teams outside Australia and New Zealand, a fantastic achievement!

Mark Gardner, MSG Tours Director added “Suzy’s values, dedication to the game of netball and infectious personality make this a very natural appointment to our extended MSG family. We’re excited to launch our extended range of innovative tours to clubs and schools worldwide. Suzy’s playing experiences against the Caribbean sides, Sri Lanka and Malawi fit perfectly into our portfolio of delivering the unexpected destinations to our netball family.”

Visit our netball tours page for information and ideas on your next school netball tour .

Ben Broster Joins MSG Family

Thu, 28 Sep 2017 09:59:12 GMT

Ex Rugby Professional, Ben Broster joins MSG Tours' European Office in Biarritz

We're delighted to announce the welcome of Ben Broster to the MSG family, joining our team to coincide with the start of the new rugby season.

Ben brings a professional edge to MSG's European office in Biarritz. Having recently retired from five years' front row service with Biarritz Olympique and Aviron Bayonnais in the French leagues, Ben's wealth of playing experience includes spells with Scarlets, Wasps and Saracens and internationally with Wales. In his role as The Pro, Ben's time on the ground with our touring groups gives players a valued insight into the life of a pro rugby player through motivational speaking, coaching sessions and team management.

Read more about our other newest additions to the Basque Country team here

Educated at Hurstpierpoint College, Ben excelled through the rugby ranks at school where he learned his passion. He started his career soon afterward, making an impression at Haywards Health RFC and continuously developing and persisting until his first ever professional debut for Saracens in 2002.

No stranger to travelling, Ben Broster has toured Canada and the USA during his career at the Wales National Rugby Union Team. His love for rugby and his love for travel has collaborated in the new role at MSG Tours Ltd.

A helping hand on the latest Basque Country Trip, assisting with coordinating the summer pre-season tours programme for the likes of Warwick School, Tonbridge School, Hampton School and Eltham College, we are certain Ben is a brilliant addition to the team!

"I'm very excited to team up with Stuart and MSG. With a rich rugby history supported by a population that lives and breathe the sport, and having lived and played here professionally for the past five years, I'm eager to share with teams the very best of my personal experiences."

Ben Broster, September 2017

Join us on our journey by connecting with Ben on LinkedIn .

Visit our rugby tours to France page to view touring options for your club or school.

Ghent Easter Rugby

Fri, 22 Sep 2017 12:33:37 GMT

Falling over Easter weekend, the Ghent Easter Rugby Festival is a weekend of fun, food and fantastic rugby. Held in the historical city of Ghent, just one hour outside of Brussels, this exciting festival offers teams from U17s through to senior level, the chance to take on opposition from around the world.

Who can take part?

The Ghent Easter Rugby Festival is open for teams aged 15 and above, with the following categories open for registration:

Boys U17 – 15's
Boys U19 – 15's
Mixed Touch
Girls U18 – 7's
Women's 7's
Men's 7's
Women's 10's
Men's 10's

The 2018 Ghent Easter Rugby Festival marks the 30th Anniversary and so promises to deliver something extra special.

Where to stay in Belgium

De Draecke Hostel

There is always something to do near the hostel, the Modern Art Museum and Gravensteen Castle are all within walking distance of the hostel's front door.

What to do in Ghent

Welcome BBQ
Gravensteen Castle
Modern Art Museum
End of Tour Party
Chocolate Tour

When to visit

Ghent Easter Rugby is held every year and falls over Easter weekend meaning the spring months of March or April (depending on when Easter falls) are the best times to tour to allow entry into this festival.

If you are interested in the Ghent Easter Rugby Festival we have just one space remaining for a group who wish to compete in the Women's, Men's, U17 or Touch tournament so please get in touch.

Welsh Clubs Summer Round-up

Fri, 22 Sep 2017 12:13:07 GMT

Summer 2017 proved to be a very busy time here at MSG Tours with a number of Welsh clubs embarking on summer tours with us. August saw Pencoed Ladies U18 team visiting Ireland for the Women’s Rugby World Cup whilst September brought the Bedlinog Cubs and their families to Derby for a jam-packed weekend of rugby fun.

Pencoed U18s Tour to Ireland

In August MSG organised Pencoed Ladies U18 Rugby Team’s Pre season tour to Ireland for the NAAS RFC international U18s Tournament and the Women’s Rugby World Cup. The 33 strong team (including players and parents) made their way to Dublin on August 11th for a rugby-filled weekend.

Having arrived on Friday, the Pencoed Ladies got stuck in on day two with a full day at the Naas RFC International Girls’ Rugby Festival which catered for U15s and U18s teams. All teams were welcomed with drinks and snacks and a delicious BBQ throughout the day. Having played fantastically throughout the tournament, the Pencoed ladies secured 4th place in the Tournament and were also runners-up in the Plate final.

With a tough day of rugby playing behind them, the ladies got to sit back and relax on Sunday with a day at the Pool Stages of the Women’s Rugby World Cup at the UCD Bowl in Dublin. With the likes of USA, Spain, France and Australia on the pitch, we’re sure the Ladies got to pick up some tips for their upcoming training sessions!

Monday saw Pencoed return home following a great weekend in Dublin! We hope you enjoyed ladies and we look forward to organising many more tours for you in the future.

Bedlinog Cubs Tour to Derby

At the beginning of September MSG was delighted to bring the Bedlinog Mini’s Rugby Club AKA The Cubs to our home town of Derby for two days of fun and games for their very first tour. A 78 strong group full of excited children (made up of U8’s, U9’s and U11’s) and even more excited families arrived on Saturday September 2nd.

Day one included a day at Alton Towers where the children (and adults) got to enjoy some of the great attractions. After a busy day, the club then filled their tummies at The Water Bridge, Uttoxeter, before heading to the Travelodge in Derby to get some well-earned rest.

The group woke up on day two and boarded the bus for a full morning of rugby fun at Derby RFC where The Cubs got the chance to interact with the local mini rugby team. After lunch, the Cubs prepared for their return to South Wales having had a great weekend in Derby.

Tackle the 2019 Gothia Cup Football Tournament in Sweden

Mon, 18 Sep 2017 14:16:14 GMT

Get ready for the Gothia Cup 2019 Football Tournament in Sweden

Thousands of football players will descend on Gothenburg during 14-20 July 2019 to compete in the Gothia Cup Football Tournament in Sweden.

The Gothia Cup 2019 Football Tournament in Sweden offers teams the opportunity to experience new cultures. It’s also a chance to play oppositions from 80 nations across the globe. Not to mention experience the spectacle of the ceremony.

Musicians, fireworks and football

The Gothia Cup Opening Ceremony is a highlight of the event: Teams are welcomed into the arena and then join a crowd of over 50,000 spectators. Last year’s ceremony featured over 500 dancers, 10 musicians and 15 solo artists. This was capped off with a spectacular fireworks finale.

Cardiff’s Barry Comprehensive School attended in 2015 and returned to tackle the Gothia Cup 2017 Football Tour in Sweden. Their coach, Mr Hutton had this to say: “The whole experience was amazing for our pupils. Being part of a huge international event made it a tour that none of my pupils will forget.”

The Gothia Cup is a tournament that truly delivers the unexpected. When will you ever get the chance to play Costa Rica, Zambia and Sweden in the opening rounds? This world-renowned event is culturally enriching. It absolutely proves to be an invaluable life experience for all players and coaches who attend. Be part of this incredible journey with MSG Tours.

For more information about all our Football Tour packages please click here .

BHXtravaganza – My first MSG event

Mon, 18 Sep 2017 11:04:25 GMT

Travelling has always been a huge passion of mine, therefore when I was presented with the opportunity to join the MSG Tours team I couldn't refuse. Although this meant flying the nest and leaving the South Wales Valleys for Derby, this was an offer I couldn't turn down, starting with the BHXtravaganza.

A start date of the 18th of September was agreed on the basis that I would join the MSG team for the event at Birmingham Airport the week prior. BHXtravaganza? This sounds exciting! I had no idea what to expect but I couldn't wait to get stuck in.

The BHXtravaganza is an annual event hosted by the Birmingham Airport Gurus in order for airlines to showcase their new routes and services in and out of Birmingham International Airport.

Upon arriving at the National Conference Centre, Birmingham I was surprised by the amount of people that were present at the event, who knew travel was such a popular industry? We were greeted with glasses of champagne before a brief introduction by the lovely Airport Gurus in their amazing 60's inspired skater dresses! They were very informative and explained the purpose of the event and the itinerary for the evening (perfect for a first timer like me.)

Then the exciting part, prizes! We were informed that a number of airlines were giving away some amazing prizes including flights to exciting destinations on their route network which definitely caught the attention of the crowd.

Here we go, time to circle the room, being a first timer, I decided that my plan of action would be to shadow my colleague Katie (the longest serving MSG employee) The room was filled with tables, one for each airline flying out of Birmingham Airport. We begin to work the room, I am amazed by the number of airlines that currently fly out of Birmingham, including some big names such as Emirates and Qatar.

After observing Katie speaking to different airlines, I begin to distinguish a pattern in the conversations she is having with each representative. Each conversation seems to come back to what they can do for us. "Do you have a groups department" or "Can you help me with this issue" Katie knows exactly what she trying to achieve here.

Following a number of helpful conversations and new contacts made by Katie, it's the moment we've all been waiting for, the prize draw! The room goes silent as each winner is announced, then a great moment for MSG: Lucy has won! Two flights with Turkish Airlines to any destination on their network. What an amazing end to a great evening.

Thanks to the Airport Gurus for inviting the MSG team to a fun and beneficial event. I look forward to returning in the future as an MSG employee.

REME Rugby League 75th Anniversary tour to New Zealand

Wed, 02 Aug 2017 11:15:21 GMT

REME Rugby League (the Royal & Electrical Mechanical Engineers) of the British Army team visited New Zealand on a tour to celebrate the Regiment's 75th Anniversary year. After goodbyes and good lucks, the group took to their rugby tour destination for two brilliant weeks.

The 29-strong group commenced their stay in Auckland, arriving on the afternoon of the Lions' tour opener in Whangarei. Taking in Eden Park's Blues v Lions encounter spirited the soldiers after a tough opener. Thanks go out to Takapuna RFC for their kind use of facilities and equipment ahead of this fixture.

REME Rugby League and beautiful North Island, NZ

With so much to see around North Island, the squad took in Rotorua's Skyline and Luge. Wellington's Te Papa Museum was sandwiched between four nights at Palmerston North. The second game went in REME's favour, narrowly beating teams from the NZ Defence Force. On the whole, it appeared that REME wasn't the only team to head to New Zealand in June to square a Series!

For further information about all our Rugby Tour packages please click here

MSG Tours specialise in sports tours for both male and female Armed Forces teams. This includes football, hockey, netball and cricket tours to name a few. In September 2017 we are coordinating the Army's 1 Rifles Rugby Tour to Canada. Several teams will also be travelling with us to North America in April and May 2018. Likewise, popular military sports tours destinations include California, Texas, New York, Louisiana and Chicago.

For an opportunity as amazing as the REME Rugby League but bespoke to your needs visit our Rugby Tours to Australia and New Zealand

For further information about all our Rugby Tour packages please click here

The Intern goes on School Study Trip to Paris

Tue, 01 Aug 2017 11:44:11 GMT

Four weeks into the job, Daya Dhadli, our new marketing intern goes on a school study trip to Paris. That's right, she's off with 35 students and 5 teachers, responsible for ensuring a smooth trip. That means organising and liaising between teachers, pre-booking excursion and so forth… Oh, and the obligatory visit the happiest place in the world.

Every Study Trip to Paris requires a visit to The Magical Kingdom

The jam-packed study trip to Paris included a couple of days visiting the Montparnasse and Eiffel Tower, taking a boat ride down the Seine on the Bateaux Mouches boat, visiting the Louvre, Centre Pompidou cafes and more, followed by a day in Disney Land Paris. Daya kept the trip as swift as possible, pre-booking breakfast and dinners, organising coach times and keeping the world update via social media. Keeping it stress free for the teachers who enjoyed their time as much as the children!

"My time in Paris was amazing. Having never been before I thought it would be quite the challenge to be a tour operator on this trip, but it pushed me to do my research and be as prepared as possible. I met some lovely teachers and students, and have developed so many personal and professional skills. Paris is such a wonderful city and as Audrey Hepburn had to say: "Paris is always a good idea"; I could not agree more.

Further, looking back to the end of finishing first year of university, I did not expect to be given such an amazing opportunity to blog, refurbish the website, assist with financial work – relevant to my degree, or even travel! MSG have graciously given me the chance and responsibility."
– Daya Dhadli, Marketing Intern

For more information on Study Trips abroad click here

Yorkshire Terriers Rugby Tour so far…

Fri, 28 Jul 2017 10:55:28 GMT

With three games done, only two more remains for Yorkshire Terriers Rugby Tour. Wellington, New Zealand here they come!

We are now midway through the Yorkshire Terriers' Australia and New Zealand Rugby Tour and what a journey it has been. Katie Peggs, our Rugby Tour Manager is leading the group, raising spirits and keeping the cogs of the journey turning. Meanwhile, the team and experienced coaching staff focus on training and matches. Living up to her nickname, Katie really is "The Commentator", spilling the beans on all the excitement of the trip so far…

Team morale is sky high

The Yorkshire Terriers Rugby team have visited Sydney and Auckland; training, sightseeing, exploring and playing against fierce competition. With an outstanding 2 out of 3 wins, the team's morale is sky high as the lads set off to their final tournament destination in Wellington. Some would consider the recent match loss a wake-up call. The Terriers' almost near perfect winning streak has been disrupted, bringing in a new element of competitiveness. Since the loss, they have stepped up their training, and we are pleased to have organised such a challenging set of matches.

Seeing the sights

Alongside a whole LOT of rugby, the group has plenty of time to visit all of what Sydney and Auckland have to offer. The Blue Mountains and the Hobbiton Movie Set are just a few to mention. Relaxing by the beach post-training and fixture matches is exactly what has been needed for the hardworking team. All in all, the trip has been a perfect balance of work and play.

The Yorkshire Terriers Rugby team and Katie will finish the tour officially on 5th August 2017, departing from New Zealand and will land home on the 6th. We cannot wait to hear more about the spectacular tour.

Best of luck on the next two matches lads against Petone Rugby and Wellington U19s, and have a wonderful second half to the trip!

Keep up to date on the MSG coverage of the Yorkshire Terriers trip via Twitter @msgtours and on Facebook at MSG Tours

For more information about our Rugby Tour packages please click here

MSG Tours Ltd Partner with BEAR Coffee Company

Wed, 12 Jul 2017 10:12:14 GMT

MSG Tours Ltd announce a partnership with BEAR Coffee Company as of Summer 2017. BEAR Coffee Company was founded by Michael Thorley and Craig Bunting in 2014.

The two entrepreneurs began their journey with a love affair for the hot beverage and started generating a business in their local town of Uttoxeter. Today they offer unique, high-quality coffee beans from local sources in Central America and Africa. Their aim is to support economic growth and sustainability of these flourishing communities.

Our love of coffee

The love of coffee in the MSG Tours Ltd office is no secret. The hot reviving brew is a "go-to" first thing in the morning, between meetings, and as the working day comes to a close. It has become a culture. MSG has taken it upon themselves to push their passion to a new level.

Mark Gardner, Director at MSG Tours Ltd said:

"At MSG Tours, we 'only drink great coffee'. The excellent standards set by Bear Coffee, along with their delicious blends, fit perfectly with our mantra. We look forward to working with a company that delivers quality coffee and cares about the farmers who produce it. And of course, tasting some of their new discoveries too"

Furthermore, MSG takes complimentary bags of BEAR's beans along to meetings with school staff, coaches, and other valued customers as a thank you. Both organisations will support each other as local SME businesses and are mutually bringing a unique aspect into the economy.

Craig Bunting, Co-Founder of Bear Coffee Company Limited said:

"We are excited to be working with MSG Tours Ltd. Not only to encourage better coffee in the work place but also to further strengthen the community of independent businesses in Derbyshire."

Finally, BEAR Coffee is now expanding its franchise into Derby City Centre. It's here they will continue to work alongside world-leading coffee growers, producers, exporters, and cooperatives.

If you would like to find out more about BEAR Coffee, further information can be found on their website:
www.bearcoffeecompany.com

For a further read of our oozing, warm, strong love for coffee, check out our range of blogs below (including how we began our journey with BEAR!):

It's time to talk BEAR Coffee

Monthly Coffee Blog – Dr Mojo's Feelgood

Monthly Coffee Blog- Barbells & Beans

The Basque Country from a Local (in a nutshell!)

Wed, 28 Jun 2017 09:32:09 GMT

Stuart Lock has recently joined MSG as Head of European Operations. Native to The Basque Country region, having made the move along with his family back in July 2014, we thought it was only fitting to ask Stuart ‘Why the Basque Country?’.

Here’s what Stuart had to say:

The words above only scratch the surface here in this little pocket of Europe. There’s an abundance of riches in its natural resources, its architecture, and also in the unique blend of cultures that co-exist.

The Basque Country has a fascinating history and is one of the oldest languages in the world. Whilst the French and Spanish cultures are respected, they can’t help but give way to the dominant Basque culture. It is proudly apparent everywhere.

A little local knowledge goes a long way

As a local, Stuart has fabulous inside knowledge of the Basque Country.

For example, he told us the golden double of a surf in the morning and then a ski in the afternoon is possible. Thanks to that, it’s definitely on my bulging Things To-Do list. Furthermore, the capital of the French Basque region, Bayonne, lies 10 mins from the Atlantic coast and less than two hours from the Pyrenees’ closest ski resorts.

In fact, Biarritz held this year’s world surf championships. Among its many illustrious guests include Prince William and Kate, as year as well as my friend Tom and his family. The rough and the smooth, one might say.

A great option for a late morning is to hop on a boat in Hendaye in France, then arrive in Hondarribia, Spain ten mins later. Here you can enjoy some incredible pintxos* and glass of exceptional and very reasonably priced wine from the neighbouring Rioja region.

Read more about more experiences with MSG Tours in the Basque Country from our very own Tony Jones here

Football and rugby

Sport plays an enormous role in Spain. The professional rugby teams of Aviron Bayonnais and Biarritz Olympique are well known as much for their rivalry as anything else!

La Liga (Spain’s top football division) boasts four Basque teams; Athletic Bilbao and Real Sociedad currently vying for the bragging rights of being the region’s best team.

SD Eibar, with its tiny population of just over 25000 people, plays host to Real Madrid and Barcelona in their compact but noisy 7000 seater Ipurua Stadium. Scarcely big enough for Ronaldo’s ego, let alone anything else!

Additionally, the Basques have many of their own sports. These include pelota, which is the world’s fastest ball game, and a real treat to watch live.

The fact that I have not even mentioned the Guggenheim Museum, which sits proudly in Bilbao, speaks volumes. Furthermore, the same city has been chosen to host the 2018 European Rugby Finals.

Bihar arte!

*pintxos are the reason so many people flock to San Sebastian year on year. It’s almost a religion in the Basque region. They are small snacks served on small pieces of bread and contain local produce that is ridiculously moreish. It is never written ‘pinchos’ and they are never called ‘tapas’.

Find out more about The Basque Country here or submit a quick inquiry form here

MSG Tours Sponsors Suzy Drane as she plays for the Celtic Flames

Tue, 27 Jun 2017 08:29:11 GMT

MSG Tours have announced that they will be sponsoring Celtic Flames player Suzy Drane, as she embarks on her journey with 9 other team members to the International Super Club competition in July 2017.

The Celtic Flames are a Super Club team from Wales, hand-picked with some of the finest netball talent the country has to offer and within the 8 teams playing in the international competition, The Celtic Flames is the only group from the northern hemisphere.

Since Suzy toured Greece with MSG Tours and the Rydal Penrhos netball team in 2016, MSG have been keen to work more with the Welsh captain and the International Super Club competition has given them the perfect opportunity to do so. The company's love for netball and travel made Miss Drane ideal for sponsorship and representation.

Mark Gardner, director at MSG Tours said:

"We are extremely excited to be sponsoring such a committed netball player for the International Super Club competition and wish her, and the team, all the best for the tournament"

Suzy Drane has posted on Twitter:

The International Super Club tournament will be hosted at Trafalgar Centre in Nelson, New Zealand between 2-7th July. The stadium holds up to 1660 persons and the sport will also be broadcast live on SKY Sports 4.

MSG Tours look forward to watching the International Super Club tournament unravel in the coming weeks. Keep up to date on the MSG coverage of Suzy Drane and The Celtic Flames via Twitter @msgtours .

For more information on netball trips and netball tours abroad click here.

Why Tour to the Deep South?

Thu, 15 Jun 2017 10:05:12 GMT

If you're keen to explore North America then look no further than the USA's The Deep South for your next long haul pilgrimage. Famed in particular for producing Elvis Presley, Country, Blues and Rock n Roll music, the cities of Atlanta, Nashville, Memphis and New Orleans lay in wait to offer a traditional southern welcome that will resonate for a whole lifetime. It's especially perfect for a rugby tour for all ages and here's why…

A direct flight from London with British Airways lands you in New Orleans a.k.a 'Big Easy' city, recognised for its around the clock nightlife and spicy, singular cuisine reflecting its history as a melting pot for French, African and American cultures. There are plenty of excursions that offer cultural insight to keep you occupied around your sporting fixtures.

