Panther13

We are heading to Italy this summer and I love history. Want to leave Rome via train and then go to Naples to either catch a tour from Naples or meet a tour guide at Pompeii. It seems easy to get to Pompeii and I think that a tour guide would be much better than just taking an audio tour. I know it's much more expensive but it seems the way to go. Is the audio tour any good?

LCBoniti

Panther13, I did not take the audio tour, opting instead for a tour guide.

I have to say, I am very happy that we did. I'm not sure if we just had a wonderful guide or if they are all like this but he was amazing - informative both with the facts and with the feelings, the sense of the place. I'm not sure we would have gotten that so much without him. He helped us to see Pompeii as a memorial, a vibrant, living memorial to those who perished there. It was extremely moving.

Blueeyedcod

The audio guides at Pompeii have difficulties because their route leads you to houses that are closed and through streets that are blocked. I would not recommend it.
Guides are very cheap - just 10 euro per person - they are knowledgeable and are licensed. You can find one at the Porta Marina ticket office.

kja

I found the audio guide well suited to my purposes, but I didn't use it to direct my route -- I planned that out in advance. And I found many docents on site who were happy to share their knowledge. That could have changed as the sites finances have fluctuated.

Attnymom

On a side note, if you happen to be in or near Seattle there is a wonderful Pompeii exhibit right now. Very interesting and definitely worth checking out. I haven't been to Pompeii, but will definitely put it on my list after seeing this exhibit and learning the history. What a fascinating story.

Rubicund

If you're taking the train from Naples to Pompeii, (Circumvesuviana line) when you get off at Pompeii you'll find a number of guides waiting for clients around the ticket office, offering tours in different languages. They usually try to put a group together and on the occasions that we've used this method, they've been very good.

Just be clear how long their tour takes, as I know of a couple who try to whiz you round in 90 minutes, which isn't long enough. Don't forget to take comfortable shoes for uneven surfaces and lots of water. It will be hot.

almesq

We were there this past September and used Walks of Italy for a private tour. I'm really glad we did. Our guide pointed out things that we never would have seen on our own and I don't know how much the audio guide gets into some of the smaller details. Also allowed us to ask questions. Our preference is generally a tour guide rather than the audio tours, and in this instance it was one of the better tours we took. Enjoy!