Pompeii Worth It?
 

I'll be in Amalfi for 3 days and am wondering if we should stop in Pompeii on the way. We are planning to hire a taxi in Naples so we'd have to pay extra for wait time. And, this is after a long train ride from Florence. Not sure if it will be worth it. I am not too intrigued by it, but maybe I'd really be missing out??

I enjoyed Pompeii very much, but if it's after a long train ride, going to cost a lot more money, and you're not all that interested anyway, then I'd say save it for your next trip. I think if you do it another time and under better circumstances you will be able to enjoy it a lot more.

Pompeii is definitely worth the trip!
You can actually take a train (like a metro or subway) called the Circumvesviana (Sp?) directly from the Naples train station to Pompeii. And it is VERY inexpensive!
I'm guessing (but not sure) that you will be able to hire a taxi in Pomeii to get you the rest of the way down the coast. It is VERY touristy and there are always taxis milling about.
The train from Florence won't seem that long. The scenery is so beautiful and the trains are usually very clean. One thing to look out for in all of Italy is that the trains can shut down for people to go on strike at any time, so it's always nice to have a contingency plan.
However, I have taken lots of trains all over that country and never had single problem with delays or anything.
When in Pompeii, rent the audioguide. It is full of information and you can learn so much about what you are standing in front of...
When on the Amalfi Coast, make sure you get to Positano. So beautiful there! And definitely drink the Limoncello.

Yes - you'd be missing out! Even if just see it for a few minutes. Indelible memory.

It's my most long lasting memory of that entire region. But then I am in love with all things from the past- but even the least interested in my small group liked it and it was in the rain.

So, if I took the train to Pompeii, do they have luggage storage there?

Why don't you check out a travel video about it so you can get a better feel for what you'll be seeing. It's a personal preference I would think, cause no one knows if you'll like it or not. We enjoyed it very much, but you need to look at some guides and videos to see if it'll be a waste of time for you or not.

If you have to ask, my guess is it wouldn't be worth it to you. It's just a collection of old houses -- you can see much nicer places on HGTV.

No one else can tell if it's worth it to you.

It would be worth it to me as I have a lot of interest in history, archeology, geological events such as volcanic eruptions and so on. I found it fascinating both times I visited.

Yes there is luggage storage. Yes, you can easily take the train. Yes, you'd be really missing out.

" I am not too intrigued by it, "

So, why go? You know what Pompeii is all about, so if it doesn't peak your interest now it probably won't while you're standing in it.

No one can tell you it it'll be worth it to YOU. I think those of us that have been there and enjoyed it were probably looking forward to it from the beginning.

Perhaps it would suit you better just to visit the Archealogical Museum in Naples

Yes, yes, yes... I know it's all personal preference but I said I'm not too intrigued by it, but I've never been and haven't read up on it so I look to you all to tell me if I SHOULD be intrigued!! I barely have time to do research here on Fodors much less read books or rent videos, so I'm looking for the "Cliffs Notes" on it as to better make a decision. Lots of people have preconceived ideas of what a place is/isn't, so I look to people who have already been there to help guide. Thanks to everyone!

It really depends on what you are interested in.

If ancient ruins of houses and temples, cobblestone streets with grooves worn into them by chariots, ancient baking ovens, etc., and a few frescoes (the only one I would not miss is the one in the Villa dei Misteri, which is a bit away from the rest of the ruins) interest you, go to Pompeii.

Whatever you decide, I would strongly urge you not to "hire a taxi" but to use one of the transfer services frequently mentioned here. They can all be reached by Internet, and they will give you a fixed price for the transfer, whether from Naples or Pompeii.

The drivers most often mentioned here are:

Francesco Marrapese
www.francescomarrapese.com

Renato Cuomo
www.carsorrento.it

Giovanni Gargiulo
www.tourofitaly.com

You can try to use the search box to bring up "reviews" of them, but none will be later than May 2, 2005, when Fodor's stopped indexing.

Sorry: The "fresco" in the Villa dei Misteri is not a single fresco; it is an entire room that has been frescoed. The figures are more or less life-size, and the background is probably the best example of "Pompeian red" still in existence.

