Day trip: Pompeii or Herculaneum?
Mar 8th, 2016, 06:53 PM
#1
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Day trip: Pompeii or Herculaneum?
We have an apartment booked in Rome and right now, I am just not in the mood for Naples. But I want my kids to see either Pompeii or Herculaneum. I really preferred Herculaneum but if you can only see ONE and it is a day trip--Any idea what would be easier?
We will have dinner in Naples and head back to our apartment.
Thank you
We will have dinner in Naples and head back to our apartment.
Thank you
Mar 8th, 2016, 08:05 PM
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Herculaneum is, IMO, easier. Which is not to say that either site is "better" than the other.
For more information, search this board to see any of the MANY discussions of how these sites compare, or see my post of 29 Feb. on this thread:
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...s-497430-2.cfm
For more information, search this board to see any of the MANY discussions of how these sites compare, or see my post of 29 Feb. on this thread:
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...s-497430-2.cfm
Mar 8th, 2016, 09:31 PM
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Herculaneum is smaller - only 4 hectares have been excavated. The remainder is lies under Ercolano, still sealed in its volcanic tomb.
Pompeii has the body casts of the victims made by Fiorelli. This makes the site that much more poignant. It also has the amphitheatre which you can walk through, the Palestra and two theaters - Herculaneum doesn't have these 'heavy hitter' large structures as they are either still buried or they didn't exist in the first place. Herculaneum does have a theatre but it's inaccessible to the public.
Pompeii is further for you to go if you take the train to Naples and make the connection but it's minimal in the scheme of things.
For me, Herculaneum seems like a runner-up. It doesn't have the menacing presence of Vesuvius as a backdrop and it lacks the other attractions I described above.
Pompeii has the body casts of the victims made by Fiorelli. This makes the site that much more poignant. It also has the amphitheatre which you can walk through, the Palestra and two theaters - Herculaneum doesn't have these 'heavy hitter' large structures as they are either still buried or they didn't exist in the first place. Herculaneum does have a theatre but it's inaccessible to the public.
Pompeii is further for you to go if you take the train to Naples and make the connection but it's minimal in the scheme of things.
For me, Herculaneum seems like a runner-up. It doesn't have the menacing presence of Vesuvius as a backdrop and it lacks the other attractions I described above.
Mar 9th, 2016, 04:49 AM
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Kids = limited attention span.
Based on this highly scientific formula, I would opt for the more contained site at Herculaneum which I think we did reasonable justice to in under 2 hours.
Pompeii seems to demand three to four hours visiting time and while it may offer a more graphic feel to ancient times, in the form of the body casts etc, if the enthusiasm is generated more from you than your offspring.....
Using the Circumvesuviana train, as mentioned above, there is a saving of time also with Herculaneum in travelling, it being closer to Naples.
Based on this highly scientific formula, I would opt for the more contained site at Herculaneum which I think we did reasonable justice to in under 2 hours.
Pompeii seems to demand three to four hours visiting time and while it may offer a more graphic feel to ancient times, in the form of the body casts etc, if the enthusiasm is generated more from you than your offspring.....
Using the Circumvesuviana train, as mentioned above, there is a saving of time also with Herculaneum in travelling, it being closer to Naples.
Mar 9th, 2016, 11:15 AM
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SeeDee - I think the OP know their kids better than you. Not all children have a limited attention span. The OP didn't mention the age of her kids. For all we know, they could be 16 years old and love ancient history.
Mar 10th, 2016, 09:49 PM
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Apologies to SeeDee - I didn't ready your post properly. And I spell humour the right way 
RubyTwins - Pompeii is a big site but about two thirds of it is inaccessible to the public. The site maps don't show you what roads are blocked so it can be a bit frustrating. Do not miss the Villa of Mysteries at the far point of the site. Many people don't bother going there but this is what they miss.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/arti...ine-looms.html
RubyTwins - Pompeii is a big site but about two thirds of it is inaccessible to the public. The site maps don't show you what roads are blocked so it can be a bit frustrating. Do not miss the Villa of Mysteries at the far point of the site. Many people don't bother going there but this is what they miss.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/arti...ine-looms.html
Mar 10th, 2016, 11:05 PM
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If you go to Pompeii, I agree that you would do well to include the Villa dei Misteri in your plans. I would also say that you would be well advised to take sun protection (hats, sunscreen, etc,) and LOTS of water, and to either plan for something on the order of 5 or 6 hours or make decisions about your priorities before reaching this awesome (but extensive) site.
Enjoy!
Enjoy!
Mar 11th, 2016, 01:37 AM
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You might want to consider that your kids will have heard or will hear about Pompeii several times during their school career. Wouldn't it be exciting for them to join the conversation from their own perspective. I can also add that my family went there when I was 10 and I have never forgotten it, and because of that experience, have taken my kids there over the years.
