Bay of Naples Geography

A WST tour to the Bay of Naples will support the study of elements of the following exam board specifications:

AQA

GCSE

Section 3.1.1: The challenge of natural hazards

                3.2.1 Section A: Urban issues and challenges

                3.2.2 Section B: The changing economic world

A level

Section 3.1.1 Water and Carbon Cycles

            3.1.3 Coastal systems and landscapes

            3.1.5 Hazards

            3.2.4 Population and the environment

EDEXCEL

GCSE Geography A

Component 1:   Topic 2 Weather hazards and climate change

Component 2:   Topic 4 Changing cities

                        Topic 5 Global Development

Geography B

Component 1:   Topic 1: Hazardous Earth

                        Topic 3: Challenges of an urbanising world

A level

Topic 1: Tectonic Processes and Hazards

Topic 2: Landscape Systems, Processes and Change

OCR

GCSE Geography A 2.3 Environmental threats to our Planet

GCSE Geography B Topic 1 – Global Hazards

A level

Option A – Coastal Landscapes

Topic 3.1 – Climate Change

Topic 3.5 – Hazardous Earth

SQA

National 5

• Physical Environments: Landscape types
• Global Issues: Climate Change; Natural regions; Environmental Hazards

Higher

• Physical Environments: Hydrosphere; Lithosphere
• Human Environments: Global climate change; Energy

Advanced Higher

• Geographical issues

WJEC

GCSE

Key Idea 3.1: Tectonic processes and landforms

Key Idea 3.2: Vulnerability and hazard reduction

A Level

Section 1.3: Tectonic Hazards

EXPERT LOCAL GUIDES 

One of our expert guides can accompany you when you visit the Geographical sites on your Bay of Naples Geography School Tour. The school tour guides are highly experienced and know the sites extremely well. We recommended their services for Pompeii, Herculaneum, the Phlegraean Fields and Capri. Half and full day options are available. A site guide is automatically included when visiting Vesuvius.

Mount Vesuvius

A visit to this famous volcano is not to be missed! The mountain itself was once 3000m high rather than the 1281m of today. Its violent outburst in 79AD not only drowned Pompeii in pumice and pushed the coastline back several kilometres but also destroyed much of the mountain top, creating a huge caldera and two new peaks.

An ideal trip for your geography class, your coach will take you over 1000m up before meeting your guide for a 30-minute walk to the crater rim where there is time to observe and discus this active volcano which last erupted in 1944. The spectacular panorama offered at the summit is breath-taking.

The Vesuvius Observatory

Situated on the slopes of Mount Vesuvius, this Observatory is the surveillance centre for monitoring the three volcanoes which threaten the Campanian region of Italy: Mount Vesuvius, Campi Flegrei and Ischia.

Expert guides take your geography students through educational tours in volcanology and geophysics, demonstrate the collection of geophysics instruments and the rock collection from Vesuvius' most recent eruptions, and finishes with real time observation of seismic and geochemical data.

Pompeii

A visit to Pompeii allows students visiting the Bay of Naples to see, hear and learn about the famous eruption in 79AD which buried, and consequently preserved, this famous town. Exploring the site enables students to consider the town planning of the site and see some of the Roman architecture and frescos still visible. You can wander the original streets with their shops and houses, visit the amphitheatre and the forum area and examine the preserved human casts, all in the shadow of the great Vesuvius.  

Herculaneum

Less well known and smaller than Pompeii but better preserved due to the way it was impacted by the Vesuvius eruption of 79AD. Less falling ash and rather increasing levels of superheated pyroclastic material filled the town, meaning less damage to the buildings from above. Consequently the detail on display in this wealthier town is of an excellent standard. The discovery in recent years of some 300 skeletons along the sea shore came as a surprise, as it had been assumed that the town had been evacuated.