We just returned from a visit to Positano and we visited Pompeii on day. Looking at the choices of how to get there we opted to take a tour that picked us up at our hotel and we bused to Pompeii with a guide who was very good. The cost was very reasonable, about 70 Euros for the two of us. Besides the visit to Pompeii we had a nice drive from Positano through Amalfi and the rest of the little villages along the way. Having said all of this, I enjoy history, my wife less so, but both of us really enjoyed the visit. Frankly, Positano itself didn't impress us that much so spending the better part of a day seeing Pompeii was a nice diversion. You didn't mention what time of year you will be in Amalfi but if its during the busy season get ready for lots of people, I mean lots of people!

Eloise,

I think that this is one of the frescos to which you a referrring.

http://www.pbase.com/dickp/image/44419283

Dick,

Indeed it is!

I think Pompeii is worth a visit and really wanted to go. On the other hand, if you are not interested, skip it. I do have one suggestion. Send an email to Giovanni at [email protected] and ask for a quote to pick you up and take you to Poimpeii and then on to Amalfi. Also, he can secure a private guide for you at Pompeii. Or just ask for a transfer to Amalfi if you choose to skip Pompeii. We used him when we went to Naples and the Amalfi coast and were very pleased.

I don't think there are any "shoulds" about it.

If you're not intrigued, don't feel guilty about it, spend your hard earned money and holiday time on the things that really sing out to you.

It would be awfully boring if we all found the same things interesting in life, and that applies for holiday and travelling interests too.

The only things I think one should do on holiday?

You should do your best to enjoy yourself
You should do your best not to be rude to others


That's probably about it, though I'm sure I could think of more...

Many people are into Pompeii but many people are not.

:D

Don't go if you feel you have to go, that's my opinion but only go if it does intrigue you enough to pay the waiting fee and entry fee.

We planned a half day for Pompei (one of us lukewarm about it-preferring ceramics hunting) and ended up spending the day, enthralled.
My vote is get settled in Amalfi and see if a morning tour is available.

I visitited Pompei last Sunday and the temp was 44c.and to add to that I had an injured foot.

I did enjoy it up to a point but all the originals have been removed to the Museum in Naples. I rented a telephone thing which gave you the history of the houses you were visiting. If I was going to do it again it would be in winter and I would hire a guide - Pompei is huge, much much bigger than I expected.

It is easy to get to from Sorrento, trains every 30mins, journey time 30mins and it leaves you off at the entrance. I think it was 3.50E return but that was a weekend rate.

If having been there you are intrigued I think it would be interesting to go to the Museum in Naples later. That is what I intend to do next time

Before deciding a would do a little more reseach on Pompeii - check the web site to understand exactly what it is.

Persoanly - seeing it was one of the highlights of my 60+ trips to europe. But history is my field - and one of my loves - and esp hisotry of that era.

If you really have no interest - why spend the time? (You can;t pay me to sit on a beach - I'm bored stiff in 20 minutes - and I know most people think that is odd - but everyone has their own priorities and interests.)

Hi ItaliaBound, you have received a lot of information here. Now I think you have to decide for yourself. If you don't have an idea about the history of Pompeii than possibly this is not the trip to visit there.

I don't know when you are going but if it is in summer Pompeii can be very very hot and crowded.

I don't know you of course but I get a feeling that maybe this is not somewhere that you would enjoy as much as perhaps Amalfi etc. And remember, it is impossible to see "everything" in Italy, even the Italians haven't. So don't push yourself to go to Pompeii unless you are really in the mood. And have fun in Italy!!!!

You must go if you are into historical facts of a place, but if not (nothing wrong with that) go where you can sit and relax over drinks and food as my dear one prefers.

Hi

Yes they have a left luggage service see this link - http://www2.pompeiisites.org/databas...f!OpenDocument

Try to take in Pompeii. It is a remarkable site. I also agree with hiring an audio guide or tour guide otherwise you really can't appreciate what you are looking at. The Pompeii train station is right next to the entrance. Bring a hat and plenty of water.

Ciao