Optional Tours & Excursions

All 2025 Excursions are Optional and must be booked and paid for at time of registration.

  • For all optional tours and excursions, a minimum number of participants is required. 
  • The final itineraries of the tours and excursions may vary slightly for logistical reasons.

MONDAY 13 OCTOBER

09:30-16:30

Napoli’s above – and – under-ground heart

 
Naples

We visit the ancient historic city, which has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1997. Here, you'll experience the city's ancient Greek origins, dating back to the 6th century BC.

From Piazza Gesù Nuovo, which serves as a gateway to the old city, we walk along Via Benedetto Croce, known by its nickname Spaccanapoli ("splits Naples in two"). This vibrant, bustling street is where the past and present coexist. It is the ancient decumano, the east-west running street of the ancient Greek city.

We continue our walk along the narrow streets of the ancient Greek and Roman city and visit the impressive excavations discovered by chance beneath the Church of San Lorenzo, which revealed the ruins of an ancient street with shops, public buildings, and the ancient forum of Neapolis.

Another unexpected site is LAPIS, the Museum of Water. Forty to forty-five meters below street level, you’ll find yourself in what feels like an underground cathedral: a series of corridors and large rooms that were once used as water cisterns in Roman times. It gives you the impression of being in another city - the "hidden city."

We stop for lunch at a typical pizzeria. No food is more famous than pizza, invented for the poor but now the most iconic dish in the world.

After lunch, enjoy a sweet break with typical Neapolitan espresso and sfogliatella, a famous Neapolitan pastry!

Then, we immerse ourselves in the magical and peaceful atmosphere of the Monastery of Santa Chiara, which includes a Gothic church and a cloister completely decorated with hand-painted tiles. The bright colours of the majolica mix with the hues of lemon and orange trees in the garden, creating a space that seems to celebrate life and nature—designed for cloistered nuns.

TUESDAY 14 OCTOBER

09:30- 16:30

Napoli from top to bottom

 
Naples

Once we arrive at Vomero Hill at Piazza Vanvitelli, we’ll walk to the top and visit the Carthusian Monastery of San Martino, known as the "crown of Naples". This stunning location offers a panoramic view of the city and houses one of the most enchanting Baroque churches in Naples, featuring frescoes and paintings by artists such as Battistello, Jusepe de Ribera, Massimo Stanzione, and Guido Reni. Additionally, the museum is home to an impressive collection of 18th and 19th-century “presepi” (nativity scenes), which are an important part of Neapolitan tradition.

Lunch at the top of the hill, where you can enjoy the breathtaking view of the Bay of Naples.

After lunch, we’ll take the “funicolare” (cable car), a typical local means of transport, and in just a few minutes, we’ll reach Via Toledo. We’ll then take a walk through the monumental city center, an area where you can experience the grandeur of Naples as a former capital city and city of kings. We’ll stroll through Piazza del Plebiscito, the largest square in Naples and one of the most beautiful in Italy, passing by the Royal Palace, the residence of the Kings of Naples from 1601 until the Unification of Italy. Then, we’ll walk through the Galleria Umberto I, a remarkable arcade of iron and glass, and see the San Carlo Opera House from the outside. San Carlo, inaugurated in 1737, is the oldest opera house in Europe and remains one of the most beautiful theaters in the world, with exceptional acoustics.

An incredible trip through the city, showcasing its many different facets, and one that will surely make you fall in love with Naples!

WEDNESDAY 15 OCTOBER

09:30- 16:30

Pompeii

 
Naples

In 79 A.D., a disastrous eruption of Mount Vesuvius buried the city of Pompeii with hot volcanic ash, leaving us with a snapshot of Roman life from two thousand years ago. Pompeii was rediscovered by chance in 1748 during the reign of Charles of the Bourbon family, and to date, 80% of the city has been excavated. Since Pompeii was not destroyed but simply sealed off by volcanic matter, a visit here is not just an excursion - it’s a trip back in time: streets, shops, villas, and baths remain intact, with vibrant frescoes and mosaics still visible.

Entering from Porta Marina Inferiore, we first see the Theatre and the Odeon (a smaller theatre), where nearly 6,000 spectators could watch tragedies, comedies, and concerts.

Then, walking along Via Stabiana, we’ll reach the Terme Stabiane (Stabian Baths), where the people of Pompeii would go to relax, meet others, conduct business, and, most importantly, bathe!

Next, we arrive at the Forum, the main square and the center of commerce, politics, administration, and religion in any Roman city. Here, we see the Basilica, the symbol of the central power of Rome in every city of the empire.

From the Forum, we walk to the House of the Vettii, one of the most beautiful homes in Pompeii. This house belonged to two brothers who had once been slaves and made their fortune through the wine business. After a lengthy restoration, the house has been reopened to the public.

A visit to Pompeii is more than just an excursion – it’s a journey back in time. Explore the everyday life of ancient Romans and discover the extraordinary story of a city frozen in time.

THURSDAY 16 OCTOBER

14:30- 17:30

The National Archaeological Museum of Napoli

 
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museum

The National Archaeological Museum is one of the richest museums in the world. Along with all the art and everyday objects found in Pompeii and Herculaneum, you see the Farnese collection, huge sculptures from the Baths of Caracalla and the Forum in Rome, inherited by Charles III of Bourbon, King of Naples, in 1734.

