Tuesday, November 13, 2007
Italy Vacation November 2007
No complaints for the Solethers as we just got back from a 10 day trip to Naples and the Amalfi Coast. Jared had a 2 day conference at the Navy base there so we decided to make a family vacation of it. After thinking it over, Jared and I realized this was maybe our first destination vacation since our honeymoon...certainly long overdue but we had a great time. Following are some pictures of the different places that we saw.
Our little trooper
Owen was quite the trooper on our Italy vacation. We certainly pushed him hard with all the places we went and things we saw. Overall he did really well but there were times when he really pushed our buttons. Travelling with a toddler is certainly harder than travelling with a baby.
Most days, there was little time for naps, so Owen took them when he could.
This picture was taken in Pompeii...Owen was probably thinking, "Haven't we seen enough 2000 year old buildings, I can't take it anymore!"
You can't let the previous picture fool you, he had fun some of the time.
Owen was so exhausted he fell asleep half way through dinner. Though you can't really blame him - in true European style, dinner didn't start until 9:00pm.
We were staying with a friend in his bachelor pad...Owen had to get creative finding places to play.
Most days, there was little time for naps, so Owen took them when he could.
This picture was taken in Pompeii...Owen was probably thinking, "Haven't we seen enough 2000 year old buildings, I can't take it anymore!"
You can't let the previous picture fool you, he had fun some of the time.
Owen was so exhausted he fell asleep half way through dinner. Though you can't really blame him - in true European style, dinner didn't start until 9:00pm.
We were staying with a friend in his bachelor pad...Owen had to get creative finding places to play.
Pompeii
We spent several hours visiting the remains of the city of Pompeii - a Roman city covered in ash from the erruption of Mount Vesuvio over 2000 years ago. Jared and I had heard how awesome Pompeii was to see but we had no idea how large this place is. It was so neat to see the ampitheatre, the Colissium and other ruins. Owen had a good time running around here as well. And how many babies can say that they've had their diaper changed in the ampitheater of Pompeii? The main streets are still old cobblestone and even have grooves carved out from the wooden wheels of the carts. Many of the buildings even had grafitti still evident.
Hiking Mount Vesuvio
It was a really neat trip to the top of Mount Vesuvias. To get the top you drive up the mountain about 8 miles with so many hairpin turns it can make you dizzy. After the drive up you hike about 30 minutes to the top of the crater. Mount Vesuvias last errupted in 1944 and National Geographic recently had an article that it was due to errupt again soon. A guide for Mt Vesuvias told us that this article really hurt business as people are scared to visit the top now.
It is impossible to capture on camera the scale of the crater at the top and how wide and deep it actually is. There were areas emitting steam the time we were there.
From the top you have great views of Naples on one side and the Amalfi coast on the other. You can also see Pompeii, which was covered in ash over 2000 years ago.
As we were leaving and driving back down the mountain we were able to watch the sunset over the Isle of Capri, it was beautiful!
It is impossible to capture on camera the scale of the crater at the top and how wide and deep it actually is. There were areas emitting steam the time we were there.
From the top you have great views of Naples on one side and the Amalfi coast on the other. You can also see Pompeii, which was covered in ash over 2000 years ago.
As we were leaving and driving back down the mountain we were able to watch the sunset over the Isle of Capri, it was beautiful!
Along the Almalfi Coast
Over the weekend, our friend Donny took us for a drive along the Amalfi coast. It was a gorgeous day and despite getting a bit carsick from the twisty, curvy roads, we enjoyed the trip. We started in Vietri, a small time known for its ceramics, and ended the day in Sorrento.
November was a great time of year to visit because it was low tourist season. These pictures were taken from a small fruit stand overlooking Positano.
It was a lot of fun to walk through the town of Sorrento. If we were to do the trip again, we would probably stay in Sorrento. The town specializes in in-laid wood and leather goods. We had a belt cut especially for Owen. He probably doesn't appreciate it yet but Jared is sure excited about it.
November was a great time of year to visit because it was low tourist season. These pictures were taken from a small fruit stand overlooking Positano.
It was a lot of fun to walk through the town of Sorrento. If we were to do the trip again, we would probably stay in Sorrento. The town specializes in in-laid wood and leather goods. We had a belt cut especially for Owen. He probably doesn't appreciate it yet but Jared is sure excited about it.
Caserta: Palace, Gardens and Fort
We spent a day exploring the Caserta Palace and gardens. People say things are bigger in Texas but these Italians built some huge places!
Picture from inside the palace at the top of the steps. We were trying to imagine them actually building this place and hauling all the marble and construction materials...how did they get it done?
This is a picture from the gardens. Behind the palace was about a 2 miles stretch of garden and terraced fountains, it was beautiful!
We visited the old town of Caserta - Casertachino and enjoyed exploring the old church and fort.
Picture from inside the palace at the top of the steps. We were trying to imagine them actually building this place and hauling all the marble and construction materials...how did they get it done?
This is a picture from the gardens. Behind the palace was about a 2 miles stretch of garden and terraced fountains, it was beautiful!
We visited the old town of Caserta - Casertachino and enjoyed exploring the old church and fort.
Castel St Elmo and Naples
Our first day in Naples we spent walking around and exlploring the Castel of St Elmo and the Monestary right next to it.
We opted to take a backpack carrier instead of a stroller. This is Owen and Daddy ready to start the day!
Family photo from the monestary, nice view of the city.
View of Naples from the castle. It is a very crowded city, Jared calls it a concrete jungle. It seems as if every square inch of available land is taken up by building after building. You can see Mount Vesuvio in the background.
The is the front of the monestary, Owen had fun running around.
Owen and Daddy inside the castle.
We opted to take a backpack carrier instead of a stroller. This is Owen and Daddy ready to start the day!
Family photo from the monestary, nice view of the city.
View of Naples from the castle. It is a very crowded city, Jared calls it a concrete jungle. It seems as if every square inch of available land is taken up by building after building. You can see Mount Vesuvio in the background.
The is the front of the monestary, Owen had fun running around.
Owen and Daddy inside the castle.
Hiking trip to Raminhas
Well, this hiking trip happened quite a while ago but I have been very bad about updating our blog. I think this trip was towards the end of August. We had gorgeous weather and discovered a neat camping spot. We did two trails this day and were amazed at how different they were when it was less than 100 between the two trail heads. We made it over the cliffs and all the way to the water, it was gorgeous! Enjoy.
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