Tour Leader
Dr Estelle Lazer
- Tour Info
- Itinerary
- Tour Leader
- Hotels
- Inclusions
Overview
The eruption of Mount Vesuvius in AD79 and the archaeological excavations have given humanity an unrivalled window on the ancient world. This seven-day exploration of the key archaeological sites of the Bay of Naples is led by internationally-acclaimed archaeologist Dr Estelle Lazer. Estelle’s work on the human remains of Pompeii was the keystone of Professor Mary Beard’s BBC documentary and many other studies. Estelle maintains an active research profile, including the exciting current investigations using medical imaging technology.
Based in a four-star hotel in the attractive seaside town of Sorrento, background lectures and daily excursions will give participants a comprehensive, scientifically based understanding of the Roman world – what we know and what we don’t – as well as an appreciation of the art, architecture and society of the Roman world. There’s also time to enjoy the scenery of the Bay of Naples, travel the Amalfi Coast and sample some of the delightful cuisine of the region, including a special buffalo mozzarella lunch near Paestum.
Highlights
- Six nights in a centrally-located four-star hotel in the attractive town of Sorrento
- Three excellent meals at noted local restaurants, wine and beer included
- Private coach transfers to sites and airport transfers to and from Naples
- Background lectures and onsite commentary from a leading expert, familiar with current research
- Access to houses in Pompeii not normally accessible to the general visitor
- All entrance fees to sites and all tipping
- Professional tour manager as well as academic leader
Itinerary Overview
Day 1: Arrive Naples airport or station. Transfer to hotel. Lecture and welcome drinks.
Day 2: Full day in Pompeii. Welcome dinner.
Day 3: Naples Archaeological Museum and city walking tour.
Day 4: Amalfi coast and Greek colony of Paestum. Buffalo mozzarella lunch.
Day 5: Oplontis and Herculaneum.
Day 6: Roman villas at Boscoreale and Stabiae. Farewell dinner.
Day 7: Return transfer to Naples airport or station.
A detailed itinerary for this tour will be available soon. Please register your interest above to receive your copy.
Emirates and Singapore offer daily flights from Australia to Rome. Contact us for quotes and bookings.
Detailed Itinerary
Itinerary available shortly.
Dr Estelle Lazer
An archaeologist who has worked on site at Pompeii for numerous seasons and has an international reputation for her research on the city's skeletal remains.
Dr Estelle Lazer is an archaeologist with an international reputation for her work on the human victims of Pompeii, with more field seasons in the Bay of Naples than she cares to remember! Her PhD studied the site’s human skeletons, and her current project is to CT scan and X-ray the unique casts of these victims. Estelle’s book, Resurrecting Pompeii, was published by Routledge and her work forms a core part of the Ancient History syllabus for the NSW Higher School Certificate.
Estelle is an Honorary Research Associate in the Department of Classics and Ancient History at the University of Sydney. In October 2017, the University of Sydney and the Pompeii Archaeological Park signed an historic Memorandum of Agreement to partner in an important new scanning project led by Estelle. Her research has received considerable media attention in print, radio and television, with two documentaries (one for the BBC and Smithsonian, and another in production for Britain’s Channel 5) ensuring a wide audience for her fascinating findings.
Her other main field of research is historical archaeology in Antarctica and the Sub-Antarctic. Estelle spent four summers working on Mawson’s Huts, and has spent another summer studying evidence of the sealing industry as well as Australia’s first post-war Antarctic base at Heard Island. She has also worked on archaeological sites in Bahrain, south-eastern Italy, Cyprus, the UK and Australia.
In addition to her teaching work at the University of Sydney, University of New South Wales and University of Technology, Sydney, Estelle gives frequent public lectures at the invitation of universities, schools and museums, such as the Australian National University, Oxford University, the British Museum, University of Trondheim, Norway and the British School at Rome.
Estelle has led tours to Italy and the Mediterranean for Academy Travel since the company’s inception in 2004, and also works extensively with our Academy Schools program for teachers and students. In addition to her obvious archaeological expertise, she particularly enjoys explaining the place of mythology in the landscape – especially in Sicily and southern Italy.
