It's been three days of brilliant sun, shimmering water, majestic temples and cathedrals, fascinating museums, and delightful meals with new friends on board the luxurious Corinthian II cruise ship. From Napoli to Pompeii to Agropoli to Palermo, we have travelled to some of the most magnificent destinations in southern Italy.



For me, the highlight so far was our visit to Pompeii. As we arrived via tour bus, we all gaped at the imposing Mt. Vesuvio. I remember learning in school about the amazing city frozen in time, but I never could have imagined the awe I would feel visiting the city myself.



It is hard to believe that, after 2000 years, so much of the original city's structure and spirit has survived. As we wandered through the maze of streets among hundreds of tourists and the many stray dogs who make it their home, I imagined the streets filled with 15,000 people in its heyday. You could see the grooves in the stone streets where carriages once travelled and the large boulders used as stepping stones to avoid the murky and smelly street water. Street after street offered glimpses into what were once homes and shops. Most striking, of course, are the legendary bodies preserved by the imprints left in the ash from the volcano eruption. When the site was excavated, the bodies had obviously decomposed, but the imprints left in the ash remained intact. Archeologists were able to recreate the bodies by pouring plaster into the empty space that remained. The "mummified" bodies and their terrified facial expressions instantly capture a unique moment in time. Two thousand years later, we can see the people of Pompeii facing their last breath on earth. One cannot help but feel transported back in time.


After this chilling experience, we then went into what remained of a villa with an almost completely intact fresco. The painting's vibrant colors light up the wall and it was a breathtaking realization to know that a artist had painted it sometime between 500-400 BC!


This trip offers many opportunities to learn new things and meet new people, but, most importantly, it exposes us all to incredible beauty and inspiration I know we will carry with us for years to come.

Arrivederci for now!
Deborah