TRAVELABROOD

 POMPEII & HERCULANEUM POMPEII Back in 2010, the Western Australian Museum in Perth hosted the unforgettable exhibition A Day in Pompeii . Offering a glimpse into ancient Roman life and showcasing over 250 artefacts from the buried city, the standout was a gripping 3D short film recreating the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD. Since then, a visit to Pompeii has been on my bucket list. Located in Italy’s Campania region, not far from Naples , Pompeii is one of the world’s most visited archaeological sites. Once a thriving Roman port, as seen in the short film it was buried under metres of volcanic ash. Today, it showcases well-preserved streets, homes, frescoes and bakery ovens offering a vivid glimpse into everyday life nearly 2,000 years ago. Though locals had long known of ruins in the area, formal excavations didn’t begin until 1748. Now a UNESCO World Heritage site, ongoing excavations are uncovering new areas and expanding our understanding of the city that once was. ...

POSITANO, ITALY GETTING THERE & AROUND From Perth, Western Australia, Italy is a long way to go for some sunshine. However, friends of ours have been visiting Positano for the past decade, so we decided it was time to see what all the fuss was about. From Perth, we took the direct Qantas Dreamliner flight to Rome, which departs around 7.00pm (AWST). After approximately 16 hours in the air, you land in Rome at roughly 6.00am (CEST), feeling surprisingly human for such a long haul. The Leonardo Express from Rome airport to Rome Termini (Central) takes around 30-minutes and from there you can escape to any destination in Europe. Tickets can be pre-booked or purchased at the airport. I use the Trainline app when booking train travel - it's convenient, especially when taking multiple trips, as all your tickets are stored in one place. Train strikes are relatively common in Italy and can cause significant travel disruption. It’s wise to keep an eye on strike announcements in a...