ROME & BAY OF NAPLES 2 CENTRE LOCATION GUIDE
CLASSICS
Exceptional Tours Expertly Delivered
Our location guide offers you information on the range of visits available in the Bay of Naples. All visits are selected with your subject and the curriculum in mind, along with the most popular choices for sightseeing, culture and leisure in the area.
The information in your location guide has been provided by our partners in the Bay of Naples who have expert on the ground knowledge of the area, combined with advice from education professionals so that the visits and information recommended are the most relevant to meet your learning objectives.
Making Life Easier for You
This location guide is not a catalogue of opening times. Our Tour Experts will design your itinerary with opening times and location in mind so that you can really maximise your time on tour.
Our location guides are designed to give you the information that you really need, including what are the highlights of the visit, location, suitability and educational resources. We’ll give you top tips like when is the best time to go, dress code and extra local knowledge.
Peace of Mind
So that you don’t need to carry additional money around with you we will state in your initial quote letter, which visits are included within your inclusive tour price and if there is anything that can’t be pre-paid we will advise you of the entrance fees so that you know how much money to take along.
You also have the added reassurance that, WST is a member of the STF and our featured visits are all covered as part of our externally verified Safety Management System.
ROME STUDY VISITS
THE COLOSSEUM This is considered to be one of the greatest works of Roman architecture and is the largest amphitheatre built in the Roman Empire.
Top Tip : Audio guides can be rented here although we recommend you take a guided tour which will bring the ruins to life for you.
Location: The Ancient City Metro: Colosseo Website: http://www.the-colosseum.net/idx-en.htm
ROMAN FORUM This was once the heart of Ancient Rome and the centre of public life. It is the site of public speeches, trials and commercial transactions.
Top Tip: Audio guides can be rented here although we recommend you take a guided tour which will bring the ruins to life for you. In the summer months you will find very little shade here so please take plenty water, sun hats and sun cream.
Location: The Ancient City Metro: Colosseo
Website: www.rometoolkit.com/whattodo/colosseum.htm
PALATINE HILL According to Roman mythology this is where Rome was founded. Ideally located looking down on to the Roman Forum, this became the home of several Roman Emperors.
Top Tip : We recommend you visit Palatine Hill in conjunction with your visit to the Roman Forum and the Colosseum
Location: The Ancient City Metro: Colosseo
Website: www.rometoolkit.com/whattodo/colosseum.htm
THE PANTHEON A magnificent ancient temple that was later converted to a church. Dating from AD125 it is the most superb architectural monument to have survived intact from Ancient Rome. Raphael is buried here.
Top Tip: We recommend appropriate dress code of no shorts, mini skirts, or bare shoulders. The Pantheon is free to visitors and pre-booking is not necessary.
Location: Central Rome
Metro: Piazza di Spagna Website: http://www.sacred-destinations.com/italy/rome-pantheon
ST PETER’S BASILICA World famous church and the burial site of St Peter. This is regarded as one of the holiest Catholic sites. The tomb of John Paul II is located in the grottoes below the floor of the Basilica and can be visited by the public, although there can be large crowds there.
Top Tip: A self guided visit is recommended here and pre-booking is not necessary. Audio guides can be rented if preferred. Visitors must adhere to a strict dress code of no shorts, mini skirts, or bare shoulders. We advise mobile phones are switched off or on silent.
Seeing the Pope: If you are visiting on a Sunday, the Pope appears at noon at the second window from the right of the Apostolic Palace, to pray. If you are visiting on a Wednesday, you can attend the Wednesday General Audience held in St Peter’s Square. This is all provided he is in town. Tickets are required.
Location: Vatican City Metro : Ottaviano
Website: http://www.vaticanstate.va/content/vaticanstate/en/monumenti/basilica-di- s-pietro.html
VATICAN MUSEUMS AND SISTINE CHAPEL The Vatican Museums occupy part of the palaces built by the Pope and is home to one of the most extensive art collections in the world. The world’s most famous chapel, the Sistine Chapel is housed within the Vatican Museums, where you will see the infamous frescoes by Michaelangelo.
