The ladies did some window shopping (Jan, Linda & Deb) Giardini di Augusto Isle of Capri, Sorrento
And so did the guys (Bob, Ron and Jack) Giardini di Augusto Isle of Capri, Sorrento
Middle of the gardens Giardini di Augusto Isle of Capri, Sorrento
Looking down via Krupp leading to the sea Giardini di Augusto Isle of Capri, Sorrento
The second place we place we visited on the island wa the Gardens of Augustus. The garden is actually pretty small but there are a couple of view points of the coast that are worth visiting. The entrance fee was 1.
Giardino di Augusto Via Matteotti 80073 Capri NA, Italy
CAPRI - SEGGIOVIA MONTE SOLARO (CHAIRLIFT)
Loading station Seggiovia Monte Solaro (Chairlift) Isle of Capri, Sorrento
On the way up (Linda in front) Seggiovia Monte Solaro (Chairlift) Isle of Capri, Sorrento
Guess who...on two Seggiovia Monte Solaro (Chairlift) Isle of Capri, Sorrento
Looking down on the Faraglioni Rock Formation Seggiovia Monte Solaro (Chairlift) Isle of Capri, Sorrento
Loading up to come on down Seggiovia Monte Solaro (Chairlift) Isle of Capri, Sorrento
Coming down Seggiovia Monte Solaro (Chairlift) Isle of Capri, Sorrento
Taking the chair lift to the top of Monte Solaro was fun. For those that might be afraid of heights, etc...no problem here. The chair moves slow and you're not more than 20 feet off the ground at any time.
Riding the chair up and down and the views at the top are the reason for the trip. We strongly recommend it.
On the boat going to the island Isle of Capri, Sorrento
Along the coast Isle of Capri, Sorrento
Somebody has to live like that Isle of Capri, Sorrento
Faro di Capri (Capri Lighthouse) Isle of Capri, Sorrento
Near the blue lagoon Isle of Capri, Sorrento
Just off the boat Isle of Capri, Sorrento
On the full day in Sorrento we took a boat to the Isle of Capri. As usual we had a great time. The boat ride over was a treat in itself. Danoto arranged a package deal for the ride over and back and a bus from the hotel to the docks. This worked out well but it wasn't the only alternative. A couple of folks from our tour took the elevator (located near the via Luigi Maio) to the waterfront and caught a boat on their own. Two advantages to their method. 1) Cheaper (not sure how much) 2) The place where they drop you off on Capri is MUCH closer to where you want to be (we had to take a bus from the dock where we landed).
Mario giving us a galato making demo Gelateria David, Sorrento
Carolyn cleaning out the gelato machine Gelateria David, Sorrento
What better to do on your way to Pompei but to stop off for a quick lesson on how to make gelato. That's exactly what we did at Gelateria David. Mario (now the owner) explained how it's made and the extremely long hours they have when gelato is in season (we didn't understand...an off-season for gelato...really?) Anyway it was an interesting demo followed by a delicious treat.
They do make yummy gelato. Highly recommended.
Gelateria David via Marziale, 19 Sorrento Tel: +39 081 807 3649
PIAZZA TASSO
Getting an introduction on Sorrento Piazza Tasso, Sorrento
via Luigi Maio leading to the Bay of Naples Piazza Tasso, Sorrento
Saint Antonino Piazza Tasso, Sorrento
We started our visit in Sorrento with a general introduction to the city while in Piazzo Tasso. It's an interesting place. A few blocks from our hotel, one block away is the main shopping street (via San Casareo), a couple of blocks the other way and you can have a great gelato at Gelaterio David and a quick elevator ride and you're down by the Bay of Naples.
Piazza Tasso
POMPEII
Our guide Gaetano Pompeii
Plaque instructing how wine is to be carried Pompeii
Inside a bath Pompeii
Gaetano describing the Wine Store Pompeii
Via di Mercurio & Arch of Caligula Pompeii
Looking north towards exedra and rear peristyle Casa del Fauno Pompeii, Sorrento
Artifact collection point and storage Pompeii
Evidence that there is a body in the castings Pompeii
Volcanic hill similar to Pompei Pompeii
The map at the start of the section shows the location of Pompeii in relation to Sorrento. We took a 45 minute ride to get to Pompeii. We also passed close by it when we moved between Sorrento and Naples.
Pompeii is a fascinating place to visit. The grounds are extensive. We only visited a small section of the ground near the Marina entrance. Starting at the top of the pictures you first see Gaetano our tour guide. Very well versed in Pompeii. Turned out that his family have been guiding tours for three generations. Two facts he shared: 1) Pompeii is still 25% covered 2) They put white/shinny stone in their walkways to help make them more visible at night.
The next several pictures covered street signs, the baths and the wine store. Next came the Arch of Caligula. While it's impressive, the more interesting thing about the arch is the fact that it is actually part of the water system. The slots in the walls of the arch are where the pipes were located. Water runs from a previous tower up to the top of this tower (which is just a small amount shorter than this one). The water then went back down the tower, either into the pipes on the street or to the next tower. This both moved the water throughout Pompeii and pressurized the water for local streets.
Next is the Casa del Fauno. It's an extensive example of a villa. There are a number of other pictures in the slide show you can access below. It's clear that the people who lived in the villa were not poor. The house had a number of bedrooms, an office and two extensive gardens.
