Oct 7, 2008 - Pompeii

Vesuvius erupted and destroyed a little town called Pompeii. ... That is a big thing for me because I am such an animal lover, but soon my worried thoughts were erased by the wonders of Pompeii. ... It is amazing how well Pompeii looks after being burned to smithereens. ... John Pompeii was pretty cool. ... Randy One night two thousand years ago a volcano erupted and the ash buried a town called Pompeii. ...

Oct 6, 2008 - Pickpocketed in Naples?

Sharon How we almost got pick pocketed….Sharon How we almost got pick pocketed…....

Sep 25, 2008 - Positano, Sorrento, & Pompeii, Italy (Naples)

Today's driver, Raphael, picked us up in Naples and drove us past vast olive groves, lemon groves and vineyards along the coastal region known as the Almafi Coast to the cliffside town of Positano. ... Although we encountered quite a lot of larger motor coaches, we were thankful to be taking this tour in a smallish van.Today's driver, Raphael, picked us up in Naples and drove us past vast olive groves, lemon groves and vineyards along the coastal region known as the Almafi Coast to the cliffside town of Positano. ... Although we encountered quite a lot of larger motor coaches, we were thankful to be taking this tour in a smallish van....

Sep 12, 2008 - Capri Bellisima!

Up early again on our trip to the aisle of Capri. ... We are catching the SNAV over to Capri. ... I can't believe in 45 minutes I will be in Capri; island of the rich and famous. ... and Julie, if only for day!!! Every time we are in a place; I think it cannot be topped; and it just keeps getting better!!!! I love Capri!!! You arrive in the port and take a small cog wheel railway to the first town of Capri. ... On the walk back down to Capri I wander slowly thru the gardens to enjoy, stopping for a lemon granita along the way. ...

Aug 13, 2008 - Lazy day- last day in Sorrento

The boys agreed to stay in the villa with the children and let them have a last swim or rest, whilst Nella and I braved the bus system on our own and headed into Sorrento to wander the shops in peace. ... Whilst waiting for the bus we had many offers of lifts into Sorrento including from a taxi driver, a coach that was empty, a green grocer truck and numerous offers from drivers in their own cars. ... The boys and children were going to meet us in Sorrento for dinner but after waiting 40 minutes for a bus they decided this was too difficult. ...

Aug 12, 2008 - Pompei

This morning we are having a leisurely morning.This morning we are having a leisurely morning....

Aug 11, 2008 - Positano

Today we headed off to the infamous Positano that Mum and Rudi had told has so much about. ... Yesterday we discussed with the locals at the restaurant the best method of getting to Positano and they advised re a local bus at the end of our street. ... It leaves every 15 mins and takes about 20mins to get to Positano. ... This was interesting as the streets to Positano are so windy and trying to stand upright proved to be quite an effort. ... I didn't realise how close SOrrento to Positano was- it truly is only about 7km away. ...

Aug 9, 2008 - Leaving Tuscany- Sorrento here we come

Well as per usual we were on time and had the van ready and packed to leave by 10am. We reached Sorrento in the predicted 5 hours but now it was time to find our exact location. ... By this stage the children were getting cabin fever and were driving Nella and I nuts as we sit directly in front of them and thus get all the requests for any number of things and have to hear the constant banter.Well as per usual we were on time and had the van ready and packed to leave by 10am. We reached Sorrento in the predicted 5 hours but now it was time to find our exact location. ... By this stage the children were getting cabin fever and were driving Nella and I nuts as we sit directly in front of them and thus get all the requests for any number of things and have to hear the constant banter....

Jul 5, 2008 - Amalfi Coast

Ravi -- The Amalfi Coast was spectacularly beautiful as promised! We picked Positano as the home base for our short time in this region. ... Each city in the region mirrored Positano, a new one in each finger of the mountain that branched into the sea. ... It reminded me of another region of Italy I visited the last time I was on the continent, Cinqueterra, but Amalfi was much more developed.Ravi -- The Amalfi Coast was spectacularly beautiful as promised! We picked Positano as the home base for our short time in this region. ... Each city in the region mirrored Positano, a new one in each finger of the mountain that branched into the sea. ... It reminded me of another region of Italy I visited the last time I was on the continent, Cinqueterra, but Amalfi was much more developed....

Jul 4, 2008 - Pompeii

Ravi -- The ruins of Pompeii lived up to its reputation. ... Tim and I took a local comuter train from Naples to Pompeii, only half an hour away, with all our stuff as we would then continue south to Sorrento and on to the Amalfi Coast (see next post). ... I loved exploring the ruins as the story of ancient Rome really came alive from the ruins that remain: so many homes partially intact, some with their stoves and bakeries; temple structures; grand mosiac tilework; the grounds of the main square.Ravi -- The ruins of Pompeii lived up to its reputation. ... Tim and I took a local comuter train from Naples to Pompeii, only half an hour away, with all our stuff as we would then continue south to Sorrento and on to the Amalfi Coast (see next post). ... I loved exploring the ruins as the story of ancient Rome really came alive from the ruins that remain: so many homes partially intact, some with their stoves and bakeries; temple structures; grand mosiac tilework; the grounds of the main square....

Jul 3, 2008 - Capri Island

That’s basically Ravi and Tim’s experience on Capri. ... After an exciting night in Naples, Ravi and I took a day trip to Capri. ... Over time, the Mediterranean Ocean carved a small cave into the side of the Island of Capri. ... Back on the island, Ravi and I decided to hike up to Villa Jovis, the ruins of Ancient Roman Emperor Tiberius’ residence on Capri. ... Whether throwing those who displeased him off Capri’s cliffs or indulging the flesh in his private baths, Tiberius made extensive use of the island. ...

Jul 2, 2008 - Naples

Tim -- Upon landing in Rome, Ravi and I headed straight for Roma Termini where we caught the high-speed Eurostar train to Naples. ... Now, everyone we knew who had ever been to Naples warned us that Naples was a dirty city full of pick pockets and absolutely nothing to see, and I suppose they probably were a little bit right. ... Honestly, however, we loved Naples! While, yes, the city was a bit hectic and chaotic at times, and at times reminded Ravi more of Mumbai than any other city he’s previously visited in Europe, Naples has so much character and life to it. ... Arrival to Naples & the Hunt for Housing We arrived at the Stazione Centrale in Napoli in the early afternoon and made our way to Pensione Mancini, a hostel close by the train station. ... Well, I suppose maps work a bit differently in Naples, because streets don’t really have signs, and not all the streets are even on the most detailed map we could find. ...