Half Day Tour of Pompeii

Pompeii revealed: The secrets of the ancient world explored with a local expert

$887

Private

N/A

Semi-private

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Tour Details

About the Tour

Private Tour: $ 887
Category: History, Excursions
Duration: 3 hours
Location: Naples

Photos & Highlights

Explore ancient roads, private homes, shops and other structures that illustrate what everyday life was like in Pompeii
Led by an archaeologist or a classical historian
Pompeii Archaeological Site

Tour Description

Inhabited for centuries and then buried in an instant, the preserved Roman city of Pompeii offers an unparalleled view into daily life in ancient Rome. During this three-hour Pompeii tour with a local archaeologist we will dive deeply into the site and learn about Roman politics and society in one of the most exciting archaeological sites in the world. This private tour includes transport from Naples by private car.

Pompeii Tour

What sets this—and all—Context tours apart is the caliber and expertise of our docent, who will be a trained archaeologist or classical historian with deep experience of the site and a dynamic narrative ability. With this expert by our side we'll begin with a historical overview starting with the successive habitation on this site of the Oscans, then Samnites, and finally the Romans, until the fateful day in 79 A.D. when the nearby volcano, Vesuvius, exploded, burying the city instantaneously in deep, suffocating ash.

Over the next three hours we'll explore the site, walking down ancient Roman roads, dipping our heads into private homes, shops, public baths, and amphitheaters. As we move along our docent will talk about the daily life of Romans and how society was structured. We'll learn about the role of women, the education of children, and the institution of slavery, using the amazingly well preserved city as our textbook.

Ancient Roman Home Life

We will pay special attention to the construction and decoration of private homes, most notably the magnificent frescoes of the Villa of the Mysteries. We will also have time to reflect and be emotionally moved in front of the remains of the desperate inhabitants attempting an escape from impending doom.

How It Works

The private car service will either pick you up at the Naples train station (if you are coming from Rome) 30 minutes before the beginning of the tour, at your accommodation in Naples 30 minutes before the beginning of the tour, or at your accommodation on the Amalfi Coast 1 hour before the beginning of the tour, depending where you are staying.
The ride out to Pompeii will take approximately 30 minutes (1 hour from the Amalfi Coast). You will meet your guide directly in Pompeii at the start time of the tour. Note, we also offer a Pompeii Full Day Excursion (from Naples) and a full-day Pompeii Full Day Excursion (from Rome), both of which include the Naples Archaeological Museum. (N.B.—We also offer a Full Day Tour of Pompeii for Kids that includes games and fun activities.)

Take Aways

At the end of our time together the whole group will walk away with a much richer understanding of everyday life in the Roman Empire, as well as the history of the city of Pompeii and its untimely fate. Together we will peel back layer after layer of the past and peer into those last moments before this once prosperous town was lost to antiquity.

Please note: If you have any questions about arriving in Naples, please feel free to contact us at italy@contexttravel.com.

FAQ

If I am coming from Rome and I need train tickets, how should I proceed? If you're coming from Rome, your train tickets to and from Naples are not included in the price of this tour. You can email us (italy@contexttravel.com) and ask us to add them to your booking or you can purchase tickets via an independent vendor. You should book the following train tickets: if your tour starts at 9:30 am: 7:35 am from Roma Termini (arrives at Napoli Centrale at 8:45 am) and 2:10 pm from Napoli Centrale (arrives at Roma Termini at 3:20 pm) / if your tour starts at 3:00 pm: 1:05 pm from Roma Termini (arrives at Napoli Centrale at 2:15 pm) and 7:30 pm from Napoli Centrale (arrives at Roma Termini at 8:40 pm).

I am staying in the Amalfi Coast (Vietri sul Mare, Ravello, Amalfi, Positano, Sorrento), is the car service to Pompeii included in the price of the walk? We can have the car pick you up one hour prior to the start time of the tour at your accommodation without any additional fee. You will meet your guide at the archaeological site of Pompeii.

Where You'll Start

Tour Experts

Fiorella

Fiorella holds a degree in modern languages and is a specialist in art history and Neapolitan culture and art. She works with the main museums of Naples as a member of the educational section. She also works closely with Friends of Museums from abroad. Fiorella is the president of the cultural association "Fine Arts", which organizes private viewings and themed routes in Naples and Campania, cocktails and visits to stately homes and private collections. She writes about Naples and Campania for a popular guide book and is the author of a guide to Neapolitan art and architecture called "Naples in 3 days".

Alberto

Alberto is an expert on Neapolitan life, culture and history. He has lived and studied in London for four years. After a decade of experience as a swimming coach, in contact with international level athletes, in 2007 he began working with the cultural association of Fine Arts as a tour guide on Naples, Capri, the Amalfi Coast, Ischia and Procida. He is an official guide in Campania and loves to lead visitors to the Archaeological Museum, Pompeii, Herculaneum, Oplontis, Stabiae and Phlegrean Fields. He also leads small groups through unusual itineraries away from the crowds on Capri and the Amalfi Coast. Over the years, he has developed a great passion for local cuisine and now organizes cooking classes and tours related to the food and wine of the Campania region. In his spare time he likes cycling with like-minded enthusiasts to discover the typical places of historical and scenic interest.

Roberta

Roberta is based in Naples and has a degree in History of Art from the University of Naples. She specialised in Cultural Heritage Conservation at postgraduate level at the Università degli Studi Suor Orsola Benincasa. With the aim of raising awareness of cultural heritage, especially among students and children, she professionally trained as a licensed tour guide for her hometown of Naples, for the archaeological sites around Mount Vesuvius and the Phlegraean Fields and for all the sites and museums in the region where she lives. She has also specialised as a tour guide for the blind. Roberta looks forward to sharing her passion for art, culture, and the Neapolitan lifestyle with visitors on Context tours. She loves food and is always ready to smile!

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58 Reviews

Francesca was extremely personable, a pleasure to spend the half day with. She answered our many questions with ease. We most enjoyed the Fauna house, the bath house and the bakery. The amphitheater was an excellent addition. We wish we had known to ask to see the Garden of Fugitives, and to request time to see the bookstore/gift shop, if there was one.

Lisa

Oct. 11, 2018

Francesca was prompt, extremely knowledgeable and fit the tour to our group's needs and expectations.

Bernadette

Sep. 17, 2018

Fiorella was a lively, enthusiastic guide that connected immediately with our four children (aged 10 - nearly 17 years old). She easily navigated the sprawling site and kept us comfortable in the shade as much as possible. Her knowledge of the history and stories made Pompeii come to life for us all. Fiorella even recommended a great lunch spot post-tour. We only wish we had some more time! We very much enjoyed our tour and highly recommend Fiorella.

Maria

Jul. 16, 2018

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Tour Experts

All Context Experts are scholars or specialists in their field.

Fiorella

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Alberto

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Roberta

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