Umbria vs. Pompeii

Pompeii is spectacular and so is Herculaneum, as Pompeii but smaller and better preserved. I love Umbria and I have spent a great deal of time there. So, the answer to your question is, "It all depends on what you and your daughters want to see and do." I assume you are thinking of going to Assisi and other towns. Consider Spoleto in the mix, great castle and bridge.

Very close to where you are you will find the ruins of Carsulae (Google it you want to see). If you go there you will likely be the only ones there and you can have the site all to yourself and actually play among and on Roman ruins from a couple thousand years ago. Pompeii is a story of destruction, Carsulae is a story of Roman life.

Also, near you is The Monster Park (near Bomarzo) and the well of Orvieto (send you daughters to the bottom and have them take your picture as you stay on the top).

In a couple of hours you can be at Porto San Stefano and visit the beach and ocean. I know my kids loved going to the beach more than seeing museums and art.

So, there are things to do in Umbria. If this is your one and only trip to Italy it might be hard to decide.

There is a Roman arena a couple of kilometers from Gubbio, and Spello has uncovered some Roman mosaic pavements.

How many nights do you have?

I would think that a hot dusty archeological site in 100 degree weather is not a good idea.

Not sure if you are goong to Rome? Ostia Antica outside of Rome may appeal if seeing Rome itself is not enough
. I just wouldn't see Pompeii in summertime. It is too exposed no shade and a lot of walking for kids.

JJ nailed it. Enjoy Umbria and take the advice of Zoe and Gordon regarding Spello and Spoleto. Pompeii is ridiculously hot and crowded. Ostia Antica is a terrific idea out of Rome but will still be hot.

IMO the "Monster Park" at Bomarzo is underwhelming. It is unique and if you are driving by, fine, but don't plan a day around it.

(Siena, unlike the car, has only one n in it.) I vote to stay with your plans, because there will be plenty of chances for two pre-teens to see Pompeii later in their lives. Because of its influence on Western art and thought, there is no substitute for Pompeii, just like there is no substitute for Florence or Venice. You have made a decision for an attractive and educational vacation. Stay with it.

Tuscany is almost as stifling as Pompeii on many summer days. We're not pool-people, but we went in the pool after every day driving in our air-conditioned rental car in Tuscany in July. Those hot days make it hard to eat a large dinner, for adults at least. So we focused on good restaurants for lunches.

Incidentally, I agree completely with Laurel about the Monster Park.

Spello is a wonderful place to visit in any case, but don't go specifically for the Roman mosaics without first checking that they are open. Last year there was a big construction project going on to protect the mosaics and they were closed indefinitely.

Thanks everyone! going to stick with the plan. Four nights in venice, two nights in Siena, two nights in umbria and then three nights in Rome before heading to France!