jmcmanus427

Greetings,
After checking earlier forums, I hoped for help/insight for my wife and I (early 60s), as we plan a short trip around the Christmas holidays this year, from the US to Malta (2 nights) and Rome (six nights). Art, culture, history, food are areas we're most drawn to in our travels, as well as people we encounter. Help here would specifically focus on a day-trip we're planning to take to Pompeii and the archeology museum in Naples. Ideally, we'd get a guided tour of both the old city of Pompeii and the archeology museum in one vigorous day, assuming we take the 7 am or 8 am train from Rome to Naples, and a return by train from Naples to Rome Termini, leaving at 7ish. So far, we've checked out agencies that offer tours with either a pick-up at the Naples train station or a meet-up at the archeology museum.

So, we're wondering what the best experiences of these tours might be. Or what to consider as we try to decide. Sometimes guided tour prices include the entry-costs of the sites, and we haven't come across any that are clear about that.

A) Has anybody had a terrific experience with a one-day, guided tour of Naples' Archeology Museum and Pompeii/Herculaneum?
B) Is it best to contract with commercial agencies, or are there private tour guides with whom we might pre-arrange a day to do such a day?
C) Comments on the best values, assuming we'd like the time to see, learn, walk, the sites themselves, etc., and we do NOT tend to enjoy the forced commercial visits for favored retail opportunity or lunch, etc. (Although we recognize the need of guides to stay close to their vendor partners as well).

Any help or enlightenment on this subject would be appreciated.

John

Jean

I'd ask what the cancellation policy is before booking any tour. Because if it's pouring rain, I wouldn't want to walk around Pompeii. Most of the excavation is unpaved, and there is minimal shelter.

Unless you've been to Rome before, I'd consider leaving Pompeii for another trip when you can devote more time to Naples and also see the Amalfi Coast, Capri and perhaps Paestum. In December, your outdoor sightseeing will be impacted by fading light after 4:00p. (sunset at 4:40p) and the chance of rain and even a slight chance of snow.

kja

Jean has given you some very good advice.

I would add that there is no need to take a tour to see and appreciate either Pompeii or the Archeological Museum in Naples. You can get an audio guide at each, and many of us have found that reading ahead is very helpful.

cathies

Easier alternative day trips could include Ostia Antica which is a 30 min train trip from Rome and not dissimilar to Pompeii. It was abandoned several times over the centuries rather than buried in volcanic ash. We enjoyed both.

Completely different but still interesting is a day trip to Florence, which is a 90 min train trip from Rome.

If you do decide to visit Pompeii then I know when we were there in the summer guides were waiting at the main entrance. I've no idea if they are there in December.

kybourbon

>>>A) Has anybody had a terrific experience with a one-day, guided tour of Naples' Archeology Museum and Pompeii/Herculaneum?<<<

Often companies that run tours with a guide, hire a different guide at Pompeii because guides have to be licensed to run tours inside Pompeii.

Depending on the museum hours in winter, I think I would just go on to Pompeii (about 30 minutes from Naples on the Circumvesuviana train) first and join a group at the entrance to Pompeii or rent the audio guide. Spend a few hours and then take the train back to Naples to visit the museum.

bvlenci

Decemeber, in some respects, is an ideal time to go to Pompeii, because you won't be bothered by heat or crowds. I definitely wouldn't book a tour, though, because you'll want to do the trip on a day with reasonably good weather. A little drizzle wouldn't be a problem.

Traveling in December, I would book very few tours, and maybe none, so that you can keep your daily schedule flexible enough to be able to shift things based on the forecast. This is true for visits in Rome as well as the trip to Pompeii. Almost everything in Italy can be enjoyed with self-guided tours. Even the most highly recommended tours can usually be book on a few days' notice at that time of year.

jmcmanus427

Thank you all for the reminders of how the December weather and hours of light will play a role in our plans! This insight, and the guidance on the audio tour options at both Pompeii and the archeology museum, are exactly the direction I'd hoped for. My wife and I tend to like to explore and study ahead of time what we'll see, and having flexibility to adjust to weather issues is definitely valued advice. We love the recommendation to consider Ostia Antica as well. This is all very helpful. Many thanks!

Man_in_seat_61

You can easily buy a train ticket Rome-Naples and on to Pompeii, and see the ruins with a guidebook at your own pace.

The trains are faster and more comfy than a tour bus, and you can come back when you're ready. The Circumvesuviana Railway runs every 30 minutes between Naples and a station right outside the main entrance to the ruins.

I've written a guide to this, http://www.seat61.com/places-of-inte...to-pompeii.htm

jmcmanus427

Hello again,

we (my wife and i) plan the trip above for just over a week, Dec. 17 to Dec. 25, and we're hoping we might get some smart local knowledge help on the following: what we need to anticipate in terms of sites that may be closed for seasonal and holiday reasons, as well as regular closures.

For instance, we had planned a couple of days in Malta -- essentially to see Caravaggios there -- but learned that our connection flight from Rome to Luqa on the day of our arrival (Dec. 17) was going to get us into Malta on a Saturday after the St. John's Co-Cathedral there closes (12:30 pm, Saturdays) to visitors.

We've found in our past travels that sometimes guide books and official postings of holiday season closings are not always reliable.

Are there any general guidelines available (other than calling each site) to learn whether holiday season closings are going to be a major factor during our Dec. 17 to Dec. 25 trip to Rome, Naples, Pompeii?

Thank you!

kybourbon

The sites have their closing days listed on their websites. It should not be a problem for Pompeii as they are open all but a few days a year. The museum in Naples has regular closing days so you need to plan around that.

I find that Italian websites, even if they have an English version, often only update the Italian version only (especially any last minute changes).

If you pay attention to the winter hours listed for Pompeii, while they are open until 5:30, the last entrance is 3:30. I would plan to visit Pompeii first (in the morning) and then go back to Naples for the museum.

http://www.pompeiisites.org/Sezione....idSezione=6786

http://www.museoarcheologiconapoli.i...rs-and-prices/

I also find tour companies cancel at the last minute if they didn't get enough people to sign up for the tour.

nytraveler

I think seeing both from Rome in one day is an awful lot to do, esp since the days are shorter in Dec. You would have to do Pompeii first and then the archeo museum (and I don;t know how late it stays open that time of year).

We did them separately, but we were staying in Sorrento and drove to each, picking up a guide in Sorrento (got there when it opened and 4 hours was all we could do because it was so hot) and just toured the museum by ourselves.

I would check the opening time for both sights for your dates and perhaps start the trip earlier in the day and return home earlier. And agree you can't do this until you know the weather, since Pompeii in the rain would be a disaster.

RubyTwins

I have been to both Pompeii and Ostia Antica. Of course, Pompeii there is the drama of its ending and it is bigger and has more to see.... including tons of people! Ostia Antica is well preserved and it is pretty empty. It makes for a sane day trip from Rome. And we packed a picnic lunch and ate it on the ruins. On Sundays, if you call and make a reservation, you can be let in to see the recently excavated frescoes. So it is a trade off. There is something great about downloading an audio guide... and sitting alone in the ruins that maybe aren't quite as dramatic as Pompeii.

For Pompeii? I would stay over and try to arrive really early in the morning.

Blueeyedcod

Pompeii is closed on December 25th and the NAM is closed on Tuesdays all year round as well as December 25th.

Pompeii in the rain is fine (as long as you have a good waterproof jacket) as the crowds stay away. The rain in this area isn't constant drizzle. It's more like thunderous downpours that pass quickly.