Orient Line's Marco Polo Cruise of Europe

Friday, Saturday
September 28-29

Rome, Italy

We had two days in Rome as part of the cruise package. That included transport to Rome from the port and a half day tour of the city. We were housed at the Star Metropol which is near the central train station. In our travels around town we passed by the Trevi Fountain, and again threw coins into the fountain to "guarantee" we will return. It has worked the last three times.

Saturday was quite warm as we walked from the Spanish Steps to the Forum and Coliseum (above). This was our day on our own. In the evening we went out for an Italian dinner and a chance to see the monuments lit. It was fairly late when we got back.

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Sunday
September 30

Sorento, Italy

Starting Sunday we are completely on our own. We activated our Italy Rail Pass and were off for Sorento early in the morning. What we found was that our rail pass would only take us to Naples. From there we must by tickets on the Circumvesuviana rail line (not expensive) to get to Sorento. That was an experience, and we got on a couple of wrong trains, but finally made it to Sorento in the afternoon. After finding our hotel, the Savoi, we found the American and Foreigner's Club and had some ice cream on the balcony overlooking the bay.

Sorento is a very quaint small town on a cliff above the sea at the west end of the Amalfi Coast. Many of the streets are to narrow at allow cars. It is a favorite vacation destination for Italians as well as others. Sorento is located just a little past Pompeii on the rail line which is what brought us here.

Monday
October 1

Pompeii, Italy

One of the reasons for staying on in Italy was so that I could visit Pompeii which I had taught about for many years. We got up early enough to catch the train for the 25 minute ride. The park opened at 9:00 and had an admission fee of $8.00 each. We managed to beat most of the tour groups which came pouring in a short time later.

With the help of a map we wandered around most of the excavated city of Pompeii which was covered with ash and cinders when Mt. Vesuvius erupted in 79 A.D. Although signs of the buried city were uncovered in the late 1500s, excavation did not really start until 1748 and have continued without a break ever since.

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Tuesday
October 2

Isle of Capri, Italy

We took recommendations and visited the Isle of Capri, about 20 minutes by hydrfoil from Sorento. The town is located on several levels connected by a funicular and/or windy roads. We took the funicular up to the second level and walked through the town to an overlook on the other side of the island. It was a beautiful place with gorgeous views.

The Blue Gratto looked enticing so we took a boat tour around the island which included a stop there. We got off onto little row boats, payed another fee, and were rowed through a tiny hole in the cliff into a large chamber. When you look back at the hole, when inside, the water is a vivid blue.

Wednesday - Friday
October 3-5

Milan, Italy

We really enjoyed meeting our friends in Milan. Thursday they took us to see the Duomo including a trip up to its roof. Friday we had a lovely trip to the country north of Milan.

There was much visiting and catching up on times past and present and lots of good food. It was a very special time.

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Saturday, Sunday
October 6, 7

Rome to Home

Saturday morning early we headed south, back to Rome, on the Eurostar train. It is very nice, smooth and comfortable. It was very sad to leave our friends, but we did throw those coins in the fountain again, so we will probably be back.

We left our Rome hotel at 4:30 am heading for the airport. The plan was late leaving so we missed our connection in Frankfort, Germany. Lufthansa had already rescheduled and rerouted us, and we got home only two hours later than originally scheduled. Needless to say, although it was a great trip, it was very good to be home.