Sorrento
The Sorrentine peninsula, a land of orange and lemon groves famed for its sea cliffs, stunning views over the Bay of Naples and the birthplace of Limoncello liqueur, is an ideal base for exploring this traditional Italian region – the home and origin of the pizza! Campania is rich in agriculture, producing an assortment of grapes, citrus fruits, olives and many varieties of tomatoes. However, despite its historic agricultural roots, the region’s most important industry is its ever increasing popularity as a tourist destination, the effects of which can be extremely detrimental to its operating environment if not governed correctly.
There can be few places which have such an interesting diversity of industries in an area of such outstanding natural beauty as the Bay of Naples, ensuring that a tour to this spectacular Italian region will be a memorable experience for your students.
Study Excursions
Agriturismo Fondo Galatea
‘Fondo Galatea’ is a modern, yet rustic, typical Southern Italian family-run working farm.
The 2 ½ hour visit includes a guided tour explaining farming methods, traditional harvesting techniques and seasons of crops and fruit. You will also discover varieties of local fauna and flora, visit the farm’s livestock and also the terraced arable land. At the end of the tour there is a demonstration of local cheese production. This is a great opportunity to see local workers living off the land and producing wine, olives, tomatoes, oranges, lemons, grapes and local cheeses.
Following this, it is possible to learn about the art of traditional Neopolitan pizza-making with expert guidance from a ‘Pizzaiolo Chef’ (chef’s hats and aprons are provided!).
La Pasta di Gragnano Factory
The small town of Gragnano has been renowned for the quality of its pasta and wheat since Roman times. A visit to this leading traditional pasta factory will give students an insight into the different stages of the pasta production process.
Buffalo Mozzarella Cheese Farm
A guided visit to one of the region's most famous Buffalo farms. Walking around the farm you will have the opportunity to see the buffaloes wallowing in their water holes, before learning how the mozzarella cheese is produced from fresh pasteurized or unpasteurized cow’s milk. The farmer will show you the working of the paste of the cheese, spinning by hand, through to the consistency of the final product.
Azienda De Angelis Winery
Tucked away in the heart of Sorrento, this small family-run business carries out the full process of winemaking using locally grown grapes. This visit provides the ideal opportunity to learn about each part of the process of winemaking, from the very beginning through to bottling the wine ready for sale.
Additional Educational Excursions
- Visit to a cameo/coral factory
- Visit to a Limoncello factory
- Visit to a ceramics factory
- Naples Archaeological Museum
- Herculaneum
- Solfatara, Phlegrean Fields
Leisure Excursions
Visit to Amalfi*
Dotted with small, picturesque settlements clinging to steep, rocky cliffs on the edge of the Mediterranean Sea, the ‘Amalfi Coastal Drive’ is a spectacular coastal road offering fantastic panoramic views. Amalfi, the largest town, has winding alleyways and many buildings in the town have terraces with lemon trees as well as grape and olive vines.
Daytrip to Capri
The fashionable Isle of Capri is a short distance (by ferry) from the Sorrento coast and perhaps the most famous of all the islands that lie off this shore. Take a boat trip around Capri from the harbour and enjoy a close up view of the cliffs, fissures and caves of the coastline. Supplementary ferry charges will apply.
- Boat trips / mini-cruises
- Pizza making
- Acquaparc
- Theme Park
- Sorrento’s famous ice cream parlours
- Visit to Positano*
- Day trip to Rome*
- Visit to Mount Vesuvius
* Additional coach hire may be required
Suggested Itinerary
Day 1
- Depart from the UK by air to Naples and spend the afternoon in Sorrento or visit an inlaid woodwork factory
Day 2
- AM – Visit the excavation site of Pompeii
- Early afternoon visit to Mount Vesuvius
- PM – Visit the Azienda De Angelis winery in Sorrento
- Evening meal at the hotel
Day 3
- AM – Visit a Water Buffalo Mozzarella cheese farm in Paestum
- PM – Visit to the Greek/Roman temples in Paestum
- Evening meal at the hotel
Day 4
- AM – Visit a pasta factory in Gragnano
- Free time to visit the hillside town of Agerola, late return to Sorrento
- PM – Visit an Agriturismo farm including pizza making
Day 5
- AM – Visit a factory in Vetri Sul Mare which specialises in hand painted ceramics, with free time to visit this Amalfi coastal village
- PM – Return to the UK
Prices from £405*
Accommodation
Hotel Capri
This 3-star hotel boasts a desirable location right in the heart of Sorrento, making it easy for your group to explore all the town has to offer. The hotel is family run and has a lovely garden and swimming pool for your group to use in summer months. All rooms have en suite facilities.
*Price based on 40 paying passengers and 4 free places, travelling by air in low season with a low-cost airline. Half board accommodation is provided at Hotel Capri (or similar) for 4 nights. Priced at 16.04.10.
