Colin and Cecile Travels

  Day 21 – Naples, Italy  Sunday, November 23 Tour Pompeii: City of Beauty & Ruin We arrived in Naples at 8:00 AM after a stormy night at sea, 10 Meter  (30+ ft)  Waves and 35 mile an hour winds.  Thanks to modern boat design, it was not bad, just rocked you to sleep. We were extremely lucky as it had been raining for three solid days, but we arrived to a beautiful day Just about 30 minutes drive from the port of Naples, we arrived at Pompeii. Pompeii is the Picture of Ancient Life Frozen in Time.  In 79 AD when Mt. Vesuvius erupted, Pompeii was buried under 20 feet of ash. It was not until 1759 that it was discovered under the reign of King Charles V of Bourbon.  The early excavations were more a treasure hunt looking for valuable items.  More systematic excavation has revealed with astounding precision exactly what life was like on that day.  Entering through the Stabiae Gate we came upon the Quatraportica. According to our ma...

  Day 20 – Sicily (Messina), Italy  Saturday, November 22 Tour : Messina & Its Treasures   Upon entering the port of Messina you are greeted by a pillar with a statue of the Virgin Mary, Legend has it that St. John carried a letter from Mary (after the Crusifiction and after the city converted to Christianity). The letter said bless your City and your People. Our tour started with a  motor coach  panoramic tour along the north coast of Messina, offering stunning views over the Ganzirri Lakes and the Capo Peloro.  The narrowest part of the Strait of Messina.  The Strait of Messina is 3.1 Kilometers (1.9 miles) wide at the narrowest point and 5.1 Kilometers (3.2 miles) near the city of Messina  This is one of two towers that sit at the narrowest point of the strait. Before Sicily had its own power plant wires crossed the strait at this point across these towers to bring electricity to the island. Teatro (Theater) Vittorio Enamuele ...