DIFFERENTLY!
We believe in the power of experiential learning. Our curriculum adventures allow us to see ourselves, others and the world differently, and develop our critical thinking and cultural understanding.
5 DAY CURRICULUM ADVENTURE ITALY
Step outside the classroom for a unique learning adventure in Italy. Race as a team on a life skills discovery quest, hone your strategic thinking with a global citizenship challenge and explore epic sites like Pompeii and Vesuvius. When you embrace learning, there’s no limit to life’s possibilities.
STARTHERE
DAY 1
ARRIVE IN NAPLES
Sleep: Hotel
Travel: Transfer 1hr to Sorrento
Highlights: Icebreaker and goal setting
Buongiorno Italia! You’ve touched down in Naples, Italy’s third-largest city. Head to the coastal town of Sorrento – you’re about to dive into all things Italian, from ancient wonders to flavour-packed cuisine.
Head to your hotel and get stuck into an icebreaker session. This is your chance to set personal and group goals, discuss expectations and prepare for the adventure ahead.
Feast on an authentic Neapolitan dinner and soak up the local vibes. Rich in archeological treasures, legendary volcanoes and charming seaside towns, Southern Italy has it all. Let’s get involved.
DAY 2 ARCHAEOLOGICAL DISCOVERIES IN POMPEII & HERCULANEUM
Sleep: Hotel
Travel: transfer 1-2hrs between sites
Highlights: Pompeii
Archaeological Park, Herculaneum
Delve into Italy’s ancient history by visiting Europe’s most compelling archaeological site – the ruins of Pompeii. Preserved under several metres of volcanic ash in the Mount Vesuvius eruption, this city is frozen in time, offering a rare snapshot into Roman lifestyle and architecture.
As you walk through this frozen-intime city, check out the ruins, frescoes and streets where Romans once lived. Explore millennia-old houses, temples, shops, cafes and amphitheatres.
At lunch, refuel with local flavours. Typical Neapolitan dishes focus on fresh, seasonal ingredients – think tomatoes, garlic, olive oil and seafood. Yum!
Next, we’re off to another ancient city buried by the eruption of Vesuvius. Herculaneum, though smaller, is even
TRAVELLING RESPONSIBLY
REMEMBER, YOU’RE MORE THAN A TOURIST IN THIS PLACE. YOU’RE PART OF A TEAM OF GLOBAL CITIZENS, EMBRACING DIVERSITY AND COMMITTED TO LIFELONG LEARNING. STAY OPEN TO OPPORTUNITIES, CONTRIBUTE WHERE YOU CAN, AND CONNECT WITH THE MANY PEOPLE YOU MEET ALONG THE ROAD.
better preserved, with intact buildings and artefacts offering a glimpse into daily life nearly 2,000 years ago.
GREEK ROOTS
BEFORE IT BECAME ROMAN, POMPEII WAS A GREEK CITY. SOME OF ITS OLDEST STRUCTURES WERE DESIGNED IN THE 8TH CENTURY BC BY GREEK SETTLERS.
POMPEII’S
DAY 3
EXPLORE NAPLES & LIFE SKILLS DISCOVERY QUEST
Sleep: Hotel
Travel: Transfer 1hr to Naples, transfer 1hr back to Sorrento
Highlights: Naples historic centre, life skills discover quest, pizza making
Time to explore Naples, a city bursting with energy, history and culture. Begin in the historic centre, known as the ‘centro storico’.
Spanning 17 kilometres, this UNESCO World Heritage site is packed with incredible squares, churches and castles. You could also go below ground. From Roman road tunnels to ancient tombs and World War II bomb shelters, the underground networks are fascinating to explore.
Bring your A game for a life skills discovery quest through Capodimonte Museum’s park. It’s home to over 400 species of plants and flowers, including Italy’s first ever Mandarin trees.
Work collaboratively to solve clues and complete tasks as you race around the park. You’ll need teamwork, Italian language skills and speed to bring home the prize.