Phlegraean Fields

This area west of Naples provides a full day of exciting geographical opportunities away from the hustle and bustle. Begin in Pozzouli by considering the Temple of Serapide on the main square. Its broken columns slowly rise and fall over time due to the areas tectonic uplift, with water marks as evidence. The old town also provides further evidence of the tectonic action the area has seen.

Your geography class will then make the short journey to climb Monte Nuovo, a cinder cone volcanic created in a single week in 1538 following several damaging earthquakes.

Finally, walk down to see Lake Avernus, a volcanic crater lake located in the Avernus crater which comprises part of the wider Campanian volcanic arc. We recommend a guide to accompany you on this day. This day would usually include time at Solfatara Volcanic Crater however visits are temporarily suspended.

The Island of Capri

Your Bay of Naples school trip can also include taking a ferry or Hydrofoil from the easily reached port of Sorrento to this beautiful island. On arrival we highly recommend Geography groups take a laser boat ride on a lap of the island to see up close the dramatic coastal features such as the Natural Arch and the Faraglione landforms. After a quick exploration of the port area, you can take the funicular up to Capri to take a stroll down Via Camerelle, the street famous for its luxury boutiques before taking a walk to see the Natural Arch up close. 

Amalfi Coast

The Amalfi Coast is a UNESCO World Heritage site, and once you have driven along the idyllic winds of the cliffs, through picture postcard scenery its easy to see why. You’ll have photo stops en route as well as a couple of hours to explore Amalfi.

The day provides opportunities to study the coast, the impact of tourism, and other topics.

Vanullo Farm and Dairy

The most famous cheese factory in Italy. A fantastic visit easily added to the end of a drive down the Amalfi Coast to consider the topic of ‘Industry’. Renowned for its outstanding buffalo mozzarella, your guided school tour will provide an insight into all aspects of production and an opportunity to taste the outstanding produce.

Pertosa Caves

An ideal add-on to the Amalfi Coast drive. Located in the Alburni Mountains, immersed in the heart of a spectacular nature, this Kart cave system extends for a length of about three thousand feet, suspended between land and water. With your guide, the underground river (Negro), offers an unusual boat trip into the caves which are of significant archaeological importance. After the caves, students will visit the modern multi-media museum highlighting the biodiversity of the local environments. 

Sorrento Lemon Farm Visit

Geography students can enjoy a 45 minute walk-through this beautiful garden that has been around for several generations. Benches line the paths so that visitors can relax among the trees. It’s very peaceful inside. The grove owners grow orange trees, too. At the end of the walk is a store that sells various homemade goods.

Mozzarella Farm Visit in Sorrento

Meet the owners of this family farm, hear about the farm's history and enjoy a fascinating demonstration of how both mozzarella and ricotta are made, before tasting samples of the two. You can also extend your stay and enjoy home-made pizzas from the wood-burning oven.

Naples Underground Tour and Museum

Forty meters below the lively streets of the Naples, you’ll find a different world, unexplored, isolated by time, but deeply connected with the world above.  Every historic epic, from the foundation of Neopolis, to the bombs of WWII, has left its mark on the walls of the yellow tufa stone, the soul of Naples, and the stone with which the city was built. 

La Fabbrica Della Pasta di Gragnano

Making pasta in Gragnano is an ancient form of art that involves history, culture, patience, secrets and traditions. Students can see the production process during a 30 minute guided tour of the factory before receiving a small reminder of their visit.

Citta’ della Scienza & Planetarium

Città della Scienza is a centre for the promotion and popularisation of scientific culture and innovation technology. It offers many educational activities, workshops and guided tours.

Sorrento Bowling

The Sorrento bowling alley is within easy walking distance from the centre and provides a good option to entertain your school group.

The Sorrento Musical 'Tarentella' Show

The Sorrento Musical takes its cue from the “Tarantella”, a typical dance of the southern regions. This is a popular show with tourists which takes you through Sorrento's history.  

Hotel meeting Rooms to use in the Evenings

Most of our hotels are happy for groups to make use of their facilities for evening catch-ups or quizzes.