Going to Italy for the first time in April and I cant make up my minde, as a daytrip from Rome, if I want to do Pompeii and Herculaneum or do Pompeii and then visit the National Museum for the artefacts, best mosaics and wall paintings, etc. Help.
Posted by
Seattle, WA, USA
7737 posts
If the choice is simply between Pompeii/Herc and Pompeii/Naples, the answer is easy. Do Pompeii/Naples. Herculaneum is better seen as a smaller alternative to Pompeii. The museum in Naples is pretty amazing. The scale model of Pompeii was built in the late 1800's, I believe, and takes up one large room. It is so accurate that they still use it to identify frescos that were stolen from the site after the model was made. And the number of artifacts, frescoes, etc. is incredible.
Posted by
Memphis, TN
9 posts
The Archeological Museum contains the best of the best from Pompeii and also items from Herculaneum. Although I didn't go to Pompeii (early November) because of mobility problems, I think going there first and then to the museum would be an excellent combination. We had a guide in the museum, and the tour took about 2-1/2 h. The museum contains a model of Pompeii made about 100 years ago, and much more is now available to see. You'll have a wonderful time wherever you decide to go.