The Classics department took 44 Latin and Classical Civilisation students from Years 11 and 13 on an unforgettable trip to the bay of Naples.

Students stayed at the 4* Hotel Flora in Sorrento and visited a number of classical sites including Pompeii, Oplontis and Herculaneum. They travelled to Maiori by boat and ambled along the beautiful coast of Amalfi, on top of taking part in an ice-cream making workshop.

Below is the itinerary of events with further details:

MONDAY

  • Flight from Heathrow to Naples and check in at the 4* Flora Hotel – the magnificent foyer and staircase made an excellent first impression
  • We then settled into evening dinner

TUESDAY

  • Breakfast – we were told how to use the coffee machine
  • The group had some free time to explore Sorrento and the main square, the Piazza Tasso
  • We travelled to Pompeii and visited Caecilius’ house, alongside the Pompeiian amphitheatre, forum, baths, necropolis, the house of the tragic poet (Mr Adams) and various other classical sites familiar from lessons
  • We then had a lovely evening meal in Sorrento.

WEDNESDAY

  • Breakfast – we were told how to use the coffee machine
  • The group enjoyed a visit to the amphitheatre at Puteoli where we got a sense of what it was like to be a gladiator about to enter the arena
  • We had an excellent lunch in Pompeii (‘Pompey-poos’): salad, margherita pizza and tiramisu (which literally means ‘pick-me-up’ in Italian)
  • We then visited Oplontis, guided by Miss Ferstman, one of the most opulent Roman villas discovered and believed to have belonged to the Emperor Nero’s wife Poppaea – it was so good, we toured it twice!
  • We then had an ice cream making workshop in Sorrento, in which the group were treated to lemon sorbet, chocolate gelato and two other flavours of their choice
  • We then arrived back at the hotel to find out that all flights home had been cancelled due to a ‘wildcat’ air-controllers’ strike. Mr Morrison was nearly hospitalised by a collapsing door frame whilst doing room checks for the evening

THURSDAY

  • Breakfast – we were told how to use the coffee machine
  • We travelled to Herculaneum and explored the beautifully preserved site, with everything from vapourised cucumbers to magnificent frescoes at the Sanctuary of the Augustales. An insect-bitten Mr Adams began re-organisation of the trip to the Cambridge Greek Play that he was supposed to be leading on the coming Saturday. Fortunately brave Mr Andrews and Ms Philp stepped in to lead the trip
  • We travelled to the breath-taking coast of Amalfi and had time for souvenir shopping and a stroll across the beach. The staff had a quick bite to eat at the roadside café. Lots of students commented that this was the most beautiful location they had ever visited – better even than any of the rooms in the D block
  • We travelled by boat to Maiori and saw various coastal sites along the way.

FRIDAY

  • Breakfast – we were told how to use the coffee machine
  • We visited the Naples Archaeological Museum which houses a wide range of ancient Roman artefacts, mosaics and frescoes found in Pompeii, Herculaneum and other sites around the Bay of Naples. Caspar (Y13) played the piano to drown out the noise from the Neapolitan protests which were going on outside the building!
  • We had pizza at a local restaurant – quick service, multiple options and a nice starter of Italian delicacies. We received phone calls (‘wish you were here’) from department favourites Mr Andrews and Mr Turner about the upcoming Cambridge trip and more changes due to the airport strike
  • We visited Stabiae and the magnificent Villa San Marco where we met a very friendly cat. We managed to bypass Villa Arianna (Grande) and its legendary brick
  • We went to a posh hotel in Sorrento – a bonus meal – and had a lovely lemon risotto, ravioli, fish (not sure which one) and tiramisu. An Italian DJ, Simone, was on hand to provide music

SATURDAY (extra day 1)

  • 6:00am Wake-up
  • Breakfast – we were told how to use the coffee machine
  • 7:30am Miss Ferstman and Ms Appleyard departed with the first batch of 22 students. Heartfelt farewells were expressed
  • The remaining groups enjoyed exploration of Sorrento and were treated to an ice cream and soft drinks by Mr Adams
  • 2:30pm Miss Aitken-Burt departed with the second batch of students. More heartfelt farewells
  • Mr Adams took the remaining die-hards into town for a last batch of souvenir shopping, coffees and snacks
  • As a final fun activity which Mr Adams dreamed up that afternoon (while he was also dreaming of going home), we descended the mazy elevated walk to Sorrento’s beautiful beach with its majestic views of the Bay of Naples and Capri. We then had some free time before Mr Adams paid for everyone to get the exciting lift back up to the Hotel Tramontano
  • We went to a local restaurant and met the hospitable owner who offered us a memorable three course meal

SUNDAY (extra day 2)

  • For the final time, we were told how to use the coffee machine. We had just about got it at this stage
  • The third batch of students travelled from Sorrento/Naples to Rome via a tourist trap petrol station at Monte Cassino. Mr Adams regaled Mr Morrison with the history of Monte Cassino and the importance of the battle there during WW2
  • We arrived at the delightful and very modern Rome Fiumicino airport
  • After managing to elude the BA ticket tombola at Rome Fiumicino airport, we hopped on the plane and had a restful flight home albeit there was some turbulence at the end (and that was not just from Mr Morrison)
  • We travelled back to school where the Italian odyssey came to an end
  • Sadly, Mr Adams and Mr Morrison missed ‘Doctor Who’

 

Thank you to Mr Adams for leading the trip, and to Mr Morrison, Ms Appleyard, Miss Aitken-Burt and Miss Ferstman.

Well done to all students for their fantastic behaviour and conduct whilst travelling around Italy. The trip of a lifetime!

 

Mr Adams and Mr Morrison (Classics Department)

 

 

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