Hi from Pompeii!
We’ve arrived at a gorgeous little campsite just outside the town—tucked among orange trees with breathtaking views of Mount Vesuvius. Tickets are booked for tomorrow’s big adventure…
Excitement level: THROUGH. THE. ROOF.
Thursday – Exploring Pompeii
What. A. Day.
After 8 solid hours on foot and over 10 miles exploring the ancient ruins of Pompeii, I’m absolutely blown away. “Superb” doesn’t even come close. It’s still sinking in that I actually drove us all the way here from Norfolk in Gandalf… and now I’ve finally set foot in the ancient city I’ve dreamed about for years.
We wandered what felt like every single road and alleyway, soaking it all in—the city’s layout still so clear nearly two thousand years on.
The brothel had us howling (those murals/menus! And the beds!), while the theatre and amphitheatre were stunning.
We stepped into old taverns, imagined the hum of ancient life, and then stood silently before the plaster casts of those who didn’t make it out—deeply moving and unforgettable.
From the ruts worn into stone by ancient chariots to vivid wall paintings and graffiti, every inch of Pompeii tells a story. Just incredible. A day I’ll remember forever.
Friday – A Day Trip to Naples
We hopped on a train from our peaceful Pompei base to immerse ourselves in the vibrant chaos of Naples—the birthplace of pizza!
Armed with an audio guide, we roamed the historic, UNESCO-listed city, making stops for incredible pasta, warm sfogliatella from a tucked-away bakery, the oldest gelato in town, and finally, a legendary pizza at Naples’ oldest pizzeria. Every bite was better than the last (and yes, our bellies definitely felt it by the end).
We returned to Gandalf in a blissful, carb-filled haze.
Naples is bold, flavour-packed, and full of life. The food? Unforgettable. The graffiti? Not so much our taste.
Fun pizza fact:
The Margherita pizza as we know it today was born here in the late 1800s, created to honour Queen Margherita of Savoy. Its red (tomato), white (mozzarella), and green (basil) ingredients mirror the Italian flag.
Saturday – Capri Adventure
We extended our stay in Pompeii one last time to squeeze in a trip to Capri—and wow, what a day.
We took the train to Sorrento, then hopped on a high-speed ferry to the island.
While many head straight for the luxury shops and celebrity-studded restaurants, we made a beeline for the funicular and followed a popular hiking trail to the ruins of Emperor Tiberius’s old holiday home—Villa Jovis. Perched high above the sea, the views were outstanding, and the history was just as captivating. The trail, although mainly uphill for the 2km, was a on a good surface throughout and was also very well signposted. It also gave a great opportunity to get away from the hustle and bustle and take a closer look at some of the exquisite villas on the back streets.
We enjoyed a delicious homemade sandwich with mozzarella, tomato and prosciutto from a deli on the route back down to the town, and of course a limoncello spritz and limoncello gelato whilst on the island.
Back in Sorrento, we wandered the charming lemon-scented streets and enjoyed one final, glorious Italian pasta meal before heading back to camp, hearts full.
Here’s how we did it:
🚆 Train from Villa Regina to Sorrento – €3 | ~45 mins 🚶♀️ 10-minute walk to Sorrento harbour
⛴️ Ferry to Capri – €26 pp each way | Fast, scenic & 100% worth it
🚊 Funicular up to Capri town – 3 mins (or walk, bus, or taxi as alternatives)
Sunday – Moving On
Before saying goodbye to Pompeii, we visited Herculaneum. We took the van as we were moving on afterwards however this easily could be reached by train from the campsite.
Though smaller than Pompeii, its ruins are incredibly well-preserved—with taller, more intact buildings. Highlights included the ancient bakery oven and a beautiful shell mosaic, offering a totally different perspective to what we’d seen in Pompeii.
Our Base for our time in Pompeii: Villa Julia Camping
€36 per night (incl. electricity)
Spacious pitches set among fragrant orange trees, with a stunning view of Vesuvius.
Facilities: hot showers, washing up, laundry area.
Highly recommend—an excellent site!
Where to next? You’ll have to wait a couple of days til our next post! Alternatively, don’t forget that we’re on Polarsteps so you can follow us on there for real time updates. Click here for Polarsteps