Hotel
Hotel to be advised. The hotel will be a four-star hotel based in the attractive seaside town of Sorrento.
Tour Inclusions
What is included in the tour price?
Unless otherwise stated in the itinerary, our tours include the following:
- Any flights mentioned in the itinerary that take place during a tour
- Land travel by private air-conditioned coach. Where appropriate public transport is also used for short distance travel on some tours
- All accommodation in hotels or apartments as stated in the itinerary
- Breakfasts, lunches and dinners specifically stated as included in the itinerary
- Drinks at welcome and farewell meals. Other meals may not have drinks included
- Background talks on tour, site notes and online resources
- Services of tour leader throughout tour
- All entrance fees to sites mentioned in the itinerary
- Local guides at some sites
- Tips for drivers, local guides and restaurants for included meals
Airport Transfers
Tours begin either at the arrival airport or the first hotel, depending on the itinerary. If you have booked your international flights with Academy Travel and arrive before the tour commences, we will provide airport to hotel transfers to the closest main city on your arrival, and to the closest airport at the end of the tour. These may be either individual or group transfers.
What is not included in the tour price?
Open-age tours do not include the following:
- Return international/domestic air travel unless those flights take place during the tour
- Special taxes and airport levies that can only be paid in cash at the destination. We will advise you of these charges (if any) before you depart
- Costs involved in obtaining visas for countries visited, where required
- Travel insurance. We require all participants to have comprehensive travel insurance. A typical policy for one of our tours will cost from $160 upwards, depending on your age, pre-existing medical conditions, the countries you are visiting and the overall length of your trip
- Lunches and dinners not specifically mentioned as included in the itinerary
- Personal expenses such as laundry and phone calls
- Costs associated with any activity mentioned as “optional” in the itinerary, or any suggested free time activity
Booking conditions
You will be asked to sign an acknowledgement of these conditions when you book a place on a tour.
Deposits
A deposit of $500 per person is required to confirm your booking on a tour. Final payment of the tour fee, insurance and any additional travel will be due 60 days before departure.
Cancellation Fees
If you decide to cancel your booking the following charges apply:
- More than 60 days before departure: $500*
- 60-45 days before tour start: 25% of total amount due
- 44-15 days before tour start: 75% of total amount due
- 14 days or less before departure: 100% of total amount due
*This amount may be credited to another Academy Travel tour within 12 months of the original tour you booked.
Unused Portions of the tour
We regret that refunds will not be given for any unused portions of the tour, such as meals, entry fees, accommodation, flights or transfers.
Travel Insurance
Academy Travel requires all participants to obtain comprehensive travel insurance. We offer a comprehensive policy with a reputable insurer if required.
Passport and Visa
A valid passport is required for all international travel. If you do not hold an Australian passport you may require a re-entry permit. Some countries require a visa to be issued before you depart Australia. We will advise you of all passport and visa requirements, but it is your responsibility to ensure that you meet passport and visa requirements before you depart.
Will the tour price change?
If the number of participants in a tour is significantly less than budgeted, or if there is a significant change in exchange rates Academy Travel reserves the right to amend the advertised price. If this occurs you will be given the option of cancelling your booking and obtaining a full refund. If an Academy Travel tour is forced to cancel you will get a full refund of all monies paid.
Will the itinerary change?
Occasionally circumstances beyond the control of Academy Travel make it necessary to change airline, hotel or to make slight amendments to daily itineraries. We will inform you of any changes as soon as they occur.
Final Payment
Full and final payment for the tour, airfare travel, insurance and any additional travel you book is due 60 days before departure. Payment may be made by bank deposit, cheque, cash or credit card. Please note there is a surcharge for payments made by credit card.
Academy Travel reserves the right to decline the booking or terminate the holiday of any traveller.
Fitness rating
Grade 1A Grade 1 tour is appropriate for travellers in good health with good mobility, who can comfortably participate in up to 3 hours of physical activity per day on most days.
More Details
A detailed itinerary for this tour is not yet available, and as such we're not accepting bookings for this tour at this time. If you would like to be notified when places become available, please register your interest.
Register your InterestSpeak to a consultant
For further information or to secure a place on this tour please contact:(outside Sydney) rebecca@academytravel.com.au
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