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Is Pompeii worth it? Plus itinerary help pls

We are planning a 2.5 week trip to Italy beginning in Rome
When I read some of the posts, the thought of going to Pompeii was something we had not considered.
We are doing several days in Rome, 4-5 in Tuscany (renting a car and roaming), 3 days in Florence and then either lake country or CTerre
We just think adding Venice is too much and could be another trip including Ravenna, Slovenia and Croatia.
One of the posts suggested a day trip to Pompeii-is that really feasible or would a night or two in Naples or Sorrento be better?
Suggestions will greatly help us finalize our itinerary
oh yeah-we do end up on Milan to fly to Paris for a few days before returning home
Thanks!

Posted by
23177 posts

With out question, Pompeii is worth a day if at all interested in Roman history. Depending on your interests you could easily spend a whole day there and certainly a big half day. The question is how to do it. It is a long day if you do it from Rome so I think it should be as part of a stay in that area around Sorrento. Do you have to do it this trip - NO. But it should be on a future trip. I, personally, would not do a day trip because it would be too rushed FOR US. And I think Pompeii deserves more than a quick hit. And as part of Pompeii you really should included the National Museum in Naples where most of the items from Pompeii are on display. Need to see the secret room provided you can get permission from the Pope.

Posted by
9403 posts

What Frank said. Well worth it. And we love staying in Sorrento. Our favorite place in Italy. Very easy to visit Pompeii from Sorrento.

Posted by
7737 posts

An easier alternative to Pompeii from Rome is Ostia Antica. That said, it doesn't have the same cachet and tragic story as Pompeii.

Posted by
11247 posts

We went thru the same agonizing choices planning our first trip. I finally decided less-is-more and cut out the notion of going south of Rome given the 20 nights we had on the ground first trip. Rome, Tuscan-countryside, Firenze and either the CT or the lakes is plenty. Don't torture yourself with trying to squeeze in more. You will be back!

FWIW even after two long trips prior and living here for almost two years, we have not seen "it all," neither in Rome nor the rest of Italy. We do however have a wonderful time wherever we go, and you will too!

Posted by
2020 posts

We spent one very long day in Pompeii, almost 8 hours. I had no idea that would happen, and I consider it one of the most fascinating places we have ever visited. We did it on our own with the small but comprehensive booklet that was provided with our admission ( this was in September, 2008). We stayed in Sorrento, which was beautiful, and provided a great respite from the intensive number we did in Pompeii. In Sorrento it's easy just to wander around, eat, and stop to smell the lemons. Another trip from Sorrento was a boat ride to Positano. Several choices are out there if you add a night or two to Sorrento. Have a safe trip.

Posted by
3387 posts

I agree with everyone else that thinks that Pompeii is worth every bit of effort it takes to get there. We spent an entire day and I would like to go back again sometime to see the parts we missed. I had no idea how large it is, how well-preserved the city is, and the beauty of the setting. I highly recommend planning your trip around a visit.

Posted by
191 posts

Rome to Florence is not all that far, and everything outside of Rome up to Florence IS Tuscany. You probably don't need 4-5 days to go from one to the other. Plan on seeing Assisi and Siena for sure. You will want at least three full days in Rome to scratch the surface a bit -- Vatican, Colosseum, forum, Palatine Hill, Piazza Navona, Trevi Fountain, Pantheon, Galleria Borghese, National Museum, etc. -- and 4 if you visit Tivoli (which is in or very near Tuscany). By shaving a little time from your Rome-Florence-Tuscany portion, you could do a couple of days in Sorrento. Pompeii is worthwhile and fascinating, and the Amalfi coast is breathtaking!

Bon voyage!

Jan

Posted by
1446 posts

Pompeii should definitely be on your bucket list however not as a day trip from Rome! I would save it for a future visit that includes Sorrento and the Amalfi Coast (for at least 4-5 days). I also suggest combining a visit to Pompeii with Herculaneum. Herculaneum is in much better shape than Pompeii and by visiting Herculaneum first, it's easier to envision what Pompeii would have been like. Herculaneum only takes a few hours and we liked it almost more than Pompeii. Both sites are fascinating! Have a great trip.

Posted by
2 posts

On a long trip through Italy, we had Pompeii on our itinerary but when the day came we were tired so we skipped it on way north from Amalfi Coast to Rome and thought we might do it as a day trip from Rome. Ended up doing Ostia Antica instead. Although I really wanted to see Pompeii, I can tell you that Ostia Antica was fantastic and so much more doable from Rome. We'll have to see Pompeii another day. For what it's worth, in September the many of the "Treasures of Pompeii" were in London at the British Museum on loan from Naples, so make sure they've gone "home" before making the trip to Naples to see them!

Posted by
3387 posts

We went to Pompeii as a day trip from Rome and it wasn't a problem...it is a long day but is easily done.

Posted by
2829 posts

You can visit Pompei as a day-trip from Rome. Leave early on a high-speed train, take the local train to Pompei Villa dei Misteri, walk a short stroll and you are at the entrance of the archaeological site.

It is worth the effort, in my opinion, as long as you don't overload the day with anything else (some people can't 'resist' the idea of passing close to very famous areas and ignoring them for the sake of planning). If you try to tackle a "side trip" to Napoli, or other activities, then it becomes more exhaustion than enjoyment.

Posted by
196 posts

Personally, I would not invest the travel time to get to Pompeii from Rome. Is Pompeii worth it? It is an awesome place to visit, and I enjoyed going - but i went there when based in Sorrento. I would echo the recommendation that if you want a "pompeii experience" from Rome, go to Ostia Antica. I thought it was awesome, as is Pompeii, but much more doable from Rome (of course, this is based on how I like to travel). I went to Ostia with my then 12 yr old Son when in Rome, and we had a blast - he loved it.

Glenn

Posted by
2829 posts

Ostia Antica is a different site, built and rebuilt over a different historical period and its ruins were preserved on a very different context. It is not better or worse, but different. I don't get the suggestions of replacing one for another.

It takes 1h05min on the high speed trains to reach Napoli Centrale, and another 38 minutes to reach the Pompei archaeology park by local train. Throw in average waiting time at transfer point and you get 2 hours each way.

I'd say is doable - people on this site often travel more on day-trips outside the city they are based while on vacation.

Posted by
4 posts

Wow sounds exactly like the trip our family took four years ago (and we are going back to Italy this year). Yes I agree that Venice is too much as is Pompeii. You want to enjoy the sites/museums you visit. Easy to do a week in Rome and 3 days in Florence (David is a must see). You did not say where you are staying in the Tuscany Region, but if you want to have a non-musuem day and enjoy the region go to Lucca and rent bikes and ride on the wall surrounding the old city. Very relaxing bike ride and you will feel "Italian" for a day.

Cinque Terre is a must, you can take the train from pretty much anywhere in Tuscany. The full hike is tough but do-able. Nice to stop in each village and sit for a drink. The views are breath-taking.

Search the internet for non-hotels to stay in Tuscany and Rome. We stayed in an old renovated monastery in Pistora, above the town. Best part of the trip, owners brought us plates of fresh figs and jam every day and made dinner for us one night "just because". Found an apt on Roomarama in Rome for 150Euros a night. Ciao