Pompeii Italy

The ruins of the famous ancient city of Pompeii are just a short ride from Naples. Don't worry about a car. Busses and private tours leave directly from most of the hotels in Naples throughout the day. In 79 A.D. Mt. Vesuvius erupted, completely encrusting the city of Pompeii with volcanic ash and instantly killing 20,000 residents. As a result, Pompeii was frozen in time. Buildings, streets, household items - even pieces of art - remain just as they were in the first century. Many travelers prefer the lesser-known city of Herculaneum, which was destroyed on the same day. Unlike Pompeii, Herculaneum was covered in mud, rather than ash. The hardened mud formed a seal preserving even food and people, just as they were at the moment of the eruption. Poignant scenes, like the soldier trying to protect his dog by wrapping his cloak around him evoke a sense of identification with those who lost their lives that day. Fewer tourists allow you reflect on the city without the bustle of tourists and the constant hawking of venders which you cannot escape in Pompeii. You may want to make a day of it and climb Vesuvius while you are here. It's not a walk in the park, but the view on a clear day is spectacular.