Holiday instalment #11-Naples and Pompeii

We were up bright and early on our second to last day in Rome as we were heading south... doing a tour to Naples and Pompeii.  Our bus set off in early morning traffic heading towards Naples first. 

Along the way we saw Monte Cassino - and the replaced monastery in the distance.  This was special for Peter as his father was there in WWII - and involved in the Battle of Monte Cassino.  We also cross the Appian Way.... this was the original Roman road that led from Rome to Brindisi in the south east of Italy.  Parts of this are still visible and used today.

Once we got to Naples we meet with a local guide who took us on a quick walking tour of the city... we saw the Castle Nuovo, the Piazza del Plebiscito ( Square of the people) and the Opera House (Real Teatro di San Carlo) where famous singers like Caruso, Maria Callas and Pavarotti sang.  Quite spectacular.... as well as the harbour

Next we headed to Pompeii where before having lunch we visited a Cameo factory to watch a demonstration on the hand carving of the sea shells that goes into the making of a true Cameo.  Of course I had to have one.... very expensive as they are all hand carved, but I decided that I would wear it for my daughter's wedding, so got one that can to either a brooch or a pendant.  It is simply gorgeous.

Then it was off to explore the ruins.  Pompeii was destroyed and completely buried by ash during an eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79AD...Excavation started in the 1700's and is still going on today. 

Some of the mosaics are incredible... as you can see above... that one looks 3D but is just a single layer of tiny little bits of colour.  On the temple photo you can see Vesuvius in the background.  It was quite stunning how clever the people were - the roads had stepping stones in the middle so you could cross without getting wet feet, but the chariots could still travel down them - the wheels passing each side of the stone. They also had running water - through copper piping...

All in all the day was fabulous.... we finally arrived back in Rome around 8.30 that night and ended up visiting the Trevi Fountain and finding a little restaurant to eat at about 10.00 at night.   The owner of the restaurant had a bit of a party going on with some friends and there was lots of singing and laughing - made for a fun end to a fun day.

And so the holiday was nearly at an end.... just one more day to spend in the city and then the long trip home.... more next post....
thanks for visiting

Holiday instalment #10- Rome - the ancient City

Back again...

Rome is a city of so many contrasts.  Parts of the city are SO old - over 10 centuries BC... can you imagine that!   We did a walking tour around the oldest parts of the city... parts that are still being excavated.  Totally mind blowing... to think I was walking on the same paths that Julius Caesar, Mark Antony and all those other famous Roman's  walked on... yes some of the paths we walked were the original stones....

 We walked through the old city, saw a small stadium where there would have been sporting events, saw the forum where the senate sat, and the final photo shows the shrine where Julius Caesar's body was cremated.   Following on from the ancient city we arrived at the Colosseum.  This is a stunning piece of architecture.  For it's size and the time it was built ( 72AD) it took only about 6-8 years to build, mostly with the assistance of the slaves captured during the Roman conquests.  It was partially destroyed in the middle ages by devastating earthquakes....

You could almost see the gladiators and the wild animals... the atmosphere was incredible.  I thoroughly enjoyed this tour we did... having a great guide helped as she gave us some insight into the lives of the ancient ones.  We did have a few minutes of rain while we were walking.... some thunder as well.... but within 10 minutes it was  all over.

My next instalment will show you some more ruins and another Italian city - Naples and Pompeii.   See you then....