Tour Details
- Duration
- 8 hours
- Product Type
- Tour
- Venues
-
- Herculaneum Archaeological Site
- Pompeii Archaeological Site
Tour Description
In 79 A.D., fierce volcanic eruptions buried several towns and villas that hugged the slopes of Mt. Vesuvius with molten lava and ash. Many of these sites were not unearthed until the modern era, when in the late-18th century, the Bourbon kings of Naples financed vast excavation efforts that greatly enriched the royal collections. Ironically, the volcanic material which settled upon the ancient settlements preserved homes, stores, temples, and bodies to frightening accuracy, allowing for an in-depth investigation into the ancient life and culture of the area. On this Full-Day Archaeology Tour, we dive into the two ancient cities with an archaeologist or classical historian, marveling at and being moved by the remains that astonished viewers since their discovery while developing an in-depth understanding of the importance of these finds.
NOTE: This tour includes a car service that will pick you up at your accommodation in Naples. Please include your hotel or apartment address in the 'Additional Details' box while adding the tour to your shopping cart.
NOTE: This tour includes a car service that will pick you up at your accommodation in Naples. Please include your hotel or apartment address in the 'Additional Details' box while adding the tour to your shopping cart.
Experts
- Pompeii
- Herculaneum
- 8 hours with a Ph.D. or MA-level guide
- Skip-the-line entry into the Pompeii Archaeological Site
- Skip-the-line entry into the Herculaneum Archaeological Site
Our day begins in Pompeii where we will spend the full morning exploring the site and imagining life before the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius that changed the course of history. We will explore the depth and breadth of the site with an expert who will bring the ancient history of Pompeii to life.
Throughout the day, we will be chauffeured with a car service and will travel in the good company of an expert guide, specialized in archaeology or classic history who also possesses a deep knowledge of the individual sites and the overall context of the Campania region during antiquity and its relationship to Rome, who ruled the area at that time.
After lunch in a local trattoria, we will set out for Herculaneum, located just nearby. Although less well-known then its neighbor, Pompeii, Herculaneum was discovered first and excavated a few years before the larger city. While smaller than Pompeii, Herculaneum holds clues to ancient life among the wealthier classes and helps to complete our understanding of ancient life.
After lunch in a local trattoria, we will set out for Herculaneum, located just nearby. Although less well-known then its neighbor, Pompeii, Herculaneum was discovered first and excavated a few years before the larger city. While smaller than Pompeii, Herculaneum holds clues to ancient life among the wealthier classes and helps to complete our understanding of ancient life.
For more information on organizing a day trip to the archaeological sites of Mt. Vesuvius, check our guide to Mt. Vesuvius we penned to serve this purpose. Those interested in a briefer look at the archaeological remains may prefer our Pompeii Tour, while families should see our Pompeii for Kids Tour.
Please Note: Due to transportation schedule changes during the holiday season, this tour time may need to be altered for the allotted itinerary. Our team will communicate this to you promptly if necessary - Thank you for your flexibility!
Please Note: Due to transportation schedule changes during the holiday season, this tour time may need to be altered for the allotted itinerary. Our team will communicate this to you promptly if necessary - Thank you for your flexibility!
What are skip-the-line tickets?
For this tour, your tickets are pre-purchased which allows you to skip the ticket office line upon arrival at the venue. You may still have to wait in a security line or in a line to have your pre-purchased ticket scanned. Â
Is the cost of lunch included in the full-day Pompeii excursion from Naples?Â
No, you'll be responsible to cover for the cost of lunch for you and the guide.
No, you'll be responsible to cover for the cost of lunch for you and the guide.
Where You'll Start
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71 Reviews
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We had a beautiful day, weather and experience. Pompeii and Herculaneum together is a lot to cover in one day, but with our driver and guide it was made easy.
Fiorella was described to us as a National Treasure, and that was exactly right! She did everything to make our wishes come true, as if she was making our trip her own. Her knowledge is encyclopedic, but it was her friendly spirit and natural wit that made her explanations so special.
Sheila
Apr 8, 2024
Super knowledgeable, and friendly. Tailored the tour to our interests. Excellent.
Alberto
Jan 3, 2024
Perfecto! The tour with Francesca was everything I could have dreamed of. I had a narrow window of one day for a tour of Pompeii and Herculaneum, yet I wanted a high quality tour (you can not have both with shortness of time and travel between the two sites without a guide and transportation). These two sites have been on my "bucket list" for 50 years since I was a young girl. Francesca is fluent in a few languages, I might add, so she can accommodate different groups! Francesca, who has 30 years of experience, knew exactly what to see in both locations, plus give in-depth explanations of the context and history of the locations within the two ancient cities (ie the Faun House, the baths at the Porto Marina entrance). Francesca also does an excellent job contrasting the two ancient cities in terms of their roles as cities in ancient times and how they were affected differently by the Vesuvius eruption. She is also up-to-date on present day issues affecting Pompeii and Herculaneum. I am now content knowing I have seen the best. I would hire Francesca for any tour.
Elizabeth
Oct 1, 2023