Naples, Italy (Napoli)...Josh and I got off the boat early with Jase and Steph to explore Naples on our own before another ruins tour...We saw a castle, had some Gelato (at like 9:30 in the morning), and ate some Italian Pizza (pizza was invented in Naples) and then had more italian ice cream called Magnum, like Dove bars, but BETTER! I think Steph had like a total of three or four that day, but whose counting? right Steph...
Best ruins I have ever seen...
Later that day we went w/ the fam to see a city called Herculaneum...I have to admit I was not excited about this last tour...We were all really toured out since this was our last day and we had already seen Pompeii* on our last trip to Europe in 04... but I am so glad we went...We could see actual tile floors and murals still on the walls...Actual baths and stoves and beds they used and even some of the wood although it was carbonized, it had been preserved from the excavations...It was so amazing to walk thru a resort and have such an intimate look into the Roman life...
*History of Herculaneum and Pompeii...
Herculaneum was a seaside resort dating back to the 4th century BC. The city was thought to have been founded by the legendary Hercules. This resort was ruined by the volcanic eruption of Mt. Vesuvius in 79 AD. Unlike Pompeii (like a Las Vegas back then)which was ruined at the same time but by lava and ash, Herculaneum was covered by mud which protected the ruins. The city was found by accident when a well was being dug and workmen struck a stone pavement, the stage of the city's theater. Serious excavations began under Mussolini but only about eight blocks have been excavated. The rest is covered not only by rock but also by a new city on top of the old city.
