Italo was the most brilliant tour guide. He was soo enthusiastic and passionate explaining how Herculaneum and Pompeii were at different distances to Versuvius, therefore they were killed in different ways. How it was a trading place and then a city. There were lots of tiny takeaway shops and giant rich houses. Beautiful Frescoes, mosaics, gladiator working out areas, theatre and amphitheatre to keep everyone entertained. A court, pillars everywhere in the main square. Rugged sloping streets to wash off the animal dung and smooth pedestrian streets for humans. Lots of large fountains.
Seeing the human body plaster casts was really quite guesome as they were trying to dig out of the ash.
Before Versuvius erupted; I really felt I knew what is was like to live there as Italo was sooo descriptive.
As I say, he really was a brilliant guide and I can remember everything even the wood on the rooves that had disintegrated causing the roof to collapse, (as he quizzed me about that!!)
We both felt very lucky to have him as our guide...thank you Italo...it really was the best thing we ever did on our trip!!