But for one T+L editor, bringing the kids along made the trip even more fun.
It all began, as things often do when you’re a child, with a story.
Last spring, a book called “Pompeii…Buried Alive!”
Guest rooms at Sorrento’s Grand Hotel Excelsior Vittoria overlook the Bay of Naples.Courtesy of Grand Hotel Excelsior Vittoria
became the subject of intense fascination for my daughter, Stella, and her little brother, Leo.
But then it dawned on us.
But the volcano, as if in another dimension, didn’t seem to move at all.
From left: The author’s family passing through the Arch of Tiberius, in Pompeii; the author’s son at Da Adolfo.Courtesy of Flora Stubbs
The following day was the main event: our visit to Pompeii.
“Today is very hot!”
Coco proclaimed, fanning herself with a clipboard.
The pool at Amalfi’s Hotel Santa Caterina, as seen from its terrace restaurant.Simon Watson
We came to the place where plaster casts of Pompeiians who perished under the ashes were on display.
Each was frozen in a position of abject terror.
But the ashes piled up higher and higher.
The people could not move.
The people could not breathe."
“Buried alive,” said Stella, as we turned to leave.
Pompeii behind us, it was time to get into serious relaxation mode.
The following morning we took a ferry to Amalfi, an hour or so down the coast.
If Sorrento had felt chic and visually iconic, Amalfi took all of that to the next level.
The next day was my husband’s birthday: time to put the Santa Caterina concierge to the test.
And she was right.
Had Stella and Leo behaved impeccably?
Would I have changed it for the world?
