Freedom of the Seas - Naples

So here we are at Day 5 and in the port of Naples. This was another full day in port with us arriving at 7:00 am and the all on board scheduled for 10:30 pm. The cruise compass has daily activities and specials for spas/drinks etc that you may be interested in. So much you can take in at this port with Pompeii, Mt Vesuvius, the Amalfi Coast and Capri so close.
Of course being the President's cruise their was of course an excursion with him. This one was the Bourbon Tunnel & Naples Sights with Michael Bayley. Some of the other tours are the following: Exclusive Amalfi Coast, Postiano, Sorrento & Pompeii, Capri, Sorrento & Pompeii, Island of Capri, Naples City Sights, From Lemons to Liqueurs and Sorrento with Pizza Making for Families.
My mom was in so much pain that she decided to spend the day on the ship. We had scheduled the Taste of Sorrento & Pompeii (small group). So while she stayed on the ship I decided to go on the excursion which was eight hours. I am very thankful that the other people on this tour were very friendly and I never really felt alone.

 this port is populated so easy to go and explore

 On the way to Sorrento everything is built up the mountain

a view of the bay as we were winding ourselves up narrow roads

We started with a tour of a Sorrento farmhouse which was an old monastery. It is now a hotel/farm. The winding road to get to the top of the mountain were an experience in themselves. The roads in Italy are very narrow and if you suffer from Vertigo I definitely do not recommend this excursion. I do suffer from a fear of heights put happened to be on the right side of the bus to not have it bother me too much. When we got to our destination we were treated to a demonstration on how to make fresh cheese. We then got to try fresh cheese, bread, olive oil, meat and wine. The farms was full of lemons, olives, walnuts and animals. I bought a bottle of olive oil and a small bottle of leminocello.

 statue at the monastery

 making fresh cheese

 the plate of food we got to try

 they put these nets up to catch the olives as they ripen and the lemons

 walnuts waiting to be roasted

Outside the farmhouse

On our way back down from our stop at the farmhouse we stopped at a Lemonicello factory. As I had already bought some at the farmhouse I ended up buying chocolate. It was pretty good chocolate too. We then it made it the rest of the way down to the village of Sorrento where we had about an hour of free time. I wondered trough the shops buying some Sorrento ornaments featuring the lemon for myself and my mother and a a lovely scarf for myself.

this is the lovely wood shop we met at

Once we finished our free time we boarded back onto the bus to head to our tour of Pompeii. The ruins of Pompeii cover so much land. What is fascinating is how much ended up preserved after the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius covered the town. Our tour was special as we had virtual reality sets. At certain spots we able to stop and see what life was like before the eruption based on the ruins. It was a very unique experience. It made the ruins come to life. I would recommend this tour.

 a body that was preserved by the ashes

Once we were done we headed back to the ship. It was a very long day but so worth it. I am glad I went ahead on my own.

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