And it’s an exceptional choice for a cross-curricular tour comprising any of these subjects – the looming volcano, Mount Vesuvius, is responsible both for the excellent produce and the incredible opportunity to explore a well-preserved Roman city.
As they say in these parts, vide Napule e po’ muore – see Naples and die! And once you visit, you’ll soon understand the Neopolitan pride in the beauty of their city. Naples has long been a centre for the arts and experienced a period of neoclassicism in the 18th century, after the rediscovery of nearby Pompeii that has really left its mark on the city.
Of course, Pompeii is a huge draw for many who visit the area, including classicists, who want to walk in the footsteps of the Romans, and geographers and geologists, who are interested in what the 79 AD eruption can tell them about Mount Vesuvius and volcanoes in general.
But there’s plenty more to see around the Bay of Naples than just Pompeii!
Top tip!
Wondering when to visit? It can get unbearably hot during the summer months in Naples itself, although away from the city the sea breezes make it feel much more pleasant. Spring is a great time to visit – it will be warm, but not too hot, and drier than in Autumn, when rain is more likely.
There’s the spectacular island of Capri, which is always worth a visit, particularly for geography groups who can study coastal management and the effects of tourism here.
There’s the incredible network of tunnels and passageways that lie underneath the city of Naples. From as far back as the 4th century BC, this underground world has served many purposes, from bringing water into the Greek city, to sheltering the city’s residents during the frequent air raids of World War 2. There’s even a Roman theatre, in which the Emperor Nero performed!
And the area around Naples and Sorrento is famous for its fertile soil and incredible produce. In fact, it’s said that the tomatoes, citrus fruits and grapes produced here are among the finest in Italy. So it’s no surprise that the area’s biggest city is famous for its cuisine.
In fact, many of the dishes we consider to be typically ‘Italian’ are, in fact, Neopolitan! Pizza, spaghetti and limoncello all hail from this area, making it the ideal destination for food technology groups interested in Italian food.
You can visit mozzarella farms, olive oil producers and even take part in a pizza-making workshop. And of course, you’ll have plenty of opportunity to sample the local dishes!
Top tip! Make sure you don’t leave Naples without sampling some of the incredible street food here! From several variants of pizza (fried, folded up etc.) to the scrumptious sfogliatelle – shell-shaped pastries filled with ricotta and candied fruit!
We think this part of Italy is a great choice for many different subjects, but what do teachers who’ve visited think?
Excellent location for the study of tectonic hazards and coasts. Students learnt a lot about the geography of the area. Unforgettable experience.
Dinnington High School
A great destination for a geography trip. We also had a chemistry teacher with us who enjoyed the geology of the area!
Ruthin School
The Bay of Naples is an excellent destination for a geography/history field trip. As well as the world-famous sites included in the visit, the time spent travelling around the area offers a modern view of everyday Italy, which to us is an experience just as valuable.
Mullion School
For more information on arranging a school trip to Naples and Sorrento, please don’t hesitate to contact us.