Pompeii

You’re here for the volcano, of course! Mt. Vesuvius looms in the background over a small, sleepy town of Italian locals who seem to yearn for the simple life, while catering to the tourists who arrive to see the infamous “buried city”. Behind the dark nature of our visit, Pompeiians have made added a few simply joys of food, wine, and play that will make the whole family relax, after a long, hot hike through the ruins of the old city.

Stay.

Our short stay in this town was at the lovely and quaint Hotel Diana. Though simple and clean in looks and quality, Hotel Diana and its sister hotel Bosco dè Medici Resort, served as perfect fit for our little family.

Just steps from, the train station, Hotel Diana had a swing and small play structure in the back “courtyard”, which was perfect for our energetic 4-year-old. The full-inclusive breakfast was also a treat! Lots of local pastries, eggs, cappuccinos, and fresh fruits made mornings so relaxed and bearable!

It gets better: Hotel Diana staff will shuttle you over to their sister property (Bosco dè Medici) for a cool, relaxing swim in their large, swimming pool, where you can splash, play, and have a nice aperol spritz poolside. Across the dirt road from this resort is the Polomba family farm (the family that owns the hotels). Our young daughter had a blast visiting the beautiful peacocks, ducks, horses, rabbits, chickens, goats, and other animals.

Eat.

The best memory of this resort was the dinner that we had on site at the Bosco dè Medici’s famous winery and restaurant. This 5-star restaurant (which you do need to make a reservation for), was the epitome of what you dream Italian dining should be: romantic (well, as romantic as you can get with a 4-year-old in tow), green and outdoorsy, homemade pasta that melts in your mouth, and wine to die for. The wine they make comes from their grapes which are grown in rich, volcanic earth at the base of Mt.Vesuvius, and creates a robust, rich flavor which unlike anything you have ever tasted! With the vine-enlaced pergolas, soft candlelight, exquisite wine and food.. You will be heaven walking away from this restaurant! (And there will be a shuttle to return to your hotel, so you can have that “extra glass" of vino!”)

Pompeii Day, Pompeii Play.

Let’s be honest. You’re here to see the volcano… the ruins… the bodies.. (well.. the ashen casts of the bodies). Pompeii is absolutely awesome and fascinating as it is dark and terrifying.. A volcano erupts burying hundreds of people (mostly poor servants) left behind, while their masters escaped early, days before the eruption. {Before we visited, I thought perhaps this wasn’t an appropriate place to take a young child, but my husband and I don’t think there was enough “dark stuff” to see that she really understand the gravity of the disaster.} The bigger issue we had with visiting Pompeii was the heat (we went end of June) and non-stroller-friendly stone roads. We went end of June, and the heat was intense. Unfortunately, there is little shade, and the grounds are “GI-NORMOUS”. The small, stone houses and ruins of shops provide little comfort in the heat of the day, and though there is a small cafeteria and shop in the center of the city, the rest felt like a long, dry, drag of our 4-year-old. The streets are large, ancient stones.. very anti-stroller. There is a handicapped path that we tried (thinking that wheelchairs have to be able to get around).. but those streets are far and few, and as a tourist, you really want to get off the beaten path. In general, it was a very hot, dusty, dry, non-kid friendly day, which ended in several tantrums by 2pm! Booooo!

To make up for it, we took her to Vesuviuslandia. This fun, little amusement park was right in the center of town! Lots of rides for smaller kids: bumper cars, jump houses, small coasters, and even several rooms of coin-operated rides. There are a few snack bars in the park or nicer restaurants out in town, if you so choose.. Our kid had so much fun on the mini-4-wheelers and bumper boats, we all but forgot about the long, dusty, hot, tear-filled journey from earlier that day.