Pompeii Tour

Certainly can be done on your own as any site can be but a guide adds a lot. You have spent thousands getting there, why bulk at spending the last $50.

Pompeii is a HUGE site with a lot to see - and easy to get lost. Yes, you can get audio guides and you will get a map with your entry ticket. However, this is a case where a guide can make a big difference. And you don't have to spend a fortune on it. There are always accredited guides waiting for clients right at the entrance. I can't remember what we paid but it was very affordable for our family of 4 and we had 2 wonderful hours with him. And afterwards we could spend as much time on our own to explore.

Money was not the issue as we have booked quite a few expensive tours. It is more of trying to find a tour that fits into our schedule.

Thanks Beatrix - that sounds like the best way to go for our schedule. Are the guides at the entrance any time of the day?

Lots of guides at the entrance all the time. Spend a few minutes talking with the guides to make sure you are comfortable with their level of English and accent.

Thanks Frank - good suggestion

Linda, we used a private guide for our tour of Herculaneum and Pompeii last September. I couldn't find a group tour and opted for a private guide but it worked out well. We were picked up at our hotel in Sorrento and driven to each site and then also driven to a fantastic winery for lunch at the base of Mt. Vesuvius and then delivered back to our hotel in the afternoon. In retrospect, after seeing both sites, I would definitely use a guide again, even for Herculaneum which is a smaller site. Pompeii is so large and spread out and it was a hot September day when we visited and I was glad to have a guide to take care of all the logistics and lead the way. Our guide insisted on taking us to Herculaneum first as he said it would help us to better envision what Pompeii was like and he was right. You can of course simply hire a guide for Pompeii but I highly suggest seeing Herculaneum as well if you are able to. I actually enjoyed Herculaneum more than Pompeii due to the lack of crowds and the fact that the structures are more intact. If you're interested in contacting the guide that we used for a quote, his name is Sasha Bianco and his web-site is www.tourspompei.com. Have a great trip.