There's a point about Pompeii which is important. When Pompeii was originally discovered the buildings were extensively decorated in marble and colorful decorations. This was all removed (read stolen) by those who originally discovered the site. In addition, many other artifacts have been removed from Pompeii and placed in museums in both Italy and around the world. This leave only the building structures we saw during our visit. Sadly only half of the story.
The picture of the artifacts collection is both amazing and disturbing. Since the artifacts are removed from where they were originallylocated they lose their context. Too bad.
Now we come to one of the most engrossing pictures. The "human" casts are created by pouring concrete into the hollows found in the lava formation. The white material in the foot are the bones of the person who died leaving the hollow. Really brings home the reality of what happened to the citizens of Pompeii.
When Pompeii was discovered it was covered by a mound of lava the size of the mound in the fore-ground of the final picture. Understand the amount of labor needed to remove the lava. In addition, imagine entering ruins through tunnels. There's a picture in the museum section of Naples showing one of the tunnels. Wow!
It should be noted that there is roughly 25% of Pompeii still covered. It is not being disturbed until they can design a way to preserve the contents as they were at the time of the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD. They want to it as close it's original appearance as possible making it a true "living" outside museum.
Pompeii Province of Naples Campania, Italy
VIA SAN CASAREO
You`d think it is for pedestrians only via San Casareo, Sorrento
Donato introducing shopping via San Casareo, Sorrento
Before the daily crowds arrive via San Casareo, Sorrento
The fare end of the avenue via San Casareo, Sorrento
Chocolate fountain at a candy store via San Casareo, Sorrento
Want to do so trinket shopping this is THE street to visit in Sorrento. From end to end the shops have some great finds. We stopped at one shop and bought some Christmas ornaments. At the other end of the street we found a shop that had a extensive selection of spices. The street offers a opportunity to take a break from site-seeing and an pick up some gifts to take home.
via San Casareo
CAPRI - GRAN CAFFE
This restaurant was located in one of the squares in the middle of Capri city. Since we were in Italy in the middle of October, the crowd was large. It was busy but not crazy. However, I can't imagine what it would be like at the height of the tourist season.
A good meal at a good location.
Gran Caffe Piazza Umberto I, 11 Capri Tel: 081 8370388
CAPRI - LO SCOGLIO DELLE SIRENE
This little restaurant was located very near the dock where we arrived by boat. We only had a few drink waiting for our boat to leave so there's no info on the food, etc.
Lo Scoglio Delle Sirene Indirizzo: Via Mulo 77 Capri Tel: 081-8370221
RESTAURANT 2000
Lunch Restaurant 2000 via San Casareo, Sorrento
Lunch Restaurant 2000 via San Casareo, Sorrento
We stopped along the via San Cesareo for a quick lunch. Nothing outstanding, but it was decent and convenient. We'd probably stop there again.
Restaurant 2000 Via San Cesareo, 57 80067 Sorrento NA, Italy Tel: 081 877 3842
RISTORANTE BEGNI DELFINO
Smile everyone (Nellie has the camera) Restaurant Delfino, Sorrento
The rest of our table Restaurant Delfino, Sorrento
Carolyn, Mark, Jan and Jack Restaurant Delfino, Sorrento
The other half of our group Restaurant Delfino, Sorrento
Our hotel is at the top of the cliff Restaurant Delfino, Sorrento
At the beach nearby Restaurant Delfino, Sorrento
Restaurant Bagni Delfino is located in Marina Grande, the old center of Sorrento .
The panoramic restaurant is managed by the Gargiulo family and offers traditional neapolitan cuisine, such as pasta, fresh fish, mozzarella, local wines and more, all overlooking the sea and Mount Vesuvius.
This restaurant had a mixed rating from our group. We enjoyed the food but others found it to be nothing special. A mixed recommendation.
Just sitting down to dinner Teresa's & Luigi's Home, Sorrento
Luigi welcoming us Teresa's & Luigi's Home, Sorrento
Teresa explaining how a dish is prepared Teresa's & Luigi's Home, Sorrento
Cindy telling us about her life in Italy Teresa's & Luigi's Home, Sorrento
Teresa and her sister Teresa's & Luigi's Home, Sorrento
Pictures of Luigi`s life Teresa's & Luigi's Home, Sorrento
Cindy`s little girl from several years ago Teresa's & Luigi's Home, Sorrento
What an evening! After a short bus ride we arrived at the home of Luigi and Teresa. They have a out building on their property used to serve large parties dinner. In our case it was a group of 26.
The dinner was delicious. Teresa and her sister served dish after dish of food we all shared "family" style. As I said...delicious.
Another treat was their daughter-in-law Cindy. She's an American who met her husband when she was on a tour of Italy (with her family). Bing, bang, boom they're married and now have a wonderful daughter. A lovely person with a fairy tale story. A great time at dinner.
Teresa`s and Luigi`s Home
ULISSE DELUXE HOSTEL
Lobby upon our arrival Ulisse Deluxe Hostel, Sorrento
Lobby upon our arrival Ulisse Deluxe Hostel, Sorrento
Ulisse Deluxe Hostel
Hotel Ulisse Brochure Ulisse Deluxe Hostel, Sorrento
Ulisse Deluxe Hostel Via del Mare, 22 Sorrento (NA), 80067 Tel: +39 081 877 4753 FAX: +39 081 877 4093
