La DC Vita! Classics Expedition to Rome and the Bay of Naples

During October half term, 42 pupils from Years 8 and 9 and a few Upper Sixth Classicists travelled to Naples and Rome for the 2025 Classics Expedition.  

For the first three days, the tour centered around the sites of Pompeii, Herculaneum and Villa Oplontis (erstwhile home to wife of the Emperor Nero), all amazingly preserved following the AD79 eruption of Mount Vesuvius, which the students also hiked up to peer into the crater.  

There was a visit to the National Archaeological Museum in Naples, picking out a few key objects and themes from this world-class collection and, for the first time, the pupils made a descent underground to view a Roman aqueduct and theatre, now hidden deep under the bustling city streets.  

Any trip to Naples would not be complete without sampling the local delicacy (Pizza Margherita, of course) and for good measure, pupils took part in a pizza-making workshop to learn how to create what many would consider to be the best pizza in the world! The evenings were spent in the beautiful and atmospheric town of Sorrento, with many pupils sampling another famous Italian delicacy - gelato. 

The last two days were spent travelling up the Appian Way to Rome, learning about the fascinating history of Italy since the end of the Roman Empire along the way, and then taking in the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, the Pantheon and completing the tour with a visit to the Spanish Steps.  

Overall, this was a hugely enriching and culturally rewarding experience for everyone. Thank you to all the staff for making such a worthwhile trip possible.