Naples - Day 1

We were catching a very early Ryanair flight from Edinburgh to Naples, so had to leave the house at about 3am! We drove to the airport and parked the car in a pre-booked spot in the long term car park. After walking to the terminal and going through security, we were in plenty of time for the flight.

It took off pretty much on time and we landed in Naples just before 10am local time. It was warm and a bit hazy.

We called Automania, the car hire company, and they sent a shuttle bus over to take us to their office, where we picked up the car, a black Fiat Panda.

We drove the short distance to our apartment in the suburb of Portici. The owner was there to meet us and showed us to our secure parking space. We then went up to the apartment, which was on the 1st floor of a block. It seems to have pretty much everything we need.

Since it was still only about midday, we decided to walk to Herculaneum, which was only about half an hour away. We tried to walk to the nearby seafront first, but there didn't seem to be any easy way to get near to it. Beaches and parks around here tend to be private, with very restricted access.

We found Herculaneum, which is literally nestled inside the city streets.

Before going in we went to a cafe and bought some lunch. We got two pastries, one was a kind of sandwich thing with cheese and spinach and the other was folder over, containing ricotta cheese.

After this we paid to go into Herculaneum. This first place was a building containing a boat which had been excavated from the beach just outside the city.

We then walked down into the old city and walked round the streets and buildings. It was very interesting, there were lots of frescoes, murals and mosaics.

Just outside the city wall there are archways where people who fled from the volcanic eruption sheltered. Unfortunately they were still engulfed by mud and ash and died there. The skeletal remains are still there.

We walked back towards the apartment by a circular route. Although we're outside the city centre here there's not much greenery around, just very busy, and somewhat scruffy and dilapidated, city streets.

We stopped for a drink at Bar Centrale, then went for shopping at DeSpar which was just the next street down from our apartment.

For dinner we had pasta stuffed with sausage and Arrabbiata sauce.