Pre-Tour
Naples and Pompeii
01
First stop after flying into Rome was the train to Naples (nothing like Naples traffic to wake you up from your jet lag). The next day, we headed along the coast to Pompeii and Ercolano!
Pompeii
One of the easiest ways to get out to Pompeii from Naples is to take the Circumvensuviana, which is a commuter-style train going from Naples around Mount Vesuvius to Sorrento. We got off at Pompeii/Scavi and walked up from the train station to the ruins. The Pompeii walking tour in the Rick Steves guidebook took us around the major sites in the city.
Right: The approach to Pompeii. Not pictured - the crowds of other tourists.
Left: The remains of the forum of Pompeii.
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Below: A replica of the mosaic depicting Alexander the Great (the original is in the museum at Naples)
Right: The amphitheater - view from the cheap seats. Left: Roman "Beware of Dog"
Ercolano
While Pompeii is certainly the larger set of ruins, Herculaneum (or Ercolano, as it says on the train stop) is better preserved and much easier to walk around. A good part of the city is still under excavation, but the areas you can visit are fascinating.
Above: Looking down on the excavation of Herculaneum. The modern-day town of Ercolano is in the background.
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Left: An intact mosaic floor from one of the houses.
Right: The Farnese Bull, the largest ancient marble sculpture ever discovered.
Our extremely busy day ended with the train back to Naples and a visit to the Naples Archaeological Museum.
Next stop, Lake Como to join up with the tour!
Top Left: Charles observes the remains of a food counter.
Above: One of the houses in Herculaneum, with intact wooden beams.
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Left: An intact mosaic floor and shrine in one of the courtyards.