Nearby Bayou Swamp gets you up-close-and-personal to alligators, snakes, and many other animals as they bathe in their natural habitat. At dusk, for the more mature tours it's time to hit Bourbon Street, the heart and soul of the French Quarter. Think bright lights, live music 24 hours a day and everything else that comes with it and you can pretty much paint your own picture. Rumour has it, what happens in Bourbon Street, stays in Bourbon Street. But fear not, if drinking's not quite on the agenda, there's an amazing choice of restaurants to whet your appetite instead.

From New Orleans, head north through Mississippi to Memphis, home of the Blues & birthplace of Rock 'n' Roll, where there's plenty to explore both by day and night alongside their fantastic rugby venues. With your free time, we recommend the National Civil Rights Museum and historic Sun Studios before finishing off the day with a delicious meal, sampling the local delicacy. If you're looking for something more lively head to the iconic Beale Street.

Of course, no Deep South trip would be complete without a visit to Graceland, arguably one of the best and most iconic tours in the USA, alongside the Johnny Cash Museum just off Nashville's Broadway for the more country enthusiasts. An educational tour of the famous Jack Daniel's Distillery in Lynchburg, open to all ages, is also another must.

Huw Jones, MSG consultant said:

"I get excited just thinking back to my time in the Deep South. The itinerary gets better as you progress through the cities, with Nashville just about edging it for me in terms of all round appeal. The South has that mysterious edge that a visit can only unlock. A must for all intrepid rugby tourists"

We've barely scratched the surface here, but we're confident we've answered the question when it comes to why your next rugby tour should be The Deep South and unexpectedly, our question of why our Director Mark has been so quiet following his trip to Bourbon Street!

Enquire about a rugby tour to The Deep South here.

Stuart Lock Joins MSG Family

Fri, 09 Jun 2017 13:18:12 GMT

We’re delighted to announce the welcome of Stuart Lock to the MSG family, joining our senior leadership team on Friday 9th June 2017.

Stuart cut his teeth as captain of the BUSA-winning Exeter University Rugby Club, graduating with a BSc (Hons.) and a PGCE before enjoying 14 years at the prestigious Dulwich College in a number of teaching roles including Head of Year in the Middle School.

After spending a glorious year in 2007 on a teaching exchange in Sydney (Australia) and despite enjoying London life, Stuart and Nikki decided that bringing up their young family bilingual (and near the sea!) was of significant importance.

They subsequently upped sticks in July 2014 and moved to the elegant Basque town of Bayonne in south west France. A third child arrived in May 2015 and they have not looked back since and revel daily in the multitude of cultures on their doorstep.

It’s here that we celebrate the opening of MSG’s European Division where Stuart operates in between teaching English in a local school, raising his family and coaching the U8s at Aviron Bayonnais following a Bosman transfer from their fiercest rivals Biarritz Olympique at the start of the year.

In a region that is rich in sporting history and culture, the Basque Country boasts several unique touring spots on the French side (Bayonne, Biarritz and St. Jean de Luz) whilst just across the border in Spain, Bilbao and San Sebastián offer delightful cities that cater for rugby, football, hockey, tennis, swimming and basketball tours.

Residing in the region that hosts a high volume of our touring teams provides an on-the-ground high-end customer service, delivered to the highest order by Stuart’s multi-lingual team, including the recently retired Biarritz Olympique, Aviron Bayonnais, Saracens, Wasps, Scarlets and Wales prop, Ben Broster and Tony Jones. Tony’s linguistic skills and affable personality, combined with Ben’s professional coaching and rugby nous provide an unparalleled triumvirate of skills that enable us to deliver the unexpected in customer service and travel experiences.

In 2017, we welcome the cream of UK schools to the region, including Warwick School, Hampton School, Dulwich College and Queen’s College, Taunton who are embarking on tours across the Basque Country to expand their horizons.

Stuart comments, “Being part of an exciting and ambitious brand such as MSG enables me to fulfil a long-term goal of creating incredible experiences for students.”

“Having taught for many years, and travelled the globe on many sports and educational tours, I’m excited about bringing my skill set to the business and launching our inaugural office from sunny Bayonne. Next year’s inspection trip will demonstrate to teachers exactly how well versed this region is for budding sports tourists and staff alike.”

Join us on our journey by connecting with Stuart on LinkedIn or via email to stuart@msgtours.com

Read up on Stuart Lock’s The Basque Country from a Local (in a nutshell!)

Careers: Marketing

Tue, 06 Jun 2017 10:35:32 GMT

Ambitious, energetic and thriving #travel operator seeks a visionary individual to complement its exciting range of inspirational tours and experiences.

What we’re after:

An innovative, exciting individual recognised for dynamism and creativity to take our thriving educational, ski and sports travel brand to the digital marketplace. With a talent and passion for all mainstream social media accounts, the candidate will merge our aspirational travel destinations and events with the fast-moving world of social media, focusing equally on both our existing client bases and desired sport, ski and school study marketplaces.

The candidate should be capable of basic image / graphic design and enhancement through popular applications to link on relevant channels. He/she should also demonstrate exceptional time management and project skills whilst working with direct reports on all taskwork.

Personal characteristics include a vibrant personality, passion for the sports, ski and travel industry with a thirst for exploring the globe to understand our core travel destinations.

Location: Derby
Contract: Permanent, full-time (37.5 hours per week, Monday to Friday)
Salary: Negotiable – subject to experience
Start: Immediate or subject to candidate

HOW TO APPLY

Send CV or LinkedIn profile to mark@msgtours.com

We’ll be reviewing applications on 30th June 2017

What are you waiting for?

NB: Attracting talent to our business remains at the forefront of MSG. This role may not be for you, but don’t let that stop you showcasing your potential.

A Short but Sweet Inspection Trip to Montenegro

Wed, 31 May 2017 14:39:53 GMT

I touched down at Tivat Airport Montenegro for a much-anticipated inspection trip on the evening of Wednesday 3rd May. To this small airport was efficient would be an understatement; the duration from disembarking the plane to getting in my taxi was just over 10 minutes long! I hopped in my transfer and took the 25-minute journey to Budva, my base for the next few days.

After checking into my accommodation, Hotel Garni MB, the hotel manager naturally informed me where the best bars, restaurants and sights were located. I headed for the beach and enjoyed a scrumptious evening meal at a beachfront restaurant just after the sunset. I spent the remainder of the first evening exploring the quaint sea front filled with small market stalls selling fresh fish, beach front restaurants occupied by local singers, and bars.

The next day was action packed to say the least. First, I headed to Podgorica, Montenegro's capital city, in my hire car stopping along the way to capture the beautiful coastline scenery, where I managed to take some great photo's to bring back to the office. I arrived at my first location for the day, Hotel Verde, boasting a swimming pool, spa, indoor sports hall with over 1,000 spectator seats, 3 clay tennis courts, and 2 football pitches. What a great facility this was, used regularly by Montenegrin professional sports teams for training camps and match preparation. It was then time to head to the nearby 3G football pitch, where Grey College will play against Podgorica University in their upcoming football tour fixture. Again, the standard of the facility was highlighted by the team that was training on it – OFK Mladost Lješkopolje – a professional football team from the Montenegrin Premier League!

I then headed to Hotel Centre Ville, a hotel complex on the outskirts of Podgorica boasting a shopping centre, an array of restaurants, and various rooms for relaxing and socialising. This complex was designed and constructed by a hotel chain based in the UAE, Sri Lanka and Australia, with this being their first venture into the European market. They prioritised Montenegro due to the coastline and accessibility and have also purchased land around 20km south east of Budva where they are looking to build their own resort.

The city centre of Podgorica was next on my do list, sampling a local restaurant, and seeing what the city centre had to offer, before heading back to Budva. Expect a relaxed, enchanted atmosphere with the locals welcoming you with open arms- not your stereotypical capital city.

After a quick breather at the hotel I then headed north to Kotor, a lakeside village just 5km away from Tivat airport. Very popular with cruise liners (one was just departing as I arrived), this little village offers wonderful scenery and an array of history. You can take a breather in the sunshine and take in the views, or head up the mountains following the castle walls to the peak where Kotor Castle sits if you prefer something a little more strenuous.

For my final full day, I spent the morning viewing five hotels around Budva, each having their own characteristics which would appeal to different kinds of groups looking for a trip to Montenegro. Among this selection were three 4* hotels, one 3* hotel and a seafront complex offering a variety of accommodation with over 1,000 rooms, most with sea-views as standard. In the afternoon, it was time to explore all the shops lining the promenade which is parallel to the beach front, a great spot for some free time in-between fixtures and training.

With the sun setting and day coming to a close, the city came alive with locals and tourists filling the many bars and restaurants. Unfortunately, I had to call it an early night before the party really started ahead of my at 6am shuttle to the airport the next morning, but I have since returned with fantastic memories of Montenegro and I'm almost certain it won't be long until I'm back.

If you would like more information on Montenegro and the tours we can offer, click here.

Want to speak with Liam in more detail about Montenegro? You can reach him on 03333 222211 or submit a quick enquiry form here and a member of the team will get back to you.

Rydal Penrhos and The Lakes School await Japan Adventure

Wed, 17 May 2017 14:37:56 GMT

For the past week we've been celebrating all things Japan. Why? Because not only was the draw announced for the 2019 Rugby World Cup last Wednesday, but our Director Mark presented to more than 15 Japanese tourism delegates at the Japan Embassy in London on how to attract the UK sporting market. Impressive, right?

With such diverse culture and fast-moving technology, Japan fits into all three of our business prongs; sports tours, study tours and ski trips, meaning we have a wealth of tour types making the 5,500-mile trip east over the next couple of years. It's no wonder we have nothing but good things to say about this country.

Let's start with Rydal Penrhos School, who are preparing for a Japanese adventure of their own, heading to the 'Land of the Rising Sun' in December for their much-anticipated rugby tour. Their three-match trip- including home stays with Japanese students – will incorporate the cities of Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka and Yokohama, all in which boast their own plethora of unique attractions.

Mark Gardner, Director at MSG Tours said: "It's all things 'east' as the boys head to Asia to take on Japan's finest schools, featuring a match against the current national champions, Gyosei High School in Osaka. The players will travel to the ancient capital, Kyoto, after opening their touring encounter in arguably the world's finest city, Tokyo."

The Lakes School of Cumbria are also embarking on a once-in-a-lifetime educational trip to Japan in October, commencing in the stunning surroundings of Fukuoka with further visits to Hiroshima, Osaka and Tokyo in the itinerary. The 21-strong group will experience many sights across their 10-day trip, all in-keeping within their study curriculum. There's a lot to be said for learning outside of the classroom.

From Japanese cuisine and Geisha dolls to streets lined with crepe stands, cat café's and Hello Kitty inspired shops, it will be an experience like no other from the moment you touchdown in Japan.

If you had your heart set on a short-haul trip, then we're afraid Japan won't fall into that category. However, what will say is those extra few hours on a plane may well be worth it for the experience and adventure what awaits in Japan, a place short-haul countries quite simply cannot compete with. The ball's in your court.

If you're out for a Japan adventure of your own and want to find out more, let's talk- 03333 222211

The Explorer on her first visit to Tokyo, Japan

Tue, 09 May 2017 11:31:17 GMT

Fresh out of University, bright eyed and full of wonder, I jumped in at the deep end and took a job with a renowned sports management company I simply couldn’t refuse, even if it did mean I waved goodbye to what would be my last summer before ‘adult life’.

Within just a few weeks I realised that there was more travelling involved than I’d first thought and it wasn’t long before I was asked to commute half way across the world to Tokyo (alone) for my first event.

As someone not too keen on flying at the time, a million and one things went through my then 21-year-old brain, mostly wonder and fear at the thought of my first event 5,775 miles from home. But, I accepted and booked my flight. When else would I ever get the opportunity to go to Tokyo, business class, I thought.

With no expectations of Japan nor no previous ambitions to visit, I headed straight to Google where I found useful packing lists and a round-up of the type of weather I could expect at the end of May. I naively headed to the supermarket and bought most over-the-counter remedies for those ‘just in case’ moments that were never to be.

Before I knew it, the day had come and I headed to Manchester Airport ahead of my flight with Turkish Airlines, stopping at Istanbul Ataturk along the way – another country I had never visited.

After an incredibly smooth journey (despite the fact I almost missed my connecting flight from Istanbul as the boards broke in the first-class lounge) flying over the terrain of Russia and Mongolia, I landed at Narita airport. I’d only been through the doors of arrivals a matter of seconds before the abundance of bright lights and exuberant colours greeted me; a theme that was to continue throughout my trip.

Welcome to Japan sign at Narita Airport

After finally figuring out which bus would get me to the right part of Tokyo, I met with my colleagues and headed for the city. The start of my real journey.

I was never really prepared for those five days that lay ahead of me. I think it helped that I had no expectations and took every day as it came, but boy did I have a blast.

Between the meetings, emails, and event (I shook hands with the wife of Japan’s Prime Minster!), I made the most of any free time I had and explored just a small segment of what Tokyo had to offer. From streets lined with vibrant Hello Kitty inspired shops and crepe stands to historic shrines and rooftop bars, there was so much to do and see and I learnt a lot, both culturally and professionally.

I couldn’t believe how safe I felt using their efficient public transport and walking the streets of Tokyo and I remember feeling more comfortable than I did in New York, which at the time was my favourite place. I’m still not entirely sure why I had even built up the perception that I wouldn’t feel safe and that I needed the whole of Tesco’s medicine aisle.

By the time it came to flight my home, I couldn’t help but feel sad that I had really only got to see a snippet of Japan; there was so much I hadn’t had time to discover, but then again I suppose I was there on a work capacity. Three years on and I am still extremely gratefully for this momentous experience and it’s since allowed me to encourage others to fly east rather than west. There’s something intrinsically rewarding about telling stories about a country that most have not visited.

So thank you Japan for opening my eyes to culture, history, hospitality and non-westernised countries. I will be back very soon.

If you would like a Japanese adventure of your own, why not discover our rugby tours to Japan or ski trips to Japan . Alternatively, tell us your aspirations by submitting a quick enquiry form here .

Newbridge and Chepstow RFC Youth teams tackle opposition in Netherlands.

Wed, 03 May 2017 09:59:37 GMT

Over Easter weekend two teams from south Wales embarked on two very different tours to the Netherlands with ultimately one thing in mind; to return champions of the Hilversum Youth International Tournament 2017.

First to depart on the 14th of April was Chepstow U13's. Travelling with Aston's Coaches and accompanied by their driver Dave, this 44-strong group left Chepstow behind and after a quick hop across the channel and short drive the other side, the group arrived in Soest early evening. After a smooth check in into their accommodation, the well-located StayOkay Soest, it was time to settle down for some well-deserved food and an early night ahead of a busy three days.

The next morning Chepstow headed to the renowned Amsterdam Arena for their very own guided tour. After experiencing the home ground of AFC Ajax, the group had the remainder of the day to explore the delights of Amsterdam and relax in preparation for a rugby-fuelled Sunday.

Whilst Chepstow were kicking back in Amsterdam, Newbridge RFC U17's began their journey from Bristol Airport to Holland. After a quick one hour flight, the group were met at and transferred to their hotel, the StayOkay VondelPark.

Sunday 16th April was the day both groups had been waiting for; The Hilversum Youth International Festival. 50 teams from around the world descended on Hilversum Rugby Club for a full day of high-quality rugby and delicious food. The weather may not have been on their side but spirits were still high.

Newbridge RFC U17's finished top of their group having won all their games and concluding with eight points meant they faced Medway RFC in the grand final. An impressive 19-0 win meant they were victors of the U17's tournament!

Chepstow U13's also had a fantastic run of wins in their pool winning their first two matches 40-0 and 35-0 respectively. An unfortunate loss to Old Whitgiftians (10-20) meant the team needed a final win to be victorious in their age category. The group faced Littleborough RFC in the deciding game, drawing 20-20 which meant that Chepstow RFC finished second in their group overall, narrowly missing out on the title. What an effort!

That evening, both groups returned to their hotels for a delicious meal and a chance to relax and recover from what had been a momentous but tiring day.

It was home time for Chepstow RFC on the Monday morning, but after arriving a day later, members of Newbridge RFC had a day to themselves to enjoy a spot of sightseeing and shopping around Amsterdam, before heading back to the UK on the Tuesday.

Find out more about rugby tours to Holland here or submit a quick enquiry form here . Alternatively, you can contact us directly on 03333 222211 or at info@msgtours.com

The Abu Dhabi Harlequins Rugby Tour to Georgia (in a nutshell!)

Thu, 27 Apr 2017 13:03:32 GMT

On the 23rd of March Katie a.k.a ‘The Commentator’ flew from London to Tbilisi to meet the Abu Dhabi Harlequins U15’s rugby team. After meeting the guide, Maka, for the week at the airport they waited in eager anticipation for the 59-strong group to touch down. Despite being 2am in the morning Katie and Maka found themselves greeted by the happy, smiling faces of the team and their families, all of which were eager to explore all that this beautiful and unique country had to offer.

After a short 30-minute transfer from the airport the group reached the Astoria Tbilisi Hotel and after a smooth check-in, it was time for some much-needed rest ahead of a busy day exploring the city.

Lead by Maka the group saw the wonders of the old part of the city beginning with the Metekhi Church, a 13th Century building with spectacular views over the city. Next, it was time for a bite to eat before travelling up to the base of the Mother of Georgia, along with the ancient Narikala Fortress, both which offered the opportunity to experience panoramic views of the entire town by walking the descent back into the city. Returning to the hotel in the evening the group headed to a local restaurant for their first taste of traditional Georgian food. The tongue salad was an acquired taste to say the least but the Acharuli Khachapuri (cheese bread) went down a treat. The Harlequins were in high spirits on the evening of their first match of the tour.

The following day the group split into two groups; the parents and players and coaches. At 9am the parents headed out to visit the Svetitskhoveli Cathedral followed by a spot of wine tastings at two of the most desirable vineyards in Eastern Georgia. Katie, the team and coaches were invited down to Shevardeni- the national training ground for the Georgian U20’s squad- for a tour of the facilities and to watch the ‘Big 10’ league match that was taking place. The match displayed to the players just how serious rugby is taken in Georgia; a lifestyle for those who choose to play.

After some match inspiration, the team headed to Martkopi where the first challenge of the tour awaited verses the East Georgian Academy A Team. It’s safe to say that this team holds many national Georgian players of the future and with some dwarfing even the fathers of the tour, the Abu Dhabi Harlequins knew they had a challenge on their hands (as did Maka, the guide, who was torn between supporting the touring team who had been so welcoming and her national side!). After a hard 60-minute fight, the Georgians showed their pure strength and determination to win the game ending 65-7 to Georgia.

Following the match, both teams and all supporters headed to the Golden Cup, a restaurant that would become a favourite among the group. Despite a defeat, the Harlequins were in good spirit and all credit to the team, they didn’t let the loss get them down. The group were served a selection of traditional Georgian meats and dumplings, then unbeknown to anyone in the group a live band began, accompanied by dancers. It’s safe to say the atmosphere was electric with everyone having fun, singing and dancing along to some classic crowd favourites.

The next day is one that will be known as ‘the day of two countries.’ Setting off early in the morning the group took the two-hour bus journey to Udabno and the David Gareja Cave Complex. A stunning (but tough) 50-minute uphill climb lead the group to beautiful views out over Azerbaijan and as the group continued their accent, Maka taught them the history of the Monastery.

A two-hour journey lead the group back to Tbilisi (the quietest journey so far, apart from a few snores!) who were happy to find themselves back in the Golden Cup for another delicious evening meal, this time in a private room with live music and dancefloor to dance the night away.

March 27th gave the group some well-earned rest in the morning, with many of the adults enjoying the relaxing sulphur baths in the centre of Tbilisi and most players opting to say behind to enjoy the comfort of the hotel and a lie-in. After a bite to eat early afternoon the group headed to Shivardeni for their next match against the Georgian Academy B Team. Another strong 60 minutes of exciting rugby saw the Georgians come out on top with a large 70-0 score line. After presentations were made to the Georgian opposition and inspiring words were said from both coaches, the Harlequins left with their heads held high knowing they did all they could against players that no doubt in the future they would be seeing on their TV screens.

The next day the group made their way to Kutaisi, the second largest town in Georgia, to take in the culture of the West. On route, they stopped at the Prometheus Grotto (discovered just 33 years ago), a 2km walk through underground caves which gave the group a chance to see stunning stalactites, stalagmites, and petrified waterfalls. Following this, the group headed on to their hotel, the Tskaltubo Plaza where they settled into their rooms before making their way to a great buffet style dinner at the hotel. During dinner, little did they know MSG Tours had a little surprise up their sleeve…

Whilst the group were chatting after food, in walked four members of the Georgian Folk Choir who wowed the group with an hour of tremendous harmonies, information on Georgian music tradition and other international influences on Georgian folk music. This, for many of the group, became their #MagicalMoment of the tour:

A lovely buffet breakfast (the pancakes and delicious Georgian honey went down a treat) on the 29th provided the boys with fuel for the day. The players travelled to the Kutaisi High-Performance Centre where they were treated to a training session with four coaches from the Georgian RFU’s western division.

