15th – 19th September 2025
Naples is a city of extremes. It is more lively and intoxicating than any other Italian city I know. We will lose ourselves in the tangle of streets in search of great art and architecture. Narrow, high, washing strewn alleys lead onto beautiful open piazzas with wonderful churches which hide treasures within. We will visit Herculaneum and stop for a spot of wine-tasting in the foothills of Vesuvius, famed for its fertile soils. On the third day we will take a boat to Ischia, an island so close to Naples yet so dramatically different in pace. We will visit the renowned gardens of La Mortella and explore the Castel Aragonese.
Our hotel is a beautiful converted monastery above Naples and away from the bustle of the streets, it has a beautiful roof terrace and all rooms have views of Vesuvius. This trip is a mix of interesting art and architecture, beautiful gardens, spectacular scenery, good food and wine – throw in good company and it’s a perfect few days away.
Itinerary
Monday 15th September
We will arrive just after lunch, and after settling into our hotel, we will plunge headlong into the tangled vibrant streets of Naples. We will seek out the best art hidden in the churches of Spaccanapoli. Our church crawl will include Santa Chiara, San Severo and San Gregorio Armeno. This will give you a real flavour of the range of art in Naples and also take us through the most ancient and atmospheric part of the city. Our last stop before an aperitivo will be for a dramatic Caravaggio found in the church of Pio Monte della Misericordia. For supper we will eat in the heart of Naples at one of our favourite trattorias.
Tuesday 16th September
In the morning we will delve into the ancient history of Naples with a private tour of the extraordinary Catacombs of San Gennaro. Dug deep into the volcanic tufo below the city is a warren of passages, tombs and churches. Christian frescoes dating from the 2nd century and mosaics from the 5th century adorn the walls and the tombs of bishops and saints. We will then emerge into the light for an lunch alfresco in local trattoria.
In the afternoon we will go up to see the Capodimonte Gallery, which houses one of the greatest collections of pictures in the world but is always curiously empty. We will look at edited highlights including works by Masaccio, Simone Martini, Caravaggio, Titian, Raphael, Parmigianino. Supper at a lively pizzeria in Mergellina (where arguably the world’s most authentic pizza is to be found).
Wednesday 17th September
In the morning, we will catch a boat to the busy fishing port of Ischia, where we will be met by our minibus. Our first visit will be to the Gardens of La Mortella, a little piece of paradise full of vivid colours and heady scents. Gardening against all odds (no natural water supply, steep volcanic rock…) Lady Walton created a lush idyll packed with exotic planting. The garden is punctuated with sculptures, pools, a Thai temple and the Victoria House which is home to orchids and lotus flowers.
Our coach will drive us to the lunch at an excellent spot with great views. We will then cross the walkway to explore the Castel Aragonese, before taking the ferry back to Naples. We will have dinner on the wonderful terrace of our hotel.
Thursday 18th September
We will spend the morning in the ancient city of Herculaneum, and walk among the streets that have been frozen in time ever since the eruption of Vesuvius. We will then discover a different side to the volcano and take advantage of its incredibly fertile soil with a wine tasting among the vineyards nestled in the foothills. Here we will remain for lunch while take in the breathtaking views of Vesuvius and the surrounding countryside. The rest of the afternoon will be free to explore the city further and do a spot of shopping. We will meet back up again for supper at a place famed for its seafood.
Friday 19th September
For our final morning, we will visit the archaeological museum – full of wonderful mosaics, frescoes and artefacts from the buried cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum. We will look at the daily life of the people from emperors, gladiators and legionaries to businessmen, powerful women, freed slaves and children. We will also discuss a couple of remarkable sculptures from the Farnese collection. One final lunch before flying home.
Further Details
Tuition – Cat Manson and Ed Aspinall will lead the trip. Both tutors know Naples well and are experts on where to find the best restaurants, shops and cafes.
Hotel – We will stay at the five-star Hotel San Francesco al Monte, a beautifully restored 16th monastery located high up in a cooler and quieter part of the city. Our rooms, the terrace and the bar all have stunning views over the Bay of Naples and Mount Vesuvius. We have booked superior rooms with a view of the bay. (There is a small swimming pool, but please note it is only open 9am – 5pm)
Flights – We do not book the flights thus allowing you to travel to suit your budget, use airmiles, travel between different airports or on different dates. However, we recommend buying the following flights with British Airways.
Mon 15 Sep London Heathrow 10:10 – 13:55 Naples International BA536
Fri 19 Sep Naples International 15:45 – 17:35 London Heathrow BA537
Please note: these flights have now gone up in price, however, there is a cheaper return flight available later in the evening on the 19th September at 20:00. Please note transport to the airport for the 20:00 flight is not included in your fees..
Transport – There will be a private coach for the airport transfer to meet the recommended flights. We will mostly walk but may also take taxis and the metro. There will be a ferry to Ischia.
Ability – There is a lot of walking on this trip, as well as slopes and uneven cobbles. As is the case for all our courses, there is a lot of standing while we discuss the works we are looking at.
Meals – Lunches are a set menu of two courses to include drinks. The dinner at the hotel is included in the fees (not including wine). Dinners are by no means compulsory, but we book a table for the group each night at different restaurants and divide the bill equally between everyone. Sometimes these may also need to be a set menu but we try our best to avoid this. We will adjust the bill for those not drinking alcohol.
Cost – The fees are £2200 which includes accommodation and breakfast, all lunches, one dinner at the hotel (not including wine), Wine tasting, transfers for the recommended flight, transport when connected with teaching, ferry to Ischia, entrance fees including private Catacombs visit, tuition, reading lists and local advice. The single room supplement is £200 (double room for single use). Please state on the form if you would be happy to share. Not included are the flights, all suppers and travel insurance. The group will not exceed 16 people.
To register – Please complete the online registration form, having read our terms and conditions and pay a deposit of £600 via bank transfer. Your place is not confirmed until we have received the deposit.
If you have any queries please email charlie@arthistoryabroad or call 01379 871800 (302)
NB you must buy your own flights
