An Inspired Journey
People have come to the Bay of Naples from far and wide for thousands of years to build cities, farm the volcanic soil or simply rest in the incredible beauty of the place. The region is bursting with crumbling temples, Roman ruins and ancient secrets, which our leading Classicist and guide, Rupert Smith will uncover for this small group of adults and children. We have designed this experience for families who have an interest in Classical Civilization and would like a holiday where this passion is all part of the fun and excitement.
"Rupert knows when it’s time to leave children to run around and play games and how to keep them gripped when recounting tales of love and war in ancient Greece and Rome."
The adventure will explore from the 8th century BC when the Greeks headed West and founded their first Italian colony at Cumae to the 1st century AD when Vesuvius destroyed the port towns of Herculaneum and Pompeii at the height of their prosperity. It won’t take long before this hidden world comes alive in a way that it never could from the confines of a classroom.
Moving along the pretty Amalfi coastline there will be a visit to Capri where Rupert will explain the gory history of Tiberius and show the very wall from which he would throw the unlucky subjects who displeased him. We have purposely chosen small and unfussy family-friendly hotels where there is space for children to run around and burn off energy and the staff are well rehearsed in creating delicious meals to be enjoyed by all ages.
What makes a trip like this such a success is Rupert’s many years of experience both as a Classicist and teacher. He knows how to make each day fun and engaging as well as informative. Getting this balance right is essential when travelling with children and Rupert knows when it’s time to leave the kids to run around and play games and how to keep them gripped when recounting tales of love and war in ancient Greece and Rome.
Highlights
- Pasta and pizza as they were meant to be served
- Exploring the haunting ruins of Pompeii
- A boat ride and visit to Capri
- A stay on a mozzarella farm
- 4 Places left
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7th April 2014 –
14th April 2014 - 8 View Itinerary
- Families (Children 11+), Budding historians, Culture vultures
- Leader/Guides: Rupert Smith
- View Accommodation
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Entry point for International
flights: Naples -
Exit point for international
flights: Naples -
per person (sharing)£1630*£1505
* Flights are not included / View our Terms and Conditions
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Day 1: 7th April
Arrival into Naples
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Day 2: 8th April
The entrance of Hades
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Day 3: 9th April
Discovering Naples
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Day 4: 10th April
Exploring Pompeii
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Day 5: 11th April
The ancient palace of Capri
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Day 6: 12th April
A visit to Amalfi
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Day 7: 13th April
Mozzarella and the Temples of Paestum
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Day 8: 14th April
Departure from Naples
7th April
Arrival into Naples
Rupert will meet you at the airport early this afternoon. From here you will be privately driven north-west of Naples in Miseno, the headland above the port where the Roman imperial fleet was based and from where Pliny the Younger watched the eruption of Vesuvius in AD 79. You will have the afternoon free to rest, relax and watch the sun set over the ocean. This evening you will dine at one of Rupert’s favourite family-run restaurants for your first taste this week of delicious Italian cooking.
8th April
The entrance of Hades
After breakfast Rupert will take you to visit the hilltop site of Cumae, the legendary home of the Sibyl and the earliest Greek colony in Italy. From here you will drive to the shores of Lake Avernus, one of the entrances to the Underworld. The lake is formed within a volcanic crater and, over lunch in a restaurant on the edge of the water, Rupert will describe the weird and wonderful world of Hades.
This afternoon you will explore the steaming volcanic crater of Solfatara. There will be time for a rest back at the hotel later this afternoon before dinner at another friendly local restaurant serving bowls oozing with pasta and pizza dripping off the plates.
9th April
Discovering Naples
This morning will focus on the extraordinary city of Naples in order to explore its historic centre, visiting the Archaeological Museum and the underground aqueducts. After lunch you will be driven around the bay of Naples to visit the buried city of Herculaneum and Oplontis, the opulent palace of Nero’s wife, Poppaea. All along the way Rupert will recount tales of Ancient Rome in a lively way which will fire the imagination of the group.
This evening you will dine and stay in a country house nestled into the hills above Sorrento with beautiful views over the bay.
