Sorrento - Classics School Trip

Day 1 - Fly to Naples, guided walking tour of Naples, transfer to Sorrento

Begin your Classics school trip to the Bay of Naples by arriving at Naples International Airport and transferring by coach to the centre.

Start your study of ancient Roman civilisation in Naples with a guided walking tour of Naples' main sights. Make a stop at the Teatro Greco-Romano to explore ‘The World of the Hero’ and ‘Greek Theatre’ units; explore Parco Archeologico Pausilypon to see why rich, well-educated Romans travelled here to enjoy Greek culture, and learn about the social, cultural, and religious content of Naples in the ancient world.

Students could make a stop to see images referenced in the Classics Specifications, including the red-figure ‘maenad’ stamnos by Dinos Painter in the Museo Nazionale Archeologico, Doryphoros by Polykleitos in the Archaeological Museum of Naples, and the Trojan War hydria by the Kleophrades Painter in the Museo Nazionale.

Have some free time to walk down Spaccanapoli Street. Translated as ‘Naples splitter,’ this historical street crosses the old historic centre of Naples, offering views of the city's most important sights. No educational trip to Naples is complete without exploring this central thoroughfare. After some free time shopping for souvenirs, transfer to Sorrento by coach and check in to your accommodation.

In the evening, enjoy an Italian dinner and then take a leisurely stroll down Corso Italia and Via San Cesareo, Sorrento's main streets, marvelling at the wide array of souvenirs and stopping for gelato along the way. School trips to Sorrento give students their first glimpse of Vesuvius!

Day 2 - Mount Vesuvius crater visit and Pompeii guided tour

This morning, start your day with a tour of Mount Vesuvius, one of the world’s most renowned volcanoes. Known for its catastrophic eruption in A.D. 79 that obliterated Pompeii and Herculaneum, Mount Vesuvius remains one of the most hazardous volcanoes due to its closeness to Naples and nearby towns. Although historically erupting about every 20 years, its most recent significant eruption occurred in 1944.

In the afternoon, embark on a guided educational tour of Pompeii. Buried so quickly by volcanic ash, the site is a well-preserved snapshot of life in a city, revealing many insights about the Roman Empire.

Pompeii highlights include the theatre, the domus where the rich upper classes would have lived, and the Civil Forum, which was at the heart of daily life hosting the main public buildings for city administration, justice, trade, and worship. The thermal baths and the Gladiators’ Gym illuminate key aspects of Roman culture, while Pompeii’s recently explored prison bakery shows the centrality of enslaved workers underpinning the glory of the Roman Empire’s rich culture.

Day 3 - Capri day trip

Today, catch a fast ferry from Sorrento across the blue waters of Italy's Tyrrhenian Sea to Capri for a full-day of sightseeing.

Next, enjoy a picturesque 15 minute funicular journey from the harbour to Capri Town. After some leisure time for lunch, embark on a guided tour of the village that features a stop at the enchanting Gardens of Augustus, a highlight of Capri. Beyond the beautiful floral displays, you'll encounter some of Italy's most spectacular scenery, including views of the Faraglioni rocks, Via Krupp, and the beaches of Marina Piccola in the distance.

Return to Sorrento by boat for your evening meal.

Day 4 - Herculaneum guided tour, fly home

En route to the airport today, stop for a guided tour of the Archeological Site of Herculaneum, the world's best preserved Roman city. While less known than Pompeii, Herculaneum was covered in pyroclastic material which carbonised and preserved wooden objects, as well as other organic materials like food and papyrus. As a result, the city is almost intact and a school visit to Herculaneum develops valuable insights for students into the life of Roman citizens nearly two millennia ago.

Later on, head to the airport for your flight home.