Weekend Trip #1: Pompeii, Naples, and Capri

After a few weeks of settling down in Rome, the entire program took a group trip to Pompeii, Naples, and Capri.

Our first stop was Pompeii, where we explored the ruins of the ancient city.  Pompeii was smothered by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD, but much of its buildings and infrastructure remain relatively intact as they were preserved under volcanic ash.  I was required to take a tour of the ruins with my professor, Jan Gadeyne, a published archaeologist and scholar who specializes in the Classics and Ancient Rome, giving tours and lectures for visitors and other study abroad programs, and running us "weak" students into the ground.  He is known not only for his vast knowledge of Roman history but also for his intense, fast-paced "walking" tours that give you a mental and physical workout.  During our first class, Jan explained that we would be getting two classes for the price of one: History and PE.  (And let me tell you, he wasn't joking).  His syllabus also includes the descriptions of the weekly walking tours for our class, and at the top of the first page it explains that all walking tours are on Thursday afternoon from "14:00 - the bitter end."  That being said, our walking tour of Pompeii was no exception.  However, when the dust had cleared (literally) and we were gasping for air on the bus to the ferry, I can tell you that I left Pompeii with a whole lot more knowledge than I previously had.  Oh, and did I mention our group skipped lunch while the other group had a sit-down meal?  I’m telling you, this guy means business.

Overlooking the ancient ruins of the city

The ruins of a wealthy family's home

A lecture in one of the larger homes in Pompeii, which was owned by a wealthy family

The bodies preserved by volcanic ash after the eruption of Vesuvius

Painted walls and columns in a "bombastic" style dining room--one of several dining rooms in this upperclass residence

* * *

After my hectic tour of Pompeii, we went to the port in Naples and took a ferry to Capri.  Our hotel was in Anacapri, an area of the island at a much higher elevation than Capri, which required us to take crazy bus rides along narrow roads that wound up the side of the mountain when traveling to or from our hotel.  These bus rides always made me a little nauseous, but the sights were incredible.  Saturday morning we "hiked" to the top of a mountain and looked at some ancient ruins of emperor Tiberius' villa.  Then went as a group to see the natural arch of Capri.  After our group tour, we had the rest of the day to ourselves.  Four friends and I rented a boat and traveled around the island for about 2 1/2 hours.  We even got to swim in a few grottos in the area, which was by far my favorite part of the trip.  I'm pretty sure everyone else felt the same way because our captain had to keep asking us to come in from the water like we were a bunch of little kids.  The water was PERFECT (and so clear!) and the weather was gorgeous too.  Later in the day we went to the Blue Grotto and swam "after hours" when the boat tours into the grotto are no longer running.  The blue grotto was so cool, but I was unable to take any pictures because we were swimming and I couldn't bring my camera with me (but make sure you google it--it's crazy!).  At night we went to a small local club near our hotel in Anacapri, which was also a lot of fun.  I honestly couldn't ask for a better trip!  And it's been decided, I will have my honeymoon there:

The shops near the port

Swimming in the green grotto

View from the boat

Dock/port in Capri

About to enter a grotto during our boat tour

View from our hotel in Anacapri

The gates to our hotel

Downtown Capri

The natural arch

Friends on the boat tour

Jumping into the green grotto!

Some Italian pride :)

A small rocky beach in Capri

Anacapri at night

A local shoemaker.  Several people in the program bought custom made sandals from him--he not only adjusts previously made shoes to your feet but he also makes them right in front of you if he doesn't have the size or style you are looking for.

I have to say, our day in Capri was probably my favorite trips, and when we left for Naples, I was so bummed we had left the island.  The Archaeological Museum in Naples was really interesting, but (I'm not going to lie) it was pretty tough trying to be attentive and engaged after such a fun and relaxing weekend in Capri.  But--true to my Italian roots--good food always cheers me up, so I willingly slipped into a pizza-induced food coma and hopped on the bus back to Rome.


Best weekend ever?  I'd say it was pretty damn close.

"Doc" and prosciutto & funghi pizza. The Doc pizza was awesome.  I fell in love with basil all over again. And I actually eat tomatoes here. Are you proud of me, Mom?