Italy again

Left Florence on the train to Rome, early morning, nice ride, we went first class.
In Rome left the luggage at the station and took on the hop on hop off bus and did a round getting off at the tomb of the Unknown Soldier also known as the Wedding cake memorial. Got a beautiful view of the city and the forum.

We walked down the memorial to the Forum, an impressive area of ruins. The sun was a little hot. So we finished the forum and took the bus back to the station and took the afternoon train to Naples. We jumped onto the Circumvusenia from there to Sorrento. The Train was a lot like a new york city subway ( Graffitti). At Sorrento we took the shuttle to the Hotel IL NIDO. The best hotel in Italy that we saw. On the hill side, overlooking the bay, with a spectacular view of Mt Vesuvius, the volcano.

We had a great dinner and finally a good nights sleep in a spacious room. The ac worked fine. Next morning we left for Pompeii and Mt Vesuvius. Pompeii is worth a visit. A sight of culture, smart people who lived their lives better organized than us. We found Luigi ( of Fodors.com fame) a guide who was very funny and articulate. Lots of water and a lot of walking. We then took the bus to Mt Vesuvius, and undertook a 45 minute hike to the crater rim. It is gorgeous ( the View and the walk) the crater floor looks like a soccer field with grass.

We also met a guy who owns a convenience store on the hill, he has been working there for over 40 years, and it in a lot of the pictures in books about the volcano.

Came back tired to Sorrento and relaxed. Next morning off to Capri. It was raining in the morning so the seas were a little choppy so the boats around the island were cancelled. We walked around the island, the gardens saw the views of the cliffs, walked down the steps to the opening of the Blue Grotto ( the Blue Cave) but couldn’t get in because of the waves.

Took the chairlift up Anacapri. That was exhilarating the view from the top is unbelievable. We then took the boat to Naples, not a very nice town ( reminds me of Camden) and on to Rome.

We saw Rome by night, took the metro to the Collosseum, Trevi Fountain and Spanish steps. There were quite a number of people on the streets that late. Musicians on the steps and vendors for the tourists.

Next Rome by day