Assisi
After leaving Venice we zipped down the Autostrada for about 4 hours (Anne still complaining, but getting used to 150kph+) to Assisi, which was about half way to the Amalfi Coast, our next long stop.
This turned out to be a hidden gem, and definitely the cleanest town we visited - not surprising from a town which makes it's money from pilgrim tourism.
The hotel was an old castle (probably a Priory actually) and the staff could not help enough. The restaurants in town however seemed to make ignoring the customer an art form!
Built on the side of a hill, it seemed anywhere you went was either miles up or down. The 20 minute walk to Basilica San Francisco (St' Francis's Church and actual burial place) gave us panoramic views of the plains below.
It was hot and dry, but there were little fountains where the kids could wet themselves to keep cool, and the walk means we lost more weight (much more fun than Jenny Craig!)
The church was impressive, built in three levels over centuries, the original church and crypt below was dark and cool, as was the church hall above. Lots of biblical frescos - you really need a guide book to figure them out. The top layer, with the third church has was large, light and airy, and had a series of fresco that were worth seeing, but no photography allowed. Some churches allow it, this one didn't.
Sorrento and the Amalfi Coast
Another 4+ hours south of Assisi, and after getting lost in Naples (yuck), we arrived at the hotel. The hotel was on the side of a mountain (getting used to this) with the car park on the roof. Great views from the room, but the request for 'connecting rooms' was translated to rooms side by side, which produced logistical nightmares!
Sorrento took some getting used to - busy and noisy like Naples, but the centre closes to cars each night and becomes very pedestrian friendly (unless it's raining)
A day trip to Positano showed why it's the best place to stay, and the worst to get to! Around the tight winding coast road, it's build on the side of a hill down to the waterfront. Cars can only go down part of the way though a one-way loop road, so you need to find parking, then walk down. Two thirds of the way down, there are a couple of paths you walk down to get to the beach, but there's a lot of shops to browse on the way.
The beach is the place to be, with lots of large restaurants and sun beds to rent, but no surf on the black sand beach.
The walk up the hill after lunch was hard, but we jumped on the Interno shuttle bus for most of the trip for some spectacular views. First time on the trip we almost had an accident with the bus meeting another coming the other way - even our driver was a little annoyed!
Pompei
Pompei was a quick day-trip by bus and train
Our first trip on a bus thought us they don't always go where they are supposed to (so a long walk and missed connection) and first train trip tough Anne that I was not always the fastest driver! The look of horror when the train kept going faster had me wishing the camera was ready - she asked me if the trains were allowed to go this fast!
Pompei was very hot and dry, with lots of crooks around (like standing outside the free toilets asking for payment using them).
The actual ruins were interesting, but hard to find your way around - should have hired a guide. The kids lots interest quickly, but when I showed them the 'before and after' book I bought (with photos of now and plastic overlays showing the before) they were enthusiastic, and pointed to all the places that we saw, so they obviously take in more than we thought.
The ClarkFamily Excellent Adventure (Part 5)
