We are considering taking a long day trip from Rome to the ruins...will probably travel by train since we have passes but would also consider doing it with a tour operator.<BR>Has anyone visited the ruins and what was your impression?<BR>Thanks very much in advance.

Haven't visited Pompeii but an excellent alternative is the Ostia Antica ruins. It was a Roman seaport near the mouth of the Tiber. It's only about 45 minutes from Rome via subway and commuter train. Cost each way is $1.60!

I did this last week. My daughter and I were staying in Rome. I had thought it might be too long a day trip to go to Pompeii but with my daughter's encouragement I decided to go. We took the shuttle bus operated by Enjoy Rome, which is transportation only, no tour. The trip was just under three hours each way in a very comfortable large bus with many empty seats. <BR><BR>I loved Pompeii. It was a fabulous experience walking through the ruins of the entire town. In a little over three hours we wandered through quite a bit of it. There was plenty we didn't get to; however I think I would have been too tired to do much more in one day, so the timing of the bus departure seemed just right. <BR><BR>We were back in Rome before 6:00 PM. The trip was one of the absolute highlights of our vacation.

No matter how you get there, definitely go to Pompeii. Of all the places we've seen on our three trips to Italy, Pompeii remains one of our best memories.

We all have opinions and I'd say skip it and just enjoy Rome or take in Ostia<BR><BR>US

I havent been to Pompeii. We visited Herculaneum when we were in Sorrento (its a smaller but better preserved site than Pompeii) Pompeii was covered in ash but Herculaneum was covered in mud, hence the houses were better preserved. However, I am also been to Ostica Antica and it was a great day out from Rome. You take the subway and then change to computer train, come off at Ostia Antica and cross the bridge to the other side of the motorway (there is a small cafe you can buy juice and sandwiches) Then wander up to the site - we spent most of the day there. In the centre of the site is a lovely cafe where you can sit outside under umbrellas or sit inside plus gift shop. It really is a good day out from Rome - a lot of people prefer it to Pompeii - not as touristy as Pompeii. Hope this helps.

I also greatly enjoyed Ostia Antica when I was there in February. I rented the audio tape tour and it was fascinating. I just saw my cousin's Pompeii photos and if I didn't know I would have thought they were Ostia Antica. Depending on your time frame, OA seems much more doable.<BR>Mara

Bootman: We are Roman History buffs and try to visit sites everyplace we visit. Looking forward to seeing some ruins in Budapest on our upcoming trip.<BR><BR>That said, we have been to Pompeii, Herculaneum and Ostia Antica and enjoyed all three, but for different reasons. Perhaps we see more than &quot;just a pile of rocks&quot;, but I don't think any of these sites can be or should be substituted for another. Each is unique and special in its own way.<BR><BR>It's true it would be easier for you to get to Ostia Antica from Rome than the other two, but that's no reason to miss Pompeii if you really want to see it. Herculaneum was a very patrician city, with elaborate villas, baths, etc., but much of the city is covered by the current day city of Ercolano, so further excavation is not likely to be extensive. Pompeii, on the other hand, is a cross section of some villas and lesser housing for the less wealthy, baths, brothels, restaurants, etc. Ostia Antica is unique in that it was a very important port city and is quite a large site as well.<BR><BR>We enjoyed all three, but if you are willing to take an approximately two hour train ride to Naples (on an ES or IC train), transferring to the Circumvesuviana train to Pompeii (exit at Pompeii Scavi) for about a 45 minute ride, by all means do so. I think you will enjoy a visit to any of these sites.

Also keep in mind that once you arrive at Pompeii you can easily hook up with a group or private tour. Beware of tour packacges that make unnecessary stops along the way and don't leave enough time to tour the actual site.