Sorrento - Cultural School Trip

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

Arrive in Naples and transfer by coach to the centre. Meet your local guide for an introductory guided walking tour of Naples's main sights. The wealth of ‘Neapolis’ as a maritime trade centre and its role as a place of relaxation for the Romans is visible throughout the city in site such as the Teatro Greco- Romano and especially in Parco Archeologico Pausilypon literally named for the ancient Greek pausilypon meaning “pause, or respite, from worry”. Walk down Spaccanapoli Street, the historical street that 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 studying ancient history in Naples, move on to Sorrento by coach and check in at 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, begin with a visit to Mount Vesuvius, among the most well-known volcanoes in the world. Destroying Pompeii and Herculaneum with its eruption in A.D. 79, Mount Vesuvius is considered to be one of the most dangerous volcanoes on Earth because of its proximity to Naples and the surrounding towns on the nearby slopes. Historically, Mount Vesuvius has had approximately a 20-year eruption cycle, however the last serious eruption was in 1944.

In the afternoon, embark on a guided Pompeii educational tour. 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.

Upon arrival, take a scenic 15 minute funicular ride from the harbour to Capri Town. You will have some free time to grab lunch before going on a guided tour of the village including a visit to the Gardens of Augustus, one of the most charming sites on the island of Capri. Aside from the stunning floral gardens, you will find some of the most breathtaking views in Italy, spotting the Faraglioni rocks as well as Via Krupp with 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.