After departing from the pier, you will enjoy a leisurely drive along the Bay of Naples and on to Sorrento, a city of Renaissance palazzi and charming pedestrian lanes. A meandering walk will take you to a woodworking studio, where craftsmen will likely demonstration the art of intarsia or wood inlay, which has long been associated with Sorrento. Free time follows, during which you might browse the museums and boutiques. Ceramic tableware, casual fashions and intarsia jewelry boxes are among the most popular items.
Then, it’s on to Pompeii, a Roman town forever known for the catastrophic eruption of Mount Vesuvius that buried it under ash and pumice in 79 A.D. After free time to explore on your own and perhaps watch artisans create cameos, you will tour the ruins. The excavations have unearthed a snapshot of life here nearly 2,000 year ago. Buildings are largely intact, frescoes adorn the villas and everyday objects are scattered about, just as they were when the volcano erupted. Expect to see ancient baths, temples and residences with intricate mosaic floors. It’s an eye-opening look into ancient life, one you will remember long after returning to Naples.
