And just think. What if it was to Lisbon, Cherbourg, Gibraltar or the Baltics.
This was no dream for the students of Wearside in the 1960s and 1970s. They got to see the world on floating school ships.
In 1967, 400 children from Whitburn, Washington, Easington, Horden and Seaham headed to Vigo, Gibraltar, Lisbon and Cherbourg on a 15-day trip on the Devonia.
In 1977, this was the scene at Corporation Quay as youngsters from Sunderland headed for the Baltics on the Uganda.
Re-live that amazing experience through these Sunderland Echo archive images.
5. Look at the scene on the dockside as these parents wave goodbye in 1967. The ship was off to Gibraltar.
Look at the scene on the dockside as these parents wave goodbye in 1967. The ship was off to Gibraltar. | se
6. More parents try to spot their children on board the ship as it sets sail at noon on June 17 1967 for Gibraltar.
More parents try to spot their children on board the ship as it sets sail at noon on June 17 1967 for Gibraltar. | se
7. These lads were among the 400 students who set sail for Cherbourg, Lisbon and Gibraltar.
These lads were among the 400 students who set sail for Cherbourg, Lisbon and Gibraltar. | se
8. Thumbs-up from the dockside for these children in the queue to board the Uganda in 1977.
Thumbs-up from the dockside for these children in the queue to board the Uganda in 1977. | se