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Geography School Trips & Tours to the Bay of Naples

Where better to take your pupils on a geography and geology school trip than the place where the observations of the great English geologist, Charles Lyell, gave the basis to the modern geology.

A geography field trip to the Bay of Naples provides a great opportunity to study key themes at GCSE and A-level, including tectonic processes, tourism, hazard management, coasts and industry. Our exciting programme of Bay of Naples geography visits includes trips to Pompeii, the Phlegraean Fields, Capri and the Amalfi Coast - not to mention Mount Vesuvius!

A mild climate makes this the ideal area to take a school geography tour at any time of year. Study a range of human activities set in an environment largely defined by physical processes. Farming, fishing, tourism and a cultural history are just some of the topics on offer.

Alternatively, view the rest of our school trips to Italy.

Prices start from£625pp

Price Shown includes

  • 3 nights’ half board accommodation
  • Return flights & airport transfers in resort
  • Visits including: Pompeii, Mt Vesuvius and Herculaneum 
  • Extensive group travel insurance
  • Free place ratio of 1 in 10

Price shown is based on 40 paying passengers from selected departure points and is subject to availability.


On-tour support

Get even more from your trip with an NST Field Studies Guide.


On-tour support includes...

  • Airport assistance - during check-in, security and gate checks on your outbound flight from the UK
  • Airport assistance - for when you arrive back at your UK airport when you book a coach transfer to take you home

Additional on-tour support available...

  • Pre-booked meals at great group prices
  • Services of a Local Guide

Accommodation

Popular options in the Bay of Naples


Top visits for geography trips in the Bay of Naples

Mount Vesuvius

Nowhere in the world can the effects of a volcanic eruption be better understood. You will be driven most of the way up the mount then take a 30-minute walk to the rim with a Local Guide. Your group will study the most densely populated volcano in the world. Geography groups can complete our dedicated activity sheets to consider its formation, eruptive history, anatomy and human management issues, and even read eye witness accounts of the 79AD eruption!

Pompeii

Observe the destructive impact of the volcanic eruption of Vesuvius in 79AD which buried, and consequently preserved these famous towns. Take in the original streets, houses, preserved human casts, and works of art on display. Our activity sheets provide resources for a honey pot analysis and the opportunity to measure the impact of tourism on the site. We recommend a 2-hour guided tour option.

The Island of Capri

This stunning rocky coastline features the Arco Naturale and Faraglione landforms, shaped over many years by the erosive power of the sea. Resource pack activities include photograph and diagram annotation, field sketching and sequencing. The coastline is accessed via a short ferry ride. A laser boat ride around the island is also available upon arrival to see the coastline formations, and a funicular railway can be taken for a five minute journey up to Capri town. Groups can also visit Anacapri and ride the cable car of Monte Solaro. An English-speaking local guide can accompany you on this day, if you don’t have a Field Studies Guide.

Phlegraean Fields

Known by the Greeks and Romans as the fiery birthplace of myth and legend (the entrance to Hades or Hell was said to be here), the Bay of Pozzuoli tucked between Naples and the Tyrrhenian Sea is a giant caldera 12-15km across. Within this caldera is a moonscape of smaller eruptions and there is concern that this could be the site of a super volcano.

Visit the Temple of Serapis in Pozzuoli which Charles Babage first used to explain the phenomenon of Bradyseism, followed by a walk around Pozzuoli itself, racked by earthquakes in the 1980s and now substantially rebuilt. Students will be able to see how the port has had to be extended outwards because of uplift, and how the old harbour is now virtually abandoned.

There is an opportunity to climb Monte Nuovo, formed in a single week or walk around Lake Avernus - a volcanic crater lake. Groups may also have chance to visit the Greek ruins at Bala, The Amphitheatre, Naples Underground Museum or the National Museum.

The Amalfi Coast

On the southern side of the Sorrento peninsula lies the famous Amalfi Coast, a UNESCO World Heritage site, where a ribbon of road clings tightly to steep, rugged cliffs interspersed with picturesque towns. For geography groups there is the opportunity to study coastal landforms and tourism impact. A boat tour of this beautiful coastline is also available.

