After Rome, all along we were planning to go to Naples. Naples, however, apparently is a lousy city, so we decided to hit up Sorrento. Talking to people and looking at other travel blogs, we found it to be an appealing place. We were not disappointed. Sorrento is located on a peninsula which points toward the island of Capri. We stayed in a campground just down the peninsula from Sorrento and it was beautiful. We overlooked the bay and the city and Mount Vesuvius. Old boy Vesuvius is a volcano that is active but dormant, and destroyed the Roman city of Pompeii in 79 AD. We went to see these ruins one day during our stay. When the volcano erupted, it spewed ash, rock, and lava from its top and rained and flooded Pompeii, located at its base, with it. This eruption essentially killed the city, with a population of around 20,000, and left it covered. It wasn't discovered until the 17th century and excavation began in the 18th century. Still, today, much work is being down to uncover and restore this city. It was very cool to step back and explore an entire ancient city complete with houses, courts, temples, restaurants, and brothels.
Sorrento and its bay
Mt. Vesuvius
Pompeii's forum
Because Pompeii was buried and untouched for 1700 years, virtually the only damage on the present day buildings was done by the volcano and an AD 62 earthquake.
The city is still complete with original, first century roads and original, first century Roman chariot ruts in the stones.
When the lava and ash invaded the city, it buried people alive. Those bodies decomposed and left cavities in the rock. The excavators filled these cavities with plaster and, in doing so, gave us recreations of the citizens' last positions.
An authentic fast food counter where Pompeiians would eat their pasta and paninis.
Colourful frescos still on the walls of these ancient houses.
Roman baths - the real deal
Pompeii's own amphitheatre. No Colisseum, but quite the arena just the same.
We loved hanging out in the hot area of Sorrento, but feel it was a fitting end to our Italian travels. We are sad to know that Italy is finito, but are very excited to experience all that Greece has to offer!
Sorrento and its bay
Mt. Vesuvius
Pompeii's forum
Because Pompeii was buried and untouched for 1700 years, virtually the only damage on the present day buildings was done by the volcano and an AD 62 earthquake.
The city is still complete with original, first century roads and original, first century Roman chariot ruts in the stones.
When the lava and ash invaded the city, it buried people alive. Those bodies decomposed and left cavities in the rock. The excavators filled these cavities with plaster and, in doing so, gave us recreations of the citizens' last positions.
An authentic fast food counter where Pompeiians would eat their pasta and paninis.
Colourful frescos still on the walls of these ancient houses.
Roman baths - the real deal
Pompeii's own amphitheatre. No Colisseum, but quite the arena just the same.
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