Gaynor, Laura and I have just returned from a 4-day trip to Sorrento.
We had the privilege of accompanying a group for their annual trip, giving us a deeper insight into how a tour operates in resort; from arrival at the airport and check-in at the accommodation to getting around on local transport, making the visits to support students of A Level geography.
This was an invaluable opportunity for us as Halsbury representatives as we think it is crucial to routinely review our itineraries and evaluate whether our services are fulfilling the objectives of our school groups.
What did we think of the destination?
From landing at Naples International Airport to making our way to the hotel, it was clear what attracts groups to this region.
The volcanic landscape, coastal environments and tourism appeal to geographers, the historical visits to lovers of history and classics, the abundance of food and cuisine on offer to students of food technology and, of course, all of this combined for Italian language groups, in an area so rich in culture.
What visits and activities did we do?
As this was a geography tour, we had organised visits to Vesuvius National Park, the Archaeological sites of Herculaneum and Pompeii, and a boat trip from Sorrento to Positano and Amalfi.
It was an incredible experience to make the ascent to the top of Mount Vesuvius and walk along the crater of an active volcano, not to mention taking in the views of the Bay of Naples.
Students also benefitted from seeing the effects of the eruption of 79 AD; Pompeii offers a complete vision of an ancient town and the people who lived there, from the bodies that were found and preserved in time; while the smaller site of Herculaneum offers better-preserved ruins due to the more considerable amount of ash and mud covering it.
These three visits complemented each other so well, providing everyone an insight into how a natural disaster shaped the ancient world.
The coastline was also another facet to explore. Approaching the beautiful towns of Positano and Amalfi from the sea, students had the choice to either immerse themselves in local culture, shopping and architecture away from the big cities or simply take advantage of the gorgeous climate by relaxing on the beaches - making a memorable final day for all.
Why do we think this is a good destination for a school trip?
Doesn’t everyone love Italy? From the rhythm and passion of its language, its dishes taking prominence all over the world and its reputation in football (fabulous to visit the region in the wake of Napoli having just been crowned Serie A champions for the third time in their history!), Italy is a must-see destination.
The area of Sorrento is a safe place to visit with students, with the option of engaging in activities in-resort or using it as a base to do full or half-day visits in the Campania region.
If you're new to leading a tour to this area and want to take advantage of the rep service we provide, just let us know.
They would meet you each day, be fully responsible for the group’s reservations and tickets, and make any changes with our local providers should the need arise. This takes away any additional pressure, so you can just focus on making the most of each experience along with your students!
Of course, a visit to Sorrento also has more to offer.
You can attend a demonstration of ice cream production at a gelateria and sample the mouth-watering flavours (as we did!), visit the island of Capri and gain an insight into the production process at a mozzarella farm and local factories for coffee, honey and Limoncello.
You may even prefer city-based visits such as the Archaeological Museum of Naples or the Underground Naples tour. Whatever your preference, it is easy for our sales team to tailor a tour to suit your subject area and learning objectives.
Fateci sapere che cosa volete e noi faremo tutto il resto!
Let us know what you want and we will do all the rest!