Pertosa Caves

A fantastic educational journey to discover this Karst cave system which has considerable archaeological value. With your guide, groups will enter the caves on a boat as the entrance is flooded by the waters of the Negro River. Once you enter into the bowels of caves, you will spend 90 minutes exploring inside, including discovering how groups of stalactites and stalagmites are modelled in mysterious shapes. Upon leaving, students will visit the accompanying multi-media museum highlighting the biodiversity of the local environments. This is an ideal addition to Amalfi coast drive.

Olive & Lemon Mill & Mozzarella Farm

Take your students on a guided walking tour of this olive and lemon mill and mozzarella farm in Sorrento. Your group will enjoy a cheese-making demonstration, plus a complimentary pizza and soft drink.

Naples Underground Tour & Museum

There is an entire underground city below Naples - a series of ancient aqueducts that were eventually shut down and used as a bomb shelter during World War II. You can go down a square flight of steps put in place by Mussolini leading down 40m into an actual air raid shelter. The museum is in a huge underground sandstone quarry and contains incredible artefacts and objects found during more than 50 years of exploring the labyrinth beneath Naples.

Limoncello Tour

Visit “I Giardini di Cataldo” limoncello producer for a 45 minute guided tour. Groups will hear about the history of the farm, walk amongst the beautiful lemon groves, receive an explanation of the techniques used to make limoncello, liquors and jams, and see the products being made. There will also be the opportunity for a tasting at the end!

Herculaneum

When Vesuvius erupted in August 79AD, it engulfed the two flourishing Roman towns of Pompeii and Herculaneum. These have been progressively excavated and made accessible to the public since the mid-18th century. Smaller but better-preserved than Pompeii, a visit to Herculaneum is often preferred by many students.  

Cookery Class at Galatea Cookery School

What could be more Italian than pizza and pasta?! Learn how to make a traditional pizza, or gnocchi at the Galatea Cookery School. This is a half day, interactive visit and also includes eating what you make!


Evening activites

  • Bowling
  • Taratella Show
  • A quiz or disco at your hotel (most hotels can provide a room for groups to use in the evenings)

 


Study themes

Human:

  • Tourism 
  • Hazard management 
  • Industry 
  • Cultural diversity
  • Farming
     

Physical:

  • Coasts
  • Tectonic processes
  • Environmental change

Study levels

GCSE
A Level

 


Educational resources

FREE Educational Resource Pack 
We understand that you want a study visit that delivers the curriculum. To help you achieve this, our free Bay of Naples Educational Resource Pack - developed by experienced geography teachers - contains a wealth of highly relevant information for you to use before, during and after your tour.

You will be able to use its contents as a pre-visit planning aid, print off full-colour pupil activity sheets for your group to use at each site whilst away, or even refer to its contents post-visit to assist with case study completion.

Click here to view a sample of our resources


Expert's comment

The Bay of Naples is a chance to see where our understanding of global hazards first developed, with a walk along the rim of Vesuvius - mainland Europe’s only active volcano, followed by a visit to Pompeii and Herculaneum to see the sheer destructive effect of a pyroclastic flow. A visit to Solfatara near Pozzuoli provides an opportunity to discuss whether or not it is a ‘Super Volcano’.  Beautiful Capri with its bays, coastal landforms azure waters and teeming tourists, who have been coming since the time of Roman Emperor Augustus, shows how man has impacted and adapted the landscape.
Paul, NST Field Studies Guide

 


Transport

We can arrange for your group to fly from a range of UK airports and we’ll work with you to plan your route at the best value possible.

Flight


Giving you full support throughout

Before your tour

  • Your own dedicated NST contact
  • Bespoke tour itineraries
  • Unrivalled local knowledge & expertise
  • Curriculum linked visit programmes
  • Great value for money - no hidden costs
  • Free group leader inspection visits
  • Risk assessment guidance
  • Safety assured, transport, accommodation and visits

Whilst you're away

  • Free educational resources
  • Group-friendly accommodation
  • Exceptional standards of coaching
  • On-tour support from our reps on the ground
  • Support & assistance from our specialists throughout your tour
  • 24/7 support just a call away
  • Extensive group travel insurance

On your return

  • Priority rebooking services
  • Rewarding your loyalty with our reward scheme
  • You say, we listen - we're committed to continuously improving our tours
  • School travel company of choice since 1967

“From a visit to Vesuvius to staring deep into craters, my pupils were entertained and motivated during our tour to the Bay of Naples. They’ve gained so much from learning firsthand at sites of geographical interest.”
Emma Pilling, Tre-Gib School