Visitnig Pompei
 

we are planning a trip to rome in mid november and would like to visit pompei. is it advisable to book a private tour guide? any recommendations? how much time should we allow for this visit?

Pompeii is VERY extensive and a long day trip from Rome. We have been twice - with no guide - and loved it. (The first time we went was a VERY hot day and we faded after about 3 hours - not nearly enough time to see that much.)

Not sure of the opening hours in November - but it will get dark early so you would need to plan on getting there early - and could pick up a guide on the spot if you want. Of you might want to consider a day rip from Rome - if you can find one that gives you a lot of time in Pompeii - and doesn't spend a lot of time on coffee breaks and useless "shopping" stops.

YES, definitely get A GUIDE, which is different from a tour. LOCAL guides are by the ticket entrance and you can hire them on the spot, much cheaper than a pre-arranged tour. Ussually a couple of hours will run about 40-50 Euros. Well worth because the LOCAL guides know Pompeii very well and seem to be in much less of a hurry.

Pompeii is huge and even with the best intentions and desire to see it all you will not. Much likely you will run "out of fuel" before seeing it all. That is why visitors to Pompeii need to read ahead of time and pick and choose which structures/houses they are heading out to see. I personally recommend heading out to The Hoyuse iof Mysteries first because it is the farthest out and work your way back towarsd the entryway (Porta Marina). I read books on Pompeii, downloaded MP3 with explanations, studied maps, and topographical views. When I got to Pompeii I felt I knew the place-- my co-travelers were delighted and I was exhausted!! :-D

thanks so much for the helpful replies. perhaps we might decide to stay a few nites in rome and a few nites somewhere in the ares of the amalfi coast. this way we could spend a day in pompei on the way down. how do you think that would work out?

That sounds like a great plan! Best wishes for a great and enjoyable vacation!