Port of call: Salerno
PAESTUM - Full description
| CODE: SA01 | PAESTUM HD |
| DURATION | 4.5 Hrs Approx |
| TRANSPORT | INCLUDED |
| GUIDE | INCLUDED |
| ENTRANCE FEE | EXCLUDED |
| MEAL | EXCLUDED |
| NOTES | THIS EXCURSION INVOLVES WALKING IN THE SUN ON UNEVEN GROUND: COMFORTABLE SHOES AND SUN HATS ARE RECOMMENDED |
Guests will depart from the pier side of the port of Salerno and be driven to Paestum. This city was founded by the Greeks around 600 BC. Dedicated to Poseidon the god of the sea, and was occupied by the Lucans, an italic population, in 400 BC. Until 273 BC. When it became a roman colony with the name of Paestum - previously called poseidonia.
Paestum
Its three temples and the famous paintings in the local museum are the only example of Greek architecture and arts we have in Italy,
and preserved better than the Greek Partenone.The city was discovered under the marsh and the brushwood thanks to the king of Naples
Carlo di Borbone III during the 17th century.
The Romans made of the ancient poseidonia their colony, and it subsequently became a roman colony and was embellished by magnificent buildings including the baths, the portico of the forum and the amphitheatre.
Walking through this ancient moment of history and looking at these imposing and gorgeous structures will leave an impression in people's mind of the best example of what the Greek culture was in the past.
On completion of the visit of the ruins, the coaches will drive passengers back to Salerno harbour, accompanied by their guides.
Port of call: Salerno
POMPEI - Full description
| CODE: SA02 | POMPEI HD |
| DURATION | 4.5 Hrs Approx |
| TRANSPORT | A/C DELUXE COACH |
| GUIDE | INCLUDED |
| ENTRANCE FEE | INCLUDED |
| MEAL | EXCLUDED |
| NOTES | THIS EXCURSION INVOLVES WALKING IN THE SUN ON UNEVEN GROUND: COMFORTABLE SHOES AND SUN HATS ARE RECOMMENDED |
Guests will be met by their guide at the landing pier in Salerno and depart on an a/c deluxe coach to be driven to the remarkable ruins of Pompeii, at the foot of the awesome Mt. Vesuvius.
Pompeii
Pompeii is considered the world's finest example of an ancient roman town.
The eruption of Vesuvius on august 24, 79 ad, not only preserved structures, but also evidence of the ancient way of life,
such as a fully equipped tavern with the last customer's money still on the counter.
Ancient Pompeii was a prosperous provincial centre with an estimated population of 20,000. Much of the town had been destroyed by an earthquake in 63 ad, and the rebuilding was still in process when the volcano erupted 16 years later. The whole town was buried beneath more than 20 feet of ash and pumice stone. Residents were killed by lethal sulphur fumes or struck down by lava and pumice stone that rained down upon the city, although some of the people escaped. Abandoned until the 18th century, Pompeii was frozen in time until excavations revealed this amazing archaeological site. Plaster was poured into empty spaces in the lava to make body casts of some of the victims, such as a young man stretched out to protect his mother and young daughter, and the famous twisted body of a dog still tied to it's chain.
The walking tour of Pompeii will be led by a guide who will help you relive the historical events and experience a typical day in antiquity. Admire the luxurious mansions and fabulous art of wealthy patricians who came to Pompeii to escape the turmoil in Rome. Their houses were designed around an inner garden with few windows on the exteriors, so residents could forget the outside world and get sunlight from their own courtyards. Visit some of the more modest homes, and also explore ancient baths, temples, theatres, markets and huge forum. Your discoveries will take you past some of the 15,000 paintings and inscriptions found in Pompeii and nearby Herculaneum that reveal an astonishing similarity with modern times: public notices about wine sales, apartment vacancies and upcoming events (theatre performances and gladiator fights); political announcements; personal love notes and sexual innuendoes.
SalernoAfter the inside visit of the ruins, guests will be driven back to the town of Salerno, where they will enjoy some free time to browse through local handicrafts and souvenirs, before returning to the ship, accompanied by their guide.