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Published: July 18th 2017
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Geo: 40.626, 14.3744
Today was a nonstop day of touring. We caught an early train to Naples. It's a two hour ride from Rome. We shared a train car with a couple from Philidelphia and two ladies from Rome. There was non stop conversation the whole way. They spoke some English and Josh spoke some Italian so we made it work. The ladies wanted to know everything about us, where we've been and where else we were going. There was a lot of laughter through it all. Those two hours flew by.
Arriving in Naples we picked up some maps and bought bus tickets to help us get around the city. It is a big old city that reminds me of Detroit. We visited Piazza Dante. Like most piazzas it had a statue, a church and shops around it. We then began walking to our next destination as advised by a subway worker. We walked and walked. The street took us through a major shopping district and the shoppers were out in full force. We probably walked a mile and a half and never found our destination. We did come upon Piazza Trieste though. It was a much larger square than the first
one. It too had restaurants, shopping, statues and a fountain. It's always so lively in these piazzas. After having spent half a day here we needed to move on so we caught a bus back to the train station.
The train took us to see the ruins of Pompeii. This is Italy's most famous archaeological site with an excavated area of 109 acres. No other ancient town has been uncovered so completely. Excavations are still going on today. Based on calculations of the city walls, which are only partly excavated, Pompeii covered an area of 163 acres. In 79AD Vesuvius erupted, burying the town of Pompeii is soot and ash and killing 20,000 people. You can see the remains of dwellings, baths, and even in one protected spot the art, urns, and statues that have been uncovered and may need some repairs. It's a very extensive area to see. We, like so many others there, did our best to see as much as we could.
When these hot, weary travelers had seen enough we caught the train to Sorrento where we spend the next two nights. After settling in and a short rest we went to a restaurant recommended by our
manager. It was wonderful! I had Pacchero con provolone del manaco, funghi porcini e patate, which is large pasta tubes with provolone cheese, porcini mushrooms, and potatoes in a light gravy sauce. It was delicious. Rich had Baccala Alla Griglia, which is grilled fresh cod and seasonal vegetables. His was also very good! We also received the complimentary asti and an appetizer. The service was super too!
After dinner we walked the streets of Sorrento. The main street through town is closed to traffic at night and people just fill the streets. They are lined with shops, restaurants and cafes. There are also many side passageways which are also lined with shops and restaurants. I think the streets are extra crowded tonight because there is a quarter final soccer match between Italy and England. Almost every bar and restaurant have tv's and tables in the streets so people can gather to watch the game. Those that don't have a seat are welcome to stand. We also were able to walk to the water since Sorrento is a peninsula and the water is only a block away. We were on an upper level on a balcony but below us was the beach
and swimmers. The sun was about to set and it was beautiful!
It was a busy but memorable day in Naples, Pompeii and Sorrento!
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Kathy Nichols
non-member comment
What an amazing combination of old and new! You're seeing historical sites that date back thousands of years and then some modern-day shops and restaurants. Starting to wonder if you'll really want to come back. Are you hearing music anywhe
re? If so, what kind..more classical or modern or both?