My wife and three kids(15,13,13) will be in Rome for five sleeps in mid-August,2000. We'd like to make a visit to Pompei and would be grateful to hear how's the best way to get the five of us from Rome to Pompei and back in one day(should we sleep over in Naples?) and have seen all that we should have. I've seen a $91US per person bus tour on the net, but that's a bit $$$$ for me. Any thoughts? Your hotel or B&B suggestions for Rome (and Florence) would also be much appreciated.

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Scott--- If you have access to the Entertainment Discount Book, they offered 50% discounts on a number of great hotels overseas. We used it to stay in Sheraton's throughout Italy and Germany, including the ones in Rome, Padua, and Munich. For $100/double, the Sheraton in Rome was a good buy. They had a parking lot, excellent breakfast buffet included, a nice pool, a great family park across the street, and van transportation that would drop and pick up guests from/to the area of the Roman Forum (very centric). There was also a train stop some 1/4 mile down (you pass an amazing soccer field on your way there). The only time we used the car was to go outside the city, like when we visited Pompeii (an absolute MUST!!). We returned the same day, but did got a chance to toured Pompeii and also drove to the Vesuvius and hike to the top. If you do this, go easy on your hike up as the terrain is kind of sandy; my husband is a Materials Engineer---we had to see this (still active) volcano! (sigh!). I believe the kids would get a kick out of it. <BR> <BR>As far as other means of transportation, I believe a lot of people on this forum had gone to Pompeii by early train, and then they take a bus to the site. We hired a tour guide on the spot (they positioned themselves by the ticket booth; about $60/2 hours)) and he was outstanding. This was a local man with very good English, who even took us to spots in Pompeii where tourist aren't alowed yet. (He knew all the guards!). <BR> <BR>I have to say, the size of your group makes it perfect for an apartment rental. Search on this forum as there have been some recommendations to that effect. <BR> <BR>Best of luck! Please keep us posted on your planning. No matter how tough the planning gets, I can assure somebody on this forum will have an answer for you!

Hi Scott, <BR>You should definitely do a search on the site on Pompei. SOme time ago (at least 6 months I think) there was an extensive posting listing how to go to Pompei from ROme, what trains to take etc. You will find a ton of useful info.

Hi Scott, we just returned from the same trip and had the same uncertainties. This is a snap and easily done in a day form Rome. We took a Eurostar from Termini station, to Naples. Takes about 2 hrs. In Naples you can easily find the Circunvesuviana train platform and take that train to the ruins. There is a large descending stairway easily visible right in the middle of the Naples station that leade to the Circ. <BR>Look for the signs and follow them to the ticket windows and platform. You want the middle track. Get off at Maestri/Pompeii scavi, not at Pompei. The ruins are right there and quite easy to find, as long as you get off at the right stop. The whole process took us about 3 hrs each way. We spent about 4 hrs there so we easily made it a day project. You will not regret it. Simply astounding! This would probably be the cheepest way to do it. Stephen