Would appreciate some pros and cons of having a personally guided tour of Pompeii versus an audio guide. Does anyone have experience with this? Thank you.
Posted by
shen, ca, usa
111 posts
I'm usually a DIY traveller, but in this case would vote for a guide. You can get a local guide (around 50 euro negotiable) for a 2 hr private tour showing all the highlights and then you can wonder on your own. They wait at the gate for your business. It's much easier than navigate on yor own the maze of narrow alleys. Also, seems only guides can get you into some of the locked sites.
Posted by
Okanagan Valley, BC, Canada
37 posts
We wandered around Pompeii on our own and don't feel we missed out on anything....but it depends on your own preferences. We had read a bit about it beforehand and then took the RS guide along and simply wandered around at our own pace. Other than a poorly photocopied map that was included in our admission fee, the sight itself didn't have any written info to give out... so be sure to take a guide of some sort with you and preferably something that you will have had a chance to browse thru ahead of time.
Posted by
Calgary
2297 posts
This is one of the few places I'd always recommend to get a personal guide.
a) they are quite affordable
b) you don't have to pre-book as there are always some waiting for buisiness at the gate
c) the site is HUGE and can feel like a maze through which it is rather difficult to navigate with only a map or audio guide
d) the guides can answer your personal questions
And after 2 hours of visiting with a private guide you can still spend hours on your own exploring. Just with a better appreciation and understanding of what you're seeing.
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32352 posts
Karen,
I'd also highly recommend an Guide for the tour of Pompeii, as you'll learn so much more about the history that way. Rick has lots of Guides listed in the Italy book (Gaetano is a fantastic Guide!), but as someone else noted there are always lots waiting at the gate when visitors arrive.
While an Audioguide does provide information about the history and allows visitors to travel at their own speed, one can't ask questions of an Audioguide. That's one reason I prefer to have a Guide at that site. I feel that makes for a much more interesting and rewarding visit.
Happy travels!
Posted by
OP
Columbus, Ohio, USA
35 posts
Everyone who has responded has very good points. Thanks so much.
Posted by
WPB, FL & Firenze
3112 posts
I've been to Pompeii 3 times, twice on my own and once on a RS tour with Gaetano as the local guide. Gaetano added a lot of background information that one might not get from a guidebook or audio guide and he's very entertaining, but you won't get much time to linger. Not sure whether all guides provide as good a tour. I've equally enjoyed the times I just wandered around for hours stopping at every place that interested me. Pompeii is an amazing experience either way.