Sorrento - Geography School Trip

Day 1 - Fly to Naples, explore urbanisation and industry in Naples, transfer to Sorrento

Fly to Naples and transfer by coach to the centre.

Meet your local guide for an introductory guided walking tour of Naples' main sights. Ruled by both the Greeks and Romans, modern Naples now makes for a fascinating study in Changing Cities, Urbanisation and Global Development. Amongst the ancient landmarks are the Teatro Greco-Roman and the Parco Archeologico Pausilypon, while students can see the impact of modern tourism in a medieval landscape with a 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.

Move on to Sorrento by coach and check in to your accommodation. This hilltop town will give students their first glimpse of Vesuvius! Enjoy an authentic Italian dinner and then take a leisurely stroll down Corso Italia, Sorrento's main street, and Via San Cesareo, home to a fantastic array of souvenir shops.

End the day with an ice cream workshop at Gelateria David in Sorrento. The gelateria was created by Mario Gargiulo, who combined his family’s expertise in dairy farming with bold experimentation with unusual flavours. In the workshop, students are given a unique masterclass learning the secrets of artisanal gelato straight from Mario’s laboratory. Maestro Gelataio Mario’s popular flavours include Parmesan cheese, tomato, and basil. Round off the evening by trying one of Mario’s creations.

Day 2 - Capri Day trip

Today, develop your knowledge of Coasts and Environmental Change with a full-day trip to the beautiful island of Capri.

As a result of erosion over thousands of years, Capri is no longer connected to the Amalfi Coast. Instead, you will need to catch a speedboat from Sorrento to Capri for the sightseeing tour. Enjoy the blue waters of Italy's Tyrrhenian Sea and weather permitting, see Capri's extraordinary Faraglioni rocks, cliffs and crags on a boat trip around the island.

From Capri's harbour, take a scenic funicular ride to Capri Town, a tourist hotspot perfect for studying the tourism industry. 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. Explore local agriculture by checking out the olive groves and citrus fruits grown here. You will find some of the most breathtaking views in Italy, such as Via Krupp's hairpin turns and the beaches of Marina Piccola in the distance.

Return to Sorrento by boat for your evening meal.

Day 3 - Mozzarella Farm Visit and the Amalfi Coast

The focus this morning is on agriculture and industry. Begin the day with a visit to a buffalo mozzarella farm to see how this traditional Italian cheese is made. Tour the farm to see and taste the mozzarella being handmade from buffalo milk. You can also visit the yoghurt shop, dairy, tasting room, bakery, and leather shop, all of which are included in the guided tour of the estate. A Museum of Farming Culture on-site gives students the opportunity to further explore the agricultural world and its impact on food production.

This afternoon continues the farming theme and adds a study of coasts. The Amalfi Coast overlooks the Tyrrhenian Sea and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its beauty was captured in the 2017 film "Wonder Woman" where it was used as the Amazon island of Themyscira. It is renowned for its limoncello, produced from Amalfi lemons, also known as 'Sfusato Amalfitano', grown in terraced gardens along the coastline, and its anchovies.

Day 4 - Pompeii and Vesuvius

This morning, begin with a visit to Mount Vesuvius, one of the most famous volcanoes in the world. Destroying Pompeii and Herculaneum with its eruption in A.D. 79, Mount Vesuvius is considered one of the most dangerous volcanoes on Earth, making it excellent for the study of Hazards and Hazard Management, Environmental Change, Tectonic Processes, and Changes to the Landscape.

However, Vesuvius is not the only threat in the Neapolitan volcanic area! Campi Flegrei, a supervolcano that first erupted 39,000 years ago, had an impact that contributed to the decline of the Neanderthals. Its name translating as ‘burning fields,’ this large caldera presents significant risks. Although its last eruption was in 1538, the volume of lava, rock, and debris that could surge forward in a Campi Flegrei eruption might potentially plunge Earth into a global winter. Presenting significant risks, the supervolcano must be continuously monitored for effective disaster preparedness. Thus, while the catastrophe of Vesuvius belongs to the past, a Campi Flegrei eruption is expected and must be managed in the future.

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

Enjoy your last evening with a game of bowling.

Day 5 - Herculaneum or Naples Archaeological Museum

This morning, check out and complete your trip with a Herculaneum study visit, or give students free time to explore the Naples Archaeological Museum.

Herculaneum is 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.

The Naples Archaeological Museum contains collections relating to Campania, the people of Piana Campana, as well as the Egyptians.

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