Day 2: Stabiae, Villa Oplontis, Mt Vesuvius, and Sorrento

Our first full day in Italy started when we went to Stabiae, a new experience for everyone, including Mr. Hochberg. As Mr. Hochberg requested I say, the mark of a good tour guide is that he goes places he's never gone before. And of course, Mr. Hochberg is more than capable as a tour guide. Anyways Stabiae, which was an ancient town preserved in the eruption of Mount Vesuvius, featured some lavish villas we spent hours exploring. A personal favorite was the Villa Oplontis of Nero's second wife, Poppaea Sabina, as it sported elaborate frescoes preserved throughout the millennia. After visiting Oplontis, we ate a quick lunch, then drove through a winding mountain road to hike Mount Vesuvius. Due to the incline of the mountain, it proved to be a surprisingly challenging 30 minute hike. However, the scenic views of all of Naples at the top of the mountain made the trek worthwhile. We then spent some time buying souvenirs from a shop at the top of the mountain, and then quickly left when Vesuvius started smoking in several areas. After a long day of hiking and exploring we went back to the hotel, where some people went back to their rooms to relax, while others still feeling adventurous took the bus with Mr. Hochberg to Positano. In the evening small groups went to grab dinner in town, and as the night wound down everyone gathered in the lounge to play cards. All in all, it was an exciting and extremely fun day.
-Jacob Reinsdorf