Trip 3… Naples Day 3
“Where the heat meets the horizon, there's a story waiting to be told.”
July in Southern Italy is a game of extremes. Some days, the heat feels like a warm embrace, soft and comforting. Other times, it's a fierce test of endurance, pushing you to your limits. Today, it was the other.
I woke up at the crack of dawn, greeted by the cheerful chirps of local birds outside my hotel window. The sun hadn’t yet risen, but I could already feel the promise of another scorching day ahead. I hopped out of bed, quickly got dressed, packed my things, and headed upstairs for breakfast—an all-important meal before tackling a journey back in time to the ancient city of Pompeii.
A breakfast fit for champions (just like the day before), we ate quickly, ensuring our bellies were full before embarking on the day’s adventures. By 7:20 AM, we were ready for the tour bus, booked through ‘Get Your Guide’. Our driver greeted us warmly as we boarded the small coach. We expected a few people to be there already, but to our surprise, we were the first ones. Not even the guide had arrived yet!
As we set off towards Pompeii, we drove through Naples, catching glimpses of the coast, the busy city center, and the looming castles in the distance. The mix of languages inside the coach was a fun contrast—French, English, Italian, and a few others—all weaving together in a lively symphony. The guide, effortlessly switching between them, had my full respect. It’s not every day you find a guide so skilled in handling such a diverse group!
STOP 1 - The Arrival at Pompeii
The air inside the coach was still bearable at first, but as we approached Pompeii, the temperature soared. The heat became intense—thick, suffocating, and unforgiving. My phone read 36°C, and by the time we arrived at the Pompeii site, it was already nearing 40°C. As the sun beat down on us, our excitement mixed with dread. This would be a test.
We stepped off the coach and into the sweltering heat, immediately feeling the full force of the summer sun. It was a race against time—grab a quick drink, use the bathroom, and get inside the site. We dashed toward a shaded area to regroup. The heat was unbearable, but the energy of the place was contagious. Our new tour guide was a whirlwind of enthusiasm, completely unbothered by the soaring temperatures. She was a true professional—her bubbly energy lifted our spirits as we prepped for the next leg of our journey.
After a quick stop at the toilets (which came with a fee!), we joined the line for the entrance, our bodies already starting to feel the toll of the heat. The garden at the entrance, full of vibrant greenery, seemed to stand strong against the temperature, its flowers and plants blooming as if Pompeii’s scorching sun didn’t touch them at all.
STOP 2 - Antiquarium di Pompei (The Museum)
Once inside the gates, we were greeted by cool gusts of air from fans blowing mist to keep us refreshed. The ancient ruins, however, offered little relief. The guide suggested we take the reverse route through the site to avoid the crowds of tourists crowded at the entrance. This turned out to be a brilliant move.
We veered off the main path, passing under thick green bushes that shielded us from the sun as we made our way to the Antiquarium di Pompei, a museum tucked inside the ruins. The exhibits were haunting—displays of the bodies of those who had perished in the eruption, their forms frozen in time, and artifacts recovered from the ash. It was both striking and unreal, with a sense of history quietly lingering in the air.
STOP 3 - The Heart of Pompeii: Foro di Pompei
As we explored, we encountered more buildings and ruins—some we could only admire from afar, but the preservation of the site was remarkable. It’s hard not to be amazed by how much this city has survived the centuries.
After about an hour of walking down sun-drenched, bumpy streets, dodging wasps at the water fountains, we finally reached the heart of Pompeii: the Foro di Pompei. The large open square, once bustling with the city’s life, now served as a gathering point for visitors, eager to snap photos and cool down in whatever little shade they could find.
By this point, I had gone through three or four bottles of water—each one turning lukewarm within minutes. We were all dripping sweat, but the sense of awe at the historical value of this place kept us going. The views around us were incredible, giving us a glimpse into how vast Pompeii once was. We took a much-needed break here, 10-15 minutes of stretching our legs and appreciating the view—before diving back into the intense heat.
STOP 4 - Teatro Grande (Pompeii’s Grand Theatre)
We rendezvoused back at the statue and continued our journey towards the Teatro Grande, Pompeii’s ancient theatre. The walk to the theatre was more relaxed, thanks to the shade, and our guide kept us entertained with her stories and humour. She explained how we took the less-crowded route to avoid the chaos at the more popular sites, making our visit much more enjoyable.
When we arrived at the theater, the space felt like a breath of fresh air—cool, spacious, and inviting, with tall flowering trees framing the entrance. Despite the heat, this spot made it all worth it. The amphitheater stood majestic, as though the laughter and cries of its audience still echoed within its walls. The crowd was beginning to grow, but our earlier detour had allowed us to experience this site with fewer people.
I can’t thank our guides enough. Their passion for Pompeii was infectious, and the tour was expertly done. 10/10—highly recommended!
As the tour ended, we were all exhausted, sweaty, and in desperate need of a break. The small coach we’d ridden in was now a sauna, and the journey back to the hotel felt like an eternity. Two hours after dropping off other guests later, we finally made it back to our hotel. We refilled our water bottles and, after a much-needed rest, decided to check out the hotel’s swimming pool. We booked a couple of slots for the pool on other days before heading down the hill for lunch.
STOP 5 - Lunch at Chalet Ciro 1952 - Mergellina
We made our way to Chalet Ciro 1952 for a much-needed refuelling session. The food was great, but the pigeons were a bit of a challenge—desperate for scraps and causing a bit of chaos. The highlight, though, came when a woman walked in with a golden eagle perched on her arm. Apparently, the eagle's job was to chase the pigeons away, and it did so with authority, swooping past us, wings spread wide. It was a spectacle in itself, but the pigeons didn’t give up easily!
Lunch: 7/10. The Burgers, sides, and fries were tasty, but the bird drama kept it from being perfect.
After refuelling, we ended the day with a sweet treat—gelato, of course! After choosing from an astonishing array of flavours, we sat in the shade and enjoyed our dessert. The heat was starting to cool, and we decided to take it easy for the rest of the evening.
Before heading back to the hotel, we stopped by a small market to grab some snacks for the night. I thought I’d discovered a shortcut, but it turned out to be someone’s driveway! So, we retraced our steps up the steep hill to the hotel. The climb was grueling, but I had a trick up my sleeve: walk 100 steps, pause, then repeat. It worked wonders! The rest of the group couldn’t keep up, so we had a little race to see who could reach the top the fastest.
When we finally made it back to our room, we cranked the air conditioning and collapsed onto the bed, our bodies sore but satisfied. A few cards on the balcony, some snacks from the market, and a quiet night in were all we needed to wrap up the day.
And with that, we drifted off to sleep, dreaming of the next adventure: Positano, Sorrento, and the Amalfi Coast!
Ciao for now!
E x
