Italy 2027

From the Amalfi Coast to Sorrento 
 
Get ready for a journey through the enchanting Amalfi Coast, where ancient history, dramatic coastlines, and culinary tradition come together for an unforgettable cultural experience with breathtaking views from both sea and land.

Sorrento, our home base, is a picturesque town perched atop cliffs overlooking the Bay of Naples. Students will wander the Old Town, visit Sorrento's Cathedral, and explore the Sorrento Experience Museum before hopping on bikes for a ride past the striking Valley of the Mills and into a local lemon grove, followed by a hands-on cooking class using fresh, regional ingredients. A ferry then whisks us to the island of Capri, where a boat tour reveals the famous Grotta Azzurra and Faraglioni Rocks, and a chairlift ride up Monte Solaro delivers sweeping panoramic views of the Mediterranean.

The adventure continues on foot along the legendary Path of the Gods trail, with lunch in the mountain village of Agerola, before we hike to the crater of Mount Vesuvius and step into the ancient city of Pompeii, frozen in time since 79 AD. A final coastal stretch through Gaeta and Sperlonga brings our journey to a close near Rome. 

Trip Leader: Ben DiNardo
 
Essential Questions  
  • What can we learn about daily life in Ancient Italy? How do the histories of Sorrento, Capri, and Pompeii reveal the relationship between human societies and natural forces, and in what ways do current preservation efforts challenge us to think about how we protect culture, adapt to environmental risks, and live responsibly today?
  • How has the unique geography and marine ecosystem of the coastline influenced its cultural, economic, and environmental dynamics throughout history?
  • How has Italy’s long history, from ancient Rome to its medieval villages, shaped its present-day cultural identity, and how might that compare to or challenge the expectations and perceptions that outsiders bring with them before visiting?
  • How do traditions such as regional cuisine and agriculture (like lemon cultivation) reflect both cultural identity and environmental conditions?

Brimmer and May School

69 Middlesex Road
Chestnut Hill, MA 02467
617-566-7462
As an inclusive private school community, Brimmer welcomes students who will increase the diversity of our school. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, sex, gender, gender identity and expression, disability, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, or any other characteristic protected from discrimination under state or federal law, in the administration of our educational policies, admissions practices, financial aid decisions, and athletic and other school-administered programs.