Top Tip: We advise renting audio guides here. Noise must be kept to a minimum in the Sistine Chapel and visitors are reminded of this by staff if they are deemed too noisy. No photography or filming is allowed in the Sistine Chapel. Mobile phones must be switched off.
Location: Vatican City Metro : Ottaviano
Website: mv.vatican.va This website address must by hand typed in to the web address tool bar.
THE CATACOMBS You’ll need a coach to visit these ancient Christian burial grounds which lie on the edge of the city. Your site guide will take your underground to explore these large fascinating tombs which were created for Christians who did not have their own land to be buried on in the First Century. We recommend continuing on your coach to visit Ostia Antica or Tivoli.
OSTIA ANTICA Like Pompeii it’s an abandoned Roman city, unlike Pompeii it wasn’t the victim of a volcano, so it’s far less well known but provides an excellent visit for Classicists. The site is noted for the excellent preservation of its ancient buildings, magnificent frescoes and impressive mosaics. Ostia’s amphitheatre especially is wonderfully preserved. A visit to Ostia provides an opportunity to explore a Roman city in its entirety, and allows a glimpse of everyday life. This large archaeological site lies approximately 30 km from Rome so requires a coach, and we recommend visiting the Catacombs en-route. TIVOLI The medieval hill town of Tivoli, a popular retreat since ancient times sits 18 miles east of Rome. The main attraction for Classics groups here is Emperor Hadrian's Villa built at the peak of the Roman Empire. From here Hadrian was able to rule from outside but still near the capital city. Hadrian, who ruled from A.D. 117 to 138, sought refuge here from the political complexity of court life in Rome. While here it is worth exploring the grounds of the recently restored Villa d'Este, included in the UNESCO world heritage listings. Your coach could make a catacombs visit en route.
BAY OF NAPLES STUDY VISITS
EXPERT LOCAL GUIDES One of our expert guides can accompany you when you visit the Classical sites. The guides are highly experienced and know the sites extremely well. We recommended their services for Pompeii, Herculaneum, Solfatara, Paestum, Cumae and Capri. Half and Full day options are available. POMPEII Walking in the footsteps of the Romans it’s easy to imagine the ruins as complete houses again. Walk the same roads, stop and admire the atriums, to try and imagine the upstairs rooms, which had collapsed under the weight of the pumice stones and lava. The preserved town of Pompeii has so much to offer Classics groups starting with the Ampitheatre, you’ll also go on to see thermopolia, temples, baths, theatres, palaestra and a forum. The best possible way to consider ‘City Life in Roman Italy’ and Cambridge Latin Course Groups will be thrilled to take a peek inside Caecilius’s house!
HERCULANEUM Life has indeed been suspended in Herculaneum. Smaller than Pompeii but better preserved due to the way the ash fell here, the more detail can be seen as well as the upper floors of houses. Herculaneum was a wealthy town, possessing an extraordinary density of fine houses, and lavish use of coloured marble cladding. 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.
NAPLES ARCHAEOLOGICAL MUSEUM A recommended visit en route to or from the airport, this truly fascinating museum contains a large collection of Roman artifacts from Pompeii, Stabiae and Herculaneum. The collection includes works of the highest quality produced in Greek, Roman and renaissance times. It is the most important Italian archaeological museum.
PAESTUM The ruins of Paestum are notable for their three ancient Greek Temples which are in a very good state of preservation. The Romans later built on the site and remains of the Roman Forum and Amphitheatre can also be seen today. Paestum Archaeological museum houses the many pieces including a whole room is dedicated to of the “Tomb of the Diver”, dated 450 B.C, and is the only example of Greek painting with figured scenes dating from the Orientalzing, Archaic, or Classical periods to survive in its entirety. We recommend visiting Paestum at the end of a drive down the incredible Amalfi Coastline.
