Four days in Southern Italy

---

---

09/04/2009 - For the Easter long weekend Hannah and I decided to take the opportunity of a few days off work and head across to Southern Italy. We had booked flights way in advance and decided it was worth the expensive holiday flights to go somewhere we both had not been before. Both Hannah and I brought our luggage to work as we would leave early and catch the flight over that night. Our flight was at 18:00 and I left work for the airport around 15:30 however I massively underestimated the long weekend traffic. We drove separately and we were both stuck in the same terribly bad traffic, it was so bad I was convinced that we would miss our flight.

However eventually, somehow, we made it to Stansted airport and only just barely, barely made it onto our to Rome. Once we arrived we were whisked through customs and left the airport to find our hire car. It took us a while to realise there was a shuttle bus which had to take us there, the signage here is awful. We found the car and made our way to the hotel nearby. It seemed quite straight forward from the directions we had but our maps were useless. Trying to drive on the Italian roads in total darkness having absolutely no idea where we were going was making us a little insane. What should have been a quick 15 minute drive took us just over an hour until we finally found the hotel. We were so relieved, it had been the most frustrating start to a holiday ever. We went straight to our room without dinner and off to sleep.

10/04/2009 - We woke up this morning and headed downstairs for a quick breakfast. It was going to be a long day of driving today so we decided to make a start on our way to Sorrento. It was a good 2-3 hours drive south on the motorway before the massive Mount Vesuvius became visible. We stopped in the famous historic town of Pompeii to have a look around. Pompeii was totally destroyed almost 2000 years ago when Mt. Vesuvius erupted and covered the entire town in ash. We parked the car and headed up to the ruins of old Pompeii to buy tickets around the ruins. The place was in amazing condition considering what happened here 2000 years ago. Hannah and I explored around the different areas of the ruins, it was huge, we actually hadn’t realised how big this place was until we saw a map. In the background you could see the massive Mt. Vesuvius and only imagine how devastating the volcano must have been, especially since the residents of Pompeii had no idea what a volcano was.

Since it was such a hot day it was quite tiring exploring around the ruins since there was no shelter from the heat. After a good look around we decided that we’d seen enough ruins and headed back to the car. It was still early in the afternoon so we thought we’d try make our way up to the top of Mt. Vesuvius but again the Italian roads got the better of us. Signage was again terrible and we had absolutely no idea which way to go and after more than an hour of driving around and arguing we gave up to try another day. It was another hour or so drive through the beautiful scenery of the Sorrento coast before we eventually found our hotel. We checked in, threw on luggage in the room and headed for a walk towards the centre of town. It was quite a long walk as we went round in circles wondering where the main street was but once we found it we picked a restaurant and had an authentic Italian dinner. After dinner we stopped to get some gelato then headed back to the hotel to sleep.

11/09/2009 - Today we woke relatively early and got ourselves ready for a big day of exploring. We walked into Sorrento and bought tickets to the ferry and eventually boarded the ferry to Capri. It was a beautiful day in Southern Italy today and as we crossed the Isle of Capri we were greeted with stunning views of Capri. There was so much to do while visiting here yet we had only half a day to explore this beautiful island. Once the ferry arrived at Capri we jumped off and headed straight to a ticket counter to buy tickets for a cruise around the entire Island which also included a stop at the famous Blue Grotto. We jumped back on another smaller tour boat and before long began our tour around Capri.

First we headed for the Blue Grotto but once we got there we were told the tide was too high so no-one was being allowed inside, instead we’d come by on the way back. The boat continued around the island of Capri, this place was stunning it reminded me of the islands we visited in Thailand. We stopped at a place called the Green Grotto which was where the water was a beautiful bright green due to light shining up through the water from caves in the rocks. We continued our journey around Capri and eventually ended back at the pier. Since we were unable to see the Blue Grotto earlier we were given the option to either get off the boat or go visit the Grotto, we were warned however it may be quite a long wait.

It was something I really wanted to do so Hannah and I decided to stay on the boat and head over to the entrance. They weren’t kidding it was quite a long wait, at least an hour and a half before the guys on row boats made their way over to us. We jumped on paid the entrance fee and headed to the entrance. The Blue Grotto was similar to the Green Grotto we had seen earlier, however the Blue Grotto was in seen from the inside of the cave, and was in total darkness. To get inside we had to lie down in the tiny rowboat because the entrance was only a small gap to get through but inside was amazing. It was completely dark inside except for the bright blue water underneath us, again caused by light coming up from below the water. Considering the expensive price they didn’t give us long inside the Grotto, but even so it was a fantastic and unique experience. Afterward we jumped back on the tour boat and once everyone was aboard we headed back to the pier.

