Off we go!
At a start time that some students felt was far too early, and despite the tired faces, excitement filled the air as we travelled to Heathrow Airport and flew to Naples.
After landing, students enjoyed some well-earned free time to choose lunch following a long morning of travel. Our first visit was to the National Archaeological Museum of Naples, where we were introduced to an extraordinary collection of mosaics, frescoes and statues preserved by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius. It was a fascinating first glimpse into the ancient world. That evening, we enjoyed a delicious dinner of pasta followed by chicken or omelette with chips, before heading to bed for a much-needed rest.
Although Friday 13 is considered unlucky by some, it proved extremely fortunate for us. We awoke to clear blue skies and perfect conditions for climbing Mount Vesuvius. The ascent was challenging but unforgettable; standing at the summit and looking directly into the crater was a surreal experience. Throughout the trip, Miss Wood, Miss Glover and Mrs O’Connor enriched our understanding with fascinating and sometimes shocking explanations of the events of AD 79 and the devastating impact of the eruption. Our Classical Civilisation studies truly came to life.
Later that day, we visited Herculaneum. Although smaller than Pompeii, it was incredibly powerful. Learning that many victims were effectively “vaporised” during the eruption was deeply moving. We explored key sites from our course, including the House of the Wooden Partition and the ancient baths.
Valentine's Day
On Saturday 14 February, Valentine’s Day, began on a thoughtful note, with our Head Girl Zahra surprising everyone with balloons, alongside chocolates kindly provided by staff. That day’s highlight was our visit to Pompeii. Guided expertly by Miss Wood, we explored the amphitheatre, the House of Julius Felix, the House of Menander and the House of Octavius Quartio, with its remarkable 50-metre canal, among many other important sites. We even visited the House of Caecilius, confirming that he really did exist! Seeing the plaster casts was a particularly poignant moment, bringing home the human tragedy of the eruption. Even the many cats wandering among the ruins added to the unique atmosphere of the site.
After lunch, we travelled to the Villa of Oplontis, believed to have been built by Nero for his second wife, Poppaea. Learning about Nero’s dramatic and often disturbing history added further interest to our visit. The villa’s vast frescoes and impressive statues were truly remarkable. As we were leaving, the heavens opened with heavy rain, but at least it was raining in Italy rather than in England!
In the evening, students took part in a pizza-making workshop, preparing their own dough before enjoying freshly baked margherita pizzas. While we waited, we were treated to a lively performance of the traditional Tarantella. Many students enthusiastically joined in, clapping, cheering and even dancing along. Afterwards, we returned to our accommodation to pack and prepare for our final night in Sorrento.
Home Time
On Sunday 15 February, we rose bright and early, collected breakfast and headed to the airport. Some students made sure to sample Italian McDonald’s before departure! After security, we made the most of our remaining time by enjoying one last pizza and gelato before saying, “Ciao, Italia!”
Upon arrival at Heathrow, we boarded the coach back to school, where our families were waiting to welcome us home.
We extend our sincere thanks to Miss Wood, Mrs O’Connor, Mrs Coley, Miss Mortimer-Lane and Miss Glover for organising such an enriching and memorable experience. The trip provided invaluable insight into the ancient world and created lasting memories for everyone involved. It was truly an unforgettable experience.
