PORT OF CALL

Cruising the Mediterranean in Search of Adventure, Exotic Food, and Intoxicating Drink

We visit Pompeii and Amalfi

Sailing into Naples, with Vesuvius in the background. Photo by the Author.

Naples is the first stop in our 14-day Eastern Mediterranean Cruise from Rome to Barcelona.

Naples is the third-largest city in Italy. Located about two-thirds of the way down the left side of Italy's " boot,” Naples is the capital of the Campania region and has been an important city since the Greeks established it in the 8th Century B.C.

We arrive in Naples as the sun is appearing above the horizon. Most of the passengers are still asleep, but I sit on our balcony, enjoy the gentle forward motion of the ship, and watch the Harbor Pilot board from his launch.

Vesuvius. Photo by the Author

Vesuvius is visible in the distance, dominating the landscape. Most famous for its eruption in 79 A.D., it has erupted many times since, but none has been as catastrophic as that. The last eruption was in 1944, during the Second World War.

Vesuvius is said to be one of the most dangerous volcanos in the world.