Location: Naples & Pompeii, Italy
Summary: I woke to bright Neapolitan sunshine and the Costa Toscana already tied up beneath Mount Vesuvius, not a bad view to start the day. Naples was lively, loud, and full of character, and Pompeii was hauntingly still in contrast. Between the chaos of the city and the calm of the ruins, it felt like stepping through two worlds before sailing off again into the blue.
Pompeii Guided Tour Highlights
Our guide was exceptional, professional, organised, and deeply knowledgeable. After a short 25-minute drive, we arrived at Pompeii and began our tour following a quick refreshment break.
We explored:
- Roman barracks and training grounds.
- Ancient baths and residential homes.
- Shops, bakeries, and the infamous lupanar (brothel).
- The grand Forum of Pompeii, with views of Mount Vesuvius rising behind the Temple of Jupiter.
Pompeii’s scale surprised me; it’s vast, with countless streets and buildings still standing. Murals, graffiti, and stone carvings remain visible, including the famous stone phalluses that once guided sailors to the brothels.
Mount Vesuvius: A Sleeping Giant
Our guide explained the difference between Pompeii and nearby Herculaneum. While Herculaneum was buried in lava, Pompeii was covered in 13–20 feet of volcanic ash and pumice, preserving much of the city’s structure.
Vesuvius remains one of the most dangerous volcanoes in Europe due to its explosive history and the 3 million people living nearby.
Museum Visit & Casts of History
At the museum, we saw plaster casts of human figures and a horse, created by pouring plaster into the voids left by decomposed bodies in the ash. These haunting forms offer a powerful glimpse into the lives lost during the eruption.
Souvenirs & Shell Jewellery Stop
After the tour, we browsed a small market, where I bought a €25 T-shirt themed after Pompeii. We then visited a hotel to watch a short film about shell jewellery making, in other words, a tourist trap, in my opinion, that could’ve been skipped in favour of more time at Pompeii.
Back to Costa Toscana: Dinner & Entertainment
Returning to the ship, I tipped our guide €5; surprisingly, I was the only one to do so. At port security, my Spanish resident card helped me breeze through, unlike others who had left their passports on board.
Dinner with Michael and Lynda was delightful. Later, we caught the Leonardo Da Vinci show, which was brilliant. I enjoyed a few Kiwi Coladas to ease the pain in my leg, which had been kicked earlier by a child on the tour.
We tried several bars on board, but many were closed or had limited service. Eventually, I found a seat at the Leonardo Bar, surrounded by lively Italian guests. Despite slow service, I stayed for the music and atmosphere.
Winding Down
After a final beer, I returned to my cabin. My leg was sore, and I was grateful for the upcoming sea day to rest and recover.
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