caroline_edinburgh

I understand it takes a full day to see it properly - which is one reason why, after 17 trips to Italy of which 7 included Campania, I (with a degree in archaelogy) still haven't been. Even when I spent a week in Naples, there was so much to see in Naples we still couldn't fit in Pompeii. So personally, I certainly woudn't consider it as a day trip from Rome - if that is what you are considering, as it seems ? But I know others on this board have done so and found it OK. To me the main question then is, how many days do you have in total ? If it's 5 whole days or fewer I'd definitely say don't, as there is so much to see & do in Rome - save Pompeii for another trip. (Have any of you been to Rome before ?)

Vttraveler

How long will you be spending in Rome?

My husband and I took our high school sophomore son to Rome for 8 nights/
7 1/2 days last year. We spent the whole time in Rome with a day trip to Ostia Antica, the old port city which is a short local train trip from Rome

Our son would have liked to see Pompeii but we were unwilling to take the long day trip there and told him we were saving it for another trip. I think he wishes we had gone but understood our theory.

anyone who thinks Pompeii has very little that can be viewed is expecting far too much from ancient Roman sites. It is an amazing place, definitely worth seeing on this trip or another.

Viajero2

caroline- I am sorry, but I find it shocking that you have been to Italy 17 times (7 to Campania), have a degree in archaelogy, still have not made it to Pompeii, AND advises madrebt to >>"- save Pompeii for another trip."<<

madrebt-- go to Pompeii. Take an early train from Termini, get yourself a private guide for a couple of hours--one of the guys that stand by the ticket booth, they are excellent. No need to dilly-dally and get too brainy about this. Don't miss it; that's the bottom line.

gruezi

madrebt-

IMHO, it depends on how much time you have for Rome... We visited Pompeii as part of a trip to the Amalfi coast. We saw enough (for us!) in 3 hours and I think I wished I had gone to the museum in Naples as I missed seeing the actual artifacts. To each their own, but Rome has endless things to see and I wouldn't lose a day there for Pompeii unless you think you are never going to have the chance for Pompeii again and it's a must see for you. Or if you have plenty of time in Rome already. Maybe you can decide once you are in Rome?

I didn't have my kids with me for Pompeii - maybe they would have felt differently - but for them 8 days in Rome still left things unseen to return for...

g.

sherhatfield

Sorry to hijack this post, but while we are on the topic of Pompeii, is it unreasonable to think we can see Pompeii and the archaeological museum in the same day?

My husband and I will be staying in Positano (in September), so I was thinking we could ferry or bus over to Sorrento in the morning, train to Pompeii, train to Naples in the afternoon, see the museum, then ferry back to Positano.

Is that trying to fit too much into one day? I understand that we could get to Pompeii and end up spending too long there to make it to the museum before closing, and on the other hand, I know that some people say you can "do" Pompeii in a couple of hours so it wouldn't be a problem. Just curious on your thoughts. Thanks!

wanderlust5

Pompeii and Herculaneum are both extraordinary...and from 1999 through 2007 I have visited Pompeii 4 or 5 times. They are continuing to excavate and uncover thing, and each time I go there is more to see. I have spent an entire day at Pompeii and still not seen everything.

The only mention I want to make is if you go, and you or any one in your family is at all shy around dogs you don't know, be prepared. Pompeii has lots of loose dogs.

There is an old legend that says if the dogs leave pompeii, Vesuvius will be erupting soon thereafter. The dogs are not domesticated, but they aren't mean either as they are used to hoardes of people. They will gather around you. I am a dog person so they didn't bother me in the least but several people were quite intimidated.

Definitely don't miss it! And while we are on this subject, Sorrento is amazing and one of my top three places in Italy I love. And I've been 9 times. So try and see Sorrento and/or stay there if you get the chance.

