dgunbug

If we have our own car, is it possible to do both these sites in one day, keeping in mind that we like to take our time to fully see the sites. My understanding is that they are only 10 miles apart.

mamcalice

I wouldn't do them both in one day. Pompeii is best seen in about 4 hours and after our visit there, we were tired (physically and mentally). It's alittle like doing two museums in one day. I'd save Herculaneum for another day if you want to visit there.

sparkchaser

<i>...keeping in mind that we like to take our time to fully see the sites...</i>

Keeping that in mind the answer is an emphatic <b>no</b>.

6abc

I agree no. You will miss too much of both place and feel rushed. And don't forget he hike up to Mt Vesuvius is a must do.

adrienne

Definitely not. It's not how far apart that's important here. Pompeii is tough walking and you will be tired. Depending on when you visit you might be very hot as well.

Jean

>> And don't forget he hike up to Mt Vesuvius is a must do. <<

I disagree that it's a must. I would put it in the 'optional' category.

AJPeabody

We saw both Pompeii and Herculaneum on the same day. We were based on Sorrento, took the train to Pompeii, and spent the morning and early afternoon there. We had a quick lunch, took the train to Herculaneum, and spent about 2 hours there.

The sun was hot in Pompeii and there was a lot of walking. Combining the two was even more walking including the walk between the train stop and Herculaneum. Doing both requires enough walking stamina, but there is no doubt in my mind that seeing Herculaneum greatly improved my understanding of Pompeii. That said, seeing the Archeology Museum in Naples was essential to both.

Mrs. Peabody and I are both interested in historical sites, which gave us the motivation to do the long walking day that touring both ancient cities required. In this case, truly, your milage may vary.

kybourbon

You don't need a car. They are only about 15 minutes apart by train (a euro or two). You can buy a combo ticket that gets you into both, but only saves you a few euro.

dgunbug

We are hoping to go early may or mid September, so the weather should be comfortable. The archeological museum is a definite. Should we visit the museum prior to Pompeii and Herculaneum or afterward?

greg

So this is the place to post the NO side of the two posts on the same subject?
Is mid September comfortable? If it is 2013, it is just next week. Just look at the weather forecast. You are looking at 80F's as a forecast even though the actual last week was upper 80F and into 90F and humid. If it is 2014, you can collect the info at the end of the current month and use as one reference point.

adrienne

I see you live in Florida. You'll be fine with the heat. I would not be able to visit Pompeii in September but perhaps in early May if not too hot.

I don't think it matters when you visit the museum but others may disagree. I went between Pompeii and Herculaneum.

kja

I visited both in one very, very long day – close to 12 hours from the time I left Naples until I returned.

The advantages:
1) The differences between the sites – and they are very different – were clearer to me than they might otherwise have been.
2) I was able to visit both sites in a limited time frame.

The disadvantages:
1) It was a very long, tiring day.
2) I was aware that I could have used more time at both sites.

When I was there, the docents at both sites were very knowledgable and happy to share their knowledge, but most people seemed to pass them by, listening only to their hired guides. And BTW, if you research these sites in advance, the audio guides (augmented by the docents) may be sufficient. They were for me!

I visited the Archeology Museum in Naples after visiting the sites and was very glad to be able to imagine the sites in situ. Others may have different views.

Even if you are accustomed to heat, I urge you to bring lots of water and sunscreen.

sparkchaser

<i>I urge you to bring lots of water...</i>

But how to carry it?

kja

> I urge you to bring lots of water... But how to carry it?

Here's one option that has worked for me:
http://www.amazon.com/Outlander-Pack...ef=pd_sim_sg_2

mowmow

We visited both in one day, using the train to get around. If it hadn't poured rain and Zeus hadn't been heaving thunderbolts at us from Vesuvius, we would have seen most of both sites.

Thankfully it cleared up in the afternoon, and Herculaneum was lovely.

We were well prepared having read through guide books, and got the audio guide for Pompeii which was helpful. Plus, it gave us something to do while we took refuge in the cafeteria during the downpour.

It was a long and exhausting day, but we didn't have much time, and we were younger...I don't regret it.
Bring an umbrella; provides shade AND repels the rain demons.

kwren

There are running fountains in Pompeii so you don't need to bring lots of water - just fill up when you come across one. I don't know about Herculaneum though.

kybourbon

Yes. Just buy a bottle of water on the street as you are coming from the train station (some of the street vendors there have bottles of water partially frozen). Fill it at one of the fountains you see in Pompeii when you run out.

dgunbug

Thank you all for your insight.

dwdvagamundo

I'd visit Pompeii one day and Herculaneum/National Archaeological Museum another day. As AJ Peabody says, the Museum is essential to your understanding.

I would not bother to hike Mt. Vesuvius. We've been in the Naples area many times and have yet to do it.

Fra_Diavolo

"I would not bother to hike Mt. Vesuvius. We've been in the Naples area many times and have yet to do it."

If that's so, how do you know they shouldn't bother?

I'd vote for visiting the sites on different days.