Roman ruins day trip from Rome

If you're really excited about Pompeii/Herculaneum, I'd go for it, rather than substituting Ostia Antica (which I really liked). Although I typically like to explore on my own, I'd suggest you consider booking a tour or guide for this type of site... I find it much more enjoyable to have someone walk me through it; I found myself lost a lot in Ostia Antica when I did it on my own.

I'd go for Ostia Antica. It's far less crowded, much, much closer to Rome, and better preserved. You could do Ostia in a half day and provide your husband with that needed variety in the afternoon. If he turns out to be thrilled, you could do the whole day.

Naples and Pompeii? Sounds like a very full day of walking. Check times - you might not be able to do both. Pompeii is truly remarkable - been there a few times - and you can do it easily with a book as light weight as Rick Steves. Haven't done the Naples museum (on the list for this trip) but the National in Rome is TRULY spectacular. Ostia Antica is very different from Pompeii because of the economics of this ancient port city. Close call for me but Pompeii wins. So, how about the National + Pompeii as an itinerary? Have a wonderful trip and a gelato (chocolate please) for me!

Pompeii is a long and hard day as a day trip from Rome. While OA is often recommended as an alternative to Pompeii, IMO it is not comparable other then two old cities - one slowly buried by mud and the other quickly by a volcano. Pompeii can easily consumer a half day if not more if you really get into looking at everything. OA is a very pleasant break from heat of Rome because it is heavy with trees, shade, and it is cool easy to get to. Pompeii is the opposite - no trees, no shade.

I LURVE Prof Tuck!!! I'm currently trying to dig up dirt on him (no pun intended!) in order to force him to take me on private tours of Ancient Italy ;-) My husband and I downloaded this series (and his equally fantastic one on Rome) on our iTouch/Nano/etc and watched them again throughout our trip, especially just prior to visiting Pompeii and Herculaneum. This is a very hard choice - I was going to say Herculaneum, and when I asked my husband he said "Pompeii!!!" LOL! Definitely not Ostia Antica. It just isn't in the same league as the other two; if you really enjoyed the lecture series, you'd be disappointed in OA. But, I do recommend that you go to OA sometime...just not when you only have time for one of the three. (cont.)

(cont.) Herculaneum would be closer, and you need every bit of time you can get. If you are interested in the Pompeii/Herculaneum goodies in Naples, I strongly suggest wearing blinders until you get upstairs to where those items are ;-) There are lots of neat things to look at before you get to the P/H things...perhaps catch them on your way out of the museum. In mid-November, shade or the lack of shouldn't be a huge concern. It wasn't last year at the end of Sept. (and I don't get all of the people who are always saying that OA is sooo shady - we went in '98 and thought we were going to bake in the sun like a couple of bricks. There was NO escape from the sun. NO trees. We've got the photos...Perhaps there was a major planting campaign after our visit...!) I really hope you can find two days for this region - you should see both Pompeii and Herculaneum. They're very similar, and very different. But whichever one you see, Go There First; if you have time, then go to the museum. The fullonica at Pompeii and the Augustales Shrine at Herculaneum were two personal high points for us. I took lots of graffiti pictures; Prof Tuck would be proud ;-) (DO get his Rome series when it's on sale!)

It's question of priorities. If you're really stoked about Pompeii itself (and its dramatic story), you might feel all the extra effort and time would be worth it. If you're just looking for a huge archaeological site of Roman ruins, then OA would be a better choice. Both sites are about the same size. Here's another consideration: the weather in November might be a bit iffy. Neither site would be particularly enjoyable in the rain, nor would being stuck on a train for six or more hours (to/from Pompeii). If the forecast is solid for good weather, then Pompeii could be your choice. If you're only going to get a few hours of good weather, then do Ostia.

Haven't been to OA, but have been to Pompeii. It is great, but just remember that the archaelogical site is fairly well stripped clean of artifacts, and they are all in the museum at Naples. Have fun!