Here are some helpful links, BTW:

http://touritaly.org/pompeii/pompeii-main.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pompeii

http://www.utexas.edu/courses/italianarch/pompeii.html

http://www.visitsorrento.com/categor...mp;id_cat=6544

vjpblovesitaly

"ferry or bus over to Sorrento in the morning, train to Pompeii, train to Naples in the afternoon, see the museum, then ferry back to Positano"

Sounds like too much to me.

sherhatfield

vjpblovesitaly - Thanks. That's what I was afraid of!

caroline_edinburgh

Viajero2, I am saving it until I have time to appreciate it properly rather than trying to cram it into another holiday when it's too hot for a pleasant experience. I've only been to Campania around June so far, and think I need to go to Naples specifically to visit Pompeii and Herculaneum at a cooler time of year - maybe Easter. I will get there but there's no rush.

PalenQ

no rush?

Caroline - what if Vesuivus explodes and covers it all up?

then you'll wish you had gone

cheers

hypatia

Yeah Caroline...experiences of late have made it clear to me a heathy future is not guaranteed. I for one am planning on doing the bucket list ASAP.....Most people under 45 think they have time

willit

sherhatfield - it would be very rushed, but probably not impossible.
Herculaneum and the Museum might be more reasonable because the former is much smaller (but no less superb).

You would also need to look carefully at the museum opening times - it may not be open in the afternoons, so you might consider ferry to Naples, Museum, train to Ercolano, 5 minute walk to Herculaneum, then onto Sorento and bus to Positano (or ferry)

Dayle

I'm not an archeology major, but do find the ruin and museums very interesting. My first visit to Pompeii I was limited to 2.5 hours as I was traveling with an ADD boyfriend.

Second visit was solo, and I could indulge in 4.5 hours. I would have stayed longer, but was exhausted. Can't imagine visiting the Arch Museo after that!

I spent 2.5 hours at the Arch Museo. My favorite section was the mezzanine level where the mosaics are located.

It will take you about 1.5 hours from Positano to Pompeii.

LilRicky

yes, go.

claire50

Pompeii is most definitely worth it, for all the reasons mentioned already. It was a last minute decision for us (we aren't archaeology buffs per se) and turned out to be one of the highlights of our trip. But we did it as a very easy day trip from Sorrento, not Rome.

amalfibee

Just go!

We just got back from Rome and took the trip to Pompei and it was a highlight of the trip (as well as the Vatican and the ruins in Rome). It is so educational and just awesome you have to see it to believe it and try to hit the museum in Napoli if you can. We hired a private guide for Pompei and it was def worth it. She was so knowledgeable and able to answer all our questions.

Don't miss out.. it is a trip of a lifetime.

lucy_d

Yes, absolutely! Go to Pompeii! As others have stated, it is amazing, and you will regret it if you don't go. Find a way to do it.

Bo2642

You are so, so fortunate to have kids who actually want to be involved in planning a family trip. How wonderful that they are interested in seeing this magnificent site. I think that if you were to be so close to the ruins but returned home without a visit, there'd always be a little twinge of regret.
We did it as a day trip from Rome. Early train. Many hours at the ruins, and a stop in Naples for the artifacts on the return. Yes, it was a long, long day, but I've forgotten the tiredness and hold on to amazing memories of the things we saw.
Only one thing would we have done differently. We did a self-guided tour, but I'm certain we would have gotten even more out of our visit had we hired one of the many guides who offer their sevices just at the entrance. My vote is to go. Go and enjoy and sleep in the next morning.

critch

On our trip to Italy we did Ostia Antica as a easy day trip from Rome and loved it. We traveled down to the Amalfi Coast and hit Pompeii. Pompeii blew us away.It was definitely a highlight on a trip filled with wonderful experiences and sights. So I vote with the majority and say "Go." It is worth it with or without a guide, with or without a trip to the museum.I truly don't understand how someone could fail to be impressed.

Jean

I don't know the date(s) of your kids' spring break... Or FYI to anyone else considering a day trip to Pompeii before March 30, 2008...

There is currently an exhibit of Pompeii artifacts at the Museo Palazzo Massimo alla Terme in Rome. These artifacts are from the collections at the Naples archeology museum and Pompeii's archives. No need to stop at the Naples museum during your day-trip to Pompeii.