The session consisted of ball handling and communication drills and were run solely by the Georgian coaches, giving the Harlequins coaches a chance to talk tactics before their match that afternoon. During this time, the parents in the group took a trip to the 12th Century Gelati Cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage Site!

It was then time for the third and final rugby match of the tour against Western Georgian, a match which proved to be much more competitive for the touring side, with the Harlequins gaining more possession, giving them the opportunity to display their flair and creativity on the pitch. A huge crowd filled the stadium showing just how much the Georgians love their rugby, at any level, and the final score stood at 24-7 to the Georgians.

The Abu Dhabi Harlequins made their way to the Gudauri Ski Resort to end their momentous trip with a few days’ skiing. On the way, they visited the breath taking Uplistikhe cave town- an interesting complex with dwelling quarters, wine cellars and even a theatre all caved into the rocks. Just 90 minutes from the complex the group reached the Gudauri Hut Hotel, which had beautiful panoramic views of the white slopes. This family run hotel was the hotel of the week with delicious food, fantastic customer service and a perfect location just 10 minutes’ walk from the lifts.

After a ski fit the evening before, the group woke to a delicious breakfast and hit the slopes for 2 hours of ski lessons by local instructors. With fresh powder, clear skies and good food from the slopes’ cafés, the group returned happy and keen to re-fuel some more

To end a fantastic and memorable tour, the group hosted their own awards evening in the multi-functional snooker room and bar in the hotel. Full of smiles and good food everyone was in high spirits and it was a fantastic way to celebrate the group’s achievements through the week.

Why not head to Georgia for your next Rugby tour? This dynamic country can offer you a high-standard of matches, excellent training conditions and a multitude of cultural excursions.

To find out more about rugby tours to Georgia click here . Alternatively, get in touch with a member of our dedicated team on 03333 111122 or submit a quick online enquiry form here.

Sunday River & Sugarloaf ski inspection trip (and a rendition of Mustang Sally!)

Thu, 13 Apr 2017 11:58:51 GMT

How do you get the hairs on a tour operator’s neck to stand up?

Call them a travel agent.

That is by no means meant as disrespectful to the excellent work the high street names continually produce. Our niche industry focus on the detail. The ‘why’ and the critical non essentials – to coin a respected former World Cup winning England rugby coach – that go into the mix to create innovative experiences for our sports, ski and study groups.

Our method of study is relatively straightforward. We get out there and see it. How can we look a school teacher or tour leader in the eye without the guarantee that we’ve got the t-shirt. The web is a wonderful learning resource, however you can only feel the grain of the sand when it’s between your toes. And we all know, how fine that Caribbean white sand is. OK, we’re showing off a little there but someone had to go to the Caribbean recently to check out the attractions. That the cricket was going on at the same time was merely coincidence.

With our school ski trip portfolio extending to the eastern resorts of the US it was time to call in the extended invitation from our friends at Sugarloaf and Sunday River in Maine to see if their powder really is as soft as the famous Japanese flakes. Skiing the pistes is, unfortunately, par for the course as we must educate ourselves to advise you accurately. Like most mountains, the detail is beneath the surface as our site visits are a whirlwind display of health and safety checks, note taking, filming, interviewing, hand-shaking and covering every inch of the resorts our tourists cover (not forgetting the all-important social media sharing and Instagram posting en route). Like panning gold, you leave little unturned as we strive to find that point of difference and competitive edge, all whilst following strict UK protocols to guarantee our trips are prepared to the highest safety levels. Please, do not ever refer to them as a jolly.

Our pilgrimage coincided with the 2017 season hitting Spring’s belting sunshine and perfectly groomed pistes (another coincidence, honest). Our director, Mark took advantage of our frequent flying with British Airways with a late call up for our south Wales Tour Consultant, Huw Jones. Having previously played his rugby in New England, Huw naturally jumped at the chance to join in an observational capacity to learn how our tours are constructed from the bottom up. Having skied only once before (two decades prior) this proved the perfect opportunity to give him full exposure to life as a tour operator.

A delayed return flight at Boston’s Logan Airport saw Mark and Huw in a reflective mood:

Mark: Well, that was certainly whistle-stop! London, Boston, Sugarloaf, Sunday River, New Hampshire, Worcester, Harvard and Boston (again) in 72 hours. How do you feel?

Huw: Absolutely exhausted, but exhilarated. My eyes have been opened by the sheer amount of work that goes into the tour planning and health and safety elements of these tours. From journeys taking longer than expected through to the busy itineraries when on school ski trips, it’s been a huge learning curve. I’ve met some great partners on this trip at both resorts, impressing me with their service levels and commitment to showing us the finite detail when in the middle of a very busy season themselves.

Mark: Biggest learning points?

Huw: Learning to ski was a huge confidence boost! Work-wise, being staggered at how the smartest hotels fail the STF checks was a shock, but I respect the fact that safety standards must be met. The 30-minute guarantee of students receiving their ski gear through to lesson starting was very impressive and a massive USP when comparing to the European resorts, where it’s perhaps not as meticulously structured. I was struck by how calm and relaxed everything seemed to be in and around resort.

Mark: Yes, even the local authorities were somewhat accommodating.

Huw: *Coughs* Agree, I was marginally over the speed limit and very grateful that the patrol officer in Maine was approaching the end of his shift.

Mark: Moving on, what else would you advise school teachers to consider when visiting these parts?

Huw: On the basis we’ll be flying in and out of Logan Airport it would be remiss not to have a stopover in Boston. There’s so much to do in what can be a very educational 24h. For me, the morning would start with having breakfast on the move as you navigate The Freedom Trail. Enjoying a tour of Harvard University, visiting the Red Sox’s Fenway Park, Boston Tea Party Museum and then an afternoon hot chocolate and wrap on Boston Common before the overnight flight home. Perfectly doable if you want to make the most of your time in the region. Put me down for the next group’s tour guide ��.

If you would like more information on Sunday River and Sugarloaf, click here.

If our rendition of Mustang Sally while cruising through resorts has reaffirmed your desire to organise a school ski trip to the USA, contact a member of the team on 03333 111122 or submit an enquiry form here .

Creating the perfect office environment with #MagicalMoments

Tue, 11 Apr 2017 14:14:43 GMT

We’ve recently moved offices and it fell on my remit (Chelsey, A.K.A ‘The Explorer’) to organise the perimeter of our white-washed walls. Given we are in the travel industry, some may say I got off lightly as the creative possibilities are endless, but I would argue what I have produced is pretty original.

The feature wall, standing proud behind our desks, has already turned heads of the multiple clients who have paid us a visit and become a talking point among our social channels and even at networking events (apologies to those who were at the Marketing Derby event yesterday that I may have collared with my pretty awesome feature!).

Cards on the table, the original idea came from good old Pinterest and once the seed was planted, it didn’t take long for me to sew the idea into what has now become our ‘Polaroid #MagicalMoments’ wall feature.

I started off by setting each of the staff (including our Director) the task of choosing ten of their top travel magical moments and given how well traveled we all are, this wasn’t easy. Over time the idea is to add and swap our #MagicalMoments year on year as we discover more unique destinations. We ask all of our tours to keep tabs of their #MagicalMoments and it’s only fair we practice what we preach.

My top 10 #MagicalMoments in a nutshell

You’d be reading this blog for a while if I was to explain each of my #MagicalMoments in detail, so here’s a quick overview:

#1- Hollywood – it really was like being in the movies.

#2- Krakow – everyone needs to go at some point in their lives, while it’s cheap!

#3- San Francisco – there is something for everyone.

#4- The Empire State Building – the day I had a meeting on the 74th floor!

#5- Brooklyn Bridge, NY – it really is where dreams are made of

#6- The most southerly part of Europe in, Greece – the first holiday my boyfriend & I shared together.

#7- Tokyo – no questions, I must go back at least once. Check out our 30 hours in Tokyo blog here.

#8- Paris – this picture was taken from the front of the coach on my first ever tour with the Thomas Keble school.

#9- Las Vegas – the moment our electric curtains revealed the strip in all its glory can never be erased from my mind.

#10- Palm Springs – the place that makes every picture look like a backdrop from a movie scene!

How to create your own Polaroid feature wall

Not only is the Polaroid feature wall straight forward, it’s also cost-effective, so you’ll have no problems when it comes to asking your boss to part with their had earned cash. Here’s what you will need:

Vintage prints

There are so many websites and app that’s can quickly turn your standard photos into polaroid works of art, but if it’s quality and reliability you’re after then trust us when we say order them with LALALAB . Everything from their website design, packaging, and delivery process to the quality of prints is just exceptional. Standard vintage prints cost just 33p per unit

Craft Pegs

These cute little wooden pegs can be bought from most stationary and craft shops, but we opted for Ebay to keep our costs to a minimum. We bought a pack of 50 pegs (25mm) for £1.99 from seller Alsero Ltd with free postage.

Natural shabby style string

Firsty, you need to work out how many prints you are going to hang. We went for the 10m option for 50 prints on a small wall and had some left over, so I would use this to work out how much you will need. Again, we used Ebay and 10m cost us £1.89 with free postage. If vintage shabby isn’t the look you’re going for, you may want to opt for copper wire instead.

Vinyl wall art (optional)

We’ve gone for a travel inspired vinyl sticker to use as the focal point of our feature. Varying types and sizes a can be found on Ebay and average between £12-£15 depending on the size you go for.

White Tack

You probably have this already lying around the office somewhere but it’s great for holding up your string without leaving any permanent marks on your office walls.

Add the vinyl to your feature wall (make sure you read the instructions carefully as they aren’t the easiest of things to put up!)
Cut your string to your desired length
Use a table to position each print, along with a craft peg, along the string
Fasten the element to the wall with white tak
Repeat until all your prints are on the wall

It’s simple yet effective, so why not give it a go and personalise it to your industry or team? Good luck and make sure you get a snap of your work of art to show us!

Coming up next: Our office ‘Coffee Wall of Fame’.

Easter school ski trip packages 2018

Mon, 03 Apr 2017 10:26:28 GMT

SCHOOL SKI TRIPS TO ITALY:

HOTEL ANDALO, ANDALO (Trentino Dolomites Region).
31/03/2018 – 07/04/2018

INCLUSIONS

FLIGHTS FROM UK AIRPORT TO MILAN
15KG HOLD LUGGAGE AND 10KG HAND LUGGAGE PER PERSON
7 NIGHTS’ ACCOMMODATION AT HOTEL ANDALO OR HOTEL OLISAMIR, CAVEDAGO
AIRPORT TRANSFERS
ACCOMMODATION TOURIST TAX
DAILY BREAKFAST AND EVENING MEAL
6-DAY LIFT PASS
SKI HIRE
SKI SCHOOL HOURS X 24
SKI SCHOOL INSTRUCTORS X 4
APRES ACTIVITIES: ICE SKATING, SWIMMING, MOVIE NIGHT, NIGHT SKIING, QUIZ NIGHT, PIZZA NIGHT

AVAILABLE AT EXTRA COST

UK AIRPORT TRANSFERS
TRAVEL INSURANCE
DAILY LUNCH
MILAN CITY BREAK
MSG TOUR MANAGER

** £1,108.80 per student. Price based on 40 students, 4 staff **

HOTEL OLISAMIR, ANDALO (Trentino Dolomites Region).
31/03/2018 – 07/04/2018

INCLUSIONS

FLIGHTS FROM UK AIRPORT TO MILAN
15KG HOLD LUGGAGE AND 10KG HAND LUGGAGE PER PERSON
7 NIGHTS’ ACCOMMODATION AT HOTEL ANDALO OR HOTEL OLISAMIR, CAVEDAGO
AIRPORT TRANSFERS
ACCOMMODATION TOURIST TAX
DAILY BREAKFAST AND EVENING MEAL
6-DAY LIFT PASS
SKI HIRE
SKI SCHOOL HOURS X 24
SKI SCHOOL INSTRUCTORS X 4
APRES ACTIVITIES: ICE SKATING, SWIMMING, MOVIE NIGHT, NIGHT SKIING, QUIZ NIGHT, PIZZA NIGHT

AVAILABLE AT EXTRA COST

UK AIRPORT TRANSFERS
TRAVEL INSURANCE
DAILY LUNCH
MILAN CITY BREAK
MSG TOUR MANAGER

** £1,057.00 per student. Price based on 40 students, 4 staff **

SCHOOL SKI TRIPS TO GEORGIA:

HOTEL ALPINA, GUDAURI SKI RESORT.
31/03/2018 – 07/04/2018

INCLUSIONS

FLIGHTS FROM UK AIRPORT TO TBILISI AIRPORT
23kg HOLD BAGGAGE AND 10kg HAND LUGGAGE PER PERSON
RETURN TRANSFERS FROM AIRPORT TO RESORT
FULL TRAVEL INSURANCE
6 NIGHTS’ ACCOMMODATION AT HOTEL ALPINA ACCOMMODATION TOURIST TAX
DAILY BREAKFAST BUFFET AND EVENING MEAL BUFFET
5-DAY LIFT PASS
SKI HIRE
SKI SCHOOL HOURS X 20 HOURS
ENGLISH SPEAKING SKI SCHOOL INSTRUCTORS X 4
APRES ACTIVITIES SUCH AS; GAMES ROOM, QUIZ NIGHT AND MOVIE NIGHT

EXCLUSIONS

UK AIRPORT TRANSFERS
TRAVEL INSURANCE
DAILY LUNCH,
ADDITIONAL APRES ACTIVITIES

** £997 per student. Price based on 40 students, 4 staff **

SCHOOL SKI TRIPS TO THE USA:

SUGARLOAF MOUNTAIN CONDO’S, SUGARLOAF (Maine).
31/03/2018 – 08/04/2018

INCLUSIONS

FLIGHTS FROM UK AIRPORT TO BOSTON AIRPORT
ALL UK AIRPORT TAXES
23KG HOLD LUGGAGE AND 10KG HAND LUGGAGE PER PERSON
RETURN COACH TRANSFER FROM BOSTON AIRPORT TO SUNDAY RIVER
7 NIGHTS’ ACCOMMODATION AT SUGARLOAF MOUNTAIN CONDO’S
ACCOMMODATION TOURIST TAX
DAILY BREAKFAST, LUNCH EVENING MEAL
6-DAY LIFT PASS
6-DAY SKI/BOARD, BOOT AND HELMET HIRE
6-DAYS OF SKI LESSONS X 4 HOURS PER DAY
SKI INSTRUCTOURS X 4
APRES ACTIVITIES: ICE SKATING, NIGHT SKIING, PIZZA NIGHT, GAMES ROOM, MOVIE NIGHT, QUIZ NIGHT AND BOWLING

EXCLUSIONS

UK AIRPORT TRANSFERS
TRAVEL INSURANCE
DAILY LUNCH
BOSTON/NEW YORK CITY BREAK
MSG TOUR MANAGER

** £1,578.00 per student. Price based on 40 students, 4 staff **

SNOW CAP DORMITORIES, SUNDAY RIVER (Maine).
31/03/2018 – 08/04/2018

INCLUSIONS

FLIGHTS FROM UK AIRPORT TO BOSTON AIRPORT
ALL UK AIRPORT TAXES
23KG HOLD LUGGAGE AND 10KG HAND LUGGAGE PER PERSON
RETURN COACH TRANSFER FROM BOSTON AIRPORT TO SUNDAY RIVER
7 NIGHTS’ ACCOMMODATION AT SNOW CAP DORMITORIES
ACCOMMODATION TOURIST TAX
DAILY BREAKFAST AND EVENING MEAL
6-DAY LIFT PASS
6-DAY SKI/BOARD, BOOT AND HELMET HIRE
6-DAYS OF SKI LESSONS X 4 HOURS PER DAY
SKI INSTRUCTOURS X 4
APRES ACTIVITIES: ICE SKATING, NIGHT SKIING, PIZZA NIGHT, GAMES ROOM, MOVIE NIGHT, QUIZ NIGHT AND BOWLING

EXCLUSIONS

UK AIRPORT TRANSFERS
TRAVEL INSURANCE
DAILY LUNCH
BOSTON/NEW YORK CITY BREAK
MSG TOUR MANAGER

** £1,578.00 per student. Price based on 40 students, 4 staff **

SCHOOL SKI TRIPS TO JAPAN:

HOTEL PANORAMA, HAKUBA VALLEY.
31/03/2018 – 09/04/2018

INCLUSIONS

FLIGHTS FROM MANCHESTER AIRPORT TO TOKYO NARITA
23KG HOLD LUGGAGE PER PERSON
FULL TRAVEL INSURANCE
COACH TRANSFER FROM AIRPORT TO HAKUBA
6 NIGHTS’ ACCOMMODATION AT HOTEL PANORAMA IN HAKUBA
TRANSFER FROM AIRPORT TO HAKUBA
DAILY BREAKFAST AND EVENING MEAL
5-DAY LIFT PASS
SKI/BOARD HIRE
SKI SCHOOL HOURS X 20
SKI SCHOOL INSTRUCTORS X 4
APRES ACTIVITIES INCLUDE; NIGHT SKI, MOVIE NIGHT AND QUIZ NIGHT IN THE HOTEL
COACH TRANSFER FROM HAKUBA TO TOKYO
TOKYO CITY BREAK INCLUDING 1 X NIGHT’S ACCOMMODATION AT A TOKYO HOTEL
1 DAY TOKYO METRO PASS
TRANSFER FROM TOKYO TO NARITA AIRPORT

EXCLUSIONS

UK AIRPORT TRANSFERS
DAILY LUNCH
ADDITIONAL APRES ACTIVITIES/TOKYO EXCURSIONS
BULLET TRAIN TRANSFER
TRAVEL INSURANCE
MSG TOUR MANAGER

** £1,998.00 per student. Price based on 40 students, 4 staff **

To discuss any of our Eater packages in more detail, please contact a member of the team on 03333 111122 or click here to submit an enquiry.

It's time to talk Bear coffee

Thu, 16 Mar 2017 16:23:55 GMT

After being caught up in the whirlwind of moving offices, the assembling of furniture which comes with it and introducing new staff into the business, it’s been a while since we spoke coffee. As we aren’t one to disappoint, we thought we’d make this month’s blog post the best yet in the hope that we would be forgiven.

Discovered by none other than ‘The Explorer’ herself, Chelsey, this month we are talking about the Bear Coffee Company’s Ethiopian Yirgacheffe blend. A 500g bag of this fruity blend will set you back £7.50, but trust us insofar as the moment it’s carefully packed into a brown bag, sealed with hair straighteners (yes, there’s no typo here) and hand stamped with the Bear logo, to the moment it’s digested, it’s worth it.

Just down the road from us in Uttoxeter, the Bear Coffee Company oozes passion, knowledge and style in its mission to provide better tasting coffee with attention to detail. Before sold in store, Bear consider the journey each induvial coffee bean has taken from its growth, harvest and trade to its roasting, grinding and preparation.

What’s more, we love the fact that every coffee bean can be traced right back to the originating farm supporting the economic growth and sustainability of multiple communities. Bear’s eco-friendly products, mirroring our eco-friendly office here at MSG, is the icing on the cake for us.

With the ratio of coffee to tea drinkers shifting slightly since the arrival of our three-new staff, it was left to the Barista himself, Mark, to give his verdict on this Ethiopian blend.

Our office expansion got us thinking about how we can turn our lonely looking walls into interior which will reflect our personalities and it didn’t take long before we came up with the ‘coffee wall of fame’. The idea is to compress each empty bag of coffee we get through (it’s quite a lot) into a frame which can be mounted onto the wall to mark our own coffee journey. Now how’s that for genius?

With the arrival of a new seasonal blend at Bear, it’s only a matter of time before our senses are reignited and another perfectly presented bag makes it to our ‘wall of coffee fame’. We can’t wait to get started with it. Watch this space!

