Could anyone recommend a company with which to do a day-trip to Pompeii in July. I'll be in Rome and would like to spend some time in Pompeii, but don't have much time, so I'd like to do this in the best way possible. Advice would be much appreciated.
Posted by
Cleveland
25 posts
We recently did a guided tour of Pompeii with the guide mentioned in the RS books, Gaetano Manfredi. We paid 140 Euro for 5 people (28E/person). He was incredible, and well worth it. Maybe he can combine you with another couple or group to help with the cost.
His email address is: [email protected]
We arranged our own transportation via the excellent train system. We took a train down to Naples, and then another from Naples to Pompeii.
However, be advised that there are two ways to get from Naples to Pompeii, and only one of them actually drops you off at the gates: (A) take a Trenitalia train from the main Naples train station; or (B) take the local Circumvensuvian train (i.e., NOT Trenitalia) to the Pompeii-Scavi train stop.
If you go with Gaetano, you MUST use the local Circumvensuvian (option (B) above, also detailed in the RS guide book). Otherwise, the Trenitalia train will drop you off about 2km from the main gate, and you'll have to take an expensive taxi ride over (about 10E/cab, many are waiting at the train station).
Also, make sure to check the train times / ticket prices on the web before you go. We took the fast, direct train from Rome to Naples, but it cost us about 36E/person each way - an expensive trip! There are slower, multi-stop trains available for less than half the cost - just make sure you plan accordingly for time.
We entered the site around 12-12:30pm, and there were few people at that time (lunch time). By 2pm the place started to fill up again.
Have fun - Pompeii is incredible with a good tour guide!!
Bryan
Posted by
Cleveland
25 posts
Also see this recent posting:
http://www.ricksteves.com/graffiti/helpline/index.cfm/rurl/topic/17561/guided-tour-of-pompei.html