5 Great Educational Places to Visit in 2015

If you're planning on organising an educational trip with a group of students, the world is, literally your oyster. As long as you can find good group accommodation in hostels, you'll be free to simply focus on exploring. Here are five great destinations to tempt you in 2015.

Ireland

The land of lush countryside, blue eyes, dark hair, Guinness, and Joyce, Ireland is a country quite perfect to explore as a group. Accommodation in hostels in cities like Dublin, or in the more rural areas around Connemara, Cork, and Killarney allows for unlimited opportunities to explore and immerse in this welcoming country. The friendly people and fascinating history will win young people over, and if you're looking for a party, head to Dublin on St. Patrick’s Day!

Turkey

From the megacity that is Istanbul, complete with its rich interaction of old and new, traditional customs and modern technology, to the smaller historic cities of Cappadocia, Turkey really does have something for everyone. The mountain cities and towns are charming and perfect for immersing in authentic Turkish life, while the coastal cities in the south are a dream location for soaking up some sun and swimming in the impossibly blue waters. Make an effort to research the history of each place, as there is so much on offer it can get confusing without a plan.

Canada

Canada is a dream destination in terms of its natural beauty and host of attractions that are so appealing to those travellers who enjoy the outdoors life. Whether it’s the cosmopolitan cultural delights of Vancouver or Toronto, or the spectacular and jaw-dropping vistas of the Rocky Mountains, Banff National Park, and Lake Louise, the term "something for everyone" is never more appropriate than in Canada. Energetic activities include skiing, hiking, white water rafting and mountain biking – with group accommodation set against the most beautiful backdrop one could ever imagine.

China

What could be more exotic than exploring the nooks and crannies of frenetic Shanghai, in China? With excellently placed group accommodation, you'll have a comfortable base from which to experience all the must-see attractions of this truly incredible city. Soak up the sombre atmosphere of the People's Square, navigate the buzzing streets of the famous Nan Jing shopping precinct, or visit the city's many thought provoking museums and galleries, for a step back in time and a fascinating taste of China's history.

New Zealand

It's reputation as the Land of the Long White Cloud has been somewhat overshadowed by its indelible association with the Lord of the Rings, but New Zealand has so much more to offer than its spectacular landscape – although, that IS pretty spectacular! The culturally important Rotorua and the vibrant, creative Wellington provide a surprising amount of sophistication, while the many national parks and intricate and extensive network of hiking trails across the country combine to form a destination that may be small, but is certainly perfectly formed.

Ben Spencer works for Hostelling International. Offering more than 4000 hostels worldwide, their website dedicated to groups features 250 hostels specifically suitable for school trips, corporate team building trips and families. For the best group accommodation, join our community and say hi to the world. HI is the only global network of Youth Hostel Associations and a non-profit membership organisation with over 100 years of experience.

Writer and Online Marketing Manager in London.