Pompeii and Naples

18.07.2019

AIDA Western Mediterranean

In advance, we had a hard time deciding which of the many attractions to choose from, as the area is so diverse and interesting. Although we may have expected a very hot day, Pompeii was a must for us, so we booked a morning excursion through AIDA in advance. We wanted to decide spontaneously about the rest of our time on site.

At 7:30 am, one hour after sunrise, we arrived in the port of Naples. It was humid and warm, but a pleasant breeze allowed us to have breakfast on the outdoor deck of the Bella Donna Restaurant and at the same time greet the city with a view of the Castel Nuovo during the reverse docking. The view from the old town up to Castello San Martino in the Vomero district amazes us. These are the moments that make a cruise unforgettable.

Shortly after being allowed to leave the ship, we were already sitting in one of the nearby parked excursion buses. As soon as all seats were occupied, we hit the highway, always keeping an eye on Mount Vesuvius, towards the once sunken city of Pompeii. Our guide, who informed us about the history of the largest archaeological site during the drive, lived in the new town of Pompeii and spoke good German with a pleasant Italian accent. He represented his homeland in an entertaining way.

At the entrance, we got to experience a bit of Italian mentality. Since we had some children in the group and our guide only wanted to pay the corresponding price for them, we had the pleasure of witnessing an Italian argument. Not the only one on this trip.

In the group, we soon set off, following the Aida sign through the streets of the city. Once again, we were overwhelmed by what we saw: well-preserved streets with their typical pedestrian crossings, remnants of temple complexes, business and craft houses, residential houses, and bathhouses with highly interesting irrigation systems. The tour even took us through the pleasure district to the large forum square. Here we could see the victims of the volcanic eruption (casts of the cavities in the cooled rock). All of this always in the shadow of Mount Vesuvius, powerful and awe-inspiring at the same time, and responsible for the catastrophe that can happen again at any time.

Roadblock

The tour lasted about 2 hours, so we were back in the port before 12:00 pm.

Unfortunately, the Palazzo Reale with its equestrian statues and the Neoclassical royal palace had closed doors when we arrived.

We still had time for a ride on one of the funiculars (Funicolari), heading up to the Vomero district with its Sant'Elmo Castle and San Martino Monastery. From there, we had a fantastic view over Naples to Mount Vesuvius. Unfortunately, we were not aware that we would have another uphill walk after getting off the train station, which was very strenuous in the hot temperatures. However, the view over Naples was more than a suitable reward, as was the Aperol that we enjoyed in a small bar.

Feeling that it was already too late, we started our journey back. We could rely on the funicular, and despite the long path within the port area, we arrived punctually before the ship set sail again and once again enjoyed a fantastic departure.

Conclusion: We made optimal use of our time in port. Pompeii and a small sightseeing tour through Naples, both are possible in one day. Good condition is an advantage.

Tips: An authentic Neapolitan pizza in the streets of Naples is a must!

In the peak of summer, use the early morning hours for Pompeii, as there is hardly any shade and it gets crowded around noon.

#napoli #naples #vesuvius #pompeii