DAY 4
MT VESUVIUS & GELATO
Sleep: Hotel
Travel: Short transfer between sites
Highlights: Vesuvius Park, Sorrento, global citizenship challenge, gelato making, personal reflection
Let’s step up the adventure. Lace up your hiking boots and embark on an epic journey taking you to the crater of Mount Vesuvius.
As you trek to the crater of this worldfamous active volcano, ask your mountain guide questions. Discover more about the devastating effects of the eruption that dates back to 79 AD and take in the extraordinary views of the Bay of Naples from the top of the volcano.
Back in Sorrento, you have free time to explore more of the town. You could check out its glistening beaches, lemon groves or museums – it’s your call, so come up with an awesome plan.
Reflect on your trip to Vesuvius and tackle a global citizenship challenge that delves into the relationship between people and planet. How can we live in harmony with nature? You’ll need to think outside the box to come up with a solution.
Celebrate your success in the Sorrento hills, learning the secrets of making the perfect pizza. Now for the best bit – eating your creations!
BIRTHPLACE OF PIZZA
IN 1889, NAPLES CHEF RAFFAELE ESPOSITO CREATED THE WORLD’S FIRST MARGHERITA, USING THE COLOURS OF THE ITALIAN FLAG – RED (TOMATO), WHITE (MOZZARELLA) AND GREEN (BASIL).
End your day with a gelato-making workshop. As you tuck into your own creation, reflect on everything you’ve learned so far, and how you’ve grown and developed. It’s been an adventure, and your new skills will stay with you long after you return home.
ERUPTION OF 79 AD
MOUNT VESUVIUS ERUPTED VIOLENTLY FOR AROUND 19 HOURS IN 79 AD. IT SHOWERED ASH AND PUMICE ON THE TOWN OF POMPEII.
DAY 5
TRAVEL HOME FROM NAPLES
After the best five days of your life, it’s time to travel home. Cram everything into your bag and head to the airport. Check in, sit back and let it all sink in. You’ve just experienced something incredible. Italy has opened your eyes and taught you so much more than any textbook ever could.
You’ve been immersed in Italian history, culture and language. You’ve tackled a global citizenship challenge,
developed your teamwork on a life skills discovery quest and explored some archaeological and geological wonders.
These experiences will shape who you are and put you on the path to becoming a true global citizen. Prepare to return home forever changed.
INCLUSIONS
• 4 nights’ accommodation in Hotel Tourist Sorrento (or similar)
• Breakfast every day, lunch on day 2, and dinner on days 1-4
• Flights to Naples
• Airport transfers on arrival and departure in Naples
• Guided tour of Pompeii and Herculaneum
• Pizza making workshop
• Guided walk at Vesuvius
Ice cream making and tasting workshop
EXCLUSIONS
• Transport to all listed activities
• Facilitation notes for running student development exercises – Life skills discovery quest, global citizenship challenge, icebreaker, personal growth reflection
• 24/7 operational support whilst travelling
• Comprehensive pre-departure support from a dedicated School Relationship Manager
• Comprehensive medical insurance
• Carbon offsetting
Meals not mentioned • Drinks and snacks • Tips and gratuities • Visa fees (not required for UK passport holders) Transport to and from the UK departure airport • Insurance for students’ personal money and belongings Tourism taxes
EDUCATIONAL OUTCOMES. WE CARE
Students will be immersed in the history, language, and culture of Italy, enhancing their ability to communicate across barriers and adapt to cultural differences. Exploring historically significant sites will deepen their understanding of the past and its influence on the present, fostering critical thinking and broadening their global perspectives.
By spending time away from home students will learn to adapt to new and different environments, creating a sense of independence and building confidence to travel further, and for longer, in the future.
JOURNEY towards
Students will complete a life skills discovery quest, collaborating with their peers, and engaging creative problem-solving skills, to achieve their goals.
Through guided activity and reflection, students will explore their emotions together with their peers, building empathy for one another and fostering the skills needed to build strong relationships in the future.
By completing a global citizenship challenge, students will learn to think creatively with consideration of ethics, to propose hypothetical solutions to global challenges.
CURRICULUM LEARNING
