Has anyone traveling with children used a private guide for Pompeii whom they would recommend as being good with kids (in this case, an 11-year old)? I am looking for a guide who is based in the region rather than someone whom I would have to pay to travel from Rome. I'm thinking of a tour in the range of 2-3 hours (we'll spend some additional free time wandering around on our own afterward). Many thanks in advance for any assistance.

MoonGirl,

I have not been to Pompeii, but am planning now. Several of the books I am using as research, recommmend renting the audio guide. ~E10 for two people. I seems you can choose a 2 or 4 hour itinerary. There are live tours with guides located near the Porta Marina entrance.

Check this web site: http://www.pompeiitourguide.com/

I hope this helps

I can't help with a guide, but while you're in Rome look for this book which is often sold at souvenir stands:

http://www.amazon.com/Pompeii-Excava...9154160&sr=1-3

The book will help your son visualize the town. If you don't find it in Rome, you will likely find it at one of the stands (or in the gift/book store) near the entrance to Pompeii.

Hello MoonGirl, the first time we visited Pompeii with our daughter we were fortunate that a friend in Northern Italy had a friend in Naples who was our tourguide for Pompeii and our daughter adored him. He is retired and maybe has even died but I sure remember his kindness to our daughter as well as the informative tour.

I would suggest if nothing else that when you arrive at Pompeii check out the various guides looking for business. A lot of Italians are very good with children and no doubt you will have the sixth sense as to which one would be a good guide especially for your child. Best wishes and enjoy!

We were at Pompeii last month and found a guide at the ticket office. He took a group of 7 of us on the tour. He would be wonderful with children. He had a good sense of humor, loved what he was doing and had a wealth of interesting information about Pompeii and its history. He made it come alive for us. And he spoke excellent English. Talk to several of the guides in the area of the ticket office and you can judge who will be best with children. The tours last from 2-4 hours - make sure the one you choose is not to long for your daughter.

Thank you to everyone for the suggestions. The point about meeting someone in person and judging their affinity for children is an interesting one; however, we are going to be traveling in June when things will be a bit crowded, so if possible I think I'd like to get something set up in advance. Still, it is good to think about this plan as fallback. (Rolohof -- for what it is worth, I've seen a couple of postings -- not here -- suggesting that Gaetano Manfredi is generally excellent, but not necessarily so great with kids).

Jean, thanks very much for the book recommendation. I had heard of these kinds of books generally, but not seen a specific example. This one is great for us, because it also includes the Villa Jovis on Capri, where we'll also be staying. I was able to find a used copy online so we can take a look in advance of arriving in Italy.

I've seen lots of posts from people who wished they'd hired a private guide for Pompeii, or wish they had researched it in advance to get a better guide, but not that many posts from people recommending specific guides they've been satisfied with. Perhaps most people just do hire a guide on site, or none at all. Would still welcome suggestions from anyone with experience doing this with kids!

ttttt Anyone out there with a specific recommendation (positive or negative?) Thanks!

This lady is mentioned in Tripadvisor by someone who used her and highly recommends, said she made Pompeii "come alive" for t henm:

[email protected]

Another tour guide i know of, but not specifically about his working with children, works through the place we are staying in Sorrento. Antonio will probably write back--it is his father who does the tours. People on tripadvisor who've used him seem happy about it, but beyond that , again, i dont know about children. You could write and ask about his knowledge of English, and experience with bambini

http://www.villaelisasorrento.com/english/index.htm

Good luck! I've had the same experience with you: asking people the names of their tour guides, and they reply "Oh they were great" but dont have a name or a business card!! Seems most people just show up and pick someone !

BTW, the House of Gladiators collapsed a couple days ago.

Thanks very much for the ideas CaliNurse. Yes, it seems as though in Pompeii in particular, a lot of this is done on the fly.

I did hear about the House of the Gladiators, which is very distressing.