Pompeii:

Definitely the highlight of the trip for Nichole and (I think the girls too) was Pompeii.  Pompeii with an estimated population of twenty-thousand was destroyed by volcanic fumes and pumice/ash in 79AD.  What is truly amazing about these ruins was how well it was “preserved”; from the tiled (original) houses, walls with colorful frescos, streets, sidewalks, mosaics and of course the plaster casts of the people it all captured your imagination…I could feel the hustle and bustle of this city and swear I could hear the conversations of ghosts from long ago.  We have toured many ancient ruins and nothing has captured our imagination like Pompeii (except perhaps Egypt).  The fact that we were able to walk around the this city go into their houses some with running water and sewer, visit shops, like bakeries, brothels, pharmacies and schools preserved pretty close to “as they were” nearly 2000 years ago was beyond amazing it was mesmerizing.  We spent nearly six hours in the city and I could have used another six easily (but hunger and the kid’s eventual boredom won out).   Without a doubt, if you ever have the opportunity to tour the ruins of Pompeii – don’t pass it up.