History & Geography Trip to Rome and the Bay of Naples

About this trip

With Rome’s rich history and the Bay of Naples’ volcanic landscape, this tour will take your students to a wide variety of wonderful sites such as the iconic Colosseum, the Vatican, Vesuvius and Pompeii, giving your students first-hand experiences and life-long memories. Metro travel makes Rome accessible, but we recommend walking as it enables you to absorb the beauty of this ancient Roman city.

Sample Itinerary

Day 1 Find out more

Fly from the UK to Rome
Transfer to accommodation
Explore the city on foot
Overnight in Rome

Day 2 Find out more

Colosseum and Forum
Pantheon
Trevi Fountain
Overnight in Rome

Day 3 Find out more

St Peter’s Basilica
Sistine Chapel
Vatican
Overnight in Rome

Day 4 Find out more

Transfer from Rome to Sorrento with a stop at Pompeii
Overnight in Sorrento

Day 5 Find out more

Transfer to airport with a stop at Vesuvius
Fly back to the UK

Day 6 Find out more

Day 7 Find out more

Day 8 Find out more

Excursion Ideas

Colosseum Find out more

Colosseum

Subject Range: Religious Studies, Art & Design, Cultural, History, Classics, Geography

What you’ll experience: The Colosseum is an iconic symbol of Imperial Rome and the largest amphitheatre in the world, considered one of the greatest achievements of Roman engineering and architecture. A symbol of the pageantry of the Empire and estimated to hold between 50,000 and 80,000 spectators, it was used for gladiatorial contests as well as other public spectacles such as dramas based on Classical mythology. Construction began in 70 AD under Emperor Vespasian. The last recorded games were held there in the 6th century. The monument’s damage was mostly caused by earthquakes. The present-day exterior of the Colosseum is in fact the original interior wall.

The Roman Forum and Palatine Hill Find out more

The Roman Forum and Palatine Hill

Subject Range: Religious Studies, Art & Design, Cultural, History, Classics, Geography

What you’ll experience: Once the heart of Roman public life, the Forum is a plaza in the centre of Rome surrounded by the ruins of important ancient government buildings. Many events took place here including public speeches, trials and elections. Located in the small valley between the Palatine and Capitoline hills.

Pantheon Find out more

Pantheon

Subject Range: Religious Studies, History, Classics, Geography

What you’ll experience: The Pantheon, built 118-128 AD, is the most complete and best preserved of the ancient temples due to being in continuous use throughout history. Since the 7th century it has been used as a Catholic Church, dedicated to St. Mary and the Martyrs. The space inside is awe-inspiring – a perfect sphere symbolising the vault of heaven with the height of the dome the same as its diameter creating perfect balance and unique harmony.

Trevi Fountain Find out more

Trevi Fountain

Subject Range: Religious Studies, Art & Design, Cultural, History, Classics, Geography

What you’ll experience: The largest Baroque fountain in the city, the Trevi Fountain is a beautiful, imposing construction that features the central figure of Neptune flanked by two Tritons – one struggles to master an unruly sea horse, the other leads a more docile animal (this symbolises the two contrasting moods of the sea). A traditional legend holds that if visitors throw a coin into the fountain, they are ensured a return to Rome.

Select Says: The fountain is mostly built of travertine stone. The largest building in the world constructed mostly of travertine is the Colosseum in Rome.

The Vatican City, St Peter’s Basilica and the Sistine chapel Find out more

The Vatican City, St Peter’s Basilica and the Sistine chapel

Subject Range: Religious Studies, Art & Design, Cultural, History, Classics, Geography

What you’ll experience: The Vatican is the smallest state in the world. It’s full of places of interest to be discovered including the Vatican grounds and Museum with fabulous art work such as the wondrous Michelangelo masterpieces in the Sistine chapel, St. Peter’s Basilica with its beautiful Renaissance architecture, and St. Peter’s Square with the impressive Egyptian obelisk at its centre.

Vesuvius Find out more

Vesuvius

Subject Range: Cultural, Geography

What you’ll experience: Mount Vesuvius erupted in AD79 killing thousands of people in the Roman cities of Pompeii, Herculaneum and Stabiae. A hike up Mount Vesuvius will give you amazing views into the crater, and on a clear day, spectacular views out to the Bay of Naples.

