Naples (那不勒斯), Pompei (庞贝) & Mt Vesuvius (维苏威火山)

(Make this trip at least 2 full days)

Before to Pompeii, I advised you to visit the Naples National Archeological Museum in Naples. This is a great museum, the important part you shouldn't miss is know more detail about Pompeii and see the huge collection of the ruined city Pompeii.

Pompeii was destroyed and completely buried during a long catastrophic eruption of the volcano Mount Vesuvius spanning two days in 79 AD. The eruption buried Pompeii under 5 to 6 meters of ash and pumice, and it was lost for nearly 1,600 years before its accidental rediscovery around 1592. Since then, its excavation has provided an extraordinarily detailed insight into the life of a city at the height of the Roman Empire. Today, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is one of the most popular tourist attractions of Italy. (from Wikipedia)

79年维苏威火山爆发，一夜之間将庞贝活埋于火山灰下。直至1500多年后被人意外发掘出来。请参阅http://baike.baidu.com/view/31804.htm读取更多关于庞贝城。

This is the model of Pompeii city in museum, scale 1:100.

The wall from the ruined city.

The stuffs they found in ruined city. 

Temple Isis of Pompeii, model in museum (1st & 3rd pic) VS
what is left after the eruption (2nd & 4th pic).

Take train from Naples to Pompeii. Spend half a day to walk around this huge ruined city is never be enough. Hire a audio guide is better than join a tour, cause the tour guide won't take you to all the area.

Inside a house.

A shop.

Take bus from Pompeii to Mt. Vesuvius, go to see the volcano that ruined Pompeii. You need to do a little bit hiking to see the crater, also has a great view from top.

Crater (火山口)

Part of the crater rising fume and has sulfur smell.

The different lava stones, changing colour as you walk uphill and around the crater.

The view over Pompeii.

One thing I found only in Naples. They told me is a lucky man. Buy it as souvenir.

Florence, Italy（意大利佛罗伦萨）

After Milan, my destination was Florence. Florence famous as its leather goods. The best place to shop is San Lorenze Market.

The sign stated "It's Against The Law To Buy Fake Goods". And I believe that Florence do well in here. Cos I didn't see any "Black People" walking around with pirated stuffs, as I seen in other city (2nd photo after this).

So when you visit Florence, one of the places you MUST visit is Michelangelo Square. It has a view over Florence, just amazing!

Second is Vecchio Bridge. It having shops built along it. Mean shops on the bridge; when you walk through it, you will feel like you are walking on normal street not bridge. Butchers initially occupied the shops; the present tenants are jewelers.

Duomo Square. Is a very gorgeous square. I love it among all the Duomo Square in other cities.

Santa Maria del Fiore (cathedral).

Battistero di San Giovanni (baptistery).

Another things not to miss is go up to the Cupola (dome of the Cathedral). Actually, opposite of Cathedral has Bell Tower, also can have a view on top. My choice was Dome of the Cathedral, cos it's higher. Besides that, we can experience the different experience, compared to other church's dome. That's was enjoy the inner dome from close up. Normally the lift or stairs bring you straight up to the outer dome. But dome of Santa Maria del Fiore, first will bring you to enjoy inner dome then outer dome.

My first time to view over the whole church from this high angle.

Outer dome. View over the Florence city. By the way, the tall building in the photo is Bell Tower.

Another special view, you may see locks at some tourist places. They are "Lock of Love". Locks are put there by lovers. After "locking" their love on one of the horse tethers, then immediately they have to throw the key into the Arno River to "seal" their love!

The tradition has been going on for about a decade but Florence's council officials tries to stamp out lock of love, couples years ago, when, for some reason, the number of locks started rising rapidly. Fine €160.00 to whom hang lock.

Milan, Italy (意大利米兰)

Milan famous as its Selling Branded stuffs. Except this, nothing really have much to do and see in Milan. Luckily got 2 sightseeing places that you should visit. The Duomo Cathedral and Sforzesco Castle.

Duomo Cathedral is located at Duomo Square, it's Milan’s main square. Duomo is famous as one of the largest Catholic cathedrals in the world. It's 157 meters long and has space for 40,000 people.

Inside Duomo Cathedral

After visited inside the cathedral, you shouldn't miss the chance to go up to the roof, it has a great panoramic views on top and has a chance to see the amazing architectural beauties from close up.

The 14th-century Castello Sforzesco houses several of Milan's museums and art collections (the ticket isn't expensive). In 1450, the castle was reconstructed by Francesco Sforza and transformed into a ducal residence.

 

Ok, if you looking for shopping, then visit to these streets, Via Montenapoleone, Via della Spiga and Via Sant'Andrea, elegant streets that together with Via Manzoni, Via Borgospesso and Via Santo Spirito are the outer limits of the famous Fashion Quadrilatero.

Tiffany is the only shop has long line!