10th April
Exploring Pompeii
After breakfast you will be taken to the UNESCO site of Pompeii, which is in need of a full day of exploring in order to understand fully its history. Rupert will guide you and the family through the expertly renovated streets and explain how daily life was carried out before the town was buried under the volcanic lava and ash of Mount Vesuvius. There will be time later in the afternoon for some shopping and exploring in Sorrento before meeting again for pizza and pasta in town.
11th April
The ancient palace of Capri
Today you will take a ferry to the beautiful island of Capri. Behind the chic shops and expensive restaurants is a fascinating history and Rupert’s guided walk of the island will go from the centre of town to the opulent palace of Tiberius. The Palace is perched high above the sea and from which he used to throw people who displeased him into the sea. Lunch will be in a local restaurant and there will be time to wander the streets and do some shopping at your own pace before returning to Sorrento for another delicious family-cooked meal at your hotel.
12th April
A visit to Amalfi
You will continue your exploration of the Amalfi coast today as you move along the ocean to Paestum. On the way you will stop for lunch in Amalfi for some time to look around this pretty town and see the spectacular cathedral. You will arrive in Paestum in the late afternoon in time for games in the garden and a home-cooked Italian dinner at Tenuta Seliano, a beautiful family home in the plains of Paestum.
13th April
Mozzarella and the Temples of Paestum
This morning the owners of Tenuta Seliano will personally show you around their buffalo farm and mozzarella factory. In the afternoon you will visit the 5th and 6th century BC Greek temples at Paestum and the haunting tomb-paintings in the local museum. There will be time again later this afternoon to enjoy grounds of your guest house and a fantastic farewell meal at the lodge this evening.
14th April
Departure from Naples
There will be time for a leisurely breakfast this morning and a play in the garden before your driver takes you back to Naples in good time to connect with your onward flight home.
7th April – 9th April
Hotel Cala Moresca, Miseno
This is a medium-sized hotel overlooking the extraordinary seismic coastline of the Phlegrean Fields. There is a large swimming pool and plenty of space for children to run around while you take in the pretty views. Though slightly larger than other properties on this trip, it is an excellent base from which to explore this fascinating area and only twenty minutes’ drive from Naples.
9th April – 12th April
Hotel Villa Pane
This is a small hotel in the hills above Sorrento run by a typically friendly Italian mother and son team. The food is excellent and the views over the Bay of Naples are equally memorable. Because the property is family-run, it has a very special homely atmosphere to ensure you are able to completely relax and enjoy yourselves.
12th April – 14th April
Tenuta Seliano
This is a beautiful house on the fertile plain near Paestum. There is a large swimming pool and pretty landscaped gardens to treat as your own. All the food is home-made and much of it is grown locally including the delicious mozzarella cheese from their farm next door. This is another family-run home and the owners love to have children enjoying their home to its full potential.
Rupert Smith
Rupert Smith has degrees in Classics and Byzantine Studies from Oxford and London universities. He taught Classics in England for seven years and in America for four, before moving to southern Albania to run a foundation involved in the excavation and conservation of archaeological sites. In between these academic episodes he also founded and ran a jazz club in south London before setting up a restaurant in Notting Hill in the early 90s.
Rupert started the Evia School in 2008 with the intention of exposing people to the ancient Greek and Roman world he had got to know over 30 years of study and travel. Since then he has taken groups to Greece, Italy, Albania, Kosovo, Syria and Lebanon. His trips, while having the ancient world as their focus, aim to get people interested in later and contemporary culture as well, and to make sure they have the best possible time by staying in lovely hotels, swimming as often as possible and enjoying the best food available.
Flights
Flight schedules will be released about 10 months in advance but the outline below will give an idea of the current timings:
Outbound with British Airways BA2610 London Gatwick to Naples 12:55 16:30
Inbound with British Airways BA2607 Naples to London Gatwick 13:10 14:55
Please contact us for a quote including these flights.
We can also include flights from the United States so please do let us know where you are travelling from and we will send you the best flight routes with a quote.
Pricing Information
Price per person based on two sharing
Was £1630 - Now £1505
Was €1830 - Now €1685
Was $2580 - Now $2380
The price quoted includes the following:
All accommodation and meals
Child discounts
All road transfers as specified
Guiding and excursions as specified
Park fees and other entry fees
The price quoted does not include:
International flights (We can quote on these if needed)
Travel insurance
Drinks and tips
Visas
Vaccinations
Any other extras
Single supplements (Please contact us for details)
