I am looking for a day tour to Pompeii from Rome in June. Viator offers a tour which includes a hike up Vesuvius and a pizza lunch in Naples. Others offer tours that include Positano and Sorrento. We do not want to be with a busload of people. Can you recommend a private tour guide, or an operation that handles smaller groups? Any other suggestions for this day trip are appreciated.
Thanks,
Pat in Los Angeles
For day trips to Pompei, the two guides below are recommended by Rick:
For a private two-hour tour, consider Gaetano Manfredi, who is pricey but brings energy and theatricality to his tours (120 Euros for up to 4 people, reserve in advance by email and mention this book, www.pompeiitourguide.com, [email protected]).
Antonio Somma mainly specializes in Pompeii (from 120 Euros -- varies with season and number of people, book in advance, evening tel. 081-850-1992, daytime mobile 393-406-3824 or 339-891-9489, www.pompeitour.com, [email protected]). Antonio can organize transport for visitors who want to fill up the rest of the day with a trip to the Amalfi Coast.
Parents, note that the ancient brothel and its sexually explicit frescoes are included on tours; let your guide know if you’d rather skip that stop.
Pat- I also wanted to point out that Viator is not a tour company. They are a third party booking site. I have never used them but several people have posted bad reviews of them on this website. If you find a tour you like through them, try going through their direct website. Rick also has a good free audio guide tour for Pompeii.
I guess I'm one of the lucky ones. I have used Viators (a tour consolidator) in Milan, Venice and Rome and I was really pleased with all the tours and the guides.
I mainly went with them because of the prices and the availability/times/durations of what they had to offer.
I hope you find something that you like and will work for you.
Personally, I would take the train to Naples and arrange for a local guide there. You can use Viator if you wish to arrange a tour once in Naples but you really don't need a tour from Rome to Naples. It's a quick and easy train ride.
Donna
