Traveling with Intrepid - Day 3 - Pompeii and Vesuvius

Happy weekend to everyone back home! The days remaining on my wonderful adventure are slowly dwindling sad to say. What an amazing journey it has been. This trip has given me the traveling itch and I'm already ready to start another adventure. Where should I go next - thoughts?

Ancient Pompeii

Pompeii was an ancient Roman city near modern day Naples in the Campania region of Italy. Pompeii and Herculaneum were two of the major cities destroyed and buried by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD. 

Pompeii was founded in the seventh or sixth century BC and was overtaken by the Romans in 80BC. The population consisted of approximately 20,000 people when the volcano erupted and consisted of a complex water system, amphitheatre, gymnasium and port. Today Pompeii is a UNESCO World Heritage site and receives approximately 2.5 million visitors every year. 

For me, it was one of the most rewarding and magical experiences yet as I was able to walk through the town as it existed in its ancient state. I particularly loved the amphitheatre, the forum, the streets and the villas.

Pompeii vinyards

Amphitheatre

Roads still intact

Ancient Graffiti

Ancient cross walk!

Can't believe this is all still here!

Well intact structures, rooms, architecture and art work in the villas

The Forum

Marble in the Forum

Ancient pottery

You can still see tracks!

Vesuvius

In the afternoon we took a bus up close to the top of Vesuvius and then hiked to the peak. We had a lovely guide who explained the history of the mountain and its current state. It was worth the hike! With Pompeii and Vesuvius we walked a total of 11 kilometres. 

Mount Vesuvius is a stratovolcano in the Gulf of Naples, about 9 kilometres east of Naples. It consists of a large cone encircled by the steep rim of a summit caldera caused by the collapse of an earlier/higher structure.

Vesuvius is the most well known for its eruption in AD 79 that led to the destruction of Pompeii and Herculaneum. Vesuvius is still an active volcano and has erupted many times since the original devastation. It is currently one of the most dangerous volcanoes in the world due to the population of 3 million people living nearby. 

Up we go!

Interior of the volcano

From the top!

Pompeii from the Cathedral Bell Tower

Here is the view of Pompeii from the bell tower the day we left for Sorrento.  Can you spot ancient Pompeii?

Beautiful Vesuvius in the background 

Can you spot the amphitheatre and the ancient city?