First, Pompeii is an absolute must see, I am embarrassed to say that while I have visited most of Italy, never been to Pompeii. I assumed it was all about finding casts of people that were frozen in time due to the eruption. Not even close. This ruin is the most amazing of any I have visited worldwide. An entire city from the Roman empire preserved for us to walk through and envision what life was like. Spa, Pizza ovens, wine shops, homes... it is all there and art frescos still radiate with color. You could envision life and people from 70 A.D. Second, if you do this on your own or with an abbreviated, check the box cruise shore excursion, you miss 90%. We hired a private guide, Ciro, and for two hours my family (including 3 easily bored teenage sons) were totally enraptured with the facts and storytelling. We spent nearly 3 weeks in Europe, including a cruise to Greece, and this was one of the top experiences without a doubt. Ciro and his father are partners, sharing the duties for tours. I highly recommend. We learned about this through Rick Steves' Italy book, and it is just one more reason we are loyal followers of all things Steves.
Posted by
207 posts
How much did it cost and what is his contract information? Thanks
Posted by
OP
5 posts
Website is www.pompeiitourguide.com. I paid 200 EUR for our five person group. Entrance fees are not included and are 16 EUR per adult and free for kids under 18 (with passport ID).
Posted by
OP
5 posts
I learned about this tour from Rick Steves book on Italy and just reaffirming that it is included by him with very good reason.
...and yes, on the tour in Pompeii you will pass a room where giant wheat grinders made of stone and an oven for baking the bread. Type it into Google and you will see the photos.
Guessing you haven't been to Pompeii.
I have never posted on Rick Steves community as I am more of a Trip Advisor poster. However given the source of the initial recommendation of this tour, I thought it appropriate to share here.
Posted by
Darmouth, MA, USA
377 posts
I am finding all the tours are now asking you to write recommendations on websites. Maybe this tour guide or group is just late to this type of promotion.
Posted by
OP
5 posts
I am sure there are many great private tour options. Main points are 1) definitely see Pompeii and 2) invest the time and $ into a private guided tour.
Last suggestion is to get there at 845a so you hit the ground at 9am when it opens. By 10 the mega-tours are in full force and changes the dynamic. Plus it was hotter than h*ll!
Posted by
3469 posts
In April 2022, we enjoyed three wonderful days of touring with guides from Askos Tours - Pompeii, Ercolano, Oplontis, Stabiae, and the Archeology Museum in Naples. Almost as soon as I posted my trip report, a new poster replied with a glowing review of the much-ballyhooed Gaetano and company, which was identical to their only other post; so the "reply" to my trip report was deleted. No one from Askos asked me to post favorable reviews.
Posted by
Reno, Nevada
1025 posts
Mademuro, I have been to Pompeii several times. To my recollection, there are no pizza ovens. Perhaps you misunderstood.
Posted by
OP
5 posts
Yes, you are correct. The structure is technically for baking bread. I referred to it as a pizza oven as it looks like a wood fired pizza oven of today. My mistake.
Posted by
Cambridge, UK
37 posts
FYI--I just requested prices from Gaetano for his Pompeii tour for later this month (October 2022), and he replied that it would be 290 EUR for a 2 1/2 hour tour for our family of 4 (2 adults and 2 children 13 & 11).
Posted by
Chicago
3 posts
I think it's because the customers were pleasantly surprised during their Pompeii tours that they want to tell more people about it so that they can experience it too!
For example I have used many kitchen scissors. But last week I got the OXO brand kitchen scissors where the blades can COME APART for cleaning!! I'm telling all my friends and family about it like a crazy salesperson!! It brings so much joy when I can finally thoroughly clean my kitchen scissors, I didn't know it was even possible before!
Posted by
Edmonds, WA, USA
1029 posts
Enough with the critical posts. If you have suspicions or concerns, take it to the webmaster.