POZZUOLI, SOLFATARA AND CUMAE These 3 Classical sites are all in close proximity and so can be visited as part of a full day excursion together. Groups love a visit to the preserved amphitheatre at Pozzuoli. Here, students have a unique opportunity to take steps down and to see the underground corridors where slaves and animals were held in cages before being sent up to fight. It’s also worth a quick look at the Macellum of Pozzuoli, which has fallen and now risen again due to local ground movement. Solfatara’s is well worth a visit when in this area. You’ll walk in the mouth of this low lying volcanic crater and see fumeroles calmly escaping from the earth; with the overpowering smell of sulphur, feel the heat coming from the steam and see the ground’s bubbling mud. A site the students really enjoy. Cumae was the first Greek colony on the mainland of Italy and the seat of the Cumaean Sibyl. Visit the long echoing cave of the Sibyl visited by Aeneas (even if only in legend). Visit the Acropolis and the entrance to this tunnel built by Agrippa around 38BC to join his harbour in Lake Avernus to the sea. In Roman mthology, Lake Avernus was seen as a route Aeneas used to descend to the underworld. VESUVIUS A must for any group visiting this region. Your coach will take you most of the way up, before you park, and descend the last 200m on foot , accompanied by a guide along a wide and secure pathway offering spectacular views over the region. Upon reaching the rim of this magnificent
active crater, your guide will tell your group about the volcano’s history and it’s most famous eruption. NAPLES UNDERGROUND TOUR & MUSEUM Forty meters below the lively streets of the Naples, you find a different world, isolated by time, but deeply connected with the world above. Take a 2 hr guided tour and travel to the past, a world 2400 years old and where 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. Website: http://www.napolisotterranea.org/en/naples-underground/
CAPRI Capri was the favourite island retreat of the Roman Emperor, Tiberius. Take the boat from Sorrento to this beautiful island. On arrival explore the port of Capri, before taking the funicular up to Capri town with its high end boutiques. Villa Jovis, a must for all Classical fanatics is the best preserved of Tiberius’ villas, and can be visited after a 40 minute panoramic walk. The walk and the site of the villa itself afford incredible views. Another popular addition to a visit to Caprio is a 1 hour boat tour around the island’s dramatic coastline. VILLA POPPAEA IN OPLONTIS An excellent visit to the villa situated in the ancient Roman town of Oplontis buried by Vesuvius, about ten metres below the modern ground level. Evidence suggests that it was owned by the Emperor Nero, and believed to have been used by his second and rather notorious wife, Poppea Sabina, as her main residence when she was not in Rome. The frescoes decorating the walls of the Villa Poppaea are striking both in form and in colour.
ROME CULTURAL VISITS
SPANISH STEPS The famous steps where locals and tourists alike congregate to people watch and soak up the atmosphere. The Spanish Steps are close to Via del Corso, one of the well-known high end shopping streets of Rome, so window shopping in the many designer shops is a popular pastime.
Top Tip: The Spanish Steps are a popular place to visit in the evenings, with café’s and ice cream parlours nearby. It can get busy so keep together in small groups.
Location: Central Rome Metro: Piazza di Spagna
TREVI FOUNTAIN A must see- this is one of the most famous fountains in the world. The Trevi Fountain is located close to the Pantheon so many people choose to visit both together.
Top Tip: The Trevi Fountain is lit up at night so it's fine to visit in the evening too.
Location: Central Rome Metro: Piazza di Spagna
KEATS-SHELLEY MEMORIAL HOUSE Located on the Spanish Steps, this is the final home of John Keats. It contains an extensive collection of paintings, sculpture and manuscripts which celebrate the lives of Keats, Shelley and Byron.
Top Tip: Audio guides are available and please note this museum is closed on Sundays
Location: Central Rome Metro: Piazza di Spagna
Website: http://www.keats-shelley-house.org/
GUIDED TOURS OF ROME We can arrange guided walking tours for half or full days around the city, which can be tailor made to your preferred visits. Popular themes include:
Ancient Rome Modern Rome’s Squares Vatican City
Rome by Night – illuminated tour This night time tour will last approx. 2 hours on board a coach and will take in key sites: Piazza Venezia, Capitoline Hill, Jewish Quarter, Castel Sant‘Angelo, St Peter’s Basilica, Ancient Aurelian Walls framing Villa Borghese Park.