The visit give you a clear understanding of the significance of the Pompeii discoveries and their influence on European culture.

Moreover, the museum offers a unique opportunity to explore the origins of the city of Naples and the Campania region, as many other archaeological findings from across the region are housed here.

It’s a true journey back to the ancient heart of Greek and Roman culture.

 

OPTIONAL EXCURSIONS

Friday 17 October 2025

Time Excursion

09:30-17:30

The Royal Palace of Caserta ”Invitation to the court of the Bourbons

 
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Caserta
By Carlo Pelagalli, CC BY-SA 3.0

A UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the most magnificent royal residences in Europe, the Royal Palace of Caserta is often referred to as the "Versailles of Italy" due to its grandeur and beauty.

Built in the 18th century under the orders of Charles of Bourbon, the palace was designed by architect Luigi Vanvitelli to rival the great European palaces. The monumental complex includes over 1,200 rooms, 34 staircases, and 1,800 windows, making it one of the largest royal residences in the world.

The enormous Bourbon Palace houses the impressive Palatine Chapel, directly inspired by the one in the Palace of Versailles. The Court Theatre and the royal apartments begin with the antechambers: the “Sala degli Alabardieri,” adorned with a painting by Domenico Mondo, and the “Sala di Alessandro,” dedicated to Alexander the Great, which separates the Old Apartment from the New Apartment. The Old Apartment, once inhabited by Ferdinand IV and Maria Carolina, is notable for the brocade and damask silks produced in the San Leucio Factory, which was also founded by the Bourbons.

After a stop for lunch, enjoy a visit to the magnificent garden, covering 120 hectares of lush vegetation. The garden is divided into an English-style garden and an Italian/French-style garden, reflecting the changing tastes of garden design over the centuries.

Whether you’re a history enthusiast, architecture lover, or simply seeking a magnificent escape, the Royal Palace of Caserta promises to be an unforgettable experience.

09:00-17:00

Trekking on Vesuvius with wine tasting

 
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hiking
Photo by Victor Malyushev on Unsplash

Mount Vesuvius is undoubtedly one of the most famous volcanoes on Earth and the undisputed symbol of Naples. It is best known for its catastrophic eruption in 79 AD, which, in just two days of violent activity, buried the cities of Pompeii, Herculaneum, Stabiae, and Oplontis.

The current volcanic structure of Vesuvius, along with the ancient caldera of Mount Somma, forms the Somma-Vesuvius Complex, a typical stratovolcano featuring two concentric volcanic structures of different sizes and ages, both emerging from a common base.

Today, Vesuvius stands at 1,281 meters, and its iconic profile is inextricably linked to the Gulf of Naples and the city itself. To reach the summit, visitors follow a comfortable and scenic trail that takes less than 30 minutes to reach the crater rim. Upon reaching the top, the breathtaking 360° panoramic view more than compensates for the effort, offering stunning vistas.

From this point, the trail becomes almost flat and leads to the edge of the massive crater, where visitors can peer into its depths, rich with easily observable fumaroles. The current crater, formed after the last eruption in 1944, has a slightly elliptical shape with a diameter of almost 600 meters, a circumference of 1.5 km, and a depth of just over 300 meters.

The excursion is completed with a circular hike around Vesuvius, crossing the "Valley of Hell", the valley separating the walls of the ancient Mount Somma crater from the base of Vesuvius, which was inundated by the lava flow of 1944.

At the end of the excursion, relax over lunch on the slopes of Mount Vesuvius and enjoy discovering delicious local dishes paired with organic Vesuvio Lacryma Christi DOC Classic wines.

Difficulty: Medium, due to elevation changes and slippery terrain.  Good physical health and motor skills are required

This experience is not suitable for people with heart disease, people with lower limb problems, people with a physical disability, children under 12 years, pregnant women. 
Equipment: Hiking boots, binoculars, water, windbreaker. Trekking poles are also useful.

11:00-14:30

Pizza making

 
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pizza

Neapolitan pizza is undoubtedly one of the most famous Italian dishes worldwide. However, few people truly know the origins of this delicious culinary specialty.

The origins of pizza date back to ancient times, but the Neapolitan version we know today emerged in the 18th century. At that time, pizza was considered cheap street food, typically consumed by the lower classes.

In 1889, King Umberto I and Queen Margherita of Savoy visited Naples. Raffaele Esposito created the so-called "Pizza Margherita," a pizza named in honor of the Queen. The colors of the pizza reflected those of the Italian flag: red (tomatoes), white (mozzarella), and green (basil leaves). While many Neapolitan-style pizzas exist worldwide, the authentic one must meet strict standards. 

Participants, divided into groups/teams and guided by the master “pizzaiolo”, will prepare different kinds of pizza using a "learning by doing" approach.

While discovering the secrets and techniques of the original preparation, an aperitif will be offered to the guests. Creativity is a must - they can design their favorite pizza.
Please note that for lunch, they will taste pizzas prepared by the master “pizzaiolo”, due to the long leavening process.