By this time it was late in the afternoon, both Hannah and I were starving. There were loads of different places to eat none of which looked particularly appetising, however we picked one and sat down to eat. Afterwards we had a little more of a look around before it was time to catch our ferry back to Sorrento. Once we arrived we headed back to the hotel for a rest before dinner. Later we headed back into town to get some food and afterwards I once again had to stop for gelato before heading back to the hotel to call it a night.

12/04/2009 - We woke up this morning and got ready to take a trip up the gigantic Mount Vesuvius volcano. After trying to drive up the other day we decided this time to take public transport and hopefully we would find it easier. We headed into town to the train station and once we got there we were told that trains weren’t running until later on this afternoon due to it being Easter Sunday. Frustrated, Hannah and I walked back to the hotel and had no choice but to try drive there again. While staying in Sorrento we had heard of a bus that leaves Pompeii which can take you to the top of Mt. Vesuvius. So we drove into Pompeii, parked the car then walked to where the bus left from. However again we were disappointed, it wasn’t running today, instead we went the expensive option and took a tour bus up the top.

We jumped aboard the bus and we on our way up the side of Mt Vesuvius. The drive up took almost an hour but it was an interesting one at that. We passed various statues and sculptures as well as piles and piles of volcanic rock which was once lava. We eventually arrived at the Vesuvius car park, there was still quite a walk uphill to reach the very top. As we hiked up the side of this active volcano the views were absolutely stunning and once we arrived at the top they got even better. From up here you could see all over Campania, we could even spot Capri in the distance, the views were spectacular. We walked along the rim of volcano in some areas you could see faint signs on smoke arising from the crater. We did a lap, I took some awesome photos then we headed back down Mt. Vesuvius to the car park. We met our driver and he took dropped us off at the Pompeii train station where Hannah and I walked back to our car.

We drove back into Sorrento and headed back to our hotel room. It had been a miserable day all day today and as it became dark the rain started to pour down. For dinner tonight instead of walking back into town Hannah’s parents had recommended a pizza restaurant around the corner so that’s where we headed. We ate a good meal then decided to head back to the hotel and went to sleep.

13/04/2009 - Today was our last day in Southern Italy and since our flight left extremely early in time for work tomorrow we had to eventually make our way back to our hotel in Rome. We checked out of the hotel packed our gear in the car and headed off for a drive on the Amalfi Coast. It took us a few hours to actually get to the other side of the coast but it was well worth the wait. The views were absolutely stunning and the drive was one of the best I’ve done. The road twisted and turned in and out of the cliff face as we passed through various small villages perched in the cliffs, the water below was a beautiful deep blue. As we drove we stopped off at a few lookout points for a few photos then continued on the drive.

We drove for miles and miles along the Amalfi Coast until eventually we decided to begin the long drive back into Rome to our hotel. The drive was massive, we drove for hours and hours before finally arriving back to the same hotel we stayed at the other night (found it much easier this time). We got some dinner at the Italian restaurant around the corner then headed back to get an early night.

14/04/2009 - We woke up before the sun rose and we on our way to the airport shortly after. We dropped off our hire car and once the plane was ready we boarded for our flight back to Stansted, London. Once Hannah and I arrived back in London we both had to get in our cars and head straight into work for the day, back into the usual routine.

Accommodation:
Hotel Caravel

---

Photos

Capri
The breathtaking island of Capri as we approach in the ferry

Sorrento
Stunning view across Sorrento and the Isle of Capri

Pompeii
The ruins of Pompeii, the city was destroyed by Mount Vesuvius in the background

Capri
A lighthouse on beautiful Capri as we cruise around the island on our boat tour

Capri
Impressive rock formations surrounding Capri

Capri
Inside the Blue Grotto where light filters via caves below the water to create an unusual blue glow

Mt. Vesuvius
Spectacular views across Campania from the top of Mt. Vesuvius Volcano

Mt. Vesuvius
The crater of Mt. Vesuvius volcano still active today

Amalfi Coast
The breathtaking coastline of the Amalfi Coast

Amalfi Coast
Beautiful views across the Amalfi Coast, a fantasic driving experiance