Buon giorno e benvenuto a Napoli ed a Sorrento! Ché vista bella della baia di Napoli con il relativo azzurro innaffia e la città di Sorrento nei precedenti. Welcome to Naples and Sorrento. This is a beautiful view of the Bay of Naples with Sorrento in the background. The picture does not do justice to the view and the vibrant blue waters. Our morning started early as we head an entire day planned. We met our tour guide Guiseppe and our bus driver Guiseppe and were on our way to Sorrento. We made a stop in Naples at a cameo factory and jewelry store. We watched a master carve a beautiful portrait out of a shell, which would soon become a stunning cameo. We then of course had time to browse in the store for those who wished to purchase a cameo. 
We had beautiful views of the Bay of Naples and surrounding towns on our way to Sorrento as you can see from above. Our first stop was at La Sorgente Azienda Agricola, which literally translates to The Source Agricultural Company. (I like it in Italian better.) More than 10 acres, this farm is filled with olive and lemon trees, as well an abundance of cows. Of course now they make their own olive oil, limoncello and mozzarella.
We first had a tour of the old olive press where for many years the farm's olive oil was produced. We then walked among lemon and olive trees to sit down and enjoy a late breakfast of fresh tomatoes, homemade mozzarella, Italian salami and rustic Italian bread, dolloped with the farm's own olive oil. We washed it down with the farm's red wine. Delicious! The farm had olive oil and limoncello to purchase, however our tour guide insisted the limoncello in Pompeii was much better.
After our light snack, we then received a demonstration on how mozzarella is made. It is said
that the region around Naples, which includes Sorrento, produces the best mozzarella in the world. I would 
have to agree! We walked around the corner to an outdoor kitchen. Maria and her sister showed us the simple procedure of making mozzarella. The mozzarella that the sisters make is only sold to the locals, as their cows only produce so much. The ingredients are small and the recipe is simple, but the timing is everything. Maria's sister posed showing us the finished product saying "Cheese". 
Another sister was preparing to make the farm's own limoncello. I can only describe the aroma as heavenly and refreshing. I am a huge fan of the liqueur limoncello, but learned on this trip that there is also a limoncello cream, a much milder liqueur. Limoncello is typically served as an after dinner drink, as it acts as a digestive. It is made by the infusion of only the skins of locally grown lemons. Italy is the world's largest producer of lemons, so naturally the Italians have found the perfect use for their beautiful fruit. Just look at the size of the lemons! It is a wonderful summer drink and is best served ice cold in chilled aperitif glasses. I always have it at home, so you must all come over to try it. (Of course, I promise to cook a great Italian meal as well.)
We then headed down this cobblestone street to meet our bus to take us in the city centre of Sorrento. We had some free time to shop or just explore the streets of Sorrento, which I did. It is a bustling little town with outdoor cafés with friends meeting for cappuccino, inviting shops featuring the latest in styles in Italian fashion and locals walking with their families or their dogs just enjoying the day. Below and left is a picture of San Antonino Abate, the patron saint of Sorrento. He sits in the center of the piazza. We rejoined our group to walk a little past the city centre to TASSO Ristorante & Pizzeria for lunch. Yes, we are eating again...that's what you do in Italy. We were served the traditional Primi Plati of homemade manicotti and Secondi Plati of a chicken fillet. Plus, I can't forget the wine to wash it all down. We then had coffee and a 
wonderful Italian cake for dessert. It was a lovely little restaurant where locals come and go and everyone knows everyone's name. If ever in Sorrento, stop by. http://www.ristorantetasso.it/ After lunch, we had a little bit more free time to shop before our journey back to Naples to visit Pompeii. What would a trip to Naples, Italy be without visiting Pompeii.
Pompeii is the ancient Roman resort that was buried by the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius in 79 A.D. Pompeii and the adjoining 
town of Herculaneum were destroyed and buried by Mt. Vesuvius' volcanic eruption. Many consider Pompeii the most important archaeological site in all of history. Simply, any other ancient site was abandoned by its citizens and left a ghost town. Pompeii though was a thriving city. Although this event killed more than 2,000 people, it preserved a unique look at the way life was back then. To the right is a picture of what the locals calls the "Silent Giant". Mt. Vesuvius is actually 15 years overdue, as it is an active volcano. It's last eruption was in 1944. Here is a link where you can view live shots of Mt. Vesuvius from different areas of Naples. http://www.vesuvioinrete.it/e_webcam.htm
town of Herculaneum were destroyed and buried by Mt. Vesuvius' volcanic eruption. Many consider Pompeii the most important archaeological site in all of history. Simply, any other ancient site was abandoned by its citizens and left a ghost town. Pompeii though was a thriving city. Although this event killed more than 2,000 people, it preserved a unique look at the way life was back then. To the right is a picture of what the locals calls the "Silent Giant". Mt. Vesuvius is actually 15 years overdue, as it is an active volcano. It's last eruption was in 1944. Here is a link where you can view live shots of Mt. Vesuvius from different areas of Naples. http://www.vesuvioinrete.it/e_webcam.htm
The discovery and excavation of Pompeii began in 1748. To the left, I am standing in front of the Forum which served as a small market in the center of the town. The location of it made it significant as it linked the cities of Pompeii to Naples, Nola and Stabiae. As the city of Pompeii grew, the Forum was more on the outskirts of town, however it still played an important role in many aspects of the life of the city. You can see Mt. Vesuvius in the background. This entire area was covered from the eruption and can be completely covered again.
I would bet to say that no one could guess the symbol of Pompeii. I sure did learn something! Take a look at this picture which is above the entrance of a home. Yes, it is a penis! The penis, back in the day, used to scare away evil spirits and could be found, symbolically, in every Pompeiian home.
It is evident that this eruption came as a surprise to the people of Pompeii as you can see from the following pictures. The human encased in glass is that of a pregnant woman that fell from the impact of the eruption. Many of the human casts along with mosaics, sculptures and other artistic objects that were uncovered are in the National Archaeological Museum in Naples. On the site though, they have a display of some of the humans and objects that were unearthed.
The Pompeiians were intelligent 
people. Here shows a bread oven. When excavation started, centuries-old bread loaves were found inside to prove there was no time when the eruption took place. Today's Neapolitan pizza ovens are built in the same manner. 
This picture shows a typical street-side restaurant or as our tour guide Giuseppe referred to as the original McDonald's.
people. Here shows a bread oven. When excavation started, centuries-old bread loaves were found inside to prove there was no time when the eruption took place. Today's Neapolitan pizza ovens are built in the same manner. 
This picture shows a typical street-side restaurant or as our tour guide Giuseppe referred to as the original McDonald's.