Select Says: For pre-tour/post-tour why not read an eyewitness account with your students – see the letters of Pliny the Younger to the Historian Tacitus, where he describes the eruption and the death of his uncle, Pliny the Elder while trying to rescue survivors of the early stages of the eruption. Available here .

Spanish Steps Find out more

Spanish Steps

Subject Range: Religious Studies, Art & Design, Cultural

What you’ll experience: A monumental stairway of 135 steps which climbs a steep slope between the Piazza di Spagna at the base and the Trinità dei Monti church at the top. They were built between 1723-1726 and designed by Francesco de Sanctis.

Select Says: At the base of the steps in the Piazza di Spagna is the early Baroque fountain called Fontana della Barcaccia which translates as ‘fountain of the ugly boat’.

Time Elevator Find out more

Time Elevator

Subject Range: Cultural

What you’ll experience: An immersive experience for students taking them back in time by using panoramic cinema screens, surround sound, moving seats, and multisensory effects such as rain and wind. Visitors fly back in time to the legend of Romulus and Remus and the founding of the city, and can view the virtual reconstruction of monuments such as the Colosseum.

Select Says: Students will also experience events after the Roman Empire, for example the Middle Ages and in the Renaissance.

Accommodation Options

Bleu Village Find out more

Bleu Village

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Our Rating:

Capacity: 76

Location: Sorrento

What you’ll experience: Bleu Village is located just 4 km from Sorrento and offers you gorgeous views of the Gulf of Naples. There is plenty to keep you entertained within the complex, from the swimming pool with its water slides to table tennis. In the lush Mediterranean gardens, complete with the citrus trees typical of the area, you will also find a football and volleyball pitch, as well as the hotel’s own restaurant. Rooms: Facilities:

Fiori D’Arancio Find out more

Fiori D’Arancio

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Our Rating:

Location: Sorrento

What you’ll experience: The Fiori d’Arancio holiday village is set in a quiet location in the peninsula of Piano di Sorrento popular for its beautiful beaches. The holiday village is located in an orange grove on a hillside near the town but far enough away that guests can enjoy the peaceful atmosphere as they relax by the swimming pool. Rooms: Facilities:

Hotel Albatros Find out more

Hotel Albatros

Our Rating:

Location: Sorrento

What you’ll experience: Just a 10-minute walk from the Meta di Sorrento beach, 1km far from the property, Hotel Albatros has an outdoor swimming pool and sunny terrace. Rooms: Facilities:

Hotel Capitol Find out more

Hotel Capitol

Our Rating:

Capacity: 100

What you’ll experience: The Hotel Capitol is ideally located near to the Roma Termini Railway Station in the historical centre of the city, and is close to all the main monuments. The Hotel Capitol is located in a historic late Nineteenth century building and staff are friendly and English speaking. A great choice for your school tour to Rome! Rooms: Rooms: All rooms have en-suite facilities, TV, air conditioning and WiFi. Facilities: Facilities: Comfortable reception, the rooms occupy the six upper floors and can be reached by a modern elevator from the mezzanine floor.

Hotel Dina Find out more

Hotel Dina

Our Rating:

Capacity: 100

Location: Rome

What you’ll experience: Centrally located in Rome, close to the main train station. The Hotel Dina offers authentic Italian style accommodation in a great location. Rooms: Rooms: Bedrooms with en-suite bathroom, television, radio. Facilities: Facilities: Reception, breakfast room.

Hotel Tourist Find out more

Hotel Tourist

Our Rating:

Capacity: 100

Location: Sorrento

What you’ll experience: Conveniently located in the heart of Sorrento, a 15 minute walk to the port. Rooms: Rooms: All rooms have en-suite facilities. Facilities: Facilities: Restaurant, 24 hour reception, swimming pool.

Accommodation 15 Find out more

Curriculum Links

KS4 (GCSE)
AQA: Roman Republic and Empire, daily life, geography of Italy, natural hazards (volcanoes, earthquakes)
Edexcel: Roman society, culture and architecture, physical geography of volcanic regions, tourism and heritage management
OCR: The Roman world / Volcanoes and hazards, environmental impact, and historical interpretation

KS5 (A-Level)
AQA: Roman politics, empire expansion, urban development, and natural hazards
Edexcel: Classical civilization, archaeology, urban planning, and geophysical processes (Vesuvius, Pompeii, Bay of Naples)
OCR: The Roman Empire, society, culture, and physical geography of volcanic landscapes / Human-environment interaction