Royal School Dungannon's Food Technology Trip to Naples and Sorrento

The main aim of the trip was to enrich students' learning in Food Technology by giving them first-hand experience of authentic Italian food production, preparation and culinary traditions. The visit was designed to help students understand the journey of food from raw ingredients to finished products, while also developing cultural awareness, independence, and confidence through international travel. 

Sorrento and the surrounding Naples region were chosen because of their strong culinary identity and global reputation for high-quality, traditional food production. The area is renowned for products such as olive oil, mozzarella, pasta, gelato, coffee and lemons, all of which can be linked to areas of the Food Technology curriculum. In addition, the region offers rich cultural and historical experiences, making it an ideal destination for an educational school trip.

During the trip, students took part in a variety of food-related and cultural activities. These included visits to an olive oil factory, a mozzarella farm with a pizza-making workshop, a lemon garden, a gelato demonstration, a pasta factory in Gragnano, and a traditional coffee roasting facility. Students also had time to explore Sorrento and enjoyed a guided visit to the archaeological site of Pompeii.

These visits were chosen because they offered authentic, hands-on learning experiences directly linked to Food Technology topics, such as food provenance, processing methods, sustainability, and traditional production techniques. Each activity allowed students to observe professionals at work, ask questions, and taste products, helping to bring classroom learning to life in a meaningful way. 

The pizza-making and mozzarella demonstrations were a particular highlight! The opportunity to taste fresh, locally-produced foods, and seeing students grow in confidence as the week progressed will be memories we carry from this trip. The shared experiences, strong group atmosphere and exposure to Italian culture and cuisine made the trip particularly memorable for both students and staff. 

Halsbury was chosen because of their strong reputation for organising high-quality educational trips, particularly those that link closely to curriculum areas. Their experience in school travel and ability to provide subject-specific activities made them a reliable and trusted choice for this Food Technology trip. 

Working with Halsbury was a very positive experience. Communication was clear and professional throughout the planning process, and the itinerary was well organised and thoughtfully structured. Local providers were reliable, knowledgeable, and well prepared for school groups, which helped the trip run smoothly.

Yes, I would highly recommend Halsbury to friends and colleagues. The trip was extremely well planned, educationally valuable, and enjoyable for students. Halsbury provided excellent support both before and during the trip, and their attention to detail ensured a safe, engaging, and enriching experience for everyone involved.