Tour of the Amalfi Coast

Up again early this morning; our first stop is the Ancient Greek ruins of Paestum and we plan to be first in line when they open.
















The tour of the Paestum ruins is amazing and we are accompanied by an adorable little dog who seems to know all the best spots. These three temples and massive Greek and Roman city are really quite impressive. The age alone is amazing, and the relative good shape of the bigger temple is really something. It turns out the Pantheon in Athens is modeled after the biggest and newest of the three temples of Paestum, so that should give an idea of the age. Leaving the town just as the late rising tour groups started to arrive is a great feeling and we are off on a rather harrowing drive through Salerno and a "street" that goes through someone's house.



The road? that runs along the Amalfi is old and the only road at all for most of the towns it runs through. It is narrow and windy, at some points less than one lane wide. It is a challenging drive but the reward is amazing sites that most people would never see.







We drive through many small towns and see some famous sites, some churches, and some amazing views. I also do some pro driving and parking during the drive; backing up 1/2 km down a winding lane, parallel parking about an inch from the wall, and generally just surviving the journey.









Unfortunately the day isn't quite done with us when we arrive in Posatino; pretty exhausted from the journey. Our b&b is among the best in town but is perched high up the hill. We have a pretty tough climb but finally make it and will be staying here two nights as we explore the nearby region. We start again in the morning with a ferry to sunny Capri!











- Jordan
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Location:Via Poseidonia,Capaccio,Italy

Road trip: Italy

Today we were able to sleep in and enjoy breakfast at a leisurely pace because our only task was to successfully drive out of Rome, visit Mussilini's EUR, then drive on 3 hours to Paestum where we are staying at a nice hotel on the Mediterranean. Our drive out of Rome was exciting but no where near as scary as Lauren was afraid of. Driving here is simple but requires a lot of defensive driving and a lot of, well just going for it. Our little fiat is actually very nice, much better than the poor Peugeot we had on our first trip to Europe.




While leaving Rome we stopped at the EUR which is an area built up by Mussolini for his new government as well as as a symbolic show of strength. It isn't "pretty" but it is impressive and is now a popular neighborhood for middle class folks.













Our drive out of Rome and south towards Naples and the Amalfi was easy and spectacular. Lauren has most of the photos since I was driving so we'll get them posted to the photo feed later. But I did take some when we stopped for some water and a stretch during the trip.







The drive into town to our hotel was, interesting. The roads are barely eligible to be called roads and are often too narrow for passing cars but somehow have a 50kph speed. It's very odd since this is actually a busy beach town with people everywhere and the hotels along our street are high end and currently full of May weddings.






We are staying in Paestum, a town with both access to the Mediterranean beaches and Ancient Greek temples that are in at least as good condition as Athens, despite being neglected for centuries. The town is currently on Holiday so there is a street party going into the night right next to these temples; it's an interesting site. We will be up bright and early once again tomorrow to visit the site and then on to the next several towns along the beautiful cast before settling in at another stop for tomorrow night.















- Jordan
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Location:Via Poseidonia,Capaccio,Italy

When in Rome

I am writing one more blog post because there is a Formula One (F1) race today.  Jordan follows this sport as religiously as Carolina basketball.  Today's race is in Sochi, Russia and the two Ferrari drivers placed first / second for qualifying.  This is rare & means the Italians are happy!  So while he watches the race,  I'm posting for the blog.

Today we had to round out the major sites of Rome.  We went to four churches before arriving at Piazza Novona.  This square was used for circuses and sea battle reenactments during Roman times.  Then it was used to film La Dolce Vita!  We had to sit in the square and enjoy the scene for a bit.

After this stop, we got to see the Pantheon.  This is one of the oldest buildings used basically continuously in the world. It dates back to 120 AD.  It has been used in many ways in that time.  The dome was mathematically perfect, as architects have described and stolen from for about 2000 years. I loved it!

Then we went to see the Italian parliament.  We were more impressed with the object in front.  The obelisk statue from Marcus Aurelius was in the front & clearly showed the four great eras of Rome.  

I made us stop by the Trevi fountain one more time, while the sun was shining.  However, the tourists were rowdy this time so no close-ups. 

We end the day watching the F1 race & then beginning a walk / bar hop across the city.  I'm so happy we finished the major sites of Rome!

Caesar Shuffle -or at Lauren's pace the Caesar jog

Ancient Rome.  Today was our chance to experience it.  My favorite travel writer (Rick Steves -blog readers you know this!) calls the trek around this part of Ancient Rome the Caesar Shuffle because you Shuffle around with other people from one site to the next across the old city ruins to see it all.  However; we did these sites at record pace!  

We got up early enough to be the first into the Coliseum.  The vastness + age was hard to imagine, even being there!  It feels odd to celebrate this beautiful place, as it was primarily used in brutal ways. 

Outside the Coliseum is the Arch of Constantine from around 315 AD.  He was the Emperor who legalized Christianity for the Empire.  

Then we ventured up Palentine Hill, where the emperors and wealthy of Rome placed their palaces for centuries.  It was amazing to see what they could build into one of Rome's seven hills.  

From the edge of the raised palace, we could even view Circus Maximus.  This race track in Ancient Rome was specifically for horses & chariots.  

From the hill we could look down into the Roman Forum.  

The Roman Forum was like no other place I have been.  You could see the ruins of the Roman Senate steps (white marble), the various columns of churches & building and so much more.  We have both struggled to summarize it & were both in awe of this area.  

After the Forum, we walked along the old street to see more ruins & the remains of Trajan's (an emperor) market / offices.  At the end of this was Trajan's Column depicting his victory in various wars around 200 AD.   

We did so well on time that I allowed us a break for lunch at an Irish Pub. I of course ordered a Caesar Salad to stay in theme.  It was a nice rest.

Then we went back to what I am deeming the largest 'fancy' building I have ever seen.  The Altar of the Fatherland is a very large, white marble building celebrating the unification of Italy.  We will post more on it later....

After this we went to the Basilica di Santa Maria in Ara Coeli.  

And the Capital Hill Piazza designed by Michelangelo.  He designed it to place the museum.

This Piazza houses the Capitaline Museums.  This was the first public museum in the world, dating back to around 1500.  The museum houses many statues, artifacts and has rooms showing the Roman Forum ruins / original building.  I loved the statue of Marcus Aurelius.  And the view of the Roman Forum.

To get a full view of the ancient city, I broke from the Caesar Shuffle.  I took us to one more spot.  And on the way stumbled onto a church - Basilica de Saint Andrea de Valle.

We had to end our day at the outskirts of Ancient Rome, Campo de Fioro.  This was the original marshland & end of the city.  I wanted to ensure I saw all of the ancient city!  It truly was large. Now it is a pleasant, lively city square.  We got there in time to view the market.  And then enjoy some beers at Roma Beer Company & dinner at a nice place on another corner of the square.  

After the market packed up, I watched the city workers clean the square for almost two hours.  They are not helping the stereotype about the Italian way to 'work.'

We figured out how to use the bus, so we didn't have to walk any more.