A Visit to Pompeii - tentatively related to Saint Alfonso (he was from Salerno - close to Pompeii)


A Visit to Pompeii

I was 50 in 2018 and decided to go on a cruise in August from Athens to Barcelona with Paul, and my two children Pippi and Ben.  The cruise was amazing and was one of the best holidays I have been on.  I am sure there will be more about the cruise in other posts. 

One of the excursions we decided to go on was to Sorrento and Pompeii.  We were driven along the coast by coach to Sorrento for lunch, where we found a nice Italian (of course) restaurant where we could sit outside.  We enjoyed some wine and pasta/pizza, we had a look around and then boarded the coach for the onward journey.
Much of the scenery to Pompeii was incredible.  We started our visit around Pompeii with a tour guide but soon got lost, busy taking photo’s and pocking around.  I do not think we realised just how big Pompeii is as it took us a good while to find the group again.  We certainly did not have enough time to explore Pompeii properly, however, it was interesting to get the overview.  Pompeii was destroyed in 79AD by the violent eruption of Mount Vesuvius.

It is thought that the gases killed people instantly, from the way they were preserved.  There is even a dog on a chain.  It is sad to think about the 2000 who died in Pompeii and the 16,000 over all in the eruption but it has been preserved so well, I can see why it is a UNESCO heritage site.  It was great to be able to see what the buildings and homes would have been like – considering it was getting on for 2000 years ago, the architecture was amazing. 

Pompeii is one of those places on a lot of people’s bucket list and I am pleased I was able to share the experience with my family.




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