Last remaining school ski trips packages 2018

Wed, 15 Mar 2017 10:30:36 GMT

SCHOOL SKI TRIPS TO ITALY:

HOTEL ANDALO, ANDALO (Trentino Dolomites Region).
16/02/2018 – 23/02/2018

PACKAGE INCLUSIONS

FLIGHTS FROM UK AIRPORT TO MILAN BERGAMO
15KG HOLD LUGGAGE AND 10KG HAND LUGGAGE PER PERSON
7 NIGHTS’ ACCOMMODATION AT HOTEL ANDALO
AIRPORT TRANSFERS
ACCOMMODATION TOURIST TAX
DAILY BREAKFAST AND EVENING MEAL
6-DAY LIFT PASS
SKI HIRE
SKI SCHOOL HOURS X 24
SKI SCHOOL INSTRUCTORS X 4
ICE SKATING AND PIZZA NIGHT

AVAILABLE AT EXTRA COST

UK AIRPORT TRANSFERS
FULL TRAVEL INSURANCE
ADDITIONAL APRES ACTIVITIES
SKI TRIP HOODIES
MILAN CITY BREAK
MSG REP

** £1,096 per student. Price based on 40 students, 4 staff **

HOTEL OLISAMIR, ANDALO (Trentino Dolomites Region).
09/02/2018 – 16/02/2018

PACKAGE INCLUSIONS

EXECUTIVE COACH TRAVEL FROM UK TO RESORT
FERRY CROSSING
7 NIGHTS’ ACCOMMODATION AT HOTEL OLISAMIR CAVEDAGO
ACCOMMODATION TOURIST TAX
DAILY BREAKFAST AND EVENING MEAL
5-DAY LIFT PASS
SKI HIRE
SKI SCHOOL HOURS X 20
SKI SCHOOL INSTRUCTORS X 4
ICE SKATING AND PIZZA NIGHT

AVAILABLE AT EXTRA COST

FULL TRAVEL INSURANCE
ADDITIONAL APRES ACTIVITIES
SKI TRIP HOODIES
MILAN CITY BREAK
MSG REP

** £939 per student. Price based on 40 students, 4 staff **

SCHOOL SKI TRIPS TO USA:

HOTEL SNOW CAP DORMITORY, SUNDAY RIVER (Maine).
09/02/2018 – 16/02/2018

PACKAGES INCLUSIONS

FLIGHTS FROM UK AIRPORT TO BOSTON
15KG HOLD LUGGAGE AND 10KG HAND LUGGAGE PER PERSON
6 NIGHTS’ ACCOMMODATION AT HOTEL SNOW CAP DORMITORY
AIRPORT TRANSFERS
DAILY BREAKFAST AND EVENING MEAL PROVIDED
5-DAY LIFT PASS
SKI/BOARD HIRE
SKI SCHOOL HOURS X 20
SKI SCHOOL INSTRUCTORS X 4
ICE SKATING AND PIZZA NIGH

AVAILABLE AT EXTRA COST

UK AIRPORT TRANSFERS
FULL TRAVEL INSURANCE
ADDITIONAL APRES ACTIVITIES
BOSTON CITY BREAK
SKI TRIP HOODIES
MSG REP

** £1,528 per student. Price based on 40 students, 4 staff ** Limited availability for this property. Alternative accommodation available but prices may vary**

To discuss any of our school ski trip packages in more detail, please contact a member of the team on 03333 111122 or click here to submit an enquiry.

Yorkshire Terriers 24-day rugby tour with MSG

Fri, 10 Mar 2017 22:29:21 GMT

The Yorkshire Terriers RUFC – comprised of 46 players and support staff – will embark on a 24-day rugby tour with MSG. The Yorkshire Terriers tour commences in Sydney, followed by stays in Auckland and Wellington. Here, after 5v games, they will end their momentous trip.

The Yorkshire Terriers RUFC was founded in 1999 with the prime objective of encouraging youth rugby in the county. It was formed with the overarching aim of giving youngsters the opportunity to tour foreign lands and display their talent while learning from their Southern Hemisphere friends.

This 24-day rugby tour presents a unique opportunity for some of the finest young rugby players in Yorkshire to match themselves with their counterparts 'down under'. We are proud to be providing the club with such an experience.

Are you considering a Rugby Tour in the future? Click here for more information.

Mark Gardner, Director of MSG Tours said:

'We're delighted that the Yorkshire Terriers have selected us to manage their 10th successive biennial pilgrimage. This 24-day rugby tour is extremely important to the players' development and it's a testament to our credibility as tour operators to piece this trip together. We have spent 15 months perfecting their tour and have thrown in a few surprises along the way to keep the players focused. The trip represents a distinct challenge for each individual squad member and backroom team.

Crafting a 24-day rugby tour itinerary

MSG have taken care to put together a fitting itinerary. This rugby tour incorporates an array of high-standard fixtures that will match their skills, fitness levels, and commitment. Not to mention the temperament required to go up against those who have prospered in such different societies and cultures.

Terriers coaches will judge the experience not only by the results on the field, but by the lasting friendships and memories that will remain with everyone after their return.

MSG would like to wish the team well in their pre-tour preparations under Coach, John Cole. We look forward to assisting them on this once-in-a-lifetime rugby tour that will be equally challenging and educational.

For more information on a trip similar to Yorkshire Terriers RUFC, click below:

Rugby Tours to Australia from MSG

Rugby Tours to New Zealand from MSG

For further information about all our Rugby Tour packages please click here

MSG Tours welcomes The Atlas Foundation

Tue, 07 Mar 2017 22:33:23 GMT

We are delighted to announce that The Atlas Foundation will be our official charity partner for 2017.

The Atlas Foundation was founded by former Rugby Union player Jason Leonard OBE and other rugby legends, with the overarching aim to bring support to people around the world through the power of rugby.

Further, the registered charity works through a global network of rugby champions to support grassroots projects that use rugby to improve the lives of some of the poorest people on earth. They fund multiple UK and overseas missions providing pitches, coaches and teachers for schools, clubs, and communities.

Mark Gardner, Director at MSG Tours said:

"As an education travel brand, we strongly believe in learning through sport in safe outdoor environments and felt we mirrored many core beliefs such as the desire to deliver the unexpected and fund worldwide projects across a portfolio of unique destinations, making Atlas the perfect charity partner. We are very much looking forward to supporting this meaningful charity."

MSG Tours welcomes The Atlas Foundation; throughout the partnership, we will be working closely with the Atlas team, offering our support through various volunteer streams to include presence on event days as well as online and marketing support.

Sally Pettipher, Chief Executive of The Atlas Foundation said:

"MSG Tours is a great fit for Atlas with its focus on life-changing opportunities for young people. Their passionate and skilled volunteer support is enormously important to us and will transform our services to supporters and beneficiaries."

Atlas are encouraging teams of four to join Jason for their upcoming Golf Day at Kingswood Golf and Country Club on Friday 19th May as well cyclists of all abilities for the Tour of Cambridgeshire Cycling event on Sunday 4th June.

Jason Leonard, Founder and Chairman of The Atlas Foundation said:

"Huge thanks to Mark and the team at MSG Tours. This is a great example of the rugby family pulling together and in the end it's the kids we support overseas who win."

If you would like to find out more about the foundation, or if you are interested in taking part in one of their events, further information can be found on their website www.theatlasfoundation.org.uk

For more information on our rugby school trips and rugby team tours click here

Lauren a.k.a 'The Processor' joins MSG Tours

Fri, 03 Mar 2017 22:48:41 GMT

Lauren joins MSG Tours from Derbyshire County Football Association, responsible for the development and delivery of adult participation as part of the FA National Game Strategy. Lauren has extensive knowledge in the sports development sector, with heavy experience in project, budget and events management.

Lauren's role at MSG Tours is within Commercial Operations, working closely with members of the team to introduce efficiency processes to surpass customer expectations. In addition, Lauren liaises with our trade partners to maintain our tours' safety and compliance.

What Lauren says:

"I'd have to say that the best project I've worked on would have to be the delivery of the FA Recreational Football Development Programme across Derbyshire. I arrived at Derbyshire County FA in 2013 to a blank canvas and it's rewarding to see the impact I had within my role with such a sustainable diverse offer now available to hundreds, if not thousands, of people. To know that the sessions will continue to be delivered despite having left the organisation is a rewarding feeling, and to know that I've impacted on people's lives in such a positive way is humbling.

In my free time, I like to make the most of life and live by the motto of 'some people make it happen'. When I'm not at work, you'll either find me away for the weekend visiting friends, enjoying some nice food in town, socialising over a drink (or two!), having a kickabout, soaking up the sun on holiday, or hoovering and cleaning my house!

I am also part of the Derbyshire Asbestos Support Team (DAST) Steering Group Committee and volunteer my time to influence their delivery and also educate and raise awareness on the dangers of asbestos. I was involved in the DAST Launch Event and presented 'my story' to raise awareness and support other individuals. In May 2015 I ran the Manchester 10k to raise funds for DAST and prior to this in April 2014, I ran the London Marathon. This involved successfully organising numerous fundraising events to raise money for both charities.

"The best destinations I have visited are Australia and Fiji. Australia has so much to offer and within three weeks I've only been fortunate to see a snippet of the country. Whilst out in Australia, the highlight for me (one of many!) was flying across to Melbourne to watch the Australian Open. Fiji is incredible and there are far too many highlights but a key memory for me was the lifestyle on the island; it was very relaxed, the sun was shining and the warmth of the locals was infectious."

Should you wish to get in touch with Lauren and find out more about your next Sport, Ski or Study Tour, you can reach her at lauren@msgtours.com . For more information about us click the About page.

New 'Explorer' Chelsey joins MSG

Fri, 03 Mar 2017 20:51:35 GMT

Chelsey joins MSG from an extensive background in the sports management and events industry, where she has worked closely with many sports professionals and global organisations. Previous projects include the salubrious 2014 Turkish Airlines Open and the Tower to Tower celebrity led rowing challenge.

What Chelsey says:

“I have worked on many projects in previous job roles, but my favourite by far was creating the ‘Darts for Donna Louise’ brand in conjunction with the Professional Darts Corporation and sporting legends such as Phil Taylor, Sir AP McCoy and David Seaman. Launching the campaign was an invaluable experience which left me with many transferable skills I am still extremely grateful for.

“I’m ready for a new challenge and I’m very much looking forward to working at MSG Tours.

“I have been fortunate enough to travel to some amazing place across the world both in my free time and through previous job roles and have coordinated events in New York, Tokyo, Moscow, Paris and Dublin. My favourite place would have to be Japan. It’s such an amazing country, full of culture and wonderful sights and I hope to return someday!

“I aspire to travel to Canada as I am in awe of the diverse terrain and would love to embark in some gentle hiking in the Rocky Mountains.

“I love socialising and you will catch me with a healthy measure of gin most Friday nights!”

If you want to contact Chelsey or to talk gin, please email chelsey@msgtours.com . For more information about us click the About page.

Football mad Liam joins team MSG!

Thu, 02 Mar 2017 22:54:05 GMT

Liam joins team MSG from Perform, where he was previously responsible for all operational requirements for residential and visiting squads, such as Burton Albion FC, FC Barcelona and Club England teams. Bringing a desire to deliver high quality services to all groups, Liam's main role is speaking with customers to understand their tour desires before turning their dreams into reality by creating the perfect tour.

What Liam says:

"The best projects I have previously worked on were assisting FC Barcelona on their pre-season tour to St.George's Park and helping the England squad prepare for the 2014 World Cup and 2016 Euro's. Working closely with such high-profile coaches and players, such as Messi, Xavi and Iniesta, in their tournament preparations was an invaluable experience I will never forget.

"I am a huge football fan and a proud supporter of my local team, Stoke City FC. In my free time I play in a Sunday league and have been on many football trips to a variety of European destinations, to include Barcelona, Dortmund and France for the Euro's in 2016.

"The best destinations I have visited would have to be Dubai, Las Vegas and Hawaii, all completely different locations with their own attractions. Dubai is everything you want in one location, a resort for all. Vegas is a playground for adults and somewhere I most definitely want to visit again. Hawaii is absolute paradise, everything you would imagine it to be and more.

"My dream would be to travel to South America, Rio de Janeiro, The Andes and Machu Picchu in particular."

Should you wish to get in touch with Liam about a tour or to talk football, you can reach him at liam@msgtours.com . For more information about us click the About page.

Aspire Sporting Academy tour to Greece

Tue, 28 Feb 2017 22:56:30 GMT

In February 2017, the Aspire Sporting Academy FC U16 Girls travelled to Greece for their much-anticipated football tour at our Sportcamp facility.

The tour package was created to provide the group with high profile fixtures, with enough free time in between matches to enjoy a spot of sightseeing. The team travelled to Athens on day two to meet Glyfada FC. In a very tight match, the team playing on home soil secured a 2-1 win over the visitors from London.

The action continued and on day three, the team travelled to Athens for a morning of sightseeing at the Acropolis and Panathenaic Stadium, before arriving at the home ground of Atromitos Athens FC for an afternoon fixture.

With the sun shining and the beautiful landscape of the mountains in view, the parents and spectators were ready for another display from the Aspire Sporting Academy FC U16 Girls. The visitors displayed excellent football, with precision in passing and effective movement both on and off the ball. With the score level at 2-2 until the final moments, the visitors were anticipating to leave with a respectable score line. However, in the final few minutes of the match, a direct free kick for the home side within dangerous territory allowed Atromitos to convert the opportunity and hit the back of the net.

The spirits were not dampened and the tour continued with a visit to the Heraion Lake and Isthmus Canal on day four. The group captured the picturesque views of the Greek landscape and enjoyed some relaxation by the lake before satisfying their appetites with lunch at the lake tavern.

To finish the week with a finale, the Aspire Sporting Academy FC U16 Girls received training sessions from a UEFA Pro Greek Football Coach and were put through their paces with some technical work and the application of their skills into a game setting.

The last day of the tour arrived and on Saturday 18th February the Aspire Sporting Academy u16's, their two coaches and thirteen proud parents arrived back on home soil to Gatwick Airport. The girls' football tour to Sportcamp in Greece was full of action with two high profile fixtures, high intensity training sessions and excursions to fully absorb and capture the history and culture that Greece offers.

Thinking about a football tour of your own? Click here to find out more about our football tours.

St Martin's School Ski Trip Class of Andalo 2017

Fri, 24 Feb 2017 11:36:03 GMT

St Martin's School Ski Trip take on The Italian Job

It's two weeks to the day since we met 77 excited students and 12 teachers at Stansted Airport for a week's trip to Andalo, situated in the Trentino region of the Dolomites. After a journey spent getting to know the group we touched down at Milan Bergamo Airport in showers of snow covering the ground, which was to continue for the duration of the trip. Arriving at the resort, the first stop was Hotel Olisamir for a tasty evening meal before we called it a night to rest up for the action-pack week ahead.

Our first morning was spent at Andalo ski fit ensuring everyone had appropriately fitted equipment. The dedicated staff serviced all 89 people in just under two hours, accentuating their professionalism. After fuelling with some delicious pasta at a local restaurant, we made our way onto the slopes for the first lesson of the St Martin's school ski trip. Blue and red runs largely dominate the slopes – ideal for the group which consisted of mostly beginners – although the students soon got the hang of it, with many even trying the black slopes by the end of the session.

The evening activities were at the local sports centre where some students took to the skating rink while some opted for a leisurely swim. After a busy day it was time to get plenty of rest for the second day's skiing.

Day two on the slopes saw a change in the beginners of the group who had made noticeable progress by the end of their 5 hour lesson and confidence all round was starting to show. The evening was open for the students to either relax and watch a film or head to the games room at the local sports centre. With six pool tables, two air hockey tables and numerous arcade games, there was no shortage of activities to keep them occupied.

As the week progressed all the groups continued to vastly improve their skiing ability, with students making it off piste by the third day under supervision in the allocated areas.

Day five was a highlight for St martin's, starting with a morning ski lesson followed by some free time to explore the quaint town of Andalo before heading off to enjoy a spot of toboggining. After dinner it was then time for night skiing and the slopes to ourselves, with the exception of an endurance race that was taking place from the top to the bottom of the mountain. The enjoyment under the stars ended up being the highlight of the week for the majority of the group.

It was back to a normal ski day consisting of a four-hour lesson on Day 6 and once again there was a great choice of evening activities. This time it was pizza night followed by a disco in the function room of the hotel. With flashing lights, plenty of music and a great atmosphere this sure was a memorable evening for all- including us!

On the penultimate day, we departed the ski resort and headed for a night in fashion capital, Milan. First, we headed to the San Siro Stadium, the home of AC and Inter Milan – two of the biggest clubs in world football – for a guided tour. This concluded in the official club shop and it's fair to say the shelves were almost stripped bare by most the group buying merchandise and presents.

The Piazza Portello shopping mall in Milan gave most of the girls a chance to buy their own gifts and treats. After a few hours relaxing at the shops we checked into our Milan hotel and enjoyed another tasty evening meal before the 'Awards Night', which wrapped up another fantastic school ski trip.

The Trentino region of Andalo is the perfect resort for all abilities, making a school ski trip here successful for all. To find out more about the resort of Andalo click here or to enquire about heading here in 2018, view our special offers or contact the team on 03333 111122.

2018 School ski trip special offers to Europe and beyond

Fri, 24 Feb 2017 11:23:52 GMT

Are you still looking to secure your 2018 school ski trip? If so, view our last-minute offers below to a number of both European and worldwide destinations.

SCHOOL SKI TRIPS TO ITALY:

HOTEL ANDALO, ANDALO (Trentino Dolomites Region).
09/02/2018 – 16/02/2018

INCLUSIONS

FLIGHTS FROM UK AIRPORT TO MILAN BERGAMO
15KG HOLD LUGGAGE AND 10KG HAND LUGGAGE PER PERSON
7 NIGHTS' ACCOMMODATION AT HOTEL ANDALO
AIRPORT TRANSFERS
ACCOMMODATION TOURIST TAX
DAILY BREAKFAST AND EVENING MEAL
6-DAY LIFT PASS
SKI HIRE
SKI SCHOOL HOURS X 24
SKI SCHOOL INSTRUCTORS X 4
ICE SKATING AND PIZZA NIGHT

AVAILABLE AT EXTRA COST

UK AIRPORT TRANSFERS
FULL TRAVEL INSURANCE
ADDITIONAL APRES ACTIVITIES
SKI TRIP HOODIES
MILAN CITY BREAK
MSG REP

** £1,096 per student. Price based on 40 students, 4 staff **

HOTEL CAVEDAGO, ANDALO (Trentino Dolomites Region).
09/02/2018 – 16/02/2018

INCLUSIONS

FLIGHTS FROM UK AIRPORT TO MILAN BERGAMO
15KG HOLD LUGGAGE AND 10KG HAND LUGGAGE PER PERSON
7 NIGHTS' ACCOMMODATION AT HOTEL OLISAMIR
AIRPORT TRANSFERS
ACCOMMODATION TOURIST TAX
DAILY BREAKFAST AND EVENING MEAL
6-DAY LIFT PASS
SKI HIRE
SKI SCHOOL HOURS X 24
SKI SCHOOL INSTRUCTORS X 4
ICE SKATING AND PIZZA NIGHT

AVAILABLE AT EXTRA COST

UK AIRPORT TRANSFERS
FULL TRAVEL INSURANCE
ADDITIONAL APRES ACTIVITIES
SKI TRIP HOODIES
MILAN CITY BREAK
MSG REP

** £1,021 per student. Price based on 40 students, 4 staff **

SCHOOL SKI TRIPS TO JAPAN:

HOTEL PANORAMA, HAKUBA
09/02/2018 – 16/02/2018

INCLUSIONS

FLIGHTS FROM UK AIRPORT TO NARITA
15KG HOLD LUGGAGE AND 10KG HAND LUGGAGE PER PERSON
7 NIGHTS' ACCOMMODATION AT HOTEL PANORAMA
AIRPORT TRANSFERS
DAILY BREAKFAST AND DINNER
5-DAY LIFT PASS
SKI/BOARD HIRE
SKI SCHOOL HOURS X 20
SKI SCHOOL INSTRUCTORS X 4
2 APRES ACTIVITIES INCLUDED

AVAILABLE AT EXTRA COST

UK AIRPORT TRANSFERS
FULL TRAVEL INSURANCE
ADDITIONAL APRES ACTIVITIES
SKI TRIP HOODIES
TOKYO CITY BREAK
MSG REP

** £1,890 per student. Price based on 40 students, 4 staff **

OTHER DATE OPTIONS
24/03/2018 – 31/03/2018

** £1,680 per student. Price based on 40 students, 4 staff **

SCHOOL SKI TRIPS TO USA:

HOTEL SNOW CAP DORMITORY, SUNDAY RIVER (Maine).
09/02/2018 – 16/02/2018

INCLUSIONS

FLIGHTS FROM UK AIRPORT TO BOSTON
15KG HOLD LUGGAGE AND 10KG HAND LUGGAGE PER PERSON
6 NIGHTS' ACCOMMODATION AT HOTEL SNOW CAP DORMITORY
AIRPORT TRANSFERS
DAILY BREAKFAST AND EVENING MEAL PROVIDED
5-DAY LIFT PASS
SKI/BOARD HIRE
SKI SCHOOL HOURS X 20
SKI SCHOOL INSTRUCTORS X 4
ICE SKATING AND PIZZA NIGH

AVAILABLE AT EXTRA COST

UK AIRPORT TRANSFERS
FULL TRAVEL INSURANCE
ADDITIONAL APRES ACTIVITIES
BOSTON CITY BREAK
SKI TRIP HOODIES
MSG REP

** £1,528 per student. Price based on 40 students, 4 staff **

To discuss any of our special offers in more detail, please contact a member of the team on 03333 111122 or click here to submit an enquiry.

MSG sponsors Bedlinog RFC Cubs team

Wed, 15 Feb 2017 23:04:51 GMT

MSG sponsors Bedlinog RFC.

We believe in creating magical moments and helping youngsters develop throughout their playing journeys. That’s why we are proud to be supporting one of our longest serving rugby clubs, Bedlinog RFC, as they strive to deliver better training environments to develop a sustainable platform for their youngest recruits.

