Italy
New Year's in Sorrento
Program No. 22188RJ
Experience New Year’s in Sorrento, a picturesque town on the gorgeous southern coastline of Italy. Celebrate the holidays as you learn Italian history and culture from local experts.
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9 days
8 nights
18 meals
7B 6L 5D
At a Glance
In the charming town of Sorrento, ring in the New Year the Italian way with delectable cuisine, lively company, and gorgeous views of the Mediterranean. Nestled on the scenic cliffs of Italy’s southern coastline and a stone’s throw away from historic sites like Pompeii, Sorrento is the perfect place to celebrate the holidays and experience authentic Italian culture. Travel down the storied Amalfi Coast to discover quaint seaside villages and learn from local experts about Italian history and culture at a host of top-notch museums. Enjoy Italy as you celebrate the holidays in one of the country's most beautiful and fascinating regions!
Activity Level
Keep the Pace
Walking up to four miles a day. Extended standing during site visits with limited or no public seating. Uneven terrain, limited public handrails, unavoidable stairs, marble and terracotta flooring, cobblestones, steep inclines, loose gravel, dirt paths. Elevator use is limited or restricted in historic sites. Expect crowded conditions in pedestrian centers and museums. Dress accordingly for visits to open-air archeological parks. Program-related travel and transfers will be via bus, boat, convertible, and funicular. Sheltered waiting areas may not be available at docks.
Small Group
Love to learn and explore in a small-group setting? These adventures offer small, personal experiences with groups of 13 to 24 participants.
Best of all, you’ll…
- Discover the incredible remains and ancient artifacts of Pompeii and Herculaneum on expert-led excursions.
- Ring in the New Year Sorrento style, with delicious Italian food, good friends and an evening concert.
- Drive down the scenic Amalfi Coast and enjoy spectacular views from the Isle of Capri, with an expert to teach you about local culture and history.
General Notes
Give us a call to combine this learning adventure with, "Christmas in Assisi" (#19220) for even more learning in Italy! We'll even transfer you for free between locations.
Featured Expert
All trip experts
Michela Porcelli
Michela Porcelli was awarded an advanced degree in linguistic anthropology from the University of Naples. Fluent in English, Swedish, Spanish and French, Michela studied in the U.S. at the University of California Santa Barbara. Currently, she lives in Naples where she is involved in several research projects in linguistics at the university there.
Please note: This expert may not be available for every date of this program.
Michela Porcelli
View biography
Michela Porcelli was awarded an advanced degree in linguistic anthropology from the University of Naples. Fluent in English, Swedish, Spanish and French, Michela studied in the U.S. at the University of California Santa Barbara. Currently, she lives in Naples where she is involved in several research projects in linguistics at the university there.
Vincenzo Coppola
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Vincenzo Coppola is an ethnomusicologist and licensed guide for the Amalfi Coast area. He has a passion for music in the Neapolitan tradition. A lecturer at Naples University and Conservatory of Music, his seminars include Opera and Oriental Traits in Neapolitan popular music and the Japanese Theater of Noh.
Claudio Mollo
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Claudio Mollo enjoys traveling and has lived in Italy as well as other countries and continents. In fact, he speaks five languages. A licensed guide, his area of expertise is history and archaeology specializing in the Campania Region comprising Naples, the Sorrentine Peninsula, and Amalfi Coast. Claudio has been leading groups in southern Italy for Trinity College cultural programs including Road Scholar for 25 years and always enjoys showcasing his native region.
Suggested Reading List
(13 books)
Visit the Road Scholar Bookshop
You can find many of the books we recommend at the Road Scholar store on bookshop.org, a website that supports local bookstores.
New Year's in Sorrento
Program Number: 22188
The Fires of Vesuvius
Amazon Books: "Pompeii is the most famous archaeological site in the world, visited by more than two million people each year. Here, acclaimed historian Beard explores what kind of town it was, and what it can reveal about ordinary life there."
Life and Death in Pompeii and Herculaneum
Drawing on sharp, full-color photographs of more than 200 objects excavated from Pompeii and Herculaneum, Roberts, a curator at the British Museum, discusses what life was like in the ancient cities. He covers everything from birth certificates to the prevalence of bakeries and taverns.
Pompeii, The Day a City Died
This indispensable pocket guide illustrates daily life in the city as revealed by its evocative frescoes, mosaics and treasures.
The Ancient Shore
Hazzard's lyrical collection of essays on the history, beauty, complexities and contradictions of Naples. Includes a celebrated New Yorker essay by Francis Steegmuller.
In the Shadow of Vesuvius
This cultural history delves into the rich tapestry of Naples, from its ancient origins to its vibrant and complex present. Lancaster takes readers on a journey through the city's art, architecture, music, and folklore, uncovering the layers of influence from various civilizations that have left their mark on Naples. With a keen eye for detail and a deep appreciation for the city's unique character, the book provides a vivid and comprehensive portrait of Naples, making it a must-read for anyone interested in the cultural heritage of this enchanting Italian city.
Herculaneum: Italy's Buried Treasures
An artful and wonderfully written description of the daily life of the Romans at the time of the destruction of Herculaneum.
Lonely Planet Italian Phrasebook
A handy, palm-sized guide to pronunciation, basic grammar and essential vocabulary for the traveler.
Rediscovering the Ancient World in the Bay of Naples, 1710-1890
This extensively illustrated volume details various reactions to the early excavations of the ancient Roman cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum and their international influence in the 18th and 19th centuries.
La Bella Figura, A Field Guide to the Italian Mind
From Amazon: You won’t need luggage for this hypothetical and hilarious trip into the hearts and minds of Beppe Severgnini’s fellow Italians. In fact, Beppe would prefer if you left behind the baggage his crafty and elegant countrymen have smuggled into your subconscious. To get to his Italia, you’ll need to forget about your idealized notions of Italy. Although La Bella Figura will take you to legendary cities and scenic regions, your real destinations are the places where Italians are at their best, worst, and most authentic: the highway, the airport, and the small town.
Campania Basilicata Map
A colorful, durable map of Campania, including Naples and the Amalfi Coast.
Italian Folktales
This collection by one of Italy’s most famous writers is a magic and classical tome to put anyone in the mood for visiting this fascinating and continually surprising country.
The Italians
From Amazon: A vivid and surprising portrait of the Italian people from an admired foreign correspondent.
Vesuvius
Darley unveils human responses to Mount Vesuvius, a place both feared and celebrated, from a cast of characters as far-flung as Pliny the Younger and David Hockney. This entry in Harvard University Press's excellent Wonders of the World series is a perfect introduction for travelers to Pompeii and Herculaneum.