The Bay of Naples, looking to Mount Vesuvius. 

Well… it has been 14 years since we were last in this part of Italy, just South of Naples. Catherine was in her teen years, and Ann & I were introducing her to the highlights of Europe, and in particular Italy, always a firm favourite for Ann & I.

As it is within the year Ann & I both celebrate our 60th Birthdays, we decided to push the boat out, and stay half-board, at the Grand President Hotel, situated on the cliff edge above, and overlooking the Italian town of Sorrento, and the active volcano Mt. Vesuvius, on the bay of Naples.  SUPERB !!!

The hotel was like being on a cruise ship which never went anywhere… the views were stunning, there was a rooftop solarium and bar, next floor down was the vast internal bar (plus an outside covered area) down again was the al-a-carte dining floor, once again with super panel windows… drop down a couple more floors, and it opens out to the pool area and gardens…

A courtesy bus, took us down to the town and back at various times during the day, much like a shuttle boat from the passenger liners lol. We had lunch in the ‘Foreigners bar‘ which overlooked the bay and harbour, most days, unless we had booked an excursion out…

On Monday, we went to Pompeii for a few hours, on an organised tour, on Tuesday, again on a tour, but this time we visited the Isle of Capri, and spent a few pleasant hours on the summit of Mt. Solaro, in the company of Linda & Nick P. who only 1 week before, had celebrated their ‘Golden Wedding’, and a more pleasant and charming couple, you could not wish to meet. The chairlift up to the summit was fantastic, but the views on the way down were simply inspirational. On the Wednesday, Ann & I went on a tour to Herculaneum, but if the truth be known, we felt it disappointing…  a far smaller archaeological site than Pompeii, with a pretty naf guide, and every school in the Naples area, must have been on an outing to Herculaneum on that very day… it was bedlam !!!

Pompeii – The Ludus of the Gladiators

 View from Mt. Solaro on the Isle of Capri

The old waterfront of Herculaneum

On the Thursday, we had a leisurely day before flying home on the Friday. We went early down to the town after breakfast, to buy a few pressies, and walk down to the harbours, before stopping off at one of the churches, to wish a couple of the guests our very best regards, as they were getting married that day… once again we had a superb lunch at the ‘Foreigners’ and made our way back up to the hotel, for our last evening meal, and my waiting bottle of ‘Barolo’ which had been decanted by the wine waiter for me…lol (it added to my ‘Amerone’ the night before) its good to do a bit of SCI’ing from time to time (spending Catherine’s inheritance)…

A wonderful break, in a special year for Ann & I !!!

The Bay of Naples from our Hotel…. what a memory !!!

Sorrento Town, from our last night in the hotel bar…