Pompeii Full Day Excursion (from Rome)

Visit the archaeological site and Naples Archaeological museum with an expert guide

$1,649 and up

Private

N/A

Small group

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Tour Details

About the Tour

Private Tour: $1,649 and up
Category: History, Excursions
Duration: 8 hours
Location: Rome

Photos & Highlights

Explores ancient roads, private homes, shops and other structures that illustrate what everyday life was like in Pompeii
Led by an archaeologist
Naples Archaeological Museum and Pompeii Archaeological Site

Tour Description

Pompeii is riveting. Buried in ash when nearby Mt. Vesuvius volcano exploded in 79 A.D., this wonderfully preserved ancient Roman city ranks as one of the most important archaeological sites in the world. In this Pompeii tour, a day trip from Rome, we'll join a local archaeologist or classical historian for an in-depth tour of Pompeii coupled with a visit to the Naples Archaeological Museum, where many of the artifacts from Pompeii have been stored. For those visiting Naples, we offer both a half-day Pompeii Tour and a full-day private Mount Vesuvius Tour, a private-only tour that can be designed around your interests.

Day Trip from Rome to Pompeii

We'll begin with a first class train ride from Rome to Naples, the easiest and most expeditious way to travel the majority of the distance. Once in Naples we'll met our guide, hop in a private car, and be whisked to the archaeological site of Pompeii, where our day truly begins.

Pompeii Tour

Upon arriving Pompeii we will spend about 3 hours exploring the site, walking the ancient roads, stepping into private homes frozen in time, and spending time in the shops, baths, and theaters where Romans lived 2000 years ago. Along the way our guide will focus on everyday life and, using the amazingly well-preserved ruins around us, paint a portrait of the complex social, political, and economic world in which Roman citizens lived.

Taking cues from our surroundings, we will delve into aspects of religion, gender roles and commerce, paying special attention to the construction and decoration of private homes, most notably the magnificent frescoes of the Villa of the Mysteries. The moving remains of the desperate inhabitants attempting an escape from impending doom create an immediate and emotional experience.

Exploring Naples

Leaving Pompeii by early afternoon, we will return to Naples by car. Our first stop will be a small, local restaurant in the city center where we can grab lunch and debrief on what we've seen so far.

Next, we'll take a short stroll through Naples on our way to the famed Naples Archaeological Museum, one of the most important museums of ancient history in the world. It is here where many of the statues, paintings, and other artifacts excavated at Pompeii are stored, making it a critical component of any day trip from Rome to Pompeii. Following the lead of our guide, a native Neapolitan, we might stick our heads into a church or two, or stroll down an enigmatic alley of this rich city. (Note, we run an entire program of Naples Walking Tours that include a Naples Food Tour and a Naples Underground Tour.

Archeological Museum of Naples

The group will then head to the Archeological Museum of Naples, where we will build on the knowledge accrued during our exploration of the archaeological site. The impressive museum was founded by the Bourbon kings of Naples in the late 18th century in order to house the antiquity collection amassed during the major excavations the royal family financed. A close reading of these frescoes, models, and artifacts fully illustrates the enigma of Pompeii and is the fitting conclusion to our day long discovery. (Note, we also run a Naples Archaeological Museum Tour of the museum alone.)

Please Note: During the course of this excursion, you will be responsible for the entrance tickets to the Archaeological Museum (Euro 15 per person). You will also be responsible for lunch during the day.

Train Tickets:The meeting point for this tour is at the Naples train station. However, train tickets to and from Naples are not included in the price of this excursion and must be purchased separately. The Rome-Naples train you need to take leaves Rome at 8:48 am, while the return train you need to purchase tickets for is the 5:58 pm from Naples, which arrives in Rome at 7:08 pm. The train schedule changes dramatically during the weekend, so please check with us for alternate times if you plan on booking this excursion during the weekend. Clients have three options for purchasing train tickets.

1. Purchase tickets from outside vendor (travel agency, directly at any Italian train station, etc.). If pursuing this option please remove the tickets during booking.

2. Leave in your cart the appropriate train tickets to your order with us, if you are purchasing the tickets yourself, you can unclick these in your order.

3. Add a note to this tour request (in the "Special Interests" box) that you want tickets (and class type) and we'll add them to your order for you.

Traveling with kids? Check out our Pompeii for Kids Tour that includes games and fun activities.

FAQ

What is a private tour?

Our private tours are limited exclusively to travelers in your party. They are designed to provide a learning experience that is completely tailored to you and your traveling companions. Private tours give you more flexibility with scheduling (you decide when the walk best fits in your trip), the ability to tailor your itinerary (we'll work to match the itinerary to the interests and dynamics of your group), and more personalized time with your guide.

What is a small group tour?

Our small group tours cover many of the same itineraries as our private tours, but they place you with other travelers in groups of 6 or less. They operate on a pre-scheduled calendar, and are designed to provide an opportunity to engage with and learn from other travelers. Most of our small group tours require at least three (3) participants to run, although there is some variation from walk to walk. However, there is some variation from walk to walk. As you sign up for a tentative walk we display the minimum number required in order to confirm.

Is the cost of lunch is included in the full-day Pompeii excursion from Rome?
No, you'll be responsible to cover for the cost of lunch for you and the guide.

I plan on purchasing my train tickets separately, at what time should I book them?
The tickets you will need are the 8:48 am Alta Velocita' train from Rome to Naples and the 5:58 pm Alta' Velocita' train from Naples to Rome (the schedule is different on weekends - please contact us for the best trains to take if booking this excursion on a Saturday or Sunday).

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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67 Reviews – (4.94)

Reviews can only be left by Context customers after they have completed a tour. For more information about our reviews, please see our FAQ.

Spending the day in Pompeii and Naples with Fiorella was the highlight of our trip. Even though we were a bit confused about the train departure from Rome and got a late start, Context Travel and Fiorella regrouped and made sure we did not miss out on the experience we expected. Fiorella's passion and expertise for Pompeii was clear from the moment we embarked, and she made specific connections between the ancient site and artifacts at the archaeological museum later on. Experiencing Spaccanapoli with native Fiorella, enjoying lunch, laughter and a bit of coffee together, made for a most memorable day. The only thing we couldn't understand was why the museum is not more careful to block out the day light from the precious frescoes!

Rasa

Oct. 12, 2019

The excursion was very well-planned. I appreciated all the details like where to meet Fiorella and a driver was definitely the best way to get to and from Pompeii

Clare

Aug. 26, 2019

Fiorella made us feel so welcome in Pompeii and Napoli. She was such a gifted tour guide. She made us laugh while also learning so much about Pompeii and took us to a fabulous lunch spot.

Maryalice

Aug. 13, 2019

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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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