Herculaneum history...

Ever since we have thought about going to Italy this summer it has been a frequent question from the children - will we go to Pompeii? I always assumed we would - a fascination that we all shared and one of the reasons we decided to visit Naples. However the more I read and talked to people the more I realised that just maybe Herculaneum might be the better option for us? Smaller, less crowded and more importantly better preserved so that the past could be brought easier to life by the children. So we made the collective (and it felt like brave) decision that we would miss Pompeii (on this trip!) and explore Herculaneum instead. And so was it as wonderful as everyone said? Yes and more!

The ruins are amazing - you seriously can not really get your head around that life existed in it one day and it was gone the next - and what you are actually seeing is as it was - no Dark or Middle or Renaissance or Industrial influence on it all - just a real stand still moment in time - nearly 2000 years later.

We joined a tour (which we are definitely finding enhance our experiences) and learnt so much as well as shared in the obvious love and passion our guide had for the history of the place. We then explored on our own, marvelling at the mosaic floors, the rich frescoes, the urns still standing and this inscription that the girls ran their hands lightly along as if to connect with the time that is represented. It is fair to say we were memorised - which is pretty impressive for four teenagers and a seven year old in 30 degree heat in the middle of the day! Thanks kids for sharing so enthusiastically this experience with us.

Then it was back to Naples into the crowded street markets for supplies before cooling down in the apartment - swimming in that tantalising sea that we glimpsed today awaits us tomorrow!

Sienna has however decided that she would be happy if 'next time' we don't come back to Naples as she finds it smelly, noisy and broken! I explained that life is like this in many parts of the world and it is important that she experiences it - to which she replied - "I understand but I am just staying don't expect me to live here when I am grown up, OK?"!!!

Right Sienna - my sensitive to smell child - I got it