Through our partners at RAM Rugby, we have provided Bedlinog RFC with training materials and equipment to support their coaches in the Cubs’ inaugural year. With a healthy crop of 40 children turning out regularly we’re assured the equipment will be put to good use among this enthusiastic community.

Cubs Manager and coach Melanie said: “We just wanted to say a heartfelt thank you to MSG for their generous donation of the equipment. It has already arrived and is currently in my living room waiting to be put to good use once the weather picks up.”

MSG Director , Mark Gardner , was equally effusive about becoming involved with the minis and juniors. “As a supporter of a club that demonstrates excellent values it was a simple decision for us to invest in the next generation of players. We hope that the kit we’ve provided, alongside the zest and ambition of the fantastic volunteer coaches, creates a wave of players as exciting as what we see on the field every Saturday.”

We’re also excited to welcome the Bedlinog U8 Cubs to our home city of Derby in September where they will be testing their newly-developed skills against Derby RFC and enjoy the thrill-seeking delights of nearby Alton Towers. MSG Tours Consultant, Huw Jones, is an ex-player at Bedlinog RFC and front runner for escorting the players and parents to Derbyshire on their first ever tour. ‘We imagine their singing will certainly improve before the weekend is out! ’

We look forward to seeing the Cubs blossom in the near future.

End.

MSG Sponsors Bedlinog RFC – March 2017

Visit Bedlinog RFC website

Australia e-Visitor Visa for Sports Tours

Thu, 09 Feb 2017 17:57:38 GMT

Applying for an e-Visitor Visa for Australia

Travelling to the land down under for up to 3 months as part of a sports tour requires an e-Visitor visa for Australia. You can apply for the e-Visitor Visa online free of charge, so long as you hold a passport from any of the countries listed below:

European Union
Andorra
Iceland
Liechtenstein
Monaco
Norway
San Marino
Switzerland
Vatican City

How do I apply for an e-Visitor Visa?

Step 1

Before starting your online application, you will need to create an ImmiAccount: https://online.immi.gov.au/lusc/login

To create an ImmiAccount you will need to use your email address and a memorable password.

Step 2

Next, you will need to log in to your email account and open the email message from ImmiAccount. It is important that you open the email and click on the web link within the email message. This will confirm your account registration process.

Step 3

Once you have created an ImmiAccount, you will be able to complete the e-Visitor Visa application online here: https://www.border.gov.au/Trav/Visi/Visi/Visitor-visas/eVisitor-online-application#

You will need your passport details to complete the e-Visitor Visa application.

Step 4

Finally, you will receive a copy of the e-Visitor Visa to the email address you have provided on your ImmiAccount. Although it is not essential, you may want to have a saved copy of the e-Visitor Visa with you when you travel.

Australia’s modern electronic Visa system doesn’t require a Visa label in your passport to confirm your immigration status. Upon check-in, airline staff will use your passport to electronically confirm authority to travel prior to boarding the aircraft.

Key information

Once granted, an e-Visitor Visa for Australia is subject to the following conditions:

Those travelling to Australia must be free from tuberculosis
At no point are you to work in Australia, other than by engaging in a business visitor activity
Those travelling to Australia must not have any criminal convictions for which the sentence or sentences exceed 12 months. This applies whether the sentence is served or not.
At no point are you to engage in any studies or training for more than three months

A breach of these conditions may result in your e-Visitor being cancelled. Furthermore, you may be asked to leave Australia as a result.

In addition, this Visa allows ongoing entry into Australia for up to three months at a time.

If you have any questions or would like further support with the e-Visitor Visa application, please contact MSG Tours directly

MSG Embrace technology with Vamoos app

Mon, 06 Feb 2017 13:42:33 GMT

We are extremely excited to announce we have joined forces with our friends at Vamoos to go one step further when it comes to customer experience. I guess you could say we are well and truly embracing technology as we are the first UK tour operator in our sector to team up with Vamoos, a travel app which will allow our customers access to all their important travel documents and itinerary on a mobile or tablet device even without a data signal. Now that’s genius!

Our aim is to make your personalised tour package easily accessible at all times and thanks to Vamoos we are able to do exactly that. Whether you’re travelling with a sports club, school or simply friends this easy to use app will be available for everyone with access to the unique log in code, including those staying behind.

Tony Bean, Founder of Vamoos said: “One of the greatest challenges we’re seeing in the market place is how can Tour Operators enhance their clients’ travel experience further. We’re really pleased with how fast MSG Tours has grown and how they’re using new technology like Vamoos, the App for Tour Operators, to achieve this. We believe that by delivering beautifully designed apps is the next step in evolving the travel market and are pleased that MSG Tours are a part of this journey.”

Key features of the app include:

Ability to access all travel documents and full itinerary
Destination information, including links to accommodation and other key locations
Live ticker which will count down to the beginning of a trip
A mini social network; everyone on the same trip can share photos and notes with fellow passengers
Ability for organisers to send live push notifications

The push notification function allows everyone with access to keep up-to-date in real-time with alerts such as when a group have reached their destination safely or results from fixtures. A perfect resource for when parents are perhaps ‘out of sight, out of mind.’

Our current clients have already been benefiting from the app. Andy Blaylock, PE teacher at Thomas Keble school said: “The school are very happy with their exclusive Vamoos and our students heading to Paris on their rugby and netball tour are taking full advantage of the app. Overall, the feedback we have received from students and parents has been very positive.”

Everything you need for your tour can now be in the palm of your hands. How about that for #deliveringtheunexpected

MSG Tours move to Marble Hall

Tue, 31 Jan 2017 11:09:04 GMT

It’s official, we have made a smooth transition into our new first-class facilities based at Marble Hall in Derby following a £4million refurbishment into the building, which was originally used as the first Rolls Royce offices in the UK.

The previously iconic landmark known for its aviation services and World War Two survival will now be our home here at MSG Tours and we are already on our way to making a history of our own. It’s safe to say we have been flying high and hitting new climates throughout the last 12 months and have been rewarded with the keys to our new office facilities to start the year as we mean to go on!

So, why are we so excited for this move? Well, not only are we proud to be growing at the rate we are after the fantastic reputation we have built with our valued customers, we are also proud that we are following in the footsteps of Rolls Royce, as we believe (and we hope you do, too!) that there is a beautiful link between our company’s services and mantra: taking people around world and delivering the unexpected.

And it doesn’t just stop there with Rolls Royce, we also mirror their brand values in our everyday work ethic:

‘Better power- helping our customers do more, using less’ – At MSG, we help our customers do more ‘sports’ on a global scale, with less stress as we take care of it all!

‘Better future- committed to innovation, powering better, cleaner growth’ – At MSG we are forever innovative, powering the discovery of new global destinations to grow the variety of tours we offer.

‘Better business- inventing technology, people & ideas to improve all aspects of our performance’ – At MSG we are forever broadening our horizons through people and ideas, to ensure that our performance is nothing shy of perfection so we are able to deliver the unexpected.

This move now gives us access to additional office space, allowing us to expand our team of experts to increase our operational efficiency, bringing fresh perspectives to look at the services we deliver.

Mark Gardner, Director of MSG tours said this about the move: “We selected Marble Hall due to its aesthetics, positioning, modern facilities and its link to the first ever Rolls Royce building here in Derbyshire. We are proud of the direction the company is taking and want to ensure that our brand values are mirrored in as many elements as possible, including our offices.”

We don’t just stop at taking people around the world and delivering the unexpected; we create life-long memories that will shape imaginations for a lifetime. Join us on our journey as we continue to #delivertheunexpected throughout 2017.

MSG Ski Inspection Trip

Tue, 20 Dec 2016 20:19:52 GMT

On Monday 19th December Glenn and Katie set off for their 5 day ski inspection adventure to Italy. With a variety of resorts and hotels to visit, and skiing adventures to be had you can be sure that their trip to the Dolomites will be jampacked. Find out what they get up to day by day below…

Day One

Day one in Italy was a travel day. Flying from Luton to Milan Mapensa with Easyjet meant a 3am start for the both of us as we embarked on our 5 day inspection trip of the Italian Dolomites.

Landing at 10am local time we (truth be told the driving was all Glenn) then drove to the first resort on our tour. We’re really excited about what this resort has to offer and with 40km of piste that’s perfect for beginners and stunning views of Lake Garda this resort really surprised us.

After some delicious food for lunch and great Italian hospitality we descended down the mountain and made our way for a night in Madonna di Campiglio, staying in a 3* hotel that is perfect for visiting ski groups.

Day Two

Today was all about what Madonna di Campiglio has to offer and of course enjoying the slopes. The ski fit is just 2 minutes out of the door of the hotel and the standard of kit is great, Glenn even ended up wearing brand new boots.

It was my (Katie) first ever time skiing and I would love to say that I didn’t eat any snow but I can’t, (tip for beginners, don’t lean back to slow down.) That being said I had a fantastic time! My instructor Alessandro was brilliant and built my confidence throughout the whole 2 hour lesson, which resulted in me taking on my first slope.

Whilst I was busy in my lesson, Glenn took to the red slopes and in his words “they were brilliant.” The lifts to the red slopes are situated just 10 minutes from the hotel and come to an end in the town centre which at this time of year, when the sun has set, is decorated with twinkling lights and Christmas decorations. It really is ski-in, ski-out for all those staying in the resort centre.

All in all Madonna di Campiglio has been incredible and I believe with 150 km of piste (when a full ski pass is bought) there is something for everyone.

Day Three

Today started with breakfast at the hotel in Madonna before we travelled to Pinzolo to inspect 2 futher hotels, each just minutes from the lift. Both have something great to offer groups and we are excited about the opportunity to work with them in the future.

After the quick stop in Pinzolo we took the scenic route around the mountain and after an hour we arrived in Andalo. This resort has much to offer groups; fabulous apres, a number of brilliant ski schools and hotels just a minute away from the lifts are just a few of the perks.

I took my second ski lesson today and Glenn enjoyed the intermediate/red runs. Again the staff at the ski fit and ski school have been fantastic and given us a full tour of the slopes.

Tonight we are staying at the Hotel Angelo, the same hotel that will house St Martin’s school in February 2017, we think they are going to really enjoy it. Just a 4 minute walk down into the main town and in a brilliant location for the ski bus means this 3* hotel is perfect for a large ski group visiting Andalo.

Day Four

Day 4 was all about San Martino Di Castrozza and what it has to offer those visiting Italy on a school ski trip.

After stopping off in Fai Della Paganella for a quick peek at some of the hotels we travelled the 2 hour journey to San Martino di Castrozza and checked into our hotel.

This resort is fantastic, with such a large range of shops, restaurants and activities groups could never be bored, it’s also the perfect place to pick up those essential souvenirs for families who are back home in the UK.

I (Katie) had my third and final ski lesson with the fabulous Stefano and am happy to announce I did not fall once. It took 6 hours of lessons from very patient and excellent instructors and is an achievement I am proud of! Whilst I was busy keeping my body away from the floor Glenn was swooshing his way through the various other slopes that San Martino Di Castrozza has to offer and found there were slopes to challenge everyone.

Venturing back to the hotel we stumbled upon a fantastic American style salloon which offers American style food and a fantastic atmosphere, it is definitely worth stopping in.

One thing that will take your breath away in San Martino is the view. It is safe the say that San MArtino Di Castrozza offers the most iconic views of the dolomites. Even though we were not fortunate enough to witness it, we can only imagine how beautiful it will look under a blanket of snow.

Day Five

Today we woke up bright and early, before the morning rush and waved goodbye to the Dolomites. It was a fantastic week and it was a good opportunity to meet with Roberta and our other Italian partners. We look forward to working with them in the future and to delivering the unexpected for your school on a school ski trip to Italy.

If you want to find out more about our school ski trips to Italy please give us a call on 0333 111122, email us at unexpected@msgtours.com or use the contact form .

Rugby Tours to Ireland

Tue, 13 Dec 2016 11:17:59 GMT

Combining your summer rugby tour with the 2017 Women’s Rugby World Cup

The eighth Women’s Rugby World Cup took place in Ireland during 9-26 August 2017 and we offered your club the chance to experience this showpiece occasion as part of a pre-season tour during the 11-14th August 2017.

All pool stages took place at University College Dublin (UCD) before moving to Belfast for the play-off rounds. Our travel package for girls’ U15, U18 and women’s teams included entry to a full-day rugby festival organised by the IRFU and Leinster Rugby on Saturday 12th August and viewing of the WRWC pool matches scheduled for Sunday 13th August 2017.

Pool Allocation Draw:

This was an extremely unique event on Britain’s doorstep via coach/ferry or flight via regional UK airports. Accommodated was at the excellent Dublin International Hostel, the groups were ideally placed to experience the very best of Dublin’s sights including Malahide Castle, Temple Bar and The Guinness Storehouse.

With an enthusiast following worldwide and attendance being high, the 2017 WRWC brought a fantastic atmosphere to Dublin. The 10 aside rugby festivals gave the teams the chance to play against and socialise with local sides and other touring teams. Tournament entries were limited so we encouraged teams to book early to join the likes Nelson Unicorns and Bedlinog Vixens who travelled to Dublin with MSG Tours for this exciting pre-season tour.

Packages Include:

Coach and ferry OR flight (hand luggage only)
Transfers in Dublin to your accommodation
3 x nights’ B&B at Dublin International Hostel
1 x Adult 10’s/Youth tournament entry
Transfers to WRWC match
Embroidered tour rucksack
Sports and travel insurance
Tour of Guinness Storehouse and Temple Bar

Prices were subject to group size and travel method.

What are you waiting for? For further details please contact MSG Tours on 03333 110335, email unexpected@msgtours.com or use our contact form .

Rydal Penrhos School enjoy a successful rugby tour to Portugal

Wed, 07 Dec 2016 11:21:48 GMT

Portugal Rugby’s 25th ranked position in the World Rugby rankings may not raise many eyebrows amongst the global rugby audience but their consistency in being competitive in matches is duly recognised by opposition coaches.

With flair, speed and a decent offloading game – refined on consistently impressive fields and 4G surfaces – Los Lobos (The Wolves) are known predators inside anyone’s 22 and not lacking in bravery or heart. With 32 feeder clubs in Lisbon alone it’s little wonder that their junior leagues are producing such prodigious talent of late.

World Rugby funding provides the building blocks for high-performance facilities that play host to many international touring teams’ fixtures. The almost constant sunshine, rolling surf and picturesque city centre are additional reasons Lisbon is catching so many schools’ eyes for their seasonal rugby tours.

Allen Boyd, Rydal Penrhos School’s Director of Sport, is a huge fan and travelled with us recently with his U17’s.

With less tourists than their Mediterranean neighbours, and a more boutique feel, school teams embarking on a rugby tour to Portugal are continually tested by the club sides who are as eager to learn from their opponents as much as taking a famous winning scalp. Expect tough 80-minute encounters, great preparation and match facilities completed with a traditionally warm post-match hospitality.

Enquire Now: School rugby tours to Portugal are available from several regional UK airports including Birmingham, Bristol, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Liverpool, London and Manchester from as low as £512.00 per person. Contact us for a bespoke quotation for your next rugby tour or call 0333 111122 to speak to our experienced team, or email unexpected@msgtours.com .

School ski trips to Italy – Madonna di Campiglio

Mon, 05 Dec 2016 14:41:41 GMT

Why choose Madonna?

The stunning ski resort of Madonna di Campiglio, is part of the famous Skirama Dolomiti area.

In terms of ski area, Madonna offers 150km of incredible corduroy alone. A full lift pass into the Skirama Dolomiti gives you access to 370km of piste, great for those with an adventurous attitude.

Madonna sits at over 1500m and the highest lift comes in at a chilly 2600m. Add in the 95% snow making facilities and a long season is assured making it perfect for both February and Easter school ski trips. The prospect of skiing back into the resort also pretty good for the entire season.

Skiers and boarders of all abilities on school ski trips are well catered for. Beginners and intermediates will all make great progression and advanced skiers will be honing techniques on the Canal Miramonti run down from Monte Spinale and the famous 3 Tre run – the site of the annual World Cup race.

Madonna di Campiglio is a great resort for school ski groups providing a tremendous amount of après options, all of which are easily accessed from our hotels. The family-run hotels have excellent facilities and provide great food!

Accommodation – Hotel Europa

This hotel is within walking distance to the nearest lifts and ideally located a few minutes from the centre of the town.

The Hotel Europa offers groups a cosy stay with a friendly atmosphere and the opportunity to make full use of the games room.

The en-suite double rooms are furnished to a very high standard and the buffet style restaurant provides something for everyone meaning it is perfect for students on school ski trips.

Resort Facts

Km of piste – 150km
Resort height – 1520m
Highest lift – 2505m
Beginner (blue) (%) – 45
Intermediate (red) (%) – 37
Expert (black) (%) – 18
Lifts – 61
Snow cannons (%) – 95
Airports – Verona (2.5hr)
Bus from Calais – 16

Top 5 Après

Ice skating
Bowling
Night skiing
Disco
Swimming

To enquire about a school ski trip call us on: 03333 111122, email info@msgtours.com or use the contact form .

Abu Dhabi Harlequins U15s book rugby tour to Georgia

Thu, 01 Dec 2016 13:03:36 GMT

The UAE’s Abu Dhabi Harlequins Rugby Club are famed for their incredible Junior Section that presently boasts over 800 boys and girls aged 4-19 years. With such a dedicated membership comes ambition for continuous development, exampled by the age groups’ commitment to touring overseas to enlighten their members’ playing and travel experiences.

We are delighted to have been selected by the U15 age group to handle their 2017 rugby tour to Georgia, one of Europe’s most exciting and rapidly-developing rugby hotbeds. In March 2017, 60 players and families will embark on an exciting and ground-breaking 3-match tour to Tbilisi, Kutaisi and Kiketi to complete against Georgian sides as part of an itinerary that presents the very best of this remarkable country.

With preparation and development firmly in mind the tourists will ready themselves for matches at the Georgia Rugby Union’s High Performance Centre, sessions taken by the hosts Academy staff.

In between matches lays in wait an insightful sightseeing programme featuring city tours of Tbilisi, trips to Bagrati Cathedral, Prometheus Caves, wine tasting (over 18’s!) and a 2-day post-rugby break at the excellent ski resort of Gudauri where players and parents can wind down on the groomed pistes prior to heading home to the UAE capital.

Dominic Whiting, the coach for Harlequins U15 had this to say about the upcoming tour; “We’re very excited about visiting Georgia for many reasons. We’d love to play a part, however small, in encouraging youth rugby in the country, and we’ve heard that clubs give touring teams a very warm welcome. And there’s so much to do away from the rugby — good food, wine tasting, skiing and hiking. It seems to offer something for everyone in our large group of players, parents and siblings. ”

Our detailed destination planning, ably assisted through inspection trips through Turkish Airlines and our Georgian hotel and transportation partners, allows us to programme high-end and bespoke packages for clubs and schools that wish to take on rugby’s ultimate touring test. Contact us for information on your team’s rugby tour to Georgia and experience how we can deliver the unexpected on your next overseas rugby journey.

Monthly Coffee Post – Niederegger's Röstkaffee Fein Gemahlen

Thu, 01 Dec 2016 11:18:34 GMT

With the UK being firmly propelled into winter’s clutches this past week the MSG team have been reaching more frequently for that mug of coffee to warm our insides and spark our energy as the light fades outside our windows.

Picked up by Meg on her recent trip to Cologne with Lawrence Sheriff School , this month MSG have gone continental and are sampling Niederegger’s Röstkaffee Fein Gemahlen or Niederegger’s Finely Ground Roasted Coffee for those of you not familiar with the German! A 250g bag of these beans retails at €5,70 (approx. £4.85), which you can buy here .

Founded in 1806 by Johann Georg Niederegger , this family-owned company originally started up selling marzipan and luxurious sweets for royalty and aristocrats alike. Made of Mediterranean almonds, sugar and a secret ingredient that is so highly treasured it has been passed down through the generations, Niederegger marzipan is sold worldwide.

As the company has progressed into the 21st century it has introduced a beverages range. Knowing that the MSG team are more of a savoury that sweet bunch, Meg decided against the marzipan flavoured coffee beans and stuck to the standard ground roasted option. This however, did not mean that the coffee was lacking flavour and depth.

Tom decided these beans created ‘a black forest gateau concoction of coffee’ and he very much enjoyed the treacle, cherry and chocolatey tones that came through.

Glenn who takes his coffee black, picked up on the smoky almond flavours of the drink. Produced by a company so well know for its confectionery products, it makes sense that their famous marzipan flavours can be tasted in their coffee beans.

Meg enjoyed the sweet notes supplied by the cherries but found the dark and smoky tones slightly overpowering. The chocolatey and cherry aroma of the coffee certainly was a treat for her senses though.

Mark, keeping it simple, thought the coffee was ‘bang-on and delicious’.

MSG Verdict: Perfect for those who favour strong coffee with hints of sweetness. Its smoky tones and deep flavours provide a delicious earthy taste, yet its fruity undertones give those with a sweet tooth something to look forward to. Great for warming you up on chilly winter mornings.

