Hurray for Pompeii

We set out this morning from Hotel Adoro on the outskirts of Rome and enjoyed some morning traffic. I was glad we were not going into the city. It's a zoo in the centre of Rome. It's not yet high tourist season and the throngs of people meant you couldn't really get near some of the things you wanted to see. Of course it was a long weekend and maybe the locals were entertaining guests by showing them around.

Our first stop, with another new driver, was in the small village of Francolise (I hope I got that right) where we visited the guest area of a privately owned farm. We began with a guided tasting of olive oil. Who knew that just a drop could hold so much flavour - to say nothing of that startling burn in the throat. That same oil, from olives harvested last Fall, was used in all of the accompanying dishes.

Starters!!!

I only ate half of this - pasta with zucchini and peccorino cheese

Local specialty - lemon cake. Yummy,

This was our dining room

This was the setting

Needless to say, we were no longer hungry after that lunch. I thought I'd never need to eat again. And that held true until dinner time.

After that lunch we needed some exercise, but there was a 90 minute bus ride before we got to stretch our legs and watch our balance on our tour of Pompeii. My right hip has become bothersome after all of our walking. Today's tour was a couple of hours and my total up to this minute is 9,035 steps. A slow day. I was more than a little grateful to have brought along one walking pole. One was enough. We had few stairs/steps as most of the way was on gentle slopes that wound through an incredible place. The original Pompeiians were clever sorts, with running water, fast food options, brothels with beds made of stone. We were assured that the beds were covered with comfy straw and pillows and such for the occupants. 

I can't relate the history with any accuracy so I won't even try. Here are a few photos.

Once we'd paraded through the deep past, we again boarded our large coach to travel some very narrow, hilly, twisting roads that seemed more like trails. I don't know the altitude of our current hotel but we are far up in the hills near Sorrento. I have to give full credit for nerves of steel and full control of a very large vehicle to the talented drivers who've been chauffeuring us around. I must say that our few days with Giacomo provided the best eye candy. He was a charming young man who spoke very good English and looked like one might imagine a handsome Italian male model. 

We had an OK dinner here at the Grand Hotel Hermitage. I have a lovely room with a balcony and an amazing view of the coast around Sorrento. I think I can even see Mt Vesuvius which, happily, does not seem on the verge of a new eruption. 

Tomorrow we explore the Amalfi Coast so it won't be a taxing day when it comes to walking. We do have some free time to explore the area. I believe our Limoncello tasting happens in the morning. Hmm - more day drinking. But it comes with the opportunity to buy some home made Limoncello at a good price. Bring it on.

Good Night