Showing posts with label Naples. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Naples. Show all posts

Sunday, July 21, 2019

Island of Ischia & Poseidon Thermal Bath

We had previously visited Sorrento, Amalfi coast & Pompeii. Our sons went with Rome in limo to see these sites. We had planned to see Capri on our own, but then this ship excursion caught our eye. (I rarely do ship excursions anymore- people- too many, price- too much, safety- you're a target) but to go this far away from Naples....we thought we'd better stick with the cruise line. Our draw here was the Poseidon thermal gardens
(Click the link for a great resource about the whole island & great pictures of the gardens!)
 We began boarding a hydrofoil boat right off the pier. We made 1 stop at the island of Procida. We arrived to Ischia at about 1015 am.
                                                              Our hydrofoil- very smoothe
                You can do a beach on your own but I wouldn't recommend it- very small & rocky
 We had time to either go to a beach or get lunch. Knowing we were spending the afternoon in the Poseidon area , we had lunch.

                                                     Arugula, Parma & Parmesean




 Jim got fresh squeezed lemonade & ripped off by the taxi driver below....$3 so not worth it but clarify prices upfront.



            It's a geothermal, warm rocky area that grows pretty flowers because of the rich soil.
                                                  We meet Poseidon about 12:30

                                                 See the steam off of the waterfall? Hot!
 If you haven't opened the link to this , please do! Each pool had a different temperature.

            Jim went from a pool of 40C to 15C as it is supposed to force toxins from your body.


 Swim caps are mandatory. I forgot to bring my sandals so make sure you bring sandals or water shoes.
                                                         The view was amazing!
Noteworthy: we did not stop at Procida on the way back, faster ride but if planning a tip to Procida make sure that you check out how to get back to Naples!
We had dinner at Giovanni's table again- no one was feeling formal night after a long, hot day.

Wednesday, July 30, 2014

Naples, Sorrento, Pompeii and The Amalfi Coast



We awoke while  cruising into a beautiful sunrise over Mt. Vesuvius. 
We have another tour planned with Rome in Limo. Today we visit Naples, Sorrento, Amalfi Coast and Pompeii - all of these places are Unesco World Heritage Sites.
 We begin meeting Enrico from Rome In Limo. He was amusing because he was difficult to understand due to dental issues and a thick Italian accent. It made him even more charming. Tour shares are a great option with Rome in Limo. You can save a lot of money while meeting people who have similar interests as you. 
We began in the industrial port town of Naples. Enrico's home town.
 He told us he went to school with the Captain who wrecked the Costa Concordia, Capt. Schettino, Here the girls are in Sorrento with Enrico our driver. (Jim is trying to get in the photo....)
We fell in love with the town of Sorrento. 

Lemons everywhere and the whole town smelled fresh and lemony.
It was near Labor Day for the country of Italy and this is usually marked by street closures and protests. The road to Amalfi Coast was shut down by an unannounced bus driver strike. Everyone who booked through the cruiseline had to return to the ship and get their money refunded. Because we were small and flexible we diverted to an olive oil making site.

Once we heard how they made olive oil and bought souvenirs Enrico got word from other Rome In limo drivers that the road was open. We would get to see Amalfi coast after all. 

Not sure I will ever book a cruise ship excursion again. Too big of a thing to miss. I feel bad for those that missed it.



After we had lunch overlooking the coast, and our friend Jodi had "her moment at Amalfi", we headed to Pompeii.
We arranged for a tour guide at Pompeii. Her name was Leena. I strongly recommend getting a guide when you can. Pompeii was a gorgeous port town prior to the eruption. She pointed out how the bodies were preserved and showed most of them with their hands near their faces.


 These are paintings where you would just point to how you wanted to have sex in the brothels. No language barriers apparently





 See how their hands cover their faces?

 This shows the groove the carts made in the road.


 They had a carved penis that pointed sailors to the brothels.(Below)
 Fountain
 Government building

Stone bed in the brothel- ouch

 Mt. Vesuvius behind Pompeii
 Homes



 You could easily spend a day here. So much we didn't get to see.

After Pompeii we headed back to the ship. We have dinner plans at the Lawn Grill.
Lawn Grill you grill your own food (or they do it) We grilled the pizzas and let them grill the entree.


Tomorrow Malta at 2pm.