Lawrence Sheriff School embark on their Study Trip to Cologne

Wed, 30 Nov 2016 10:26:00 GMT

At 6:45am on Wednesday 23rd November 2016 fifty sleepy Lawrence Sheriff School students and five accompanying staff ((Mrs Standing, Mr Groves, Mrs Costello, Mr Poppa and the MSG Tours Representative Meg) boarded their coach and set off for Cologne. As the sun rose over the M25, the boys munched on their packed breakfasts (pulled pork rolls for one lucky student!) and within no time at all they were onto the ferry at Dover.

After arrival at Dunkirk it was onto the coach again for the 6-hour journey to Cologne, the boys deciding to entertain the staff and coach driver Carl with countless renditions of Pitch Perfect and Wonderwall, Carl giving his honest opinion of the performances over the on board microphone. Many 80s pop songs later we arrived at A&O Neumarkt just in time for their pre-arranged beef goulash dinner. After cakes and birthday wishes for Owen, who turned fifteen whilst en route, it was time for an early night.

The next morning the sun shone bright and temperatures were very mild on as Sheriff made their way to the Cathedral for their first excursion of their languages trip. The sunlight meant the boys could witness the huge stain glass windows in their full glory and the tour guides taught the group all about the history of this incredibly impressive building.

After learning about the origins of the Cathedral we headed underground and further back in time to view the Roman ruins of Cologne at the Praetorian. With all-German display boards the teachers could test out the translation skills and the depth of vocab of the students. The nearby Altstadt Christmas Markets gave the boys their first chance to experience the German Christmas traditions, taste Bratwurst and take photographs for Mrs Standing’s competition, of which categories included ‘Most German-German’, ‘Biggest Bratwurst’ and ‘Best Hat’.

Meg’s entry for best hat (kindly bought for her by the Year 11s)

After lunch, Sheriff cruised up the Rhine, enjoying hot chocolate and cake, viewing the sights of the city in the sunshine. On board, German commentary meant the boys had to put their listening skills to the test in order to understand which buildings were being referred to. The Chocolate Museum was next with its fascinating exhibitions and delicious aromas, where most of the boys ate and purchased their weight in chocolate. Some of the boys ordered their own chocolate, filled with components of their own selection so vocabulary skills were crucial here in order to ensure there were no unwanted ingredients in their treasured final product! Dinner at the Hard Rock Café certainly filled any remaining holes and gave everyone the chance to relax. A visit to the Cathedral Christmas Markets, situated below the largest Christmas tree in the Rhineland, was the last activity of a fun-filled busy day.

Day two commenced promptly as Sheriff boarded the coach at 8am for a day of touring the best of the Rhineland and exploring the charming, traditional German villages. After repeated renditions of Rick Astley, Carl decided enough was enough and played Madonna’s Greatest Hits at full volume in an effort to educate the boys in ‘real music’. We arrived at Marksburg Castle with the sounds of ‘Holiday’ ringing in our ears in time for our guided tour. An impressive fortification, Marksburg Castle gave the boys an insight into medieval warfare, defence strategies and everyday life during the Middle Ages. After a quick Mezzo mix refreshment break (an apparently delicious Coke-Fanta combination drink) it was back on the bus to Ehrenbreitstein Fortress.

Sitting high on the hill overlooking the town of Koblenz, the Fortress offered stunning views of the Rhine Valley and an eclectic mix of exhibitions, military and historic, for the boys to view. The underground movie cave was a particular favourite for those who could find it!

The final activity of the day was the extremely competitive Treasure Hunt in Boppard organised by MSG’s Meg. Based around the main square of the beautiful old town the boys were put in teams and scouted out the streets and shops. With both questions and directions written in German, the boys worked well in their teams pooling their knowledge and language skills to complete the challenge. Although one team acquired help from some local children, the teachers let that slip on the premise that at least they were practising their German communication skills! After a spot of Apfel Strudel and hot chocolate it was back to the hostel for dinner and quiz night.

A chilly Saturday morning did not dampen the boys’ spirits for the most awaited excursion of the trip – Phantasialand! After a few hours on the high street and at the Markt der Engel it was time to head off to the theme park. With 36 rides, 7 rollercoasters and 8 different themed lands the boys had an incredible time. One student decided he was going to move to Cologne when he was older and visit Phantasialand every single weekend. Another repeatedly stated he wanted do this exact same trip again next year because Phantasialand was the best place ever. His opinion could have been influenced however, by the once in a lifetime hilarity of witnessing Mr Grove scream at an incredibly high pitch in the Mystery Castle, after being scared witless by man hidden behind the door. After watching the fireworks and fairy light spectacular of the Wintertraum it was back to the hostel to pack up.

With heavy hearts and even heavier suitcases Sheriff left Cologne behind on Sunday the 27th. Making the 14:00 ferry by the skin of their teeth (boarding at 13:58) the winners of the week’s competitions were announced and prizes awarded. Although the teachers never did find the Bee Movie (which the boys repeatedly requested), in-transit viewing of Frozen appeased the group and this carried them through to arrival back at Lawrence Sheriff at 7pm.

A fantastic trip, full of exciting excursions and educational activities, with a great bunch of students providing entertainment every step of the way. We hope Lawrence Sheriff choose MSG Tours to deliver the unexpected again on their next languages trip.

Wales vs Japan Hospitality Day

Mon, 21 Nov 2016 13:43:16 GMT

Wales v Japan Hospitality Day

Radisson Blu Hotel, Cardiff — Saturday 19th November 2016

It was our pleasure to welcome our club, school, military and Lions Tour clients to the Radisson Blu Hotel in Cardiff for our Wales v Japan Hospitality Day at the weekend.

100 guests joined us for the day, featuring tour presentations by MSG staff and guest speakers from the world of rugby, MC’d by Paul Fielding of Legends Hospitality. British Lion, England Rugby and MSG Ambassador Tim Stimpson took us through his playing journey followed by another full back – Lee Byrne – of Wales and Lions stock. Ex-Bath, Gloucester, Melbourne Rebels, NEC Harlequins and Ospreys No.8 Gareth Delve completed the triumvirate, documenting his worldwide career with particular focus on his two year spell in Japan.

Our aim was to have a little light-hearted fun and get to know our clients that little bit better. Many new friendships were made around the room with promises of catch ups the next time we’re frequenting Cardiff on match day.

After a sumptuous selection of curries our event staff led all of our guests to the Principality Stadium for the thrilling 33-30 Wales victory. We certainly felt a little sorrow for our Japanese colleagues who had travelled to Cardiff as part of our Hospitality Day. They deserved at least a draw for their fine attacking play and flair!

The day couldn’t have been possible without our colleagues at the Radisson Blu Hotel , BAA Brewery and Japan National Tourism Organisation in London. The room looked superb with credit rightly apportioned to Katie and Meg @msgtours for their creativity and attention to detail.

“Thank you MSG for setting up such a great day that was absolutely action packed and full of important information and entertainment” J. Ferriman, Lions Tourist.

Thanks once again for our clients’ support and friendship and we look forward to Delivering the Unexpected on your personal travel journeys with @msgtours.

Rydal Penrhos School Netball tour to Greece

Mon, 14 Nov 2016 09:33:10 GMT

On Wednesday 19th October, 16 girls from Rydal Penrhos School left north Wales behind and embarked on a 5-day netball tour to Greece. Accompanied by Mrs Head, Welsh International Netballer, Suzy Drane and MSG Tours Representative, Katie Peggs the group arrived in Athens to blue skies and a warm welcome from our hosts, SportCamp . After settling in (and hunting out the all-important Wi-Fi code) the girls got stuck into netball training followed by a dip in the pool, hot chocolate from the bar and a well-deserved early night.

On the first full day of tour the group enjoyed a morning of relaxation and exploration of the SportCamp site before heading to Loutraki beach where they enjoyed the coast and delicious food, including a warm Nutella filled waffle (a must have!) The overcast weather didn’t dampen spirits as the team returned to SportCamp to prepare for their first fixture of the tour.

Netball in Greece is grassroots level but that doesn’t mean the girls who play are lacking in ability. Many girls who play netball in Greece are highly skilled in volleyball and handball, both of which have qualities that can be applied to the netball court. It may take a bit of coaching (in this case Suzy happily helped the opposition with coaching advice throughout the match) and patience from the girls but by the end of the first half of the match you will start to see strong competitors emerging. However, when playing Rydal Penrhos there was no defeating the strong units and both the A and B team won their fixtures.

Friday delivered the best weather of the week and it couldn’t have been better timed as this was the group’s day to enjoy some of the culture that Athens offers, starting with the Acropolis. Sitting at 150m above sea level (with around 150 steps leading to it) the Acropolis offered beautiful scenery and is steeped in Greek history, the group had a fantastic morning here before moving on to the Panathenaic Stadium. Situated just 10 minutes from the Acropolis this is the only stadium in the world to be built from marble and everyone learnt something whilst on their visit (even the teachers!) This was a great stop for a sports tour as it is home to every Olympic torch since the first modern Olympics. With a free guided tour it provided cultural enrichment and a chance for the girls to soak up some of the local history.

After a jam-packed day of sightseeing, followed by a stop at the Athens Mall (so that the girls could do what all girls do best… SHOP) it was time to head back for some food at SportCamp. After dinner consisting of pasta carbonara, Greek spanakopita, salad and fruit the tour group celebrated a birthday with an unexpected delivery of chocolate mousse cake, ordered from a local Greek bakery. Everyone agreed it was a lovely end to the day!

Saturday in SportCamp brought what can only be described as a very rare downpour. The heavens may have opened but it didn’t stop the fun. Suzy led a video analysis of the previous match and the girls set goals for their next fixture. As the opposition arrived the rain eased off the Rydal Penrhos team psyched themselves up for their next fixture. As the game began you could see the training was paying off. They were patient with the ball and unforced errors dropped substantially. At the end of 120 minutes both Rydal Penrhos A and B came away with wins, meaning their success rate in Greece is 100%, something they could be proud of. What was lovely to see was that there were some familiar faces in the opposing team and many girls who had played the first fixture came back to challenge the reigning champions. The atmosphere was one of excitement and the touring team helped coach their opposition as they played thus by the end of the match friends were made and everyone had smiles on their faces.

As the tour came to an end the group, along with Mrs Head, Suzy and Katie enjoyed their final meal at SportCamp. Everyone was in high spirits after a fantastic week and a few took to a game of table tennis, determined to lengthen the fun on tour. We at MSG Tours are extremely happy that everyone had such a fantastic time and look forward to sending many more groups to enjoy SportCamp, our favourite destination for school netball tours.

Welsh Netball captain, Suzy commented after the trip that “I feel very fortunate to have been given the opportunity to be part of such a fantastic tour. The organisation of the tour was superb throughout the duration of the trip and the team in charge couldn’t have been more helpful. The tour was made even more enjoyable with the company of a friendly and personable representative who was more than willing to help wherever she could. I look forward to the next one.”

PE Teacher, Mrs Head spoke to Katie after the trip “ Thankyou for a fantastic trip to Greece. It was a most enjoyable trip for the girls, from arriving at the airport to bidding their very own Katie Peggs farewell on our return. Having been on several tours in the past, this was by far the least stressful trip I’ve experienced thanks to Katie being on hand throughout the trip.

The facilities in the sports camp were just what we needed to encourage team bonding. Loutraki Sports Camp went over and above to help us (even going as far as washing and drying our clothes when we were caught in a downpour.)

The trip really opened up the girl’s minds to what a sports tour is about and how it is more than just playing netball. Our day in Athens was amazing especially seeing where the Olympics as created. I am looking forward to planning our next tour in the very near future. The girls and I had a fantastic time. I was really worried about going away for many different reasons but it truly was an amazing tour.”

Contact katie@msgtours.com for information on taking your school on a netball tour to Greece.

School ski trips to Italy – San Martino di Castrozza

Tue, 01 Nov 2016 14:53:03 GMT

Part of the famous Dolomiti Ski area, the village of San Martino di Castrozza is situated in the Trentino region. This is a fabulous ski area with a long season running from December through April.

Nearby Passo Rollo is included on your pass and both resorts provide a very healthy 60km of piste. This resort really does provide something for all abilities and boarders are also very well catered for.

The lift infrastructure is excellent and includes 2 high-speed gondolas providing very quick access to the slopes.

Sometimes described as a little "Cortina", the village itself provides a very pretty setting for a school ski trip.

Our chosen hotels are situated in the village and provides easy access to the lifts. One of the trip highlights is the night skiing, which again is very easily accessed from the village.

Hotel Exelcesior Cimone

This brilliant 3* hotel is set in a central position meaning you will be close to all the leisure activities of San Martino di Castrozza. Just 150 metres from the lifts, it offers triple and quadruple en-suite rooms which make it perfect for a visiting school group. This hotel has been completely renovated and furnished to a high standard, with most rooms offering a mountain view.

Resort facts

Km of piste – 60
Resort height – 1450m
Highest lift – 2357m
Beginner (blue) (%) – 27
Intermediate (red) (%) – 53
Expert (black) (%) – 20
Lifts – 23
Snow cannons (%) – 95
Airports – Venice (3hr)
Bus from Calais – 15

Top 5 Après

Bowling
Disco
Ice skating
Pizza night
Night skiing

School ski trips to Italy – Sella Nevea

Sat, 01 Oct 2016 14:01:22 GMT

Sella Nevea, the perfect resort for beginners. Sitting in northern Italy with the lift system extending over the top of the mountain into Slovenia enables everyone to ski in two countries during your ski trip.

The local topography ensures a ridiculously long season, extending from the end of November until the end of April.

The lift pass also covers the neighbouring resort of Tarvisio, so day trips are often incorporated at no extra cost. We take the same instructors to ensure continuity.

The resort is compact meaning everything is on the doorstep of the hotel. Ski fit, lifts, ski school, apres, all a couple of minutes' walk.

Accommodation – Sport Hotel Forte

This is a brilliant hotel just steps away from the lifts within Sella Nevea and is ideal for group bookings. The close proximity to the slopes means everyone takes lunch there as well as other meals. This gives the children a good midday break and plenty of time to refuel before the afternoon lesson.

With its own a swimming pool, along with hosting its own disco you will be right at the heart of the fun.

All rooms at the Sport Hotel Forte are en-suite and furnished to a high standard.

Resort facts

Km of piste – 15km
Resort height – 1140m
Highest lift – 1850m
Beginner (blue) (%) – 55
Intermediate (red) (%) – 36
Expert (black) (%) -9
Lifts – 8
Snow cannons (%) – 80
Airports – Venice (2.5hr)
Bus from Calais – 15

Top 5 Après

Pizza night
Ice skating
Disco
Tobogganing
Dog sledding

Monthly Coffee Blog – Dr Mojo's Feelgood

Mon, 26 Sep 2016 16:05:45 GMT

As summer comes to an end and the autumn nights start to draw in, our go-to coffee brand this September has been New Zealand’s very own Mojo Coffee in a last-ditch attempt to identify with warmer climes at this time of year and fend off the chill a little longer.

A brand that started out as a boutique café in Wellington, Mojo Coffee is now one of New Zealand’s most popular independent coffee roasters, operating 35 cafes between Auckland, Wellington, Japan and China.

Despite their international success, Mojo Coffee have stuck to their values and remained “a very small team of incredibly hands-on, passionate people,” characteristics which the MSG team know are key ingredients in any business.

Bought personally by Mark on his recent inspection trip to New Zealand in preparation for the upcoming Lions Tour , Dr Mojo’s Feelgood blend was up next to be tested. Described as ‘round, smooth and defined’, the Feelgood whole bean blend retails at $12.50 (approx. £7.20) per 250g bag.

With a deliciously strong aroma of roasted nuts and sharp lemony tones it was certainly a treat for the senses when being brewing in the office. Even Reg the dog licked his lips at the scent of it!

Glenn, who’s coffee knowledge rivals that of Mark the self-proclaimed Barista, loved the grapefruit flavours of this blend, most notably when taken black as is Glenn’s preference.

Katie picked up on the chocolate and almond flavours of the coffee, perhaps noticing different tones to Glenn because she took the coffee with milk.

Tom found the Feelgood blend quite tangy yet pleasant enjoying the sour notes coming through from the grapefruit.

Meg enjoyed Dr Mojo’s Feelgood blend. She found the citrus tones refreshing yet not overpowering and loved the butterscotch biscuit finish.

MSG Verdict: Delightful aroma and subtly different flavours to normal everyday coffee. Perfect if you fancy a change from the strong nutty flavour of most coffees. Great as a everyday office coffee as it was enjoyed by black coffee and milky coffee drinkers alike.

For more information visit- https://shop.mojocoffee.co.nz/

Buy HERE

West Ham United Ladies Foundation U16 FC partner with MSG Tours

Mon, 19 Sep 2016 10:24:55 GMT

MSG Tours announce an exciting partnership with West Ham United Ladies Foundation U16 FC for their 2017 football development tour to Greece .

Over five days the coaching staff will prepare the players for two matches against high-level opposition, training daily in Loutraki’s Sportcamp . Accommodated also at this complex, players will have at their disposal on-site 4G pitches, swimming pools and prehab/rehab facilities.

West Ham United Ladies Foundation’s coaches will share best practice with Greek giants FC Olympiacos, whose staff will be making guest coaching appearances for the U16’s during the week. Visits to iconic Greek sporting facilities also form part of the itinerary, including the Panathenaic Stadium, 2004 Olympic heritage sites and the world-famous Acropolis.

Head Coach Jason Stephens is excited about the opportunity. “We didn’t want a standard football tour, we needed one that consisted of quality training facilities, opposition that would challenge us and an experience that included coaching sessions from top professional teams. We did our research and the only company that could match our requirements was MSG. Our season has not started but already the tour has provided a focal point.”

MSG director, Glenn Martin, consulted with West Ham United Ladies Foundation’s coaches during the tender process. “We’re delighted to be given the opportunity to work with such a prestigious football club with its rich traditions and community emphasis. As a business we listen to what’s important to our travelling clients before making any recommendations on destinations. Both Jason and Stephen (Kelly) were clear on their intent for footballing excellence being paramount to their match day experience. The ability to prepare as professionals – with all facilities to hand on-site – in a warm weather climate gave Greece’s Sportcamp complex a unique advantage over other destinations and training centres. Incorporating FC Olympiacos’s coaching into a programme featuring competitive opposition offers a desirable and aspirational itinerary for the players.”

Further details will follow on our social media pages as we prepare the squad for their football tour to Greece .

School ski trips to Tarvisio: Why?

Wed, 07 Sep 2016 10:30:19 GMT

At MSG TOURS travel is a lifestyle and our chosen profession. Work, for us, is an extension of our passion for enhancing our customers’ travel experiences, which we call delivering the unexpected. How does this translate to our school ski trips? Actually, it’s surprisingly easily! When we were setting up our school travel company we asked ourselves WHY do we want to do this and three answers stood out:

-> To deliver fantastic travel experiences for children

->To open children’s eyes to the world

->To have the ability to influence/shape/control what great looks like

We have visited a stack of ski resorts over the years, some good, some bad and we are now in the lovely position of being able to use the good resorts. The ones that really stand out from the crowd.

Each month, I will be broadcasting about the resorts we have diligently selected, starting with one of my personal Italian favourites Tarvisio, and explaining why we believe they stand out for school ski trips.

Briefly, Tarvisio offers great skiing and ski schools, tremendous hotels (most of which are next to the slopes) and some really interesting après activities, including a trip over the border into Austria to swim in thermal pools. If ever a resort answered our WHY question, it’s Tarvisio.

The absolute best way to get the lowdown on this Italian resort is to have a chat with me. I have accompanied groups there for the last 4 years and if you really need a recommendation, I choose to holiday there with my family annually.

You’ll find me on all communication platforms during the working day, evenings and on weekends if that suits you better. I spend as much time chatting with our clients on social media and Skype than via phone or email.

I hope we sound like the sort of company you want as a partner to help organise your next school ski trip. There is always room for one more good business in the World.

Glenn @ MSG Tours

Monthly Coffee Blog: Barbells & Beans

Thu, 25 Aug 2016 10:46:31 GMT

Barbells & Beans was next on the agenda to undergo the taste test here at MSG’s Monthly Coffee Blog. Roasted in Newcastle, Barbells & Beans’ mission is to introduce the world of high-quality, speciality coffee to all sectors of the population including sportsmen and women. The fact that all of the MSG team fall into both of the above categories and work within a business where sports teams are our target customers means we can strongly identify with this brand’s values.

The name of the coffee brand itself proves its passion for sport, combining the long metal bar used for weightlifting with the crucial starting ingredient of coffee- the beans. Considering that all members of the MSG Tours team have played or still play rugby and Dan Frazier, the owner of Barbell & Beans is himself an ex-rugby player, it seems as if this is the perfect coffee brand for us.

Barbells & Beans keep things simple and make just one blend of coffee- ‘Power Blend’ which retails at £7 for a 250g bag. We bought whole beans and used our own grinder to make the fine granules required for the French press which gave off a delicious chocolatey aroma on grinding. With Tom away on holiday this week, “Power Blend” faced the tough critics Glenn, Katie and Mark.

Glenn thought that the power blend gave off a strong but lovely aroma. On drinking, he was pleasantly surprised by the lightness of the flavours concluding that it is good all day blend as the flavours weren’t too overpowering making it very drinkable whatever the time.

