should we go to Pompeii
 

My husband and I are taking our high school sophomore and college freshman to Rome for Spring Break. Both have expressed an interest in seeing Pompeii, but I have heard that there is very little that can be viewed and that the trip isn't worth it.I'm looking for people's thoughts on this topic. Thanks in advance.

You've got to be kidding...go online and look at the pictures...Listen to the kids as usual

From who did you hear that there "is very little that can be viewed adn that the trip isn't worth it?" You should no longer trust their advice -- they are plainly wrong.

But Pompeii is quite a poke from Rome

right in suburban Rome is Ostia Antica which to me is in its own way just as interesting as Pompeii - one of the finest Roman archaeological sites in Italy IMO but of course it wasn't covered by an eruption which is the main thing IMO about Pompeii

Pompeii would be my preference but taking a group there entails a lot of travel for a day trip

Hi Madrebt,

The most important thing you will learn about travel is to go with an open mind and form your own opinions.

Buon viaggio!

The bulk of the artifacts are in Naples. The site has more the feel of the buildings, homes, rooms, etc. Need to see both.

Pompeii is absolutely incredible - it;s an entire Roman era town. Granted many of the smaller artifacts are in the museum in Naples - but just touring the town, seeing the various houses, shops, bakeries, bathhouses, how streets were constructed for chariots, amphitheater etc - preserved as it was - is the experience of a lifetime.

Whoever said very little can be viewed is obviously not interest in Roman history.

Yes and Yes....Listen to your kids. It will be a lifetime memory. I can't wait to go back. IMHO, you need more than one day there. And the town there is wonderful.

Do not miss Pompeii! My husband and I went there about 4 years ago and we spent 6 hours there and were sorry we had to leave only because our feet were exhausted! It's the most amazing historical place, your mind will be boggled and you will talk about it for years! I loved it so much, I still flip through my color guide book from that many years ago and we love remembering what we saw there. I beseech you do not miss Pompeii! It's in a terrible neighborhood with bad food, but it will be worth the sacrifice for that kind of experience. Enjoy!

I have seen Roman remnants in almost every European country and some North African countries too - among them gorgeous amphitheaters, temples, aquaeducts, the fantastic glassware of Cologne etc.

But Pompeii is still unique and cannot be beaten.

Imagine to see a 2000-year-old fast food bar, complete with marble counter, chafing dishes and an inscription on the wall which lists various qualities of wines and prices!

And Pompeii is the only place where you can visit complete mansions with brightly colored walls (there are other ruins with small fragments of wall coloring but nowhere as extended as in Pompeii).

You will spend at least 4 hours there. It is quite a bit of walking, but very rewarding.

Wow, who told you that? As everyone else has said...Pompeii is amazing! There is nothing like it on the planet so it should not be missed. We were there fora few days and could have spent more time.

The endless roaming wild dogs are gross though and a little scary ( especially at night).

It's about 3 hours by train(s) between Rome and Pompeii. If you get an early start, it's very doable; however, I wouldn't go if it's raining.

Go by all means you and the kids will never forget it. If you don,t go you will always regret it.

Whomever told you that there is nothing to see must either be blind or completely lack judgement.

I agree with the Pompeii's great comments

yet it's surprising how many people in past posts were disappointed with it. - not saying an overriding opinion but certainly some don't get all het up about it

We returned to Pompeii for the 2nd time this past summer with our 17 year old son. The first time it was just my husband and me and it was really amazing - the most incredible thing for me is the sheer size of the place. It is not just a bunch of ruins, it is an entire city and you can walk around for hours.

So we took our son who said this was the one place he really wanted to see this summer. No surprise - he was just as amazed as we were the first time. He just couldn't believe how big it was. We were there in almost 100 degree weather, we had gotten up quite early (not something teens like to do) and after the first hour or so it was very crowded. It was still a highlight of the trip for my son.

We've never been to the museum in Naples but I don't feel as if I'm really missing much. Yes, the artifacts are there, but this is better than a museum for me. If your kids want to go I'd say definitely go!

I haven't been to Pompeii, but Ostia Antica was amazing to me...and just a half-hour outside Rome.

We've been to Pompeii twice with our teenagers, and both times it was a highlight of our trip. Don't miss it. If you can, try to overnight in Sorrento, which is only 30 minutes away. I think it will make your visit much less exhausting than doing it all in one day.

Pompeii is amazing. Just be sure to budget enough time. It is huge. And hire a guide. It is not well marked and you will get much more out of the visit with a guide.

Hi nmadrebt, well I guess you know by know that most Fodorite's are enthralled with Pompeii. I too think you should go there. Sorrento is certainly closer but in that you probably have your hotel booked in Rome for the entire trip as long as you are all well and energetic and can handle getting early in the morning you will be fine. If the weather is really stormy I would not attempt it but by Spring Break it should be fine. Like others I don't know who told you "there is very little that can viewed and that the trip isn't worth it", that certainly has not been my experience. So my thought is..go to Pompeii!

I have great respect for LoveItaly, but it's an awfully long day trip from Rome to Pompeii- almost 3 hours each way. That's why I suggested overnighting in Sorrento.