Day 1 - PAESTUM, VELIA AND AGROPOLI
Arrival of the participants in Paestum and meeting with our cultural operator to start the guided tour activities. We will start with the Archaeological Park of Paestum, one of the most valuable testimonies of Magna Graecia. Founded by the Greeks as Poseidonia, Paestum was a prosperous town located at the mouth of the river Sele. During the visit, students will explore the magnificent Doric temples, including the Temple of Hera and the Temple of Neptune, and the Roman forum, which were the beating heart of public and political life in the city. Afterwards, we will visit a local farm where students can observe the process of making buffalo mozzarella, one of the gastronomic excellences of Campania. The lunch on the farm will offer the opportunity to taste directly the local products, with a tasting of mozzarella and other local specialties. In the afternoon, we will move to Velia, the ancient Elea, known for being the home of the eleatic philosophical school with philosophers such as Parmenides and Zeno. We will visit the ruins of the ancient city and discuss the role of philosophy in Greek culture. We will continue with a walk in the Cilento coast and a visit to the historic center of Agropoli, famous for its Aragonese Castle and for the breathtaking view on the coast. Continuation to the hotel, accommodation in rooms, dinner and overnight.
Day 2 - CASTELCIVITA CAVES AND OASIS OF THE RIVER ALENTO
Breakfast in the hotel and departure for the Castelcivita Caves, one of the most extensive speleological complex in southern Italy. Guided by an expert speleologist, students will explore the underground routes, learning about the geology and limestone formations of these spectacular caves. During the visit, the formation processes and ecological importance of these underground environments will be discussed. After lunch, we will continue to the Oasis of the Alento River. Here, students will learn about the operation of the dam and its environmental impact. The visit to the oasis park includes a boat tour, which offers a unique view of the local fauna and flora. This will be a didactic moment to understand water resource management and conservation of the natural environment. Return to hotel, dinner and overnight.
Day 3 - POMPEII
Breakfast in the hotel, luggage loading and departure for Pompeii. The guided tour of the archaeological area will start from Porta Anfiteatro, the main entrance to the site. Students will explore the Forum of Pompeii, the political and commercial center of the city, and walk through the streets of ancient Pompeii, discovering the houses, the temples and public places that testify to the life of a flourishing city destroyed by the eruption of Vesuvius. Lunch in the restaurant and departure for return in the afternoon.