Katie, who prefers weaker coffees, had different opinions. Unlike Glenn (the caffeine connoisseur), Katie thought this blend was best in the style of a cappuccino (milky and frothy) as that brought out the chocolatey notes that, given her sweet tooth, she really enjoyed.

Mark, who takes his coffee black, believed his way was the best way to taste the fruity flavour of the beans especially the raisins. He used the espresso machine instead of the cafetiere to create an espresso. In this style he was, like Glenn, impressed by the light flavours and said it was refreshing to taste an espresso that provided flavours to be enjoyed, not just a strong kick of caffeine.

MSG Verdict: A great all-day blend. Refreshing flavours especially the unusual raisin notes that came through. For fullest flavour try this coffee black or as an espresso, it had a delightful aroma and made the office smell great whenever the coffee was brewing.

Join us next month when our Monthly Coffee Blog takes strides towards one of the heartlands of the bean, Ethiopia.

Monthly Coffee Blog – Barbells & Beans 'Power Blend'

Wed, 24 Aug 2016 15:47:39 GMT

Barbells & Beans was next on the agenda to undergo the taste test here at MSG. Roasted in Newcastle, Barbells & Beans mission is to introduce the world of high quality, speciality coffee to all sectors of the population including sports men and women. The fact that all of the MSG team fall into both of the above categories and work within a business where sports teams are our target customers means we can strongly identify with this brand's values.

The name of the coffee brand itself proves its passion for sport, combining the long metal bar used for weightlifting with the crucial starting ingredient of coffee- the beans. Considering that all 4 members of the MSG Tours team have played or still play rugby and Dan Frazier, the owner of Barbell & Beans is himself an ex-rugby player, it seems as if this is the perfect coffee brand for us.

Barbells & Beans keep things simple and make just one blend of coffee- 'Power Blend' which retails at £7 for a 250g bag. We bought whole beans and used our own grinder to make the fine granules required for the French press which gave off a delicious chocolatey aroma on grinding. With Tom away on holiday this week, "Power Blend" faced the tough critics Glenn, Katie and Mark.

Glenn thought that the power blend gave off a strong but lovely aroma. On drinking, he was pleasantly surprised by the lightness of the flavours concluding that it is good all day blend as the flavours weren't too overpowering making it very drinkable whatever the time.

Katie, who prefers weaker coffees, had different opinions. Unlike Glenn the caffeine addict, Katie thought this blend was best in the style of a cappuccino (milky and frothy) as that brought out the chocolatey notes that, given her sweet tooth, she really enjoyed.

School ski trips to Austria – Nassfeld

Mon, 18 Jul 2016 12:50:31 GMT

Nassfeld is one of Austria ’s TOP 10 resorts and is famed for its stunning panorama and 110km of pistes. Enjoy the view across the Carnic Alps, Dolomites and Julian Alps as you traverse the variety of runs connected by 30 lifts and cable cars.

Its positioning allows you to enjoy a late-morning coffee in Italy ahead of an afternoon on the snow-sure slopes of Nassfeld in the afternoon, offering a great dimension on your school ski trip to Austria. Free resort WIFI is another luring factor for decision makers.

Recognised as a leading family resort, Nassfeld is designed with children in mind with three exclusive practice areas and 99 of its 110km categorised as easy or intermediate. Look no further for a fully entertaining ski trip fusing Austrian warmth and Italian tranquillity.

Top 5 Après

Thermal pools
Ice skating
Pizza night
Disco
Bowling

Accommodation

Alpen Marcius Hotel

Beautiful hotel set 1400m above sea level and located just 100m from the first ski lift. This Austrian-style hotel’s en-suite rooms are of a high standard and offer beautiful views of the resort.

Resort Facts

110km of piste
Resort height (m) – 610
Highest lift (m) – 2020
Beginner (blue) % – 35
Intermediate (red) % – 60
Expert (black) % – 5
Lifts – 30
Snow cannons (%) – 90
Airport – Venice (2.5 hours)
Coaches – Calais (15 hours)

If you would like to learn more about Nassfeld or any of our ski destinations, then get in touch .

School ski trips to Italy – Andalo

Thu, 14 Jul 2016 14:16:08 GMT

Why pick Andalo for your school ski trip?

Located within the Trentino region of the Italian Dolomites, Andalo is recognised for its 50 km of wide, safe and faultless pistes that deliver a gripping experience for skiing and snowboarding enthusiasts.

Reaching elevations of up to 2125 metres (Cima Paganella), 23 pistes cover all ability levels (including the famed Olimpionica black run) as part of an infrastructure supported by over 14 lifts.

The resort of Andalo sits just 200m from the lifts and offers traditional Italian culture in an authentic village setting. Boasting ice rinks, spas, indoor swimming pools and many cafes and restaurants, this Italian resort is very well-suited for UK school groups looking or the perfect mix of varied skiing, excellent tuition and après.

Top 5 Après

Swimming
Night skiing
Disco
Ice skating
Pizza night

Accomodation

Hotel Angelo

Excellent family owned hotel popular for its restaurant.

Well situated in the centre of the village, this hotel is just 200m from the lifts and with the right size group you can enjoy sole occupancy.

The hotel has been recently refurbished and the ensuite rooms are all of a high standard.

Resort Facts

60km of piste
Highest lift (m) – 2125
Beginner (blue) % – 35
Intermediate (red) % – 60
Expert (black) % – 5
Lifts – 19
Snow cannons (%) – 90
Airport – Milan (3 hours)
Coaches – Calais (14 hours)

If you would like to learn more about Andalo or any of our other ski destinations please give us a call on 03333 110335, email unexpected@msgtours.com or use the contact form .

REME Rugby on tour in Australia and Malaysia

Thu, 07 Jul 2016 14:03:36 GMT

On Sunday 10th July the British Army’s Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (REME) rugby team departed from Heathrow and set off on their 12-day rugby tour of Australia and Malaysia to play four games against both military and civilian teams.

On the first day of tour, after visits to the Melbourne Cricket Ground and the Rod Laver Arena, the team pulled over for a quick change of kit in the Pit Lane of the Australian Grand Prix in Albert Park before their first match against Power House RFC. It was a tough 80 minutes of rugby with the REME team walking away with a 31-10 win against the local Melbourne side.

After some sightseeing and free time to enjoy lunch by the St Kilda beach, REME Rugby set off for Canberra where they visited the Australian War Memorial and spotted a few kangaroos whilst there. Following this, preparations began for the second fixture of the tour against the ACT Vets, the result of which was a brilliant 55-5 victory to the tourists.

On the final stop on the Australian leg of the tour the REME team landed in Sydney – the oldest and largest city in Australia – where they spent the evening exploring all that Sydney has to offer. The following day the team travelled to the Blue Mountains and visited Scenic World which gave them the chance to visit the rainforest on three separate attractions. Following this REME Rugby played their third fixture, this time against the Blue Mountains RFC. At the end of a great 80 minutes of rugby the boys remained undefeated after an impressive 60-14 win. Following the match, when asked about how the tour was going, Stephen Blanks, group leader, said it was a “great result and a first class performance. We have some real quality beginning to show at the younger end of the team.”

With a few free days in Sydney to enjoy, the team took the opportunity to visit the Sydney Opera House and Darwin Harbour before attending the Sydney Roosters vs Cronulla Sharks match in round 19 of the National Rugby League. It proved to be a great choice as the final score finished Roosters 20 – 32 Sharks.

REME Rugby hopped on a plane from Sydney to Malaysia where they were to play their final match. It looked as though the weather was going to be against them when just before the match the heavens opened and it was thought the game may not happen, but luckily, the rain subsided and the game went ahead, albeit a shorter match that usual. The REME Rugby team beat Cobra RFC 27-0 in what proved to be a brilliant final match of the tour. Before heading home, whilst in the capital of Malaysia (Kuala Lumpur) the team visited Kuala Lumpur Civil Cemetery, resting place of 156 Commonwealth servicemen from the 1939 to 1945 war to pay their respects.

We would like to thank all hosting teams for their hospitality and if reading about the REME Rugby tour has inspired you to organise one of your own then get in touch to discuss your rugby tour needs.

Monthly Coffee Blog – Stewart's of Trent Bridge

Fri, 01 Jul 2016 11:53:53 GMT

The first coffee to undergo MSG scrutiny is Stewart’s of Trent Bridge’s ‘Escape’. Stewart’s is a small Artisan coffee roaster in Nottingham, created by Stewart Falconer in 1984 to run alongside his restaurant business. On Stewart’s retirement in 2013 it was taken over by a team of four coffee lovers aiming to show the public how easy it is to make great coffee and stop reaching for that jar of Kenco granules. They batch roast coffee beans to order, so that all their coffees are flavoursome and produce a great aroma.

We tried their ‘escape’ blend which Stewart’s describe as fruity, nutty and chocolatey. We bought the ground blend specifically for use in a cafetiere which retails at £6.95.

On first opening of the bag we were hit by a delightfully strong, chocolatey aroma with hints of nuttiness. It smelt extremely flavoursome and Tom thought he could detect some very subtle earthy undertones. Katie took the coffee with milk and that, in her opinion, brought out fruity notes in the aroma.

The coffee’s flavour was refreshing and light, great as an all-day blend for those who need a little pick me up. It was not too heavy-bodied or overbearing.

Although Glenn prefers his coffee strong he said that he appreciated the depth of flavour of this blend. Mark believes that taking it black allowed the variety of delicate flavours to come through, along with a chocolate complexity. The ‘escape blend’ had a clean finish and aftertaste with no lasting bitterness.

MSG Verdict: Great for daily drinking, refreshing and light. Perfect for those who are not hardened caffeine addicts and prefer subtle flavours and little bitterness.

Next month the team will test out one of Northern Tea and Coffee Merchants blends, who are based in Chesterfield. Keep checking the website and our twitter pages to see when the next instalment will be posted.

For more information visit – https://stewartscoffees.co.uk/

Buy HERE

Netball Tours to Malawi: Play, Inspire, Volunteer

Wed, 29 Jun 2016 11:45:48 GMT

At MSG Tours we want to inspire children and deliver fantastic travel experiences which open their eyes and their minds to the world. Volunteering abroad as part of a netball tour to Malawi is a fantastic opportunity to help to make a difference in the futures of children from a variety of backgrounds and come up against opposition of a high standard. It can prove to be an unforgettable, life changing experience for all who get involved.

When in Malawi students make a real difference to the organisations and communities they visit. Doing a good deed for someone on a daily basis is great but when volunteering students get the opportunity to change lives for the better. Volunteering within the community as part of your tour could easily become the biggest and most amazing deed a student will ever perform. For many students, helping out in a community gives them a whole new perspective. It enables them to see just how different their standard of living is from those of the same age living in a different part of the world. Students will come away truly humbled by what they have seen and what they have experienced and it can help to shape who they are as a person later in life. Furthermore, it allows students to see the world and take part in activities they may have never imagined possible. For example our netball tours to Malawi include a 4×4 game drive through the national parks, giving students the opportunity to see a variety of wildlife which they may have only seen featured on television or through photographs on a phone screen.

Although challenging, volunteering is an experience that your students will never forget and the benefits are endless. Over 100 schools in Scotland are currently involved in partnerships with Malawi, one of the world’s least developed countries, which relies heavily on outside aid to meet developmental needs and to raise the standard of living within the country.

On a netball tour to Malawi your students could get involved in coaching, teaching, community building projects and youth awareness alongside playing a high standard of netball against local teams and experiencing natural beauty at its best. The standard of Malawi’s netball has greatly improved over the last few years with the Malawi Queens Netball Team now being ranked 6th in the world above countries with substantially larger funding, making the Queens the most successful sporting team that the nation has ever produced. They are a huge source of inspiration for poor communities and are role models for young girls who often drop out of school and are encouraged to marry young. Why not take a look and see for yourself why so many schools are giving back to the communities in Malawi and are taking netball teams to help coach and inspire girls across the country to play the game.

How do we take our coffee you ask? Seriously…very seriously.

Fri, 24 Jun 2016 10:04:49 GMT

Coffee is a commonly consumed beverage in the workplace and has certainly become an integral part of the MSG Tours work culture. It gives us that extra push to increase our productivity and spark our creativity.

Here at MSG we offer exciting and unexpected elements to typical tour itineraries. Just as we aim to wow our customers with our fresh new ideas, we like experiencing new ingredients and flavours and expanding our horizons beyond the brands of the supermarket shelf.

We dare to be different. We try coffee beans from around the world, from booming businesses in New Zealand to tiny plantations in Kenya. When we go on inspection tours we don't bring back duty-free chocolate for our colleagues, we bring back coffee.

With this in mind, the MSG team have decided to sample a new coffee brand each month and report our reviews on our website to 'espresso' our like/dislike for the drink in question.

First of all, however, the fussy preferences of our team need to be disclosed to show how our tastes differ and how this could reflect our reviews.

Glenn: black, strong, no sugar.
Favourite brand: Alcata's Italian Blend

Mark: black and full bodied, no sugar.
Favourite brand: Dr Mojo's Feel Good, Wellington (NZ)

Katie: milky with Monin chocolate cookie syrup.
Favourite brand: Go Brazil's Santana

Tom: white, medium bean.
Favourite brand: Java Santos

Watch this space for our first 'Coffee of the Month' review being published next week – let's find out how the different brands will help us to deliver the unexpected. For further updates and to find out more about our brand , our team and our company values follow us on instagram .

Chepstow School compete in Dublin

Mon, 13 Jun 2016 10:20:41 GMT

Back in April Chepstow School U14 football team became the first ever team from South East Wales to become Welsh FA champions, after defeating Sir John Bright School 2-1 in the final, but their footballing journey did not end here. The 16-man squad now had the challenge of representing Wales in the Great Britain and Ireland Championships and not only that but they had to find the funding to get them to Dublin.

This is where we came in. Mark Gardner , alumni of Chepstow School and ex-football captain himself, saw this opportunity to use MSG Tours’ knowledge and expertise in the travel industry to get the team to Dublin as quickly and cheaply as possible. Mark said “As ex-captain of the school football team I am very keen to help the boys to get to Dublin and wish them all the best in the competition.” The good news is, with help from MSG Tours and fundraising done by the school staff and pupils the players made it to the tournament.

The team were one of six teams playing in the SAFIB Allen McKinstry Cup which was held over 3 days and on the first day faced tough opposition in Douglas Community School from Cork (who eventually took 2nd place in the competition.) After a hard fought match which ended 0-0 Chepstow lost out in the penalty shootout 3-2.

On the second day they faced even harder competition in Belfast Boys’ Model School (who finished 4th) and even though they had a great game they lost 5-2. However, through the whole match the boys kept their heads held high and enjoyed every minute of the game.

Sunday was a new day and the team were in the 5th and 6th place positional play-off match against Samuel Whitbread Academy from Bedfordshire. A nail biting match ended 0-0 at full time and the team were down to penalties. We are delighted to say that Chepstow overcame the England opposition 5-4 on sudden death penalties and took 5th place in the SAFIB Allen McKinstry Cup, a feat they can be proud of. The boys’ success far has been made ever more poignant as they have been playing in memory of Harrison Marshall, who tragically passed away aged 11 in 2013.

Jamie Goddard, coach of the Chepstow football team contacted us following the event to say “a massive thank you for all the help and support given with the football finals. We wouldn’t have done this without you.” MSG Tours were thrilled to be able to help the young team get to Dublin to play in the finals and we wish them all the best for their future matches.

School ski trips to Vallnord, Andorra

Wed, 08 Jun 2016 10:18:17 GMT

With much investment into the country's ski resorts in the past few years, it is no surprise that Andorra is becoming a hot spot for school ski trips. The Vallnord Resort in particular is becoming ever more popular with its wide variety of après ski activities, English speaking ski schools and its fun atmosphere. I had a chat to MSG Tours Director Glenn Martin to get his take on the Vallnord Resort, Andorra and why he thinks it is becoming so popular with school groups.

KP: Why do you think school ski trips to Andorra have become so popular in the past few years?

GM: I think one main reasons is its value for money. In the past few years they have invested considerably in infrastructure and so it has lost its tag of cheap and cheerful and it is becoming quite upmarket. The Vallnord resort is made up of 3 sectors and so essentially you are getting 3 for the price of 1. Along with this the skiing is amazing and covers beginners, intermediates and advanced across 67 different ski runs, meaning there really is something for everyone in the group. You can also choose when you visit Vallnord as it is great in the February half term and you can also be snow sure for Easter.

What is your favourite aspect of the Vallnord resort?

I can't just choose one, as a whole it is an ideal destination for school ski trips! We have a brilliant selection of hotels, one in particular that works really well for larger groups, especially as it is just 10 minutes from the lifts. The ski schools are excellent as they have 250 instructors split across the 3 sectors and the instructors will adapt to your timetable.

Why is the Après so good at the Vallnord Resort?

There is such a good variety of après at Vallnord offering something for all ages and the whole resort has an exciting, fun atmosphere. I think the best thing is the tax free shopping which all the children (and the teachers) enjoy, not to mention the ice rink and bowling facilities too.

What are the travel options to Vallnord?

There are various ways to travel to Vallnord. If you decide to take a flight as part of the journey then you can do a city break in Barcelona! The resort is a 3.5-hour drive from Barcelona and so you can go from skiing in the morning to being on the beach or exploring the city of Barcelona in the afternoon. It is the best of both worlds. On the other hand, you can enjoy a coach journey from your school, across to Calais and then travel through France to Andorra.

What do you think of the facilities at Vallnord?

The facilities are fantastic. You can walk out of the hotel and you are in the town, which is brilliant for the children, lots of coffee shops, gift shops and places for them to go and explore. It is very safe and I have always felt comfortable with the group exploring the area.

Describe Vallnord in 3 words.

Great school destination

Seeing is believing and so we invite you to travel with us to experience a wonderful ski trip in this small but exciting European country. Enquire with us here .

Katie Peggs joins MSG Tours

Tue, 07 Jun 2016 15:19:57 GMT

We’re proud to welcome Katie Peggs to our expanding team at MSG Tours. Joining us from a commercial role within women’s sport, prior roles revolved around increasing participation and awareness in various female team sports. At MSG Katie will be leading our marketing, PR and communications strategy and travelling with groups on our bespoke tours around the world.

“I’m really excited to join the team @msgtours, using my knowledge and experience gained in girls’ sport to enhance the opportunities available to participate in female team sports around the globe. Being able to travel and experience sporting cultures was a huge driver in me re-locating to work in a marketing, PR and social media capacity and I’m eager to work alongside industry professionals,” commented Katie.

Read more about the MSG Tours team here .

AGC Basketball on tour in Canada

Tue, 17 May 2016 19:59:29 GMT

In May the British Army’s Adjutant General’s Corps (AGC) embarked on a 10-day basketball tour to Canada.

With a passion for Canada derived from years of planning and accompanying tours, we accepted the challenge of scheduling a trip outside the box that provided variety on a daily basis. From French-speaking Montreal through to Parliamentary Ottawa, a swathe of Canada’s eastern region was explored that featured the highlights of the aforementioned cities as well as Niagara Falls and the cultural city of Toronto.

Departing from London Gatwick, both the Corps’ men’s and women’s teams headed across the Atlantic for a six-game tour. The matches provided the opportunity to play opposition from the Ottawa Police, Canadian Forces Trenton, Brock University, Niagara College and Niagara Police.

Daily training, coaching and R&R filled the down days along with sightseeing trips including the CN Tower, Lachine Rapids, Maid of the Mist / Jet Boating in Niagara as well as catching the Toronto Raptors vs the Cleveland Cavaliers in a live NBA play-off game, in which the Raptors edged a win to tie the play-offs at 2-2.

Tom Hill, Adjutant General’s Corps Basketball Secretary, got in touch following the tour to say a “huge thank you from the AGC Team. Everyone had a fantastic experience and it was a success for all who attended. MSG tours made it a memorable one and we would recommend them to any organisation wishing to run a bespoke sports tour.”

We would also like to congratulate the AGC basketball team for being voted Team of the Year by the AGC Corps Sports.

Here at MSG we love the opportunity to deliver the unexpected. If you are part of a military team and would like to hear more about our tours, then get in touch online or why not give us a call ?

Lawrence Sheriff book Languages Trip to Germany

Wed, 11 May 2016 15:07:00 GMT

Testing newly-developed language skills on the continent is an exciting way of putting theory into practice, as demonstrated by Lawrence Sheriff School who travel to Germany in November with MSG Tours on their annual Modern Foreign Languages trip.

The intoxicating views of The Rhine Valley and its towns’ fairy-tale scenery, castles and unique landmarks – combined with a city-break experience in Cologne – offer students a remarkable insight into German culture. Spread over 5 days, the group will explore iconic towns such as Koblenz, Boppard and Bonn and visit Marksburg Castle, Ehrenbreitstein Fortress and Koln Dom Cathedral.

What better way to absorb Cologne’s sights than by river cruise? Further visits to Christmas markets, Phantasialand and Michael Schumacher’s Karting Center on the outskirts of the city lay in wait with, of course, the obligatory visit to the city’s Chocolate Museum.

Enquire with us here for your next school study trip to Germany.