Top Tip: On a walking tour make sure you are all wearing appropriate footwear, sunscreen and carry plenty of water. If you would like to include a refreshment stop in your walking tour, let us know and if possible we will pre-arrange it with your guide.
TIME ELEVATOR - 5D EXPERIENCE You will experience a simulated ride where you will travel through the rich history of Rome. Starting with its foundation, through the glorious days of the ancient Roman Empire, the Renaissance with its masterpieces of architecture and art, the events of the 20th century, culminating in an aerial flight over the Rome of today.
Top Tip: This is a great way to entertain your students in the evening before your evening meal. It’s located close to Hard Rock Café and the Spanish Steps. ART GALLERIES OF ROME:
Galleria Borghese - contains many masterpieces of Gian Lorenzo Bernini and paintings by Raphael.
Galleria Nazionale d’Arte Moderna - neo-classical and romantic paintings and sculptures.
Capitoline Museum - Home to important ancient bronzes, ancient Roman statues, a collection of medieval and renaissance art, as well as jewels, coins and other artefacts.
Galleria Nazionale d’Arte Antica - examples of frescos and art Rome’s great families.
Galleria Spada - Rubens, Durer and Caravaggio
FREE TIME Most people choose to spend their free time in Rome either visiting the shops or relaxing in one of the many squares where you can pick up a coffee or an ice-cream and soak up the culture of the city. Here are some of the most popular areas.
Shopping: Via Del Corso Via Frattina Via Nazionale Termini
Top Tip: Shops in Rome are generally open from 9.00 – 13.00 and 15.30 – 19.00
RESTAURANTS Most hotels in Rome operate on a B&B basis only. We can arrange evening meals in restaurants in the city with options to suit all tastes. The most popular choices are Hard Rock Café, traditional Italian Trattoria or self-service style buffet restaurants if you are in a hurry. Ask us for more details.
BAY OF NAPLES CULTURAL VISITS
Sorrento Lemon Farm Visit Enjoy a 45 minutes 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 farms history and enjoy a fascinating demonstration of how both mozzarella and ricotta are made, before tasting sample of the two. You can also extend your stay and enjoy homemade pizzas from the wood-burning oven.
La Fabbrica Della Pasta di Gragnano Pasta Producer Step into the world of one of Italy’s most iconic foods at this family-run business. During a guided tour of the factory, see the whole production process creating different types of pasta from short-cut extruded pasta such as Penne, to ribbon-cut noodles such as Fettuccine. After the tour students will receive a small memento from La Fabbrica Della Pasta. Website: http://www.lafabbricadellapastadigragnano.it/index_en.php
Amalfi Coast Drive A beautiful scenic drive, where a ribbon of road clings tightly to steep rugged cliff s interspersed with picturesque towns. Take time to stop in Amalfi for a couple of hours, and perhaps visit the town of Ravello with its incredible views. Hotel Meeting Rooms use in the Evenings Most of our hotels are happy for groups to make use of their facilities for evening catch-ups or quizzes. Sorrento Bowling The Sorrento bowling alley is within easy walking distance from the centre and provides a good option to entertain your 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 your through Sorrento's history. Website: http://www.teatrotasso.com/tasso_2006/english/show/musical.asp
FREE TIME Itineraries are often action packed when visiting this region but Sorrento provides a scenic setting for a spot of souvenir shopping, and relaxing with a coffee or an ice-cream. The bowling alley and cultural show are great evening activities.
MEALS Most hotels in the Bay of Naples operate on a Half Board basis which is cost effective for groups here. We can arrange an evening meal in a restaurant in Sorrento if required. There are plenty of options to grab a bite to eat around the main tourist attractions, but if you would prefer we can arrange packed lunched for your group.