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Published: March 13th 2018
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Pompei
Originally built by the Greeks it was a very prosperous Roman city until it was totally destroyed by Vesuvius in 79 AD. It lay covered by over 20’ of ash until excavations began in the late 1700s. 1/3 remains covered. Now in Italy for the last 3 weeks of our winter escape. As our friend Lorraine says, "2 of my best friends are Italian...pasta and vino!" We would add a third friend, pizza!
Pompei has always been on Marlene's wish list (having taught about it in geography classes) so we started there with 4 nights in a hotel right by the walls of the old city that was destroyed by Vesuvius in 79 AD.
We did it right and hired an archaeologist/guide; with just one other couple it was a very personalized tour and Lello kept us involved with many questions of what we thought we were seeing along the way.
The following day we took the local train into Naples to visit the Archeological Museum where all of the treasures and artifacts recovered when Pompei was excavated are displayed.
Marlene is now satisfied to cross Pompei off the "To Do" list!
We then winged it a bit and rented a car to drive the Amalfi Coast, having read so much about it. Certainly spectacular scenery as the photos will show but requiring total concentration by the driver.
I had read a comment "you are
Vesuvius looms
I have seen many photos of Vesuvius and assumed it was the conical mountain to the left...I was wrong, when you include the slope on the far right you can see how big it was before it erupted and lost 60% of its mass. Pompei was a seaport with a harbour before the eruption. The Mediterranean is now 2km away! more likely to find a gold bar lying in the street than a place to park on the Amalfi Coast" ...True! If you do find one, it is guarded by a local ready to extort you.
Capri was a 1 hour ferry ride out from Naples. We stayed just one night in a lovely b&b; it was a challenging 300m uphill slog to reach on foot, no taxi or bus access. A very mountainous, scenic island with lots of high end jewelry shops and cashmere sweaters for $450 a pop.. Window shopping only.
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Lorraine Runstedler
non-member comment
Saved the Best for Last
Good Morning .... How beautiful are those pictures - Wow - Glad you are enjoying My Best Friends in Italy - so no shopping Marlene - You probably spent enough on your silk rug - buy the cashmere yarn and I'll knit you a sweater(ha) - so nice to wake up to your Blog - take care of you - keep sending - xo