Glenn Martin joins Board at MSG Tours

Tue, 26 Apr 2016 18:00:21 GMT

We’re delighted to announce the acquisition of Glenn Martin who joins us shortly in a Director capacity from Rayburn Tours. Demonstrating an infectious enthusiasm for skiing and sports coupled with an unmatched joie de vivre , a lively office is guaranteed with many a group set to benefit from his resort knowledge when accompanying groups on their sports tour or ski trip.

With a much-sought after CV boasting lengthy experience in the schools travel industry, we’re both delighted and excited to welcome Glenn to MSG Tours – an educational travel brand built on a passion to deliver the unexpected and surpass expectations in customer service and overall experience.

“For me, the invitation to join the Board and work alongside such talented and like-minded individuals was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for my family and I. Travel is a lifestyle and our chosen profession. Work, for us, is an extension of our passion for enhancing our customers’ travel experiences. I cannot wait to get started and share MSG’s exciting new destinations such as Georgia and Japan with the UK schools market,” commented Glenn .

With a portfolio of exciting sports tours to destinations such as Tbilisi (Georgia), Japan, Valencia, Abu Dhabi, Sri Lanka, Lisbon, Greece and South America we invite you to contact MSG Tours to compare pricing and allow us to deliver the unexpected on YOUR next school sports tour or ski trip .

Lawrence Sheriff book school Cricket tour to Sri Lanka and Dubai

Tue, 12 Apr 2016 22:16:33 GMT

July 2017 is firmly on the minds of 34 students from Lawrence Sheriff School in Rugby as they prepare for a cricket tour of a lifetime to Dubai and Sri Lanka with MSG Tours.

Led by the experienced tourist and school cricket specialist, Mr Gregory, a total of 8 matches will be played at iconic venues in Colombo, Kandy, Dambulla, Galle and Hikkaduwa. Mixing T20 with one-day fixtures, the boys will spend 10 days in Sri Lanka ahead of a 3-day stopover in the UAE on the return leg, during which a number of sporting theatres will be visited in both Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

Several fundraising events are already planned to help make this tour achievable for all 34 players. MSG will be supporting the campaign by providing our Ambassador – ex-British & Irish Lion and England Rugby full-back, Tim Stimpson – for a fundraising dinner as well as entering a team into the forthcoming Golf Day in May.

Through their enrichment programme, all 34 students are carrying out a separate fundraising campaign to help collect and deliver to a Sri Lankan charity whilst on tour. The latter end of the cricket tour will see all participants visiting the Foundation of Goodness near Hikkaduwa for a day to work on projects including sports coaching, teaching and engagement with local children.

Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage is one of many excursions the boys will visit on their cricket tour.

30 hours in Tokyo on your School Ski Trip to Japan

Fri, 25 Mar 2016 00:02:18 GMT

JAPAN: powder skiing and the world’s best one-night stopover

Travelling to Japan on a school ski trip is enough to make you sick of the sight of fresh, fluffy powder for at least 12 months. Ease your grief at the lack of sore hips and knees with an overnight sightseeing tour of Tokyo prior to your return flight.

Nothing will prepare you for the sheer size, sounds and fluorescents of Tokyo until you exit the Subway at Shibuya, wander through fashionable Ginza or shop till you drop in Shinjuka. The sheer scale first hits you as you zoom in on the Shinkansen (bullet train) from Nagano, believing you’re in town only for a local to remind you that the area you believe is Tokyo is merely the feeder city of Omiya.

Gaze in disbelief at the endless skyscrapers both left and right of your carriage as the bullet train eventually grinds to a halt at Tokyo Station. Arriving by bus will simply not do. Tokyo works via an uber efficient network of JR Train, Metro, Subway and Shinkansen, working cohesively and to the second to whisk the 13 million inhabitants and tourists across their respective destinations in quick fire fashion. How it works is by craft, honed through a diligent obedience to navigating in crowded spaces. Despite the locals operating on auto-pilot on this transit system, Japanese people will always have time to pause and help you out should you be looking at your map with furrowed brow. With station signs and announcements also in English you’ll find your feet in no time and if you do miss a train fear not: another will be along within a very short space of time to take you from A to B and everywhere else through to Z.

Visiting Tokyo is an absolute on your school ski trip to Japan and, if you’re organised and up for a high – intensity bout of remarkable sightseeing, you can squeeze an awful lot in to your time in the city.

Assuming you’re arriving in the city after lunch via Shinkansen we’ve put together a sightseeing schedule to experience the very best of Tokyo’s sights, sounds and shopping.

1400 : check in at your city hotel and drop bags in rooms. Don’t hang around as there’s too much to see!

1430 : meet in hotel lobby with your JR Pass. For expediency we recommend that large groups use their teacher/student ratios to sightsee in smaller numbers. Exit your hotel into Shinagawa Station and make your way to Track 2 for the green Yamanote Line that loops the city continually.

1500 : First up, Shinjuku, the area surrounding the largest terminal station in Tokyo and the busiest in the world with 3.5m users per day. Famed for its incredible shopping, you could spend hours browsing…but be disciplined as there’s time for that ahead. Instead, it’s over to the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Buildings; two observation decks offering views of Tokyo…for free!

1630 : OK, time to let loose on the shopping but on condition that you practice your rehearsed Japanese and enjoy dinner on the go from one of the hundreds of vendors and restaurants based in this area. A cultural delight awaits in the evening as we remain in Shinjuka for entertainment at the Robot Restaurant. The flamboyant shows featuring robots and dancers are held 4 times per day and extremely unique to Japan.

2100h . It’s been a long day so head back to your hotel on the Yamanote Line, pausing in Shinagawa to sample the hustle and bustle before bed.

0730 : breakfast in your hotel. Fill up your water bottles and pack a little chocolate as you’ll need energy for today’s adventures. Check out of rooms and drop your cases with the hotel receptionists who’ll provide a ticket receipt in exchange.

0830 : back to Shinagawa Station for northbound journey towards Tokyo Station, alighting at Daimon Station. Head downstairs to Ueno Line on the Subway and purchase a single ticket for Tsukijishijo – ¥170 (3 stops). Coins or notes accepted with change provided by machine. Exit station and turn left; entrance to Tsukiji Market is 20m ahead and manned by a very helpful gentleman who will provide an A4 map of the Market. This active market is the busiest in Asia and thus it’s lively with all forms of packing and stacking. Browse the markets for souvenirs and trinkets and be sure to try the incredible sushi served straight from the marketplace. Head across to the inside market and view the traders with fish and sea stocks plying their trade.

1030 : Walk downstairs to retrace steps to Daimon Station (¥170). Head up to platform and continue north to Ueno station. Alight and cross the road into Ueno Park where you’ll join the thousands of others enjoying the Cherry Blossoms, Tokyo Zoo, Metropolitan Museum and temples located within the Park. Look out for volunteer guides who are on hand to enhance your experience of the Park and assist with translation.

1230 : Lunch. By now you’ll have realised that cooking at home isn’t really the done thing in Tokyo. The thousands of restaurants, cafes and food stalls offer a full range of traditional and Western dishes and await your order. Don’t stop too long as there’s still plenty to see!

1330 : Mt Fuji! Sadly it’s located a little too far away to visit in person. However, on a clear day the mountain is visible from the Tokyo Skytree – the world’s highest free standing broadcast tower at 633m. It boasts its own station on the Ginza Line for convenience with two viewing platforms subject to your budget (and head for heights). We’ve allowed a few hours to enjoy the magnificent views and obligatory photos.

1530: Head back to the Yanamote Line for Shibuya, one of Tokyo’s three main hubs. The pace outside the station is furious and absorbing the huge crossing itself is an experience. This is your last full hour to soak up Tokyo’s incredible sights and sounds prior to your journey back to your hotel.

1700 : With a 10pm flight you’ll need to squeeze dinner in at some point. Choose between an end of trip feast at the hotel or something fresh and tasty from the Shinagawa restaurant scene.

1830 : That’s it, folks! Admittedly a tiny percentage of this magnificent city yet enough to startle and surprise the senses. You’ll have to come back the next year to see another round of highlights.

School ski trips to Japan

Enquire with us

Trailblazing in fresh, Georgian powder

Tue, 22 Mar 2016 23:57:10 GMT

We have a culture that we call delivering the unexpected.

In a good way, of course. After all, we wouldn’t be very good at our jobs if we sent you off somewhere that hadn’t been personally inspected and prepared by our own directors.

You can ski in more countries than you believe. Reel off your top ten and, subject to being an EU resident, you’ll certainly include the lands dotted around the French Alps as a starting point. France, Italy, Austria and Switzerland are a given and held – quite rightly – in very high regard.

I fit in to the conversations extolling the virtues of western European resorts and share many a great memory with friends in winter retreats such as Risoul, Chamonix, Courmayeur and Les Arcs. However, the redolent memories derive from strapping into my trusted Salomon board in Norway, Chile, New Zealand, Canada, Poland, Slovakia and Lapland – the latter of which I spent a very chilly winter lodged 180km inside the Arctic Circle at Levi Resort in Finland.

Now I head to resorts for reasons other than memory gathering as we populate the portfolio for MSG Ski. Japan (more on that later) and Georgia made the shortlist and, with a blank canvas to paint, it was time to start preparing the new kids on the block.

Georgia (not the American one)

Having trodden the mountainous paths of the Caucasus Mountains in prior years whilst ascending Mount Elbrus I’ve always had a yearning to re-visit this incredible range. Within two hours of landing at Tbilisi Airport I was greeted by the happiest of sunrises in the resort of Gudauri, jaw-droppingly beautiful and extremely enticing.

Located above the tree lines and boasting 50km of skiing, it was of immediate surprise that the resort was so quiet during ‘peak’ February time. The panoramic was breathtaking and that was before I clocked the lift pass price for the day (equivalent to a large latte in many well-known European coffee houses). Gudauri doesn’t struggle with snow or even have any snow cannons. There’s no need as winters are always full of beautiful powder, blue skies and consistent sunshine.

What struck me most was the community feel for this resort in Georgia, perhaps accentuated by its eastern European positioning south of Russia and north of Armenia. It shouldn’t have surprised me knowing so many Georgians through the rugby community yet many resorts have a distant feel through hotel competition and conflicting business interests. Here, everyone smiles and is truly glad to see you make the pilgrimage to somewhere off the beaten track.

Inspecting the facilities and safety standards of the resort hotels is par for the course. The Alpine Hotel offers complete views of the resort in its 4* environs whilst The Mountain House is built for school groups on a lighter budget. With both a short 5-minute stroll from the lifts and competing on views we’re pleased to make the choice of lodgings your decision.

Georgians seem to pick up the English language easier than most. All menus and signposting made the navigation of life in this resort simple and efficient with local Georgian delicacies sitting alongside the crowd favourites in each hotel.

Ski schools offer balanced ratios and taken by English-speaking staff whose eagerness to chat all things football and rugby made for a pleasant experience. Without a queue in site the life of a skier is one of fluidity and satisfaction across the blend of beginner, intermediate and advanced slopes of Gudauri. Being able to clock up uninterrupted km’s is a rare luxury in many European resorts; here, the snow is seemingly all yours.

With a heavy heart I bade farewell to Gudauri but not before an evening spent exploring the majestic city of Tbilisi. With architecture challenging any other European capital and hotels dotted in and around the Old Town, an overnight stay here is highly recommended prior to flying home to the UK. Soaking aching muscles in the traditional sulphur baths, exploring old-fashioned markets and hopping between castles on the cable cars is undoubtedly the way to sign off a visit to Europe’s new kid on the block.

Mark travelled as a guest of Turkish Airlines, voted The Best Airline in Europe at the 2015 World Airline Awards. 7 day school ski trips to Georgia are available from £698pp during February half term 2017 with flight packages departing Edinburgh, Manchester, Birmingham and London. Enquire here for further details for your school’s next trip.

Glenn Martin joins Board at MSG Tours

Tue, 22 Mar 2016 23:36:36 GMT

We’re delighted to announce the acquisition of Glenn Martin in a Director capacity from Rayburn Tours. Demonstrating an infectious enthusiasm for skiing and sports coupled with an unmatched joie de vivre , a lively office is guaranteed with many a group set to benefit from his resort knowledge when accompanying groups on their sports tour or ski trip.

With a portfolio of exciting ski trips to destinations such as Gudauri (Georgia), Hakuba (Japan), Waterville (USA) and all the favourites in the European Alps we invite you to contact MSG Tours to compare pricing and allow us to deliver the unexpected on YOUR next school ski trip .

Mark Gardner: Owner/Director

mark@msgtours.com

Tarvisio: Italy's hidden gem

Mon, 21 Mar 2016 20:31:27 GMT

When we talk to our knowledgeable ski friends about our overseas work trips ( or holidays as they tirelessly insist on labelling them ) the reaction when we mention Tarvisio is always the same: ‘‘Where’’?

We get it because it’s not on the list of Italy’s 10 best resorts or probably the 100 most recognised resorts in Europe. Why? Because it’s not the biggest, scariest, highest and certainly not the wildest! All of which are criteria to make the ‘best of’ lists for groups of friends and maybe the rich and famous but not necessarily criteria for the best resort for a school ski trip .

Why do WE love it so much? In no particular order:

Great hotels . A tremendous variety of 3 and 4* hotels ranging from piste-side to out-of-town, all owned by families eager to make each guest very welcome. This is hugely important as for some of the children travelling this could be their first and last experience of staying in a hotel. Food is of a uniformly high standard; this is Italy after all!

Great Instruction . We partner with both ski schools in Tarvisio and both Ski Directors, Daniele and Donato, run very professional outfits. Beginners are extremely well catered for as are intermediates and advanced. There are not a million miles of piste to ski but everyone has a great time and progresses at a rate of knots.

Great runs . Quality, not quantity. You may not have chance to cover the hundreds of KM’s of skiing boasted by many resorts but you’ll be sure of variety here in Tarvisio maintained to a very high standard. From a student’s perspective being with friends in any length of snow terrain is fun, fun, fun!

Great sights . As one of the most photographed places in the Alps, stunning doesn’t even begin to get close to describing Monte Lussari . Sitting at the top of the resort, intermediates and advanced can ski from here whilst beginners can visit on the Gondola. Certainly everyone will enjoy a hot chocolate at one of the numerous quaint bars either during the day or in the evening.

Great Après . A marvellous selection!

Sledging immediately outside our biggest hotel in Tarvisio.
Ice skating only 20 minutes away.
Disco in an authentic bar/disco in the town (shut to the public).
Pizza night venues are numerous!
Finally, a visit to the thermal pools across the border in Austria. The children love being able to swim outside surrounded by snow!

Overall, Tarvisio really is a fabulous destination and will provide a fabulous ski experience for school groups. Click here to read more about the resort or enquire with us for prices via coach and air.

Derby Triathlon Club head to Challenge Paguera 70.3

Wed, 02 Mar 2016 11:06:36 GMT

Mallorca’s beach resort of Paguera will once again welcome the East Midlands’ Derby Triathlon Club for its annual Challenge Paguera 70.3 half iron-distance triathlon event.

After a successful tour in 2015, DTC have strengthened their travelling squad with a number of members keen to experience a late season race in traditional warm October climes. 20 members will attend this year’s trip, led by MSG owner/director, Mark Gardner, who is also racing as part of a relay team.

Paul Cunningham captains this year’s team and is clearly thrilled to be heading out to Spain. “The resort itself is absolutely perfect for a triathlon event with a sea swim out of the main beach and run course around the town’s main shopping and restaurant precinct. Add in a cracking bike course on rolling hills to underline how perfect the island of Mallorca is for the sport of triathlon”.

With so many elements to consider as part of a triathlete’s race preparation we pride ourselves in taking the travel pressures away from our clients. “The trip and all of your organisational skills were great”, commented Kathy Carmichael from Derby’s 2015 tour squad. “Doing two legs (of the relay) for the first time was very special and you made that happen for me. Also, socially, I loved it!”

Derby Triathlon Club have opened the door for fellow triathletes around the country to join them as part of a wider squad. Prices start at £399 for supporters and range through to £597 for triathletes including flights, 3 days’ carbon bike hire, transfers, 3 x nights’ all-inclusive hotel and race entry. Enquire via email to info@www.msgtours.com for further details on how to join Derby at Challenge Paguera 70.3 during 13-16 October 2016.

Lions Tour 2017: Launch night a huge success

Sun, 14 Feb 2016 11:06:36 GMT

14.2.2016

A great night was had by all at Rhymney RFC for our ? #?LionsTour? launch on Friday 12th February 2016. Thanks to our special guest speakers, Lions legends Graham Price and very own Ambassador, Tim Stimpson, for entertaining us with tales from yesteryear. All pre-sale places sold out on the night with the side trip to Fiji proving extremely popular.

We subsequently added an extra 30 places to the tour on a first served basis which were also snapped up by eager Lions supporters seeking a value-for-money touring experience to follow their rugby idols.

The tour doubles as a special occasion for Andrew & Alex who return for their second Lions tour, this time as husband and wife on honeymoon. It’s our pleasure to welcome the happy couple on tour with plenty of bubbles awaiting to celebrate what we wall hope will be a Series victory.

Our five touring packages visit the very best of New Zealand’s North Island, including Auckland, Wellington, Bay of Islands, Rotorua, Lake Taupo, Napier and Palmerston North. A stopover in Fiji provides much welcome respite from the cool Kiwi winters that await with open arms every twelve years when the 30,000+ pilgrimage arrives The Land of the Long White Cloud.

Rugby Tours to Georgia: the ultimate European test

Sun, 07 Feb 2016 11:06:36 GMT

Rugby Tours: it’s time to start thinking outside of the box. If you enjoy a success story about a nation that has planned and strategised growth into success then take note of this future powerhouse. Think again if you believe the recent set of victories against Namibia and Tonga at the Rugby World Cup was a one off. A detailed Union set up has enabled a structure that is churning out quality in consistent fashion. Whilst the trend is for those with ambition to ply their trade in France, there still remains a healthy core of full time professionals to bolster a functioning and competitive national league.

Embarking on a rugby tour to Georgia will guarantee competitive matches on excellent 4G and grass surfaces, first class preparation facilities and an old fashioned welcome after your fixtures honed from years of adapting to the ingrained cultures of the game. That their U18s and 20s have performed so competitively and consistently at World Rugby tournaments over the past 5 years suggests that teams with a high calibre of players will be tested here in the summer months as equally as any Southern Hemisphere nation. With an exciting array of cities to visit on day tours and an excursion list that offers respite from the rigours of match day preparation, you’ll be nothing but impressed at Georgia’s rugby quality and competitiveness of packages for your next rugby tour.

As partners to the Georgian Rugby Union, we have first-hand knowledge of this country and invite you to contact us to discuss your next tour to Tbilisi and beyond. 7-day packages start as low as £798 with flight packages available from Birmingham, Edinburgh, London and Manchester. All packages are tailored to your exact needs and feature a bilingual representative with your group at all times during your rugby tour to Georgia.

The Lakes School embark on Japan Study Tour

Mon, 04 May 2015 09:12:05 GMT

Japan Study Tour

Students and staff from The Lakes School, Cumbria are embarking on a once-in-a-lifetime cultural trip to Japan in 2017.

Commencing in Fukuoka on the southern island of Kyushu, the group will make their way across Japan via Shinkansen (bullet train) over a 9-day period, culminating in the bright lights of Tokyo.

“We are looking forward to a number of elements, with the students commenting on the food, exchange visit with a Japanese school, Hiroshima and volcanoes” , noted tour leader, Mr Theobald upon booking with MSG Tours.

Follow this blog for updates from the students as they prepare for their Japan study tour in February 2017.

Japan: the ultimate rugby tour destination

Wed, 04 Mar 2015 13:15:19 GMT

Producers of the shock of the recent Rugby World Cup tournament with victory over South Africa, the Brave Blossoms won hearts all over the world with three victories during the competition. The most important awakening took place in Japan itself whilst the team marched on in England, drawing huge and previously unseen television audiences glued to their progress despite the +9h time difference.

The hosts of the 2019 Rugby World Cup are now firmly established as a respected rugby nation, evidenced by the rapidly growing culture around the country in high schools and at senior club level. That their full back, Ayumu Goromaru has moved to Melbourne Rebels as the world’s highest earner is testament to how the media view these superstars in similar light to baseball, soccer and sumo.

With a season that mirrors the Southern Hemisphere it’s possible to consider a rugby tour to Japan for your Easter, Whitsun or Summer tours. Japanese high schools specialising in rugby take an annual camp during the first week of August that times well with year-end tours departing from the UK. With deep and established relations with our Japanese school networks we are delighted to present a number of packages that offer a cultural and sporting experience matched by no other nation on the land.

MSG Tours Owner, Mark Gardner, meeting Japanese high school coaches in Osaka

Our tours incorporate all of the major touristic spots as well as unique towns that meet our mantra of experiencing the real insight into a foreign land. Osaka, Fukuoka, Hiroshima, Kobe, Kyoto, Toyama, Nagano, Yokohama, Hakuba and Tokyo form our operating bases where home stays are available as part of your rugby tour to Japan.

Seeing is believing and we invite you to travel with us to experience a very unique rugby tour experience in this far